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Stella Batts #4
A Case of the Meanies: Stella Batts, Book 4
In A Case of the Meanies, mean boy Joshua continues to plague Stella when he decides to have a birthday party at her parent's candy store. He invites everyone in the class except her! Stella has to figure out how to be a pleasant hostess when she's not on the guest list. It's just another day in the life of Stella Batts!
Audible Audio
First published September 1, 2012
139 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Sheinmel
41 books259 followersBorn in California. Raised in New York. Went to law school, now write full time. Love: long walks, fresh notebooks, the smell of brownies, pomegranate seeds. Don't love: yogurt, spam (the email kind, and the food kind), deep water, deserted city streets.
Newest book: THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, co-written with Marie Benedict, available on April 22, 2025.
I love to hear from readers! Email me! Ask a question! I promise to reply.
Newest book: THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, co-written with Marie Benedict, available on April 22, 2025.
I love to hear from readers! Email me! Ask a question! I promise to reply.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 13, 2019
Stella learns a hard lesson when she's the only one left out from Joshua's birthday party - especially as it's being held at her family's candy shop. She ends up saving the day at the party and makes a gracious decision to be kind rather than mean in response to Joshua's actions.
February 12, 2019
My oldest and I have read the first eight books in this series together this year. I have fallen behind on my reviewing but this book and this series is so good I am going to go back and review them all. My daughter loves these books. At the beginning of the year we were alternating books between three different series. But the last three books we have read were Stella Batts. My daughter loves these books and they are great book for her reading level and for us to read together. And I must declare that the Stella Batts books are my daughter’s favorite books of all the books we have read.
In each book Stella has a list of facts about herself. In this book it is: “In case you haven’t read my other books or you just don’t remember them so well, I’ll tell you a few things about me:
1. I live in Somers, California, with my parents and my sister, Penny.
2. Soon I’ll live with my brother Jack, too. But not yet, because Mom’s still pregnant with him.
3. We own a candy store called Batts Confections.
4. Okay, so I guess my parents are the owners, not Penny and me. But there are things named for us in the store—like Stella’s Fudge, and the Penny Candy Wall.
5. When the baby gets born, something will be named for him too, but not until then because Mom says that’s bad luck.
6. Also she and Dad keep changing their minds about his name, though Mom says Jack is the absolute final choice. Anyway, that’s not really about me, and this is my list.
7. I’m eight years old, which means I’m in third grade.
8. Writing is one of my favorite things to do. Obviously.”
Stella Batts writes books. And with each book she writes she learns a new lesson. If you have read the earlier Stella Batts book you know that Stella has had conflict with Joshua Lewis in her class for a long time. In this book things escalate, they escalate a lot. In this book Joshua decided to have his birthday party at Batts Confections and he invites everyone in their class except Stella. Stella tries to win Joshua over with kindness but it seems to backfire on her. But Stella becomes a superhero. Also in this book Mrs. Batts has the baby that has been expected since book one.
This book was an excellent read. My daughter and I love reading these books. Her three favorite things about this book are:
1. That you need to try and understand why someone might be mean.
2. That being mean back will never solve anything.
3. Be the best you, that you can be and leave others to make their own choices.
These books are best read in order as they tell a continuous story. But we have read a few out of order and they always stand up well as standalone stories. And we heartily recommend both this specific book and the series. And hopefully there will be more books available in the series soon.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Courtney Sheinmel.
In each book Stella has a list of facts about herself. In this book it is: “In case you haven’t read my other books or you just don’t remember them so well, I’ll tell you a few things about me:
1. I live in Somers, California, with my parents and my sister, Penny.
2. Soon I’ll live with my brother Jack, too. But not yet, because Mom’s still pregnant with him.
3. We own a candy store called Batts Confections.
4. Okay, so I guess my parents are the owners, not Penny and me. But there are things named for us in the store—like Stella’s Fudge, and the Penny Candy Wall.
5. When the baby gets born, something will be named for him too, but not until then because Mom says that’s bad luck.
6. Also she and Dad keep changing their minds about his name, though Mom says Jack is the absolute final choice. Anyway, that’s not really about me, and this is my list.
