Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade!

Hank Zipzer #7

by Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver, Carol Heyer (Illustrator)

It's time for the end of year parent-teacher conference, and Hank's in a panic. He's afraid that his teacher is going to tell his parents that he has to repeat the fourth grade. So Hank creates an elaborate scheme to have his parents win an out-of-town trip so they're gone during the conference days. Of course, the plan backfires. Will Hank have to stay in fourth grade forever?

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

155 pages, Library Binding

First published December 16, 2004

About the author

Henry Winkler is instantly recognizable and admired by audiences of all ages for his role as the Fonz on the long-running series, Happy Days. In addition, he is an award-winning producer and director of family and children's programming. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Hank Zipzer series, which follows the everyday adventures of a bright boy with learning challenges.

Mr. Winkler has also continued his acting career on the big screen, including a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in Nightshift, a starring role in the box-office hit Scream, and co-starring roles in The Water Boy, and Holes. On television, he has guest-starred on ABC's The Practice and NBC's Law & Order: SVU. He recently starred on Broadway for nine months in Neil Simon's play The Dinner Party.

Mr. Winkler is deeply committed to children's welfare and works with numerous children's groups. He is involved with The MacLaren Children's Center (a facility for abused children), The National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped, The Special Olympics, and The Los Angeles Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival, as well as numerous teenage alcohol and drug abuse programs. He is a founding member of the Children's Action Network, a non-profit organization that sponsors informational briefings for writers, producers and directors on children's issues and serves as a clearing-house for the entertainment industry on children's issues.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I never failed a grade or got "held back," I nearly ended up having to do seventh grade twice, because I spent the whole year rebelling by not doing most of my work. With God's help, though, I passed, and surprised my teachers by doing a complete one-eighty in regards to my attitude. So, I can identify with Hank's worries about having to repeat a grade.

This series is always great fun; the only time I ever had a problem with it was when a copy I purchased at a garage sale was defective. Fans of old-school Disney or Nick sitcoms, such as Even Stevens or Drake & Josh, will likely enjoy this.

[Terry]

Young Reader Reaction: I like this series, and this is another good Hank Zipper story. It just isn't my favorite. I would recommend all second graders and up to read this book especially the fourth graders since they can relate to it.

Kids (and parents) will laugh out loud at Hanks' life and adventures. This book is very funny because it shows how adults are always one step ahead of kids.

[Duane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Hank Zipzer series which shows the life of a young boy who struggles with school but still has a great attitude for life. Although this isn't my favorite in the series, it still shows the humor and creativity that Hank seems to just have naturally. Still a great series for any reader.

[Marblesaurus · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first the story seemed a little bit slow to roll compared to the other Hank Zipzer ones I had read. But it had a really nice ending. We learned that Ms Adolf can smile a good smile, too! I'm always curious about Ms Adolf-is she really such a nightmare teacher or will turn out to be a nice one after all. And I must say what nice friends Hank has!

[Courtney Umlauf · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's plenty to recommend this series: humor, positive (but still realistic) friendships and family relationships, and a main character with learning differences who isn't defined by them.

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[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was very good.It is all about how this very funny kid in fourth grade thinks that he is going to get held back,without his friends and with his sister.What will happen?Will he get held back?Or wiil he advance to fifth?

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Hank Zipzer.

[Tori]

This one was good, too! :D

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the Battle of the Books in 4th grade and I remember enjoying it a lot. I don't exactly remember what it was about but I do remember that I liked it.

[Tonya Meers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me chuckle

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny. Good for fourth or third graders.

[Chelsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that Hank is underestimating himself, and that he shouldn't believe in what bullies say.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to love about a book series by The Fonz?

