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The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears and the Nerdy Nephew
Illus. in black-and-white. When Professor Actual Factual's nephew Ferdy comes to town, the cubs try to make him feel at home--but he's a stuck-up nerd! Then Ferdy realizes that he needs the cubs, and everyone learns to respect one another for their own special talents.
98 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 1993
9 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Stan Berenstain
880 books698 followersStan and Jan Berenstain (often called The Berenstains) were American writers and illustrators best known for creating the children's book series the Berenstain Bears. Their son Mike Berenstain joined them as a creative team in the late 1980s.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 23, 2017
102 pages
I didn't know how this was going to be because I've never read one of their chapter books. Idk what it was about this book that made me pick it up in the first place. I noticed as soon as I started that the bears weren't talking the same. I know their other books are usually rhymed so they talk in phrases that rhyme with each other, but in here their speech wasn't consistent. I tried to go with it, because it would have to be different since this is a chapter book.
Brother came home with a C grade on his math test and said he was doing a lot because he's going for All-Around Cub. I didn't like the line where Papa said "you might be the All-Around Washout."
I didn't like that the summary here was different from the one on the book. The book mentioned nothing about Ferdy being the teachr's nephew so Goodreads spoiled that for me. I couldn't believe the bear's real name was Professor Actual Factual. I thought that was their nickname for him. The nephew's name is just too much. Ferdy, which I knew was going to turn into Nerdy Ferdy. It's too convenient for people to make fun of. Factual is the last name, which is also too convenient for a scientist to have that name.
The problems started immediately with Ferdy not even caring to meet them. He didn't shake their hands when they tried to, he was so pretentious saying he had been taught when he was half their age. He laughed uproariously when Sister didn't know what archaeologist or paleontologist meant. He put their dad's profession down and lorded his knowledge over them. He was really unlikable and it was upsetting having someone so rude dominant the story.
When he insulted their dad Brother grabbed his arm and said their dad was good at everything. I expected Ferdy to be afraid and back off. Nope. The nerd apparently is used to this kind of thing because his bored expression never wavered and he only asked coolly if he would let to of his arm and that there's no need to be uncivilized. That reaction was so unrealistic. What nerdy person do you know that's so used to physical altercations that they don't even bat an eye when someone grabs their arm? Yeah, right. He would be about to wet himself and regretting that his mouth got him into that situation to begin with.
There was a good theme in there, though. Their cousin Fred was with them when they met Ferdy and he stuck up for Ferdy by saying that Ferdy being smart isn't the problem, it's that he's stuck-up about it. Because Fred is also smart and likes studying words in the dictionary, and he knows what it's like to be called a nerd just for being smart. The cubs agree that being smart isn't why they don't like Ferdy.
I didn't know that Too-Tall liked Queenie. They said everyone knew he had a crush on her. And actually, now that I think about it, the name Too-Tall seems counteractive to every message they try to send. No one is "too tall." They are the height they are, so naming someone too tall is like saying there's something wrong with them. And is he a bully because of his height? Because he's taller than everyone else? Does height make someone mean? And it's too easy to make a name like this for the school bully.
It took Too-Tall all of a few seconds to come up with the name Nerdy Ferdy. Again, too easy to rhyme. Ferdy is impervious to insult or assault. He isn't phased by this gang of bullies zeroing in on him in any way. He calmly asks who the individual is. Any nerd would be afraid of bullies. Something had to rattle this guy. Just because he's intelligent doesn't mean he can handle any situation.
He just took out his notebook and started writing. When Too-Tall asked what he was doing he said "Not that it's any of your business" but he likes to write on local fauna. When Sister explained that fauna is animals Queenie got a good laugh. She also winked at Ferdy which I found too forward for a child and then said he's kind of cute. Too-Tall said oh yeah? Let's see how cute he is when the gang gets done with him. I felt kind of bad for him that the girl he liked liked someone else, even though he's a bully.
I found it so inconsistent that Ferdy didn't know trophies. He had to ask what kind of artifacts they were. It makes no sense that someone so smart wouldn't know what a trophy was. Even though he'd never been to school, trophies should have come up somewhere.
I couldn't believe that they had this kid say "Sports are the opiates of the mindless." What kind of statement is that?! I know they didn't mean opiates as in drugs, but you shouldn't use a word that's the name of a type of drugs. I was appalled and couldn't believe my eyes. That's also a big word for a kid, whether they're smart or not.
It was funny how after Cousin Fred said opiates are anything that dulls the brain, Brother said "Forget it! I know an insult when I hear one!"
All of a sudden I found myself in the midst of a grammar lesson. Teacher Bob asked who Ferdy talked to and Ferdy corrected him that it should be "whom" he talked to. It's the object of the preposition. I was like what? What's a preposition? I had no idea and it wasn't explained. Bob went on to put Ferdy in his place, by saying he meant it in the vernacular, which is everyday speech by ordinary people. I was still lost. And I couldn't believe Ferdy's nerve in saying that it was ordinary, stupid people. He was so upsetting.