7. I’m eight years old, which means I’m in third grade.
8. Writing is one of my favorite things to do. Obviously.”
Stella Batts writes books. And with each book she writes she learns a new lesson. If you have read the earlier Stella Batts book you know that Stella has had conflict with Joshua Lewis in her class for a long time. In this book things escalate, they escalate a lot. In this book Joshua decided to have his birthday party at Batts Confections and he invites everyone in their class except Stella. Stella tries to win Joshua over with kindness but it seems to backfire on her. But Stella becomes a superhero. Also in this book Mrs. Batts has the baby that has been expected since book one.
This book was an excellent read. My daughter and I love reading these books. Her three favorite things about this book are:
1. That you need to try and understand why someone might be mean.
2. That being mean back will never solve anything.
3. Be the best you, that you can be and leave others to make their own choices.
These books are best read in order as they tell a continuous story. But we have read a few out of order and they always stand up well as standalone stories. And we heartily recommend both this specific book and the series. And hopefully there will be more books available in the series soon.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Courtney Sheinmel.
October 25, 2012
It helps to have read the three previous titles in this series in order to gain perspective on the bad blood between third grader Stella and Joshua. Joshua delights in calling her Smella as a reminder of an embarrassing incident earlier in her school career. Even without reading the earlier titles, though, readers will quickly see that Stella's having a bad week. When her teacher, Mrs. Finkel, likes everyone's story except for Stella's, Stella is shocked. After all, she writes stories all the time. Apparently, the meanies are going around since her sister Penny gets in trouble after an encounter with Bruce, a boy in her class, and to Stella's surprise, she is the only person in her class not invited to Joshua's birthday party held at Batts Confectionary. When Stella ends up having to go to the store, she must decide how to behave toward Joshua. Will she give in to the meanies too? The author captures Stella's voice perfectly, making her a great model for young readers since she is imperfect but tries to do the right thing. The illustrations also show her frustration and scenes from the family candy store that will make readers wish their family ran that kind of business. I continue to enjoy reading this series and look forward to more titles.
June 20, 2020
Miss 5 has loved listening to the entire Stella Batts series on Audible. She moved onto Stella (thankfully) after going through the entire Wimpy Kid series (who she called 'the moany kid'). The initial hook with the Stella book is that her family have a candy store and Stella often gets to help test the products. Mainly though the books are drama / fiction about her day to day life as she navigates friends, school, and a growing family. What we both like about these books is that Stella is a genuinely nice kid with a kind supportive mum who treats her children well. I like that Stella tries hard to make good choices in this book despite having a really difficult week.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
December 31, 2019
157 pages. This episode features a problem with Joshua, the meanest boy in the whole school. He keeps calling Stella - Smella - since she fell and got dirty one day. It’s his birthday and he claims he invited everyone in class EXCEPT Stella AND he’s having his party at her parent’s candy shop. This does not sit well with her and she has to work out lots of drama, all while her mom is having her baby brother. Great series for third-grade girls. Highly recommended for Grades 2-3.
August 21, 2023
Although I didn't read the other books in this series, I think this book has some really great lessons to teach kids about self-esteem and how to relate to their peers. I liked that the book wasn't preachy;
it teaches its lessons through the story, which I think is the best way to get these messages through.
It's a great book for elementary school kids, and I would highly recommend this book and others in the series.
it teaches its lessons through the story, which I think is the best way to get these messages through.
It's a great book for elementary school kids, and I would highly recommend this book and others in the series.
September 25, 2023
This was the second Stella Batts book I read with the girls and I really enjoyed it. As I said about the first one, it has definite Ramona Quimby energy, and I'm here for it!
I especially liked the theme in this one about trying to "kill them with kindness" and not taking revenge even when that's what you really want to do. I feel like this is relatable for kids, and the book is a pleasant read for adults, too.
I especially liked the theme in this one about trying to "kill them with kindness" and not taking revenge even when that's what you really want to do. I feel like this is relatable for kids, and the book is a pleasant read for adults, too.
June 25, 2025
Stella Batts, who is tormented by her classmate, a boy named Joshua, struggles not to be a meanie. It's difficult as the situation around her make it hard for her to be good. However, she learns to get over it and be a nice girl with a helpful attitude. A cute story.
