Timmy Failure: We Meet Again

Timmy Failure #3

by Stephan Pastis

“Pastis’s lovely balance of quirky cartooning and quick-moving text makes this an enjoyable, laugh-out-loud read. . . . A perfect go-to for reluctant readers.” —  School Library Journal

His name is Failure, Timmy Failure. His detective agency is on the verge of global domination. Global riches. Global fame. In this, the third volume of his memoirs, Timmy Failure will reveal how he will triumph over the curveballs of the for starters, academic probation. The coveted Miracle Report is the key to everything, including a good grade. It’s dirty business. It’s best you know nothing.

Genres: Humor, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Mystery, Graphic Novels, Comedy

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2014

About the author

Stephan Pastis was born in 1968 and raised in San Marino, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1989 with a degree in political science. Although he had always wanted to be a syndicated cartoonist, Pastis realized that the odds of syndication were slim, so he entered UCLA Law School in 1990 and became an attorney instead. He practiced law in the San Francisco Bay area from 1993 to 2002. While an attorney, he began submitting various comic strip concepts to all of the syndicates, and, like virtually all beginning cartoonists, got his fair share of rejection slips. Then, in 1997, he began drawing Pearls Before Swine, which he submitted to the syndicates in mid-1999. In December, 1999, he signed a contract with United.
Pearls Before Swine debuted in newspapers in January, 2002, and Pastis left his law practice in August of that year. Pearls Before Swine was nominated in 2003, 2004 and 2007 as "Best Newspaper Comic Strip" by the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) and won the award in 2004 and 2007. Pastis lives with his family in Northern California.

Reviews

[✦BookishlyRichie✦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS!!!


This one definitely wasn't as funny as the first two, but I still enjoyed it. Timmy is such a wacky and pompous character and it's fun reading his adventures while trying to solve crimes and getting himself into trouble all the time.

I was sent the entire series by Candle Wick Press for an honest review. All opinions and feels are my own. :)

- Richard

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timmy is back, and he's funnier.

I've said before, that a lot of books have ripped off the idea of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. If this is one of them, then it's the best rip off of the lot, because it's genuinely hilarious. And surprisingly, very moving. Yes, I found myself crying when I read We Meet Again. This completely blew me away. I think we got a much closer insight into Timmy's mental state; usually the catalyst of all the jokes, and saw his real vulnerablity. It was made very clear from the start and then stated explicity later, that Total the Polar Bear does not exist. That clarified one of the biggest questions for me about the series. Despite the emotional moment, the rest of the book was sheer humour. Even the illustrations seemed funnier this time. And it does seem to have a much bigger scope than Wimpy Kid, which recently has looked like its struggling for material. Of course, it's much earlier in the Timmy Failure series, but there seem to be so many possibilities. Long may Timmy continue to jump to the wrong conclusion!

[Sladjana Kovacevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

PONOVO SE SREĆEMO-TIMI PROMAŠAJ 3–STEFAN PASTIS
✒️"Ponovo se srećemo!-izjavljujem dok širom otvaram vrata Skrimšoove kancelarije.
Skrimšo ustaje. -Šta ti radiš ovde?-reži.
-Spasavam nevinog čoveka"
🐻‍❄️Treći i po mom mišljenju za sad najlepši deo serijala od sedam knjiga.
🐻‍❄️Timi Promašaj se vratio u osnovnu školu Karvet nakon što je zamalo ozbačen. I kreće u nove avanture. Bori se protiv đuleta loptice na treninzima. Bori se da (ne) uradi test iz biologije,da reši slučaj nestalog testa koji je dobio 5+++ a iz koga bi neki da prepisuju a neki bi da ga sakriju jer žele svoje znanje da suoče sa znanjem ili neznanjem ostalih.
🐻‍❄️Učimo o drugarstvu,o tome kako "neprijatelji" začas postanu saveznici,o strahu od mraka,usamljenosti,izmišljenim i stvarnim prijateljima,a i jedni i drugi su podjednako pravi.
🐻‍❄️A pojavljuje se najkul od svih kul bibliotekara na svetu,bibliotekar-bajker Flo
🐻‍❄️Toplo,lagano i beskrajno duhovito. 🫠😂
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #literature #knjige #dečjeknjige #readingaddict

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, laugh-out-loud silly and everything that we love about Timmy..with some unexpected plot twists! Love it.

[Rafael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked when Timmy thought his building was called failure incorporated but it actually said incorporated failure. I also liked when rolo tookus said his only fear was grades .

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

(Note: This review broadly covers books one, two and three in the series)


As a big fan of Stephan Pastis’ acerbic yet contemplative Pearls Before Swine comic strip, I couldn’t wait to read Pastis’ middle-grade Timmy Failure series.

I was in for a treat.

Our protagonist, Timmy Failure, comes from a long line of Fayleures (his ancestors changed the spelling of their name). He lives with his mother and his friend/detective agency partner- a fifteen hundred pound and not-so-inclined-to-work polar bear named Total. Timmy and his polar bear run a detective agency called ‘Total Failure”, and their business aims are global. Now, “Total Failure” is not the easiest business venture to sell in a positive light to folks, but good grief, does Timmy try.