This character irritated me so much. I wanted someone to knock him back down to earth and burst his ego. But no, even after he insults someone the person still wants to protect him and help him out, even if they're mad. Teacher Bob wanted to work hard to make Ferdy comfortable. He thought he was one of those super-smart cubs who have trouble getting along with others. No, he's a stuck-up little know it all who thinks he's better than everyone else and wants to put everyone down. He thinks he knows more than teachers. So irritating and made me lose respect for the teacher.
What happened next was unbelievable. They wrote that Brother was sick about Ferdy's behavior but the next line took it to a whole new place. He said "I could kill that little pill." Whoa. That was such a violent line I can't even believe a children's author, especially the author of these beloved books with wholesome values and important lessons, would think it was okay to say it. And what was worse was the image. I was blown away that an angry Brother had a thought cloud over his head featuring Ferdy surrounded by images of a sword, a bottle of poison, a piece of wood with a nail in it and a gun. Just slow down here. What happened to these books that a kid is contemplating violent murder of another kid? I couldn't get over that. That is not okay. Suddenly the story was all over the place. Ferdy was the problem, we don't have to have it shoved in our faces that other people are the problem with how they react to the know-it-all, not the know it all himself.
I was surprised when Queenie was with Ferdy during recess and Brother said she doesn't really like Ferdy and he doesn't know if she even likes Too-Tall. I didn't know her character but Fred said she just wants to cause trouble and basically watch the fallout. Especially considering that the back of this book shows her kissing Brother on the cheek. This girl just plays the field, doesn't she?
Idk why the summary said Ferdy is a genius except when it comes to standing up to Too-Tall and his gang. He hasn't even been phased by them at all. On the playground Too-Tall snatched his notebook and saw that Ferdy had written "schoolyardus bullyus" and when he asked Ferdy about it, he said that's the scientific name for schoolyard bully. And he was "acting cool as a cucumber." Like he doesn't even care.
There was so much happening in here. It was like the school day would never end. It was one thing after another. Queenie batted her eyelashes at Ferdie at the "cute" names he had come up with. Then she saw Too-Tall was watching and dusted Ferdy off. Let's handle one problem before creating another. They said most people would be upset at what happened during recess, (Too-Tall and his gang pushed Ferdy down and then took his book and played monkey in the middle) but that they couldn't tell what Ferdy was feeling, he only got more stuck-up. Ugh. I want an end to this awful character.
I was beyond pissed that after Ferdy posted corrections to mistakes in the math book on the bulletin board, then corrected two rivers on the map, and then pretended to snore loudly during the homework lesson, Teacher Bob didn't punish him because "the class had already given him a hard enough time." Wtf?!?! The class didn't do anything to him! And now that I think of it, he's a bully in his own right. Putting people down is bullying, and he does it to the teacher which is even worse. The teacher knew others called him Nerdy Ferdy (only Too-Tall had..) and he knew it was going to be hard to shake off. And Brother actually felt a little sorry for him. Okay, everyone was pathetic at this point. Where are their backbones? It's like if someone is bullying you the lesson is that you're at fault and it's your responsibility to help them...FYI, it's not!
Mama and Papa explained that some cubs are so smart and they aren't good at sports and things and have trouble fitting in. They don't want to get made fun of so they push people away to protect their feelings. They encouraged them to stick with Ferdy because he could turn out to be a good guy. It was amusing that Brother called Fred and they decided not to throw Ferdy to the wolves just yet. And the next morning before school, Brother, Sister and Fred took a deep breath before picking him up.
I was thrilled at the mention of a yellow-bellied sapsucker that Ferdy spied. I've seen them at my house! I love bird watching and they're cool birds.
I had no idea what they were talking about when it came to Ferdy's project on machines. The wedge, the inclined plane, wheel and axel, puppy and lever. What material did they pull from for this age group?? I don't remember anything like that in school.
They used the word fulcrum and lever to describe his demonstration of lifting the class piano (what class is this again?? Why is there a piano in the classroom??) by using the window pole. I had no idea what they were talking about. It's a good thing they showed a picture otherwise I would still be stumped.
The next day brought a change of attitude in everyone. The cubs were willing to not be mean to Ferdy no matter what he said. A good lesson not to be mean to anyone even if they're mean to you, but I still don't find anything wrong with letting someone know their behavior is going to have to change because you don't deserve to be treated that way.
Ferdy was in the clouds over Queenie calling him and asking him for homework help, so only then was he nice to the bears. That's like saying you have to do something to make the bully feel important, and only when you show you need a bully will they stop bullying you. They all knew Queenie was just using him, but he went through the day on cloud 9 thinking she would be his girlfriend. Queenie kept encouraging him with looks and admiration, and by recess Too-Tall had had enough of it. He had Queenie ask Ferdy to play dodgeball where he and his gang kept throwing balls at him and hurting him. And worse, Queenie was laughing so hard she teared up. I was so upset at her character. I had no idea she was so mean. I guess her and Too-Tall are perfect together.
