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Dustin Grubbs: Take Two!

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Because one taste of fame is never enough -- a sequel!

After starring in last year's school play, Dustin Grubbs is ready for his acting career to take off in his school's upcoming musical production of Oliver! The TWIST is that phys-ed funds are being cut to do it, sparking grounds for an all-out war of the athletes vs. drama geeks. What's worse, Dustin has only sung and danced in the shower. Badly.

It looks like it's the final curtain for Dustin when a field trip to Chicago teams him up with his wacky absentee father for the opportunity of a lifetime -- a shot at a national TV commercial! But when a family conflict leaves him with an impossible decision, will Dustin still rise to new heights -- or fall flat on his face?

Packed with hysterical scenes and zany zingers, Dustin Take Two! is the showstopping sequel to Dustin One-Man Show , in which our plucky hero proves once again that showbiz isn't for wimps!

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2006

6 people want to read

About the author

John J. Bonk

4 books11 followers
JOHN J. BONK is a former musical comedy performer turned author, who has hung up his tap shoes and devotes his time these days to “performing on the page.” He is the author of Madhattan Mystery, (2012, Walker/Bloomsbury) a madcap middle-grade adventure novel which Booklist calls "A delight in every way" and gives a starred review! He has also written the comic MG novel, Dustin Grubbs: One-Man Show,(Little, Brown) about a 12-year old actor wanna-be, which School Library Journal calls “Lighthearted and uproarious!” and Booklist describes as having “Great lines, hilarious scenes and a very satisfying ending.” The sequel, entitled, Dustin Grubbs: Take Two! (Little, Brown) is described by Children’s Literature as “Hilarious, delightful, a perfect choice–even for the most reluctant readers” and has Kirkus declaring, “The giggles never stop!”

John grew up in Chicago where he earned a degree in theatre from Loyola University and currently lives in the heart of Manhattan with his indefatigable kitty, Dinah Blue.

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Wardrip.
Author 5 books517 followers
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Cana Rensberger for TeensReadToo.com

After saving the show in DUSTIN GRUBBS: ONE-MAN SHOW, Dustin is back in DUSTIN GRUBBS: TAKE TWO! In this lively sequel he's trying out for the lead in Oliver. But this time, it won't be so easy. This time he has to sing. And dance. The only place he ever sings is in the shower. But he counts on his sense of humor to get him the part. And the fact that he's the only boy trying out.

What he doesn't expect is an all-out war between the arts committee and the athletic department. He doesn't expect his best friend to find a new best friend. He doesn't expect plain girls to blossom over the summer, beautiful frogs that can be poisonous. And he never expects to attend a casting call for a national commercial with his dad on his first trip to see him in three years.

Plus, his brother is keeping secrets behind his back. And his aunt springs a huge announcement that results in an enormous dilemma for Dustin. Dustin handles disappointments with humor and style. And, once again, without meaning to, he ends up being the hero.

John J. Bonk has another winner on his hands. The bad puns, Dustin's hilarious sarcastic voice, and the author's incredible imagination are irresistible. I guarantee that once you pick this book up, you won't be able to put it down until you have finished it.
391 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2015
At last Dustin Grubbs is an upper classman at Buttermilk Falls Elementary. The seventh grader's school year is off to a great start when the school plans a production of Oliver. Dustin intends to snag the biggest role of his acting career, which began just last year when he had the starring role in his sixth grade play. Being in a musical usually requires singing and dancing which Dustin has never done, outside the shower, but he's confident he can learn.

Dustin's dad - who ran away to Chicago to follow his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian - is coming for a visit and his mom seems happy about it. She's searching the attic for all the heads she cut out of the family photos so she can glue them back on before he gets there. Though Dustin helps with repairing the photos, he refuses to get too excited over this new development in his parent's divorce.

Dustin keeps his sarcastic sense of humor throughout the book, even during a food fight between the drama geeks and the jocks. The athletes don't like the idea that the money that should be used to buy their scoreboard might be spent instead to produce a play.

Take Two is a comedy, in which Dustin is called on to make some serious decisions. Relax and enjoy the middle grade humor and Dustin's amusing puns - it looks like Dustin has other episodes ahead of him for us to enjoy.
Profile Image for Cana Rensberger.
63 reviews11 followers
September 2, 2013
After saving the show in DUSTIN GRUBBS ONE-MAN SHOW, Dustin is back in DUSTIN GRUBBS TAKE TWO! In this lively sequel he’s trying out for the lead in Oliver. But this time, it won’t be so easy. This time he has to sing. And dance. The only place he ever sings is in the shower. But he counts on his sense of humor to get him the part. And the fact that he’s the only boy trying out.

What he doesn’t expect is an all out war between the arts committee and the athletic department. He doesn’t expect his best friend to find a new best friend. He doesn’t expect plain girls to blossom over the summer, beautiful frogs that can be poisonous. And he never expects to attend a casting call for a national commercial with his dad on his first trip to see him in three years.

Plus, his brother is keeping secrets behind his back. And his aunt springs a huge announcement that results in an enormous dilemma for Dustin. Dustin handles disappointments with humor and style. And once again, without meaning to, he ends up being the hero.

John J. Bonk has another winner on his hands. The bad puns, Dustin’s hilarious sarcastic voice, and the author’s incredible imagination are irresistible. I guarantee that once you pick this book up, you won’t be able to put it down till you have finished it.

Profile Image for Abhishree.
30 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2011
This book was pretty boring actually. It was so not what i had expected after the awesome 'one man show' i think they showed dustin pretty arrogant in this book but i liked the ending and also pepper going nuts.
Profile Image for Joelle Anthony.
Author 4 books85 followers
August 11, 2013
Lots of jokes for young readers and fun characters! A great follow-up.
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