Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs

Roscoe Riley Rules #1

by Katherine Applegate, Brian Biggs (Illustrator)

If the kids can't sit still for the class performance, Roscoe's teacher could be in big trouble. Fortunately Roscoe has a plan to save her—a super, mega, gonzo plan! What could go wrong?

Genres: Childrens, Humor, Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction, School, Fiction, Juvenile

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2008

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.

Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).

She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).

Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).

With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)

Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.

Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

In our first Roscoe Riley chapter