Trouble at Table 5 #2: Busted by Breakfast

Trouble at Table 5 #2

by Tom Watson

From the author of Stick Dog comes the second book in an early chapter book series about three best friends whose plans, missions, and schemes are sure to shake up their school.

Simon always has a lot to say. And sometimes he can’t stop talking–even in the middle of class.

When Simon gets in trouble for jabbering at school, his best friends, Molly and Rosie, think up a plan to keep him from getting grounded at home! It involves cars, suds, and pink plastic flamingos! But will their big plan turn into an even bigger disaster?

Each hilarious friendship story in this series is designed to set independent readers up for success!

Genres: Friendship, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Humor, Juvenile

Audible Audio

Published February 25, 2020

About the author

Tom is the author and draws the original sketches for all the Stick Dog stories. He lives in Chicago with his wife, daughter and son. They also have a dog named Shadow. Tom did not want to name the dog Shadow. He wanted to name him ‘Put Your Shirt On.’ It’s a long story. Sometimes when Tom is visiting schools, he shares the story.

Tom’s first jobs out of college were in politics. He worked for U.S. Senator John Glenn and as the Chief Speechwriter for the Governor of Ohio. He has also worked in marketing and advertising. He likes writing books for kids a lot more than writing speeches and other things for grown-ups. He thinks kids are way smarter than grown-ups.

He LOVES writing the Stick Dog adventures.

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are in a really engaging format, lots of illustration and nice big fonts and at the end of the sections there is a progress bar to show the reader how far through the book they are. It is fun, with a great message, about taking care of your friends when they get themselves into trouble. There is plenty of action to keep you turning the pages. Cool little book for schools.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: There are times when Simon just cannot be quiet. He has to talk. And there is no way he can stop until he's done telling us everything. That's what happened yesterday. In Mr. Willows' class. At Table 5.

Premise/plot: Molly is still narrating events, but, the focus of this one shifts to their friend Simon. (The three friends are Simon, Rosie, and Molly.) Simon gets in trouble (for talking). He's going to have to tell his father (when he gets home) that he's gotten in trouble (again) for talking. But his dad is away on a trip (presumably business?) His mom will be tracking his progress on her phone. Simon has a plan for the day. He (and his friends) will wash his mom's car, clean out the garage, organize everything, and have it all done by the time his dad gets home. It will be a LOT of work. But the three of them working together as a team can do just about anything. Even when the plan begins to digress. (Like when people think they are having a garage SALE instead of just cleaning out the garage.)

My thoughts: I liked this one. I am getting to know these three friends better. I think each book will just improve upon the characterization. I'll become more invested (or engaged) with each book in the series. I have absolutely NO idea if the author was trying to sneak in a couple of math lessons into her story, but, I got that impression--for better or worse. The book also illustrates that there are many ways to problem solve and many ways to organize.

[Madison Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute. I read this for 2nd and 3rd grade book club yesterday and I think it was the perfect thing to share. I'm excited about having these HarperChapters in the library alongside other beginning chapter books.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 highlights Simon and his struggles to stay in control of his talking and impulsive behaviors. Watson continues to develop his characters and readers will relate to their struggles and joys. How many of us have started a project and been completely sidetracked as they were when washing one car became a full car wash and cleaning out the garage became a garage sale. Plenty of humor and encouragement for early to mid elementary level readers to keep reading and enjoy the fun.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

My family and I enjoyed this book. It did not center the autistic spectrum as much as the first book. I was a little disappointed by this because I thought this was one of the real strengths of the first book. That being said, this book did do a great job of normalizing the spectrum.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/18/2023 ~ I thought the first 3-4 pages were confusing - the broken bike didn't seem to connect with Simon's rapid and loud recounting of his amazing discoveries about Cocoa Puffs. I appreciated the use of the mapping app to figure out how long until Dad gets home. It was also cool to have this book set in Evanston, IL and most of Indiana (I-65 & I-74).

This series has an interesting feature of reading encouragement: after each chapter, there is a box colored in to show the number of chapters completed and how many words the reader has read. I found this annoying, since I'd rather have the focus on an enjoyment of the story and characters (emotional, not numeric.) When I started Book 2, I was wishing that there had been 1-2 pages to introduce the characters, as so many early chapter books have.

The books do celebrate the unique (and quirky) characteristics of each child:
Molly (presents as white; narrator) - MUST have things in even numbers, counts everything.
Rosie (light brown skin tone) - excels at science; she also LOVES maps and can remember many details about towns.
Simon (presents as white) - ??? Has to TALK about things as they enter his head.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

87 pgs. Another installment of a fun realistic fiction book. This time Simon gets in trouble for talking in class and is worried his father is going to be upset with him. His father is traveling home from a business trip and Simon knows he will be tired and grumpy upon his return. He and his friends think of a way to make his father happy but it gets way out of hand with a series of unexpected visits from some retirees in the area. Lots of good challenges/solutions kids will enjoy reading about. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trio from table five are back. This time Simon is sent to the principal's office for talking too much. As he waits for his father to return from his business trip to confess what happened, Molly and Rosie devise a plan to help Simon soothe his father's wrath when he returns. Their scheme turns out to be more than they bargained for as they track Simon's father return trip, and race against the clock to be prepared for the outcome.

[Wendy Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some things to like about this book--a progress bar at the end of every chapter (good for reluctant readers?), lots of illustrations to break up the text, a pretty sweet story and honestly, lots of kid appeal. I didn't love the "crazy old lady" stereotype and that kind of set the tone for me, unfortunately.

[Dara Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this one to my 10 year old - she enjoyed book one and enjoyed this one also! It was fun to read - the illustrations were cute! Loved it! We are starting on book 3 soon!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing.🤩

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment! Similar sentiments to my review of the first book, which can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Fenco Chen]

Lexile®: 580L, 5718W, 100%, 6y4m

[Ashley Serio Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so great I am in love with these books

[Ms. Nigeria Nigeria Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute quick read