As we quickly learn, Timmy is a seemingly oblivious, obstinate, bizarrely self-assured kid- even though he is a actually a terrible detective, with an unwitting penchant for using words incorrectly. He drives his teacher spare, ignores the romantic advances of the effusive and tangerine-scented Molly Moskins and makes terrible fun of Rollo Tookus, his only real friend at school.

By the second book, though, we learn that there may be more to Timmy then meets the eye. Now living with his mom at his Great-Aunt Colander’s mansion (replete with a dive-bombing lovebird named Torpedo Bob), we discover that Timmy is not as impervious- or immune to emotion- as once thought. Over the course of a school sponsored detective game, we start to see cracks in Timmy’s facade. Perhaps part of why Timmy presents himself as he does- as the smartest, brightest and best detective- is to mask his own fears and insecurities; concerns about his mother and who she dates…and serious worries about love and a certain girl named Corinna Corinna.

Do you need to have read Pearls Before Swine or be familiar Pastis’ work before diving into Timmy Failure? Not necessarily, though I think it helps break into the particular tone of his writing and approach: the substantial wordplay, pun gags, the mixture of hope and futility, the moments of surprising love and warmth, and the utterly compelling oddness of the characters- particularly Timmy and Great-Aunt Colander. I actually wish Colander had made an appearance in book three as I loved her warm interactions with Timmy so much in book two! As for whether or not Total is actually a real polar bear or Timmy’s best imaginary friend…well, I leave that open.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed the three books, and gotten some TERRIFIC belly laughs from Timmy’s shenanigans. Book three offers some revelations about Timmy and Corinna Corinna- and leaves room open for more madcap investigations. Readers of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, Dana Simpson’s Phoebe and Her Unicorn, Tom Angleberger’s Origami Yoda series and Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes might especially enjoy this series.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 4 out of 5]

Еди Мърфи и Ник Нолти в „48 часа”, Мел Гибсън и Дани Глоувър в „Смъртоносно оръжие”, Джеки Чан и Крис Тъкър в „Час Пик”... Всички те остават в сянката на едно ново детективско дуо! Те пак са тук! Представяме ви Тими Провала и Мечо Тотала в „Тими Провала 3: Срещаме се отново”! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":

https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite so far. Timmy reminds me a bit of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes - imaginative boy, animal best friend/partner, crazy vocabulary, hatred of school and sports, "arch nemesis" is a girl in his class. This one had the hilarity and zaniness of the previous books, some actual interaction with Corinna Corinna, and some sweet parts between Timmy and his mom. Plus, Flo had a nice appearance and actually talked! He's fantastic. The reactions of everyone to Flo are fantastic. These continue to be fun, quick reads.

[leah:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, what a rollercoaster ride.

there were plot twists, there was romance -

and most importantly.

there was an ethan worthy description of sport.

so yes, both of you have succeeded (i feel no need to specify at this point) . i did indeed enjoy this ride. thank you

please make good life decisions,

leah / corrina corrina.

[brookie the cookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, this is my favorite book of this series!!!😁

The second book was actually a little slow for me...

But this one is epic!

Mostly because TIMMY KISSED CORRINA CORRINA. Okay, probably only because of that. It is soooooooooooo predictable, and yet I still enjoy it! How childish I am....

I am totally calling this enemies to lovers!!!😆

[Veronique Pauwels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grappig boekje, zeer vlot geschreven. Aanrader voor kinderen die niet zo van lezen houden. Eenvoudige geschreven, leuke tekeningen, korte hoofdstukken.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timmy has the best catchphrases.

[Vladimir Drandev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Най-хубавата книга в света

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book it was different then the others. It shows more about Corrina Corrina.

[Nick Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this one better than the second book. Either I'm more familiar with Timmy's antics or it actually was better. Who can be sure? I enjoyed the revealed dynamic between Timmy and Corrina Corrina and I guess Timmy was less of a jerk overall, progress! Either way these books are always a funny and easy read.

[Chris Blocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying reading this series to my youngest, now eleven. It's quirky and when it comes to reading aloud, quirky is my game.
I'm not sure if I've just come to expect the quirkiness from this series and have become a little numb to it, but I don't think this novel as a whole was as overall funny as its predecessors (though it starts out great.) Still, I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dangerously close to five stars! Character development and a more cohesive mystery without sacrificing the pitch-perfect blend of absurd humor and real pathos. Provides momentum for a longer series, which was missing from No. 2. Also: even more Señor Burrito!

[Michael Earp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timmy is fantastic!

[Dornel Cerro · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my full review of this great series at Good Reads with Ronna (www.goodreadswithronna.com).

[Lisa LoPiccolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grand daughter loves it. She is passing it on to her friends.

[Mels Mueller]

10 stars!

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best one yet.
Oh, my heart: his nemesis. Their polar-opposite imaginary friends.

[Djfrankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not as good as the first one

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite thus far.

[Stevie Twicetimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars. Without irony. No notes. This is how you write a children's book.
I've been re-reading the series lately for the first time since...geez, it must be third or fourth grade by now. And I can say that I don't remember this book being as absolutely fantastic as it is. Following the frequently hilarious "Mistakes Were Made" and the moderately amusing "Now Look What You've Done", Pastis swings with full force and delivers something genuinely magical.
"We Meet Again" takes everything that was great about the first two installments--the absurd humor, quirky character designs and sincere emotional core--and dials it up. The jokes are layered on thick, and comedic ideas such as the mythical "Scrum Bolo Chihuahua" are used effectively. There is some wonderful character development here, from humanizing Timmy a bit more than the first two did to adding an extra layer to his rivalry with Corrina Corrina. They even share a kiss in a funny and surprisingly heartfelt scene!
This book also leans into Timmy's detective work a bit more than the others, giving him an actual case to solve: finding the Miracle Report, a wonderful little Maltese Falcon-esque MacGuffin that everybody wants in order to save their grade. There are some good jokes related to it.
It occurs to me as I'm writing this that I'm waxing eloquent about a kids' book from 2014. And that seems a little strange. I don't care. This is a wonderful book full of wit, endearing characters (never forget Scutaro Holmes), and even genuine emotion and character development, something seen far too little in this genre. Anyone who wants to write books for the 8-12 set could learn a lot from reading this.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mistakes Were Made" (the first Timmy Failure book) is still the funniest of the series first 3 books IMO but "We Meet Again" is easily favorite thus far in terms of plot and character development... Similarly because we get more acquainted with Rollo, and finally delve into what the respective deals are with Corina² and Total.
Between the lower elementary aged kiddo, the upper elem- aged one and my middle- aged adult self, I'm not sure who is enjoying the series most. My younger one sometimes seems to lose focus at times as I read aloud, yet brings up (multiple times a day) and thoroughly processes what we've been reading with enthusiasm. The older kid is so invested in the characters at this point that tears were shed by my child during a particularly poignant moment late in this book. Had I not been packed in my kid's bed like a sardine and reading aloud, I probably would have cried in response to the story arc as well tbh. While I wasn't eager to read this series, each night as we return to Timmy's escapades I find myself engaged and entertained which is a most welcome respite from a lot literature for children I had to suffer through as both a kid and a grownup. Onto Book 4 we go!

[Antonio Jose · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We Meet Again: Timmy Failure #3" by Stephan Patis is a humor book about a kid that has a spy agency with his polar bear (Total) and together they figure out how to survive the life of 10-year-old in school. The main character, Timmy, is a kid that was once kicked out of school and he is now coming to school with his best friend Rolo Tuskus and his enemy: Corrina Corrina a.k.a "The Beast." Stephan has a writing style as if the book was formatted for little kids but Timmy understands the perspectives of the adults and has a wide teenager vocabulary.
This book was easy to read because it had easy words that went along perfectly with the story. One thing I enjoyed about this book was how Timmy saw the world as a detective at school. I gave it 3 stars out of 5 because it was an interesting book but it didn't have a clear storyline. I would recommend this to anyone who likes and enjoy reading humor books.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so in love with this series! I read this with my 8-year-old. We take turns reading chapters aloud to one another. He said while reading this one, “The books in this series keep getting better and better!” I agree.

There is some real character growth here. Timmy is still his usual wild self, and hilarious, but we get some deeper insights into his relationship with Total, his imaginary friend who is a polar bear and sometimes business partner in his detective agency. We also get some romance, which I found so sweet and innocent. I loved that aspect of the book, and my son did too.

This particular book centers around a nature project Timmy and his classmates are working on. It examined how school can create a competitive atmosphere, pressure to get good grades, and childhood anxiety. Very nicely done.

[Nuqksh Sapra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timmy Failure: We Meet Again is the third book in the Timmy Failure series. It is about a boy named Timmy who runs his own detective agency with his pet polar bear, Total. In this book, Timmy has to go back to school and face his old enemy, Corrina Corrina. He also has to do a big school project, but things do not go as planned. The story is very funny and silly. Timmy thinks he is a great detective, but he often makes mistakes. I liked how the book has funny pictures that go with the story. My favorite part was when Timmy tried to make a big plan to stop Corrina but it didn’t work. I think this book teaches you that it’s okay to make mistakes and that you should never give up, even when things get hard.

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book where Timmy Failure starts to get more relatable and you actually start to feel sorry for him and understand where he's coming from. In this third edition to the series Timmy's classmate Molly Moskins goes overseas to Peru or Denver or some Spanish speaking country. Because Molly Moskins leaves Timmy Failure is left with her partner and his arch enemy the WEDGIE to work with on a nature report that it worth half their grade.

This book was very fast and witty and a lot funnier than the previous book. I really can't think of anything bad to say about it. Which is why I'm giving it five stars.