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment of the Hank Zipzer series similarly did not disappoint. I am appreciative that the authors are cognizant of covering the different challenges that children with learning disabilities face and the worries and fears that exist, either rationally or irrationally, as a result of their daily struggles with managing tasks others often take for granted. In this book, as is apparent from the title, Hank finds himself facing repeating fourth grade and attempts to get his parents to attend a concert in desperate hopes that they will miss his parent teacher conference where, he believes, this would be determined. Of course, while Hank goes through improbable hoops to accomplish this feat, determinism gets the better of his intentions, although does not end up turning into his worst case scenario that he spends time dreaming up. This is another one of the factors of this series that I appreciate; Hank's character truly has defined CHARACTER. He goes on tangents frequently, to only due to attention all issues, it also to describe the worries and comically illustrate his worries and thoughts in a creative way that directly speaks to the reader. These not only act as short breaks in the reading, but also as reminders of his goofiness and candor in expressing his inner thoughts and feelings as they arise. I think that, although many times these lists are silly and intended as such, it is a great model for kids to truly think through problems, solutions, thoughts, and feelings in a way that is helpful, organized, and tangible. In returning to the topic and theme of this book, I am glad that the discussion of repeating grades was brought in here, since many of these kids face this as a reality in their academic lives. This story models now this can not be the end of the world, and also that help is almost always there once it is recognized and resourced. I am about halfway through these 17 books here, and I am glad there are just as many in front of me as behind so that I know I have plenty to continue to look forward to in the experiences of Hank and his friends.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing Being Henry by Henry Winkler, I became aware of the Hank Zipser series. And of course I needed to read one for myself! (And I'm now onto my second one. lol)

So at 55+, I just had to read Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade.

I thought it was perfect for middle schoolers!

My brothers oldest is in 2nd grade, maybe still a little too young to be introduced to Hank Zipser. But SOON!

Thank you to my local library for the opportunity to introduce me to Hank Zipser without obligation of an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Henry Winkler should stick to being the Fonz. This was boring and filled with excess verbiage. It was trying too hard to be funny, and just didn't do it for me. However, to be fair, I will say that one of my 4th graders read a Hank Zipzer book (I Got a D in Salami) and LOVED it. I guess you just have to be a 4th grade boy...

[Isabel]

easy read they r good

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Awesome storyline too.

[Vedis Esenwein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun book in a very fun series. A story about being of being held back and forced to repeat fourth grade. Very entertaining, and great for any nine year-old.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series gets better and better. In this adventure, Hank sneaks a peak at the teacher's register and sees 'redo' beside his name. Now he is panicked; he is going to have to repeat the fourth grade, and be in the same class as his brilliant younger sister. But rather than asking adults he trusts to help him figure this out, he devises his own plan. His plan includes getting his parents out of town so they will miss his Parent Teacher Interview.

His plan is elaborate. First he needs to forget the slip two days in a row. And he wins a trip for them to Philadelphia to catch a Rock concert. Now his mother wants to rock, but his father who collects mechanical pencils and does crosswords, has no interest. Will he get them to Philly? Will they miss the parent teacher interview? Will he make it out of the 4th Grade? Read this wonderful story to find out.

I have said it before but as someone with Dyslexia these books are eerily haunting. It is like reading a piece about my own childhood - my struggles, failures and successes. These books are meant for a younger audience but they are great for anyone who struggled with learning difficulties, even if diagnosed as an adult or university student. They are also great fun for a family to read together, or for those who know people with these special needs.

(First Published in Imprint 2009-0-7-10.)

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to finish out 2023. I didn't love it as much as "The Life Of Me ", but it was still a great book! I felt so bad for Hank and really wanted to hug him. I'm so glad that he has such wonderful friends like Frankie and Ashley.
Laugh out loud parts and like in "The Life Of Me", some drama as well. Made for a wonderful read. I'm so glad that Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver wrote this series. Reading the books as an adult, I appreciate the humor and the wonderful messages that we can all learn from.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way to go Fonz!

Who knew Henry Winkler could write kids books? This one is pretty good! Good job Fonzarelli! I really appreciate that you are taking kids with learning differences under your wing. I even read this in dyslexic-friendly font. I enjoyed your tv show as a kid and never really knew you were teaching tolerance and problem solving through humor. I just liked the show. Way to go Fonz! And thanks.

[Debra Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank is in a frenzy, it’s teacher/parent conference. The class bully being mean,
told him he has flunked 4th grade. What can he do? Trust his friends advice,
or come up with a scheme to keep his parents away from the conference. Will it work? Dose he flunk? What will happen to Hank? Read this funny book and
Find out.Another great book kids book from Henry Winkler. Get the whole
Series for your kids. They are wonderful books to get kids reading and learning
value’s as well.
Debra H.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hank tries to get his parents out of town so they will miss the parent teacher conference and he won’t be held back to redo the 4 th grade.

[Molly Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt like very little happened in this installment. At least Hank made it out of fourth grade.

[Alexis Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it with my son for the Accelerated Reader testing and it was just a fun book.

[Kaiden Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a four star book. I forgot to review this so it won’t be as detailed. So what I remember is that it was kind of just not up my alley that much.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

perfect for gavin g

[Yasuko · Rating 2 out of 5]

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