The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School: Ten-Year Anniversary Edition

by Ken Derby

Special Ten-Year Anniversary Edition!

Over 122,000 copies in print!

Originally published as The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade, but now it has a new cover and a new title, The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School. It is the same humorous book with the same humorous story that kids love!

An International Reading Association and Children's Book Council "Children's Choices" Honor Book

An Alabama "Children's Choice Book Award Program" Winner

"Nonstop wacky action." - School Library Journal"

"A quick, fun read that will appeal to would-be show-offs everywhere." - Booklist"

"This very funny, very silly book is filled with kids, teachers and parents who will make you laugh - when you're not chuckling about Tony's latest antics." -The Washington Post"

Summary: Anthony Madison, a.k.a. Tony Baloney, can't get enough of the Late Show with David Letterman. He loves the Late Show and will stop at nothing to get himself on the program. But to get from Kansas City to New York City, he'll have to pull out all the stops. With his own brand of Top Ten lists, and stunts that range from photocopying his hinder to taking to the field in a bear suit at a professional football game, Tony takes the NFL, MTV, New York City, the Hells Angels, his teacher, friends, family, and readers on an uproarious ride to remember.

Hey kids! Have fun submitting your own hilarious Top Ten lists online at Top Ten School! And . . . you can become an official member of the Top Ten Rockers at Top Ten School!

Hardcover originally published by Holiday House. Paperback originally published by Scholastic. Paperback re-released by Illusion Publishing.

Genres: Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Ken Derby is a slightly famous author, monkey trainer, twelve-minute rock star, five-minute TV star, two-minute movie star, fisherman, and former CIA operative (okay . . . not really). When he isn't teaching or writing, he might be found reading, working out, biking, or rooting for the Denver Broncos. Ken lives in Budapest, Hungary and teaches grade five at the American International School of Budapest. One of his books, "The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School," is an International Reading Association and Children's Book Council "Children's Choices" Honor Book and an Alabama "Children's Choice Book Award Program" winner. Ken is available for author visits and virtual author visits. Visit Ken's website to learn more about him.

New Book Released on Sept. 6, 2013!
Harley Patrick Davidsun, the zany biker/rocker/teacher dude from "The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School" will tickle your funny bone in my new book called "Harley P. Davidsun's Loony Bin"! And his classroom is not what one would call "traditional." He's nicknamed it "The Fourth Grade Loony Bin," and that's exactly what it is, especially when he pits the boys against the girls in a contest to win a ride on his chopped motorcycle. Zany events - ranging from a flatulence test to Kiss-A-Mania - mean you'll never know what's going to happen next. Step into the Loony Bin and find out who wins the wacky contest, and you'll be glad you went along for the ride!

Reviews

[Alondra Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a kid that thinks of things how to ruin the 5 grade. I like this book because it has so much detail for you to understand the book. I recommend his book to 5 grade because of the story it gives you about 5 grade and what not to do an o listen to your teacher read this book it will help you

[Iyla Orman · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a great book, I loved how they did a lot of tricks to the teachers and the motorcycles, I loved the book

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars because of the entertainment and pop culture references from the 1990s. It would be a fun read aloud to 5th Grade. I forgot how funny David Letterman was, and this book has his show as Tony’s quest. How great would it be to expose kids to how hilarious Dave was?! Unfortunately, it’s not easy to find any of his Top Ten 10 clips that are appropriate for 10 year olds, but his videos with kids and pets are funnier anyway, so I’d use those. The book is not classic by any means, but was fun to read.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my students and, for the most part, we had a lot of good laughs. Since we live in Vietnam, many of the U.S. references (and there were A LOT), were not contextually challenging for us. There were many times I had to show clips of The Late Show, image search football fields, and stop to explain jokes. Because of this, we actually learned a lot from the book.

I am giving the book three stars however, because it seemed as though it would only be appropriate for students in the U.S. who grew up in the late nineties and early 2000s. References to Limp Bizkit, Hell's Angels, and Madonna might even be irrelevant to student in the U.S. today and can take some time to explain.

In all, my class enjoyed the story and were excited when it was time to read. I am relieved we have finally finished, as it took much longer than I had anticipated with the added explanations. If you think you or your students will be able to follow the culture behind this story, give it a read. Tony Baloney is indeed an outrageous kid!

[Amy Oaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always begin the school year reading this book to my new 5th grade students. It is a hilarious and silly read that really units the entire class, both students and teachers can relate to the story in their own ways.

[Alayna Fontenot]

I like this book because it talks about how kids going to be in school and that if they be good then they will have fun with the teacher and that if the kids be bad then they have to stay in and do they work that they did do and why I like it because its fuuny and I can read it over and over.

[Yoselyn Lujan-Ceja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it's silly and funny. I give this book a 3.5. If I could I would read this book again.:)

[Yulissa Becerra-Duran · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a good book and really funny to read.I like it.

[Kaethe · Rating 1 out of 5]

The PandaBat selected this, and then passed it on to me when she finished. No book built around stupid human tricks can be all bad, can it?

***

Our story involves three fifth-graders from Kansas City and their teacher: Tony Baloney, Anna Banana, Mo, and Mr. Gore. TB does every stupid thing that occurs to him the moment it does, Anna and Mo assist. Tony's great dream is to be on the Late Show with David Letterman, to which end he keeps doing stupid stuff and then writing a letter to his idol which includes a Top Ten List and in which the number one thing in the list is his latest stupid thing. Anna is all about handsome men, and she adores Tony. Mo is simply frightened of everything. After a series of implausible events, Tony gets to live his dream.

