How to Fight a Girl

Billy Forrester #2

by Thomas Rockwell, Gioia Fiammenghi

Joe and Alan's plan to get revenge on Billy backfires when their secret weapon, the prettiest girl in their class, becomes Billy's friend.

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

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Thomas Rhodes Rockwell was an American author of children's books.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sequel to How to Eat Fried Worms! I picked this up at the library, thinking it might be fun for my son since he enjoyed Fried Worms so much. But it was a big disappointment. The writing was a bit confusing and dated. The story would be a little more interesting to older kids, instead of the audience I imagined of fried-worm fans.

Its redeeming quality is the humorous way the kids interact. They are emerging from the "he/she has cooties phase" into becoming a little more puzzled by, but interested in, those of the opposite gender.

[Keimyria Johnson]

I haven't read it yet but I want to.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Eat Fried Worms was a top of the list book for book reports when I was a kid. It was short and funny- two wins so I heard about it over and over again. I read it but did not like it. This, its sequel, was the book I read over and over again. So when i found a copy for a dollar recently I though "why not?". Its a slight quick book that doesn't really have much of a plot- kids getting in trouble and that in between space of growing up but not grown. The way the narration and dialogue is written is remarkable in its real-ness. Mr. Rockwell had a knack for explaining the inner workings of a kid's brain and feelings. He passed away recently so I was glad to have a chance to revisit his writing.

"Stupid grown up salad."

[Msjennifers Corner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had the makings of a good book without the follow through. The characters I remembered so fondly in How TO EAT FRIED WORMS fell flat here. I found myself re-reading passages to make sure I wasn't missing anything. This book can't decide if it is a young kid or tween book with it's references to the beginnings of "liking" the opposite sex and the insident with the pool making a girl's "feet" visible. In the end... there was no end just a stoppage of words.

[Marlene Franzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is called How to Fight A Girl. This book is by Thomas Rockwell. This book is 112 pages long. The book is about two friends getting revenge on another friend. The friends names are Alan, Billy, and Joe. Alan and Joe’s secret weapon is the most beautiful girl in fifth grade. I liked the book. If you like books about friendship than this is the book for you.

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, for me this this is a sequel book that surpassed the original. I thought it went some interesting places with the story that Fried Worms didn't, it had a bit more action and more settings and we got more characters, like Amy and Rena. I don't think the humor was a good as HTEFW, but the story here is better. Underrated book, I definitely recommend you give it a read.

[Afiqah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for: The super-cute characters with each characteristic portrayed brilliantly, each situation are described in a very good way, the sense of humor is superb.
-2 stars for: The plot was kind of boring and didn't reflect the book title.

(:

[Beth Pearson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't want to be too hard on this book....it is meant to be read by 10 year olds, not an adult in her 40's. And probably kids would enjoy the story of the battle of boys versus girls at an age where boys played together and girls played together, without intermingling. I can only give it an o.k.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 1 out of 5]

42 WORD REVIEW:

Whereas How To Eat Fried Worms flowed as a story, this sequel is little more than a muddled hodgepodge of preteen social issues: fighting amongst friends; family dynamics; the awkwardness of dating. Much of the plot is as confused as its protagonists.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was stupid and took like 2 seconds to read.

[Diana Pettis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about the interactions with children. Don't think I would use as a guided reading text.

[Mikuláš Labanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

:D

[Martha]

how to read

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Me and The Boy didn't even want to finish reading it. Meh.

[Olivia Ballinger]

How Fight a Girl is the sequel to How to Eat Fried Worms. The boys are mad because Billy used his winnings from the worms bet to buy a new bike. They want to get back at him and get him in trouble so he won't be able to use his new bike. That's when Amy comes along. The boys want Amy to fake ask Billy to the dance, but then Amy rides Billy's new bike. When they realize that boys and girls are fun to be around, things change. Amy's best friend gets jealous and wants to get revenge now on Amy. The boys and Rena join forces and prank Billy and Amy. The plan backfires when they caught, but it also backfires because Billy and Amy do sorta like each other.