Attack of the Mutant Underwear

by Tom Birdseye

At a new school where no one knows him, Cody Lee Carson has resolved to become cool—but as it turns out, that may be harder than he thoughtCody Lee Carson is a changed man. When his parents move him to Benton, Oregon, for his fifth grade year, Cody is determined to stop being his boring, bozo-brained old self and start being the supercool, supersmart, superawesome guy he knows he can be—especially since no one in Benton knows about the incident in fourth grade when his pants fell down during a school play and everyone saw his Tweety Bird underwear. And Cody’s plan works! His new teacher loves him, he gets in the top reading group, and the prettiest girl in class wants to be his friend. It seems like everything is going Cody’s way.But when the old, bozo-brained Cody starts slipping out, will he lose everything he’s worked for? Becoming cool was easy, but staying cool is a little more difficult.

Genres: Middle Grade, Humor, Audiobook

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

I grew up in North Carolina and Kentucky, an ardent fan of anything that smacked of sports, crawdads, mud balls, forts built in the woods, secret codes, bicycles without fenders, butter pecan ice cream, and snow. I was, however, decidedly uninterested in writing-or any academic aspect of school, for that matter-never imagining that at the age of thirty-five I would become a published author. And yet after two unrelated college degrees, a year living in Japan, and ten years of teaching experience, that is what happened. Life, it seems, is full of who'd-a-thought-its.

I live in Corvallis, Oregon, with my wife, Debbie. Our two daughters, Kelsey and Amy, are both off on their own, living and working in Portland. When not writing, working at the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in creative writing, or in classrooms talking with children and teachers about the writing process, I enjoy rock climbing, alpine ascents, scaling big trees, ski mountaineering, snowshoeing, backpacking, mountain biking, running, playing the string bass, and reading.

Even after many books published and awards won, at times it still amazes me that writing is my profession. It was such a difficult process for me when I was a kid; I can really identify with the reluctant writer in school today. Everything seemed to get in the way of my completing stories: from being left-handed, to my poor spelling skills, from punctuation woes, to especially a lack of ideas. Fortunately, the right people came along at the right time and helped me see past the hurdles, emphasizing instead the joy of the work and the satisfaction to be had in trying to uncover the important truths that can come out of fiction. Now I carry a small notebook at all times and am always on the lookout for material I can use in a story: ordinary people that would make good characters, the funny, telling, or poignant glimpses of life that are triggered by what I see and hear, and the wonderfully wise things people will say at the most unexpected times.

True, I still labor through my stories, wrestling with the spelling beast and the punctuation monster, writing and rewriting, then rewriting some more, until I glean my best, but the process has become one of pleasure instead of pain. I love doing it, and I love sharing it with others. The boy who couldn't imagine himself a writer, now can't imagine himself anything else.

Reviews

[Emily Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attack of the Mutant Underwear is on the challenged list probably because of the part where the main character is seen in his underwear. He was seen by his crush in a changing room while he was in his underwear and it embarrassed him. I guess I understand why that is a little inappropriate, but I do not think it should be banned. It was a pretty funny cute story and I think I would have it in my classroom, despite the controversy.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kid's book. I actually was interested because the name sounded so strange. But don't be turned off by the name. It is not what it sounds like. It is a cute story about a 5th grade boy, his little sister, a girl he is friends with (who he kind of likes but who sees him in his underwear in a dressing room at the store), his teacher, his friends and his fear of being seen in his underpants. It is written as a journal the boy is writing. Although a 5th grade boy wouldn't write that much detail in a real journal it is a good read.

I downloaded this from the library and the biggest problem with this file is some distortion in the middle for about 5 minutes.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super silly funny book, kids would absolutely love it! I'd be afraid kids would take some of it seriously, but I think they'd be laughing enough to know it was all just in fun. There were some good lessons in there as well...don't try to trick your sister in to hitting you, moms who are librarians know everything, be nice to other kids, practical jokes aren't always funny....stuff like that.

[Magnolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hlarious. Except that is just my opinion and I'm only 9 years old. A good age range for this book would be ages 7-10. Hey, if your a teen i know what your thinking. "Isn't a 9 year old a little too young for goodreads???? Well, if thats what you were thinkin', you are so totally WRONG. Why, you ask? THERE ARE CHILDRENS BOOKS ON THIS THING YOU DUMMY!!!!!!!!

[Geneva · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, told in journal form, by a 5th grade boy named Cody who moves to a new town and tries to change his ways. He has some success and some growing pains along the way but at the end of it all he is a roaring success with his new friends. A very entertaining read.
Would recommend to 4th & 5th graders, especially those moving, or who have recently moved, to a new area.

[Sara Truog · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fifth grade boy moves to a new town and decides to reinvent himself, with limited success and many hijinks along the way.
I chose this thinking it might be an interesting pick for my library book club, but I was unimpressed. Cheesy, and too much romance! The title is better than the book. Daniel didn't bother reading this - I suggest you do the same.

[Nisey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally excellent! It was hilarious in more ways than expected. The main character just can't seem to keep himself out of trouble. You should definitely pick this up if you're looking for a light read that reminds you of those awkward pre-teen years.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cody Lee Carson is determined to have a much better 5th grade year than his past school years. No more childish pranks or potty humor. He even starts a journal to keep track of himself. But little sisters, underwear nightmares and talent shows are bound to screw him up. He's convinced.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book with my kids on the way to yellowstone. it was a hillarious look at a boys life in elementary school

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to this on the way to SLC for Thanksgiving. A real boy book with plenty of burps and passing of gas.

[KatieSuzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a break from serious books. Don't judge me.

[David Arranaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a verryyyyyyy goooodd book. The I like about it was that it was soooo fuuunnnyy. it is the fuuniest book..Do you like funny books you shoed read this book?

[Tyler Rachui · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like this book because it is entertaining i would recromend this to others

[Dj Colter · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny

[Dustins Scruggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think that attack of the mutant underwear is a funy looking book because of just what the title says and every time you read this book i am garitead to lagh your head off

[Bruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

i thougnt it was an interresting book

[Dakota Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

this a good book when under war all ways haunts him

[Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hillarious. I think people who need a good laugh should read this book. Also this might teach kids to clean up there room.

[Kya · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought it was hilarious in the begging it you couldn't tell why it was called attack of the mutant underwear until about the end but it shire got a laugh out of me and i think it will for you to.

[Rendy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. I wish it will become a movie in the future.

[Sarah Overvaag · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you're working so hard to be a brand-new-you sometimes you make awful, terrible mistakes. But even awful, terrible mistakes aren't the end of the world.

[Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like diary of a wimpy kid but better.