Almost Starring Skinnybones

Skinnybones #2

by Barbara Park

If you thought Junie B. Jones was funny—catch more laughs from New York Time s bestselling author Barbara Park with the hilarious sequel to Skinnybones —just right for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and I Funny! And the award goes to…Alex Frankovitch! Roll out the red carpet! Alex “Skinnybones” Frankovitch is about to become a HUGE star—in his very own TV commercial! But Alex’s plans for stardom go HORRIBLY wrong. Forget fame and fortune—his friends think he’s a FLOP! And his fan club only has two members—a cat and a drooling toddler. Can Alex figure out another way to get his name in lights? Or is this star going to crash and burn? “ Skinnybones equals tickled funny bones.” — Booklist “Young Alex ‘Skinnybones’ Frankovitch finally gets his chance to become a Big Celebrity…in this amusing follow-up to Skinnybones. ” — Publishers Weekly “Once again demonstrating her remarkable ear for dialogue, [Barbara Park] also shows a good sense of timing in this fast-paced outing.” — School Library Journal

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

108 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 1988

About the author

Barbara Lynne Park was an American author of children's books.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this book was a significant improvement over the original "Skinnybones", and I liked that book, too! This is an example of Barbara Park's writing after she has ascended to the inspiring summit of her writing skills, and it is something that I feel privileged to see. This story is wise, touching, and (as always for Barbara Park!) SO absolutely hilarious that I often found myself trying to catch my breath through the laughter. I was glad to once again have the opportunity of reading about the smartly comical Alex Frankovitch. This is an excellent book!

[Kaitlyn Harkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this one for my third graders. 🤪

[Riku · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all about Alex Frankovitch who is really stupid and can't stop talking at all. But in this book he goes on a commercial about the cat food and his friends thinks it is weird to go on a cat food commercial. I think that it is weird because he doesn't really think before he gets in trouble but he thinks when he makes excuses. I thinks he never gives up in this story because even though he gets in trouble he does it over and over again the same problem that he makes. I think this is a good book and a bad book. It is a good book because it is quite funny that he gets in trouble and how he makes excuses and you can imagine how it is like when you be on a commercial. But I think it is a bad book for little kids because reading this book might influence them to do these weird problems and if they do this they get in trouble like Alex. I don't recommend this book to other people because the first book of Skinny Bones is more interesting book and funny that can get peoples attention to not get bored and wanting to read this book.

[Duane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skinnybones is back but I find this book just as bad as the first one. Alex is still rude, arrogant, and a bad model for young readers. I can't understand why parents would let their children read a book about a boy that nobody would want in their house for ten minutes.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as funny as the first Skinnybones, but we still enjoyed reading this together as a family. There were still lots of laughs.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with my son- we were laughing so hard at one point, everyone in the house wanted to know what was going on!

[Missouri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alex was super annoying in this book. So much so that I only managed to get halfway through before I gave up on it.

[Kaitlyn Branch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be funny and interesting to the older children because of its humor and turns it takes in the book, in the end he finds out that fame isn't all that its cracked up to be and I feel as if that is a good lesson taught because as the younger generations grow, social media and fame and popularity seem to be what is ideal and important.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Park has the uncanny ability to create protagonists with obvious (and often annoying or even obnoxious) flaws, and yet make them likeable enough that we just have to laugh at their antics. --Which my 6 y.o. and I did.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this out loud with my first grader. He loved it, it was a fun one to read aloud and he especially loves the part where Alex gives his cat “the old heave-ho”. Just funny. I had to swap out the author’s choice of word and use “Gosh” instead, a handful of times. That’s my personal preference.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another funny one, very light-hearded and cute.

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I liked the part when Alex was joking around with Albert. I also liked this book because I think the commercial was funny.

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder if I’d be more sympathetic towards the main character if I was a kid.

[Doreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: Alex was chosen to be a part of a commercial on television. He thought this would instantly make him famous, and that finally other people would start treating him like he was a star. The commercial ended up being cheesy and his classmates made fun of him over it. Alex looked for other ways to get attention and make his name known. He volunteered to help in the school assembly and tried out for a play at his school. Both made him noticed more by his classmates for a short period of time. There came a point where he could have taken the lead role in the play (due to the lead-role’s sickness that was brought on by Alex) but instead he coaxed the lead in the play that everything would be fine. The director of the play praised him for being an unsung hero. Alex decided to take a break from trying to be famous and just enjoy being the unsung hero that he was.

Comments: This was the first book in the humor genre that I have ever read. I think it was clever that the author used a boy as the narrator so she could make more humorous remarks in the book without seeming juvenile. A few that stood out to me that showed her style of writing were: “This may sound childish to a lot of people, but personally I still find making faces at my parents very satisfying.” (pg. 12), “New York City reminds me a little bit of the zoo. A lot of the people look like they should be on the endangered species list.” (pg. 15), and “Why do I have to go?”… “Why? I’ll tell you why. Because you’re dripping with stupidity, and I don’t want it getting all over my rug, that’s why.”