Everyone makes a big deal over the little nerd and I'm calling him that because I'm so over him and this whole story. I wish I'd never laid eyes on it. Brother tells the teacher what happened and he reports it to the school which reports it to the police and everyone is out looking for him. Papa tells them that the nerd in his school days, the one he and his friends didn't give up on who turned out to be a bee scientist at the university, also ran away and stayed gone for 2 days. Papa was in the woods looking for him when "Wimpy"--and he calls him this. Why would a grown man-or bear-call someone Wimpy that many years later instead of using their name? That is such a terrible thing to say--rescued him from a hive of bees. Shortly after Professor Actual Factual realized Papa, who had gone off alone, might not know about the quicksand. It's then that I realize what they're going to do. Just like in Papa's past, the nerdy outcast is going to be the hero. So the rescued becomes the rescuer. I could barely process the idea to have this nerd play out the same way as the nerd in Papa's story. Two nerds saving Papa. It was all too much. So smart people will end up saving someone's life? What the heck. And he does his machine bit again, gets a stick as a lever and a rock as a fulcrum...good thing there was a picture, and uses it to get Papa out of the quicksand. What a tale.
The next chapter was called "Abuse a Nerd, Get Suspended." You know, if you don't want your characters using the word nerd then you shouldn't use it.
Brother had problems with football and Ferdy didn't know whether to ask him about it because he didn't want it known that there was a subject he didn't know anything about. Too bad they didn't have this outlook earlier in the story. Nothing could have redeemed this little jerk for me. And oh, how sad. There's one subject on the planet that he doesn't know about. Try being someone that doesn't know jack about anything. He's been showing everybody up on every subject under the sun, and we're supposed to feel bad for him that he doesn't know about sports? I don't--at all.
I had no idea Queenie was such a mean character. Ferdy heard her break up with Too-Tall because he got suspended for bullying Ferdy. She said if they got beaten by the other football team again she'd be embarrassed because she was the head cheerleader and called him a big, stupid klutz. There were so many bullies in this one!
Brother shared that without Too-Tall in the game they don't have a chance of winning, and immediately Ferdy said that he would tell the principal to put him in the game because it's for the whole team and the school, just not Too-Tall. Yeah, right. Like this pretentious little know it all would do a 360 and let his bully play in the game. There is no way he went from sneering at a carpenter career, laughing cruelly at people who don't know the meaning of the big words he uses, to being so nice and asking people what's going wrong in their lives and offering to help. No. Way. He wouldn't want Too-Tall in the game and he wouldn't offer to study the football rule book to put together a plan to beat the bull dogs. Ugh. Of course the outcast has to save the day--again. He was already a hero. And since when does the school smartie singlehandedly come up with a strategy for the football team? Don't they have coaches for that kind of thing?
Almost everybody in town liked him after he saved Papa's life, and the remaining liked him after he came up with the football strategy to beat the other team. Hah. Little Ferdy coaching the football coach...what a joke. I had literally no idea what "hurry up, no huddle offense" meant, that supposedly meant what a Chinese philosopher said: "Sow confusion to the wind and you make your enemy chaff." Okayy. And it seems like they didn't either. Not one word was breathed of the football offense strategy used to win the game.
No one used the nickname anymore, and at the end Too-Tall put Ferdy on his shoulders and told his gang off about taking to Ferdy like that anymore. "He can't help it if he's a genius." Uh, he can't help if he's a genius? He wasn't a genius. He was a know it all, pretentious little prick who put people down for not being as smart as he was. That isn't being a genius, that's being a jerk. That is the message? This is why the book was written? Give the jerk a reason to prove himself because all he needs is a chance to be a hero and then he'll be nice to everyone? No. This was such an irresponsible book with a terrible message.
Thanks to a Goodreads friend, Tracy, telling me about a Berenstain Bears podcast, I was able to listen to onediscussing the book. Thankfully he had problems with the book too, because I needed to commiserate with someone over what the heck this was.
Phil Gonzales reminded me of such an important part of the story. The whole book started out with Brother doing bad on a math test and going for All-Around Cub Award. It is never picked up again! Did he get better at math? Did he win the award? That plot point disappeared as Nerdy Ferdy took over the entire story.
It was so funny when as he discussed one of the bullying scenes, he said it's really hard to feel bad for Ferdy, and he's making him root for Too-Tall, "who is a serial harasser!" That's exactly how I felt. I'm so glad I listened to that podcast. Also, as he mentioned, nothing is said about Queenie. She was mean to both Too-Tall and Ferdy and in the end they got along. Was she ashamed of her behavior? Did she see that she shouldn't have used Ferdy and tried to make Too-Tall jealous?
I was waiting for Brother to realize his crazy, murderous thoughts were all wrong and be ashamed of wanting to kill someone. They were never mentioned again. I still can't fathom why the authors of this beloved series would have their character contemplate violent murder.
I didn't know how this was going to be because I've never read one of their chapter books. Idk what it was about this book that made me pick it up in the first place. I noticed as soon as I started that the bears weren't talking the same. I know their other books are usually rhymed so they talk in phrases that rhyme with each other, but in here their speech wasn't consistent. I tried to go with it, because it would have to be different since this is a chapter book.
Brother came home with a C grade on his math test and said he was doing a lot because he's going for All-Around Cub. I didn't like the line where Papa said "you might be the All-Around Washout."
I didn't like that the summary here was different from the one on the book. The book mentioned nothing about Ferdy being the teachr's nephew so Goodreads spoiled that for me. I couldn't believe the bear's real name was Professor Actual Factual. I thought that was their nickname for him. The nephew's name is just too much. Ferdy, which I knew was going to turn into Nerdy Ferdy. It's too convenient for people to make fun of. Factual is the last name, which is also too convenient for a scientist to have that name.
The problems started immediately with Ferdy not even caring to meet them. He didn't shake their hands when they tried to, he was so pretentious saying he had been taught when he was half their age. He laughed uproariously when Sister didn't know what archaeologist or paleontologist meant. He put their dad's profession down and lorded his knowledge over them. He was really unlikable and it was upsetting having someone so rude dominant the story.
When he insulted their dad Brother grabbed his arm and said their dad was good at everything. I expected Ferdy to be afraid and back off. Nope. The nerd apparently is used to this kind of thing because his bored expression never wavered and he only asked coolly if he would let to of his arm and that there's no need to be uncivilized. That reaction was so unrealistic. What nerdy person do you know that's so used to physical altercations that they don't even bat an eye when someone grabs their arm? Yeah, right. He would be about to wet himself and regretting that his mouth got him into that situation to begin with.
There was a good theme in there, though. Their cousin Fred was with them when they met Ferdy and he stuck up for Ferdy by saying that Ferdy being smart isn't the problem, it's that he's stuck-up about it. Because Fred is also smart and likes studying words in the dictionary, and he knows what it's like to be called a nerd just for being smart. The cubs agree that being smart isn't why they don't like Ferdy.
I didn't know that Too-Tall liked Queenie. They said everyone knew he had a crush on her. And actually, now that I think about it, the name Too-Tall seems counteractive to every message they try to send. No one is "too tall." They are the height they are, so naming someone too tall is like saying there's something wrong with them. And is he a bully because of his height? Because he's taller than everyone else? Does height make someone mean? And it's too easy to make a name like this for the school bully.
It took Too-Tall all of a few seconds to come up with the name Nerdy Ferdy. Again, too easy to rhyme. Ferdy is impervious to insult or assault. He isn't phased by this gang of bullies zeroing in on him in any way. He calmly asks who the individual is. Any nerd would be afraid of bullies. Something had to rattle this guy. Just because he's intelligent doesn't mean he can handle any situation.
He just took out his notebook and started writing. When Too-Tall asked what he was doing he said "Not that it's any of your business" but he likes to write on local fauna. When Sister explained that fauna is animals Queenie got a good laugh. She also winked at Ferdy which I found too forward for a child and then said he's kind of cute. Too-Tall said oh yeah? Let's see how cute he is when the gang gets done with him. I felt kind of bad for him that the girl he liked liked someone else, even though he's a bully.
I found it so inconsistent that Ferdy didn't know trophies. He had to ask what kind of artifacts they were. It makes no sense that someone so smart wouldn't know what a trophy was. Even though he'd never been to school, trophies should have come up somewhere.
I couldn't believe that they had this kid say "Sports are the opiates of the mindless." What kind of statement is that?! I know they didn't mean opiates as in drugs, but you shouldn't use a word that's the name of a type of drugs. I was appalled and couldn't believe my eyes. That's also a big word for a kid, whether they're smart or not.
It was funny how after Cousin Fred said opiates are anything that dulls the brain, Brother said "Forget it! I know an insult when I hear one!"
All of a sudden I found myself in the midst of a grammar lesson. Teacher Bob asked who Ferdy talked to and Ferdy corrected him that it should be "whom" he talked to. It's the object of the preposition. I was like what? What's a preposition? I had no idea and it wasn't explained. Bob went on to put Ferdy in his place, by saying he meant it in the vernacular, which is everyday speech by ordinary people. I was still lost. And I couldn't believe Ferdy's nerve in saying that it was ordinary, stupid people. He was so upsetting.
This character irritated me so much. I wanted someone to knock him back down to earth and burst his ego. But no, even after he insults someone the person still wants to protect him and help him out, even if they're mad. Teacher Bob wanted to work hard to make Ferdy comfortable. He thought he was one of those super-smart cubs who have trouble getting along with others. No, he's a stuck-up little know it all who thinks he's better than everyone else and wants to put everyone down. He thinks he knows more than teachers. So irritating and made me lose respect for the teacher.
What happened next was unbelievable. They wrote that Brother was sick about Ferdy's behavior but the next line took it to a whole new place. He said "I could kill that little pill." Whoa. That was such a violent line I can't even believe a children's author, especially the author of these beloved books with wholesome values and important lessons, would think it was okay to say it. And what was worse was the image. I was blown away that an angry Brother had a thought cloud over his head featuring Ferdy surrounded by images of a sword, a bottle of poison, a piece of wood with a nail in it and a gun. Just slow down here. What happened to these books that a kid is contemplating violent murder of another kid? I couldn't get over that. That is not okay. Suddenly the story was all over the place. Ferdy was the problem, we don't have to have it shoved in our faces that other people are the problem with how they react to the know-it-all, not the know it all himself.
I was surprised when Queenie was with Ferdy during recess and Brother said she doesn't really like Ferdy and he doesn't know if she even likes Too-Tall. I didn't know her character but Fred said she just wants to cause trouble and basically watch the fallout. Especially considering that the back of this book shows her kissing Brother on the cheek. This girl just plays the field, doesn't she?
Idk why the summary said Ferdy is a genius except when it comes to standing up to Too-Tall and his gang. He hasn't even been phased by them at all. On the playground Too-Tall snatched his notebook and saw that Ferdy had written "schoolyardus bullyus" and when he asked Ferdy about it, he said that's the scientific name for schoolyard bully. And he was "acting cool as a cucumber." Like he doesn't even care.
There was so much happening in here. It was like the school day would never end. It was one thing after another. Queenie batted her eyelashes at Ferdie at the "cute" names he had come up with. Then she saw Too-Tall was watching and dusted Ferdy off. Let's handle one problem before creating another. They said most people would be upset at what happened during recess, (Too-Tall and his gang pushed Ferdy down and then took his book and played monkey in the middle) but that they couldn't tell what Ferdy was feeling, he only got more stuck-up. Ugh. I want an end to this awful character.
I was beyond pissed that after Ferdy posted corrections to mistakes in the math book on the bulletin board, then corrected two rivers on the map, and then pretended to snore loudly during the homework lesson, Teacher Bob didn't punish him because "the class had already given him a hard enough time." Wtf?!?! The class didn't do anything to him! And now that I think of it, he's a bully in his own right. Putting people down is bullying, and he does it to the teacher which is even worse. The teacher knew others called him Nerdy Ferdy (only Too-Tall had..) and he knew it was going to be hard to shake off. And Brother actually felt a little sorry for him. Okay, everyone was pathetic at this point. Where are their backbones? It's like if someone is bullying you the lesson is that you're at fault and it's your responsibility to help them...FYI, it's not!
Mama and Papa explained that some cubs are so smart and they aren't good at sports and things and have trouble fitting in. They don't want to get made fun of so they push people away to protect their feelings. They encouraged them to stick with Ferdy because he could turn out to be a good guy. It was amusing that Brother called Fred and they decided not to throw Ferdy to the wolves just yet. And the next morning before school, Brother, Sister and Fred took a deep breath before picking him up.
I was thrilled at the mention of a yellow-bellied sapsucker that Ferdy spied. I've seen them at my house! I love bird watching and they're cool birds.
I had no idea what they were talking about when it came to Ferdy's project on machines. The wedge, the inclined plane, wheel and axel, puppy and lever. What material did they pull from for this age group?? I don't remember anything like that in school.
They used the word fulcrum and lever to describe his demonstration of lifting the class piano (what class is this again?? Why is there a piano in the classroom??) by using the window pole. I had no idea what they were talking about. It's a good thing they showed a picture otherwise I would still be stumped.
The next day brought a change of attitude in everyone. The cubs were willing to not be mean to Ferdy no matter what he said. A good lesson not to be mean to anyone even if they're mean to you, but I still don't find anything wrong with letting someone know their behavior is going to have to change because you don't deserve to be treated that way.
Ferdy was in the clouds over Queenie calling him and asking him for homework help, so only then was he nice to the bears. That's like saying you have to do something to make the bully feel important, and only when you show you need a bully will they stop bullying you. They all knew Queenie was just using him, but he went through the day on cloud 9 thinking she would be his girlfriend. Queenie kept encouraging him with looks and admiration, and by recess Too-Tall had had enough of it. He had Queenie ask Ferdy to play dodgeball where he and his gang kept throwing balls at him and hurting him. And worse, Queenie was laughing so hard she teared up. I was so upset at her character. I had no idea she was so mean. I guess her and Too-Tall are perfect together.
Everyone makes a big deal over the little nerd and I'm calling him that because I'm so over him and this whole story. I wish I'd never laid eyes on it. Brother tells the teacher what happened and he reports it to the school which reports it to the police and everyone is out looking for him. Papa tells them that the nerd in his school days, the one he and his friends didn't give up on who turned out to be a bee scientist at the university, also ran away and stayed gone for 2 days. Papa was in the woods looking for him when "Wimpy"--and he calls him this. Why would a grown man-or bear-call someone Wimpy that many years later instead of using their name? That is such a terrible thing to say--rescued him from a hive of bees. Shortly after Professor Actual Factual realized Papa, who had gone off alone, might not know about the quicksand. It's then that I realize what they're going to do. Just like in Papa's past, the nerdy outcast is going to be the hero. So the rescued becomes the rescuer. I could barely process the idea to have this nerd play out the same way as the nerd in Papa's story. Two nerds saving Papa. It was all too much. So smart people will end up saving someone's life? What the heck. And he does his machine bit again, gets a stick as a lever and a rock as a fulcrum...good thing there was a picture, and uses it to get Papa out of the quicksand. What a tale.
The next chapter was called "Abuse a Nerd, Get Suspended." You know, if you don't want your characters using the word nerd then you shouldn't use it.
Brother had problems with football and Ferdy didn't know whether to ask him about it because he didn't want it known that there was a subject he didn't know anything about. Too bad they didn't have this outlook earlier in the story. Nothing could have redeemed this little jerk for me. And oh, how sad. There's one subject on the planet that he doesn't know about. Try being someone that doesn't know jack about anything. He's been showing everybody up on every subject under the sun, and we're supposed to feel bad for him that he doesn't know about sports? I don't--at all.
I had no idea Queenie was such a mean character. Ferdy heard her break up with Too-Tall because he got suspended for bullying Ferdy. She said if they got beaten by the other football team again she'd be embarrassed because she was the head cheerleader and called him a big, stupid klutz. There were so many bullies in this one!
Brother shared that without Too-Tall in the game they don't have a chance of winning, and immediately Ferdy said that he would tell the principal to put him in the game because it's for the whole team and the school, just not Too-Tall. Yeah, right. Like this pretentious little know it all would do a 360 and let his bully play in the game. There is no way he went from sneering at a carpenter career, laughing cruelly at people who don't know the meaning of the big words he uses, to being so nice and asking people what's going wrong in their lives and offering to help. No. Way. He wouldn't want Too-Tall in the game and he wouldn't offer to study the football rule book to put together a plan to beat the bull dogs. Ugh. Of course the outcast has to save the day--again. He was already a hero. And since when does the school smartie singlehandedly come up with a strategy for the football team? Don't they have coaches for that kind of thing?
Almost everybody in town liked him after he saved Papa's life, and the remaining liked him after he came up with the football strategy to beat the other team. Hah. Little Ferdy coaching the football coach...what a joke. I had literally no idea what "hurry up, no huddle offense" meant, that supposedly meant what a Chinese philosopher said: "Sow confusion to the wind and you make your enemy chaff." Okayy. And it seems like they didn't either. Not one word was breathed of the football offense strategy used to win the game.
No one used the nickname anymore, and at the end Too-Tall put Ferdy on his shoulders and told his gang off about taking to Ferdy like that anymore. "He can't help it if he's a genius." Uh, he can't help if he's a genius? He wasn't a genius. He was a know it all, pretentious little prick who put people down for not being as smart as he was. That isn't being a genius, that's being a jerk. That is the message? This is why the book was written? Give the jerk a reason to prove himself because all he needs is a chance to be a hero and then he'll be nice to everyone? No. This was such an irresponsible book with a terrible message.
Thanks to a Goodreads friend, Tracy, telling me about a Berenstain Bears podcast, I was able to listen to onediscussing the book. Thankfully he had problems with the book too, because I needed to commiserate with someone over what the heck this was.
Phil Gonzales reminded me of such an important part of the story. The whole book started out with Brother doing bad on a math test and going for All-Around Cub Award. It is never picked up again! Did he get better at math? Did he win the award? That plot point disappeared as Nerdy Ferdy took over the entire story.
It was so funny when as he discussed one of the bullying scenes, he said it's really hard to feel bad for Ferdy, and he's making him root for Too-Tall, "who is a serial harasser!" That's exactly how I felt. I'm so glad I listened to that podcast. Also, as he mentioned, nothing is said about Queenie. She was mean to both Too-Tall and Ferdy and in the end they got along. Was she ashamed of her behavior? Did she see that she shouldn't have used Ferdy and tried to make Too-Tall jealous?
I was waiting for Brother to realize his crazy, murderous thoughts were all wrong and be ashamed of wanting to kill someone. They were never mentioned again. I still can't fathom why the authors of this beloved series would have their character contemplate violent murder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2017
Brother and Sister are asked to help the Nerdy Nephew as he joins them in school. Sometimes he goes with his parents on digs. He has a hard time fitting in with the cubs, who aren't as bright as he is. Bother and Sister cubs, help him to fit in, and make friends.
I'm a big fan of Stan and Jan Berenstain books. I had no idea they had written so many books, and that they had a lot of books for a little bit older children. I still have a few books by them, that I read to my grandchildren. They have written on subjects, that children come across in their daily lives.
I used to be a little jealous of my brother's intelligence, but then I noticed his trouble dealing with other children. It helped me to be more understanding of other students, who were very brilliant, but who had trouble socializing with other children.
The Berenstain's have given us some great books, on topics that are helpful to children.
I'm a big fan of Stan and Jan Berenstain books. I had no idea they had written so many books, and that they had a lot of books for a little bit older children. I still have a few books by them, that I read to my grandchildren. They have written on subjects, that children come across in their daily lives.
I used to be a little jealous of my brother's intelligence, but then I noticed his trouble dealing with other children. It helped me to be more understanding of other students, who were very brilliant, but who had trouble socializing with other children.
The Berenstain's have given us some great books, on topics that are helpful to children.
May 7, 2018
Professor Actual Factual's nephew Ferdy comes to town and it turns out he's a total know-it-all. You really need to look out for these homeschooled kids.
But not everyone appreciates Ferdy, and there's a lot of trouble as he learns how to fit in. Or doesn't really. Brother and Sister Bear are fairly patient, I'll give them that. And it's kind of fun seeing that yes, nerds do fall in love too.
Overall, a decent addition to this series, but without a lot of substance. But for practicing reading it's a good book, especially as it deals with a lot of topics (not fitting in, bullying, crushes) that kids can really identify with. For that I'll give it four stars.
But not everyone appreciates Ferdy, and there's a lot of trouble as he learns how to fit in. Or doesn't really. Brother and Sister Bear are fairly patient, I'll give them that. And it's kind of fun seeing that yes, nerds do fall in love too.
Overall, a decent addition to this series, but without a lot of substance. But for practicing reading it's a good book, especially as it deals with a lot of topics (not fitting in, bullying, crushes) that kids can really identify with. For that I'll give it four stars.
May 18, 2022
Fernie is so conceited he laughs at Papa being a lowly carpenter despite the fact carpenter still are needed in the modern world. Fernie’s uncle is museum’s curator so aren’t wooden furnishings also in the museums? So much for being smart ? Fernie still saves Papa from quicksand after Papa tries to find him the swamps.
December 18, 2018
Revisiting some of the old classics. Like most of the books you loved in childhood the adult reading falls a little flat.
But... it's also fun to think about how things have changed as far as acceptable joking.
Probably can't get away today with a hero who has homicidal thoughts about his cousin (illustrated, no less... with a nail through a board in one, particularly dark, scenario.)
I will hand it to the Berenstain's for the development of a character that was truly hateable. The names though.... cmon. It's like they got high one night and named every character.
But... it's also fun to think about how things have changed as far as acceptable joking.
Probably can't get away today with a hero who has homicidal thoughts about his cousin (illustrated, no less... with a nail through a board in one, particularly dark, scenario.)
I will hand it to the Berenstain's for the development of a character that was truly hateable. The names though.... cmon. It's like they got high one night and named every character.
November 5, 2017
Wonderful
I would recommend to anyone. I loved it. Interesting throughout the entire book. Couldn't put it down. Great book. Unbelievable.
I would recommend to anyone. I loved it. Interesting throughout the entire book. Couldn't put it down. Great book. Unbelievable.
June 19, 2020
Great story to read with young children starting school.
August 1, 2020
This is a good and easy book for young readers that deals with bullying, and with other emotions of childhood.
January 2, 2021
This was a cute read . . . I would have loved this chapter book as a kid had I known about it.
March 23, 2023
"When a new cub acts too smart
and is very hard to deal
the other Cubs reject
and don't know how to feel"
Ferdy Factual is the new cub at Bear county School. At his uncle's request brother Bear and his friends sister Bonnie and Barry are asked to look after Ferd and introduce him to the school. But Ferd is a smart aleck and a snob. He has never been to school before and has been homeschooled by his very smart and well educated parents. Because of this he has a higher opinion of his own intelligence and he shows off to everyone every chance he gets. So he tends to make rude remarks based on other Cubs intelligence. This causes Too tall and his gang to come after Ferd.
I do like how we get to understanding that Feed is not mean because he wants to be mean but because it's like a emotional barrier. Kids do put emotional barrier when they are trying to protect themselves from other kids. It's sort of like a defense mechanism. So Ferd uses his wits and his smarts as an emotional barrier because he's afraid of being rejected but at the same time it's that barrier that's getting him rejected by the other Cubs and I do like how brother Bear and sister bear try to help Ferd and get him to get more involved with the school but I will say this I kind of feel that we should have gotten a better idea of how Ferd felt at how he was doing you know it never shows he had that aha moment of where he should stop acting smart rude and start acting more friendly. But overall it was a really cute story accepting other Cubs and trying to make friends.
and is very hard to deal
the other Cubs reject
and don't know how to feel"
Ferdy Factual is the new cub at Bear county School. At his uncle's request brother Bear and his friends sister Bonnie and Barry are asked to look after Ferd and introduce him to the school. But Ferd is a smart aleck and a snob. He has never been to school before and has been homeschooled by his very smart and well educated parents. Because of this he has a higher opinion of his own intelligence and he shows off to everyone every chance he gets. So he tends to make rude remarks based on other Cubs intelligence. This causes Too tall and his gang to come after Ferd.