Um, let's see, the characters are one dimensional. The plot is unbelievable. The jokes are lame. Letterman the character never seemed like the real person. Everything seems weirdly off-kilter and dated. I never bought a word of it.

On the other hand, the PandaBat (third grade) thought it was a hoot.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book, though I tried mightily. It had come highly recommended from someone who had listed other humorous books that I had liked (Long Way from Chicago, No More Dead Dogs), so anticipation was high. The action didn't make sense to me - not even remotely - to the point that I was annoyed by the book's events and character decisions. I understand that the action was slapstick funny - it would probably be hilarious in a movie - but it wasn't book funny.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

My edition was titled "The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School" but is identical. All I can say is, am I glad that Tony Baloney isn't one of my fifth graders...! Very funny, even though exaggerated at times, and surely a winner with every kid reader. Just to give you a little taste: try imagining someone jump-roping on a toilet seat, interrupting a football match by stealing the ball, causing havoc among a gang of bikers in New York City - yes, things sort of happen to Tony Baloney, which is the biggest understatement ever ;)

[JohnShin8 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this book was not bad but also not good. It wasn't really enjoyable to me. The book, The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School, was about a 5th grade student who did crazy things to get on a TV show he really liked. The book title says much about the style of the writing. The author's intentions were to write for elementary students, around 5th and 6th grade. It had easy vocabulary and a very childish humor. However, for me, I am not a great reader so even though the book was for young children, the level was about right for me and is a great way to start developing to read.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book would be on my top ten list.It is very interesting and fun to listen my teacher read it to our class.Every time she starts reading it i pay so much attenchion its like im addicted to the book when i listen to it.The author did a really good job on this book.
I love

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Baloney loves the Late Show with David Lettermen and he gets in so much trouble by doing stupid tricks and jokes from the show. He writes letters to David Lettermen saying how much he loves his show, and one day is invited to New York to be on the show.

I liked this book it was hilarious, I loved it a lot.

I would definetly recommend this book it was really good.

[Anamarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this book was amazing it talks about a boy who chases his dreams and meets them!!!through his travels in NEW YORK CITY he meets many stars and celebraties!!!as he said in the book problems just happens to him and he was right!!i hope you get a chance to read this unpredictable book it was soooo outstanding!!!!!!!!!1

[Kambri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very funny book. T.B. has done many pranks to be on The Late Show With David Letterman. He finally gets to be on the show along with his friends. I think this has been the best book I have ever read.

[Andrew Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was very funny and has great little stories about TB and his friends being on the David Letterman's late night show. If you really like humor and funny books, i think you should read this.

[Katheryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is exciting.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because they talk about real shows and teams.

[Gina Ruffcorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a funny, lighthearted book.

[°☆.。.:*・Nanna°☆.。.:*・ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this book because the cover and what was written on it made it seem interesting. Basically, this book is about a kid that is obsessed with the Late Show with David Letterman. He makes all these lists and wants to be on the show. He keeps on sending David letters of these list and asks to the be on the show and says that he would do anything to get on there. The book was kind of funny, I just felt that it was very one note and there wasn't a lot of difference happening in the book.

[sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have a book to read and like funny books let me introduce you to the top ten ways to ruin the first day of school. I recommend this book for funny people. I give it a 4/5 .The characters are Tb Mo and Anna .There Goal is to go to the late night show. Ken derby used some very funny words and sentence. Its a good entertainment book for KIDS. The book has 16 chapters of funniness and hilarious.

[Christina Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book and I would want to reads it over and over again if I would want to but I don't like reading books over and over again and that is so I have to sy because I just had to do that and that I would have a lot to say if I could but if have no time and that is all I really want to say and 🙋🙋🙋🙋bye

[Ronda Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book my grandson actually liked to read

My grandson needed to read a book for a book report for school. He's in the 5th grade. He does not like to read. I found this book for him. He said, after the first few chapters, that this book is funny and is not the dumb book he thought I'd pick for him! That says volumes for him! Thanks for the enjoyable read.

[Ieatmywashingmachinepods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking to die of laughter? Then this book is for you! This book has a lot of funny moments and is really fun to read. This book is not really for adults, but it could be funny for some. The jokes that David Letterman makes are family friendly so this book is perfect for children. I mainly recommend this book for children. 5 stars.

[I Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you wondering what to read next?!
Then read this book!!! I gave the book three stars because there are difficult words in it.
The book is funny, thats why I like it.The main characters are Tony Balony (TB), his friends Mo and Anna, his teacher Mr.Gore(Mr.Gorilla)and David Letterman.
If you want to know more then read it!!!

[B.J. Hyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kind of liked this book. I'm no stranger to young fiction and I was mainly reading this one for research. There were moments that just lost me though. I also found typos...which is unforgivable if this is truly a 10 year anniversary edition. With 10 years to check, it should be pristine.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I checked this book out after a few people recommended it as a great back to school read, but I just didn't care for it. I thought the writing was weak, and I've read funnier, more realistic books. Not for me.

[Brain Rot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi I'm brain rot kid 89 and I like this book because its about comedy and adventures and I like those kind of books. I recommend them to you because if you like comedy that would be a top 10 book for you and the book will also hook you the second you read it.

[ロビン・チュワン · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think its a mid book beacause it cool and a little fun, it cool and a little fun and cool and a little fun and cool and a little fun. and it has mid jokes
and its cool and i loved the part when tony pooped is pants.