[Ghoover]

Barbara Park pulls through with yet another relatable children's book. Her abilities to create characters for any age to connect with and process different struggles of childhood is amazing! In this specific story, Almost Starring Skinny Bones,it explores the trials of peer criticism and sticking to who you want to be. The story of this young boy who is going to be in a commercial for cat food, but his classmates are very much under impressed and how he goes forward with it regardless of their opinions can teach each student to pursue their passions and dreams despite what discrimination they might face. Alex, Skinny Bones, brings the story to a close by participating in a school play. He almost has the opportunity to star as Scrooge when the original student, Albert, was almost unable to. Alex, however opts out of stealing the spot light and convinces Albert to give it a go. The teacher, Mr. Tilton, was impressed with his decisions and the selflessness that Alex exhibits and he tells Alex, "My hats off to you, Alexander. The quiet hero. The very best kind." What a sweet book that shows a student with integrity, kindness and down right character.

[Juniper Shore · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a little dated, but the themes are eternal. Alex, our hero, is a dweeb with a quick wit and a big mouth, and these qualities gain him both friends and enemies. It would be a stretch to call him self-aware, but by the end of the novel he's coming to recognize that his habit of pushing people's buttons may have unfortunate side effects.

Almost Starring Skinnybones is a quick read, wonderful for reading aloud. Park has a talent for sparkling dialogue and a gift for getting inside the lives of twelve-year-olds. It's rare to find a narrative voice that so consistently reflects the way preteen boys see the world.

And it's funny, which counts for a lot.

[Jacob]

Almost Starring Skinny-bones

For my book report I did Almost Starring skinny-bones. This book a sequel to the original skinny bones. In Almost Starring skinny-bones Alex goes to Hollywood to do a commercial for cat food. In the original skinny-bones at the end of the book it was announced at the school. Alex's friends thinks the commercial is the dumbest thing ever. Alex is also called ‘“Skinny-bones” he is the one who is going to Hollywood to do a cat food commercial.Read the book for yourself and see good the book really is or not.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book when I was in fourth grade. The author is full of humor. She has a great voice for a young boy narrator. However, I think a lot of it is dated, sadly. Her pop culture references would never land in today's generation. And if the main character was in elementary school instead of middle school, he might be convincing, but unfortunately middle schoolers today are not this innocent. Middle schoolers today are a lot darker and sexually charged.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am seriously annoyed by anyone who thinks he's better than other people, and Alex, the protagonist in this story, seems to be one of those. Park does a wonderful job of portraying him as a snob because he won a contest where the prize was being in a cat food commercial. As a discussion starter for respect and equality, it would work, but Alex's naive arrogance drove me nuts. This s a book that can be skipped.

[Taro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Alex who goes to New York to shoot a commercial in which he tries to gain fame, however things go the wrong way and embarrasses himself on TV. It was an okay book to read and has some humor which i enjoyed. i liked how at the end Alex lets go the fame he was trying to achieve in order to help his school.

[Megan Chonczynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about a book who thinks he's about to become a star because he's in a cat food commercial. He is beyond excited because it's national television. Though these plans take a turn when his friends thinks his commercial is dumb. He is devastated. He can't believe it and wonders if he'll ever be a celebrity.

[Amy Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this short book in a couple of hours today, and would recommend it to my students especially my boy reluctant readers. Funny, slightly irreverent toward adults, and realistically voiced, I think that students will identify with "Skinnybones." They might also laugh durring SSR...I did!

[Ms. Mielke's Class Make sure you post how your sheets tell you to!!!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked Skinnybones you will love this book! It picks up right where they left off in the first one. Almost Starring Skinnybones is just as funny as the first Skinnybones book, if and, even better. Just like the first, if you want a good laugh, this is the book for you. Happy reading! - RF

[Jen]

A very humorous story about a mischievous boy. It shows a believable picture of how a 11-12 year old boy might perceive his world; might be good for boys who do not enjoy reading. (Author)

[Jerri Hansen]

This book is sure to make anyone laugh as they discover the personality behind skinny-bones. I can't remember his name right now.

[Rmschow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not near as good as the first, but still a fun read!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty funny book. I had to read it for a book report under the comedy category. -a

[Mrs. Kris's Class · Rating 5 out of 5]

cool book

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

silly & entertaining laugh out loud. good fun.

[Ms. Mielke's Class Make sure you post how your sheets tell you to!!!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book. My favorite part is when he asked his dad to carry his suitcase because he thought he was a star. His dad didn't do it. You should read this book. DK