I do like how we get to understanding that Feed is not mean because he wants to be mean but because it's like a emotional barrier. Kids do put emotional barrier when they are trying to protect themselves from other kids. It's sort of like a defense mechanism. So Ferd uses his wits and his smarts as an emotional barrier because he's afraid of being rejected but at the same time it's that barrier that's getting him rejected by the other Cubs and I do like how brother Bear and sister bear try to help Ferd and get him to get more involved with the school but I will say this I kind of feel that we should have gotten a better idea of how Ferd felt at how he was doing you know it never shows he had that aha moment of where he should stop acting smart rude and start acting more friendly. But overall it was a really cute story accepting other Cubs and trying to make friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2015
In this tale, the nephew of one of the local professors (with the ridiculous name of Actual Factual) comes to town and the Berenstein family and their friends welcome him and try to get along, but soon lose patience with his rude, snobbish, know-it-all ways. Freddy cannot resist making everyone feel like an idiot---even the teacher. The kids can’t stand him but they have promised to be nice and can’t go back on their promise.
Obviously, the Too-Tall gang catches wind of his presence and cannot resist mocking Ferdy (“Who’re you calling an individual?”) At the same time, Too-Tall’s girlfriend begins falling for him, but it later turns out that she is simply trying to woo the clueless Ferdy into helping her with homework and make Too-Tall jealous. When To-Tall threatens Ferdy, the kids consider leaving him to fend for himself. Too-Tall seizes Ferdy’s notebook and finds one of the dumbest things about the entire Berenstein Bears series (Too-Tall: schoolyardus bullyus." Seriously?) Too-Tall eventually goads the foolish Ferdy into a “gentlemanly” dodgeball match. Ferdy is embarrassed when even Queenie finds his plight hilarious, and he furiously rebuffs Brother’s and Freddy’s attempts to help. He then disappears until rescued by Papa from quicksand. Too-Tall’s behavior gets him booted from the football team just as a major game is about to take place, so Brother and Ferdy eventually devise a plan to help him. Too-Tall acts grateful, but treats Ferdy quite rudely in later books anyway.
Well-written and interesting, if formulaic; everyone learns a lesson. Bizarrely, at one point Brother Bear is quite angry with Ferdy and his thought bubbles contain pictures of poison, a knife and a gun.
Obviously, the Too-Tall gang catches wind of his presence and cannot resist mocking Ferdy (“Who’re you calling an individual?”) At the same time, Too-Tall’s girlfriend begins falling for him, but it later turns out that she is simply trying to woo the clueless Ferdy into helping her with homework and make Too-Tall jealous. When To-Tall threatens Ferdy, the kids consider leaving him to fend for himself. Too-Tall seizes Ferdy’s notebook and finds one of the dumbest things about the entire Berenstein Bears series (Too-Tall: schoolyardus bullyus." Seriously?) Too-Tall eventually goads the foolish Ferdy into a “gentlemanly” dodgeball match. Ferdy is embarrassed when even Queenie finds his plight hilarious, and he furiously rebuffs Brother’s and Freddy’s attempts to help. He then disappears until rescued by Papa from quicksand. Too-Tall’s behavior gets him booted from the football team just as a major game is about to take place, so Brother and Ferdy eventually devise a plan to help him. Too-Tall acts grateful, but treats Ferdy quite rudely in later books anyway.
Well-written and interesting, if formulaic; everyone learns a lesson. Bizarrely, at one point Brother Bear is quite angry with Ferdy and his thought bubbles contain pictures of poison, a knife and a gun.
October 17, 2014
When I was a kid I loved Berenstain Bears books, and when the chapter books came out I was the perfect age to start reading them. I remember reading this one quite a few times as a kid. I actually kept my copy and gave it to my daughter recently. She loved it as much as I did.
The book focuses on Brother and Sister's attempts to help Professor Actual Factual's nephew, Ferdy, fit in at school. Ferdy is the condescending, asshole nerd. You know the type. Ferdy starts thinking he's hot shit because Queenie acts like she's into him. But she's not. She's just trying to make Too-Tall jealous and get answers to homework.
In the end everyone learns a lesson and they're all friends. Cause that's how shit in Bear Country works.
The book focuses on Brother and Sister's attempts to help Professor Actual Factual's nephew, Ferdy, fit in at school. Ferdy is the condescending, asshole nerd. You know the type. Ferdy starts thinking he's hot shit because Queenie acts like she's into him. But she's not. She's just trying to make Too-Tall jealous and get answers to homework.
In the end everyone learns a lesson and they're all friends. Cause that's how shit in Bear Country works.
December 4, 2012
I love a happy ending! :o)
Read
December 3, 2016Reccomended for ages 7-11.
Read
January 1, 2017Grandkids loved it
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