October 13, 2020
3.5 stars
December 2, 2020
Love Stella Batts
January 16, 2021
A great, good-feel book that highlights the ways bullying can make someone feel. Well written.
April 8, 2023
It was good but doesn't have much detail
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2013
The fourth installment in Courtney Sheinmel’s Stella Batts series, A Case of the Meanies, continues the heated story between third graders Stella and Joshua. Their rivalry steps it up a notch when Joshua decides to have his birthday party at Stella’s parent’s candy store. And of course, Stella is not invited. Now she has to pretend to be a nice hostess.
Readers will instantly fall in love with the story. Although there are many times it went wrong for Stella, readers will rejoice during her moments of triumph. Older readers will love how author Courtney is able to transport their minds back to a time when things were much simpler. Her writing style is appreciative to how it reminds us how it was like to be a kid and just how big the world is.
Stella’s predicaments can be a metaphor to a lot of adolescent problems. Her reactions to them felt like the inner workings of an eight-year-old. Courtney has delivered a very cute and fun story that was the perfect setting for laughs and giggles. Although it is intended for middle graders, there are a lot of elements that are enjoyable for all ages. Courtney’s storytelling technique is amazing and puts a smile on your face. Stella Batts: A Case of the Meanies is another great addition to the series and I’m sure subsequent installments can only be better.
Readers will instantly fall in love with the story. Although there are many times it went wrong for Stella, readers will rejoice during her moments of triumph. Older readers will love how author Courtney is able to transport their minds back to a time when things were much simpler. Her writing style is appreciative to how it reminds us how it was like to be a kid and just how big the world is.
Stella’s predicaments can be a metaphor to a lot of adolescent problems. Her reactions to them felt like the inner workings of an eight-year-old. Courtney has delivered a very cute and fun story that was the perfect setting for laughs and giggles. Although it is intended for middle graders, there are a lot of elements that are enjoyable for all ages. Courtney’s storytelling technique is amazing and puts a smile on your face. Stella Batts: A Case of the Meanies is another great addition to the series and I’m sure subsequent installments can only be better.
May 3, 2013
Stella knows that she is going to have a perfect week, but really she has an awful week ahead of her. With her sister getting in a fight, her teacher giving her a bad grade, and her not being invited to a party her week is awful. Will Stella be able to turn her week around?
I found this series to be similar to Junie B Jones. Most girls will love to read this book and find out about Stella's bad week. This book is very relatable for students and can teach them how to be positive. If I read this book as a read aloud I would have students write an essay about a time that they have felt like Stella.
I found this series to be similar to Junie B Jones. Most girls will love to read this book and find out about Stella's bad week. This book is very relatable for students and can teach them how to be positive. If I read this book as a read aloud I would have students write an essay about a time that they have felt like Stella.
August 7, 2013
This is not a good week for Stella. She loves to write, but her teacher won't give her a checkmark for her story plan. She doesn't want to go to the mean boy's birthday party, but that doesn't mean she isn't upset by being told she's the ONLY one not invited. Can she make it through without becoming mean herself?
Stella tries so hard to make nice with the mean boy and he seems to just get meaner. I don't want to spoil it for you, but I love the way the ending plays out and that's all I'm going to say ;)
Stella tries so hard to make nice with the mean boy and he seems to just get meaner. I don't want to spoil it for you, but I love the way the ending plays out and that's all I'm going to say ;)
May 10, 2016
joshua had a birthday party and he invited all of the class except her and his party was hosted at the stella batts candy shop so she helped out. they gave him options but all he said was no but then stella got an idea and he said yes and they had a good partie this book was really awesome.
August 25, 2014
Love Clementine and Judy Moody, but need a new series? Allow me to introduce Stella Batts. This is the fourth book, but you can find many more in our First Chapter Book section.
April 28, 2015
I like Stella's story about Penny the platypus and Bruce the goose because I didn't know that platypuses have poison
October 7, 2015
I liked it. I rated it 4 stars though,because,it wasn't as good as the other ones.But I liked it.
September 12, 2025
6 year old review - he is a meanie and I don’t like him but Stella is nice to him still. That’s nice
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2013
josh has party at stella's store and invites everyone except stella. she is a server at the party.
Read
July 1, 2017Stella is really brave. This book is really good. This series was one of the first and best series I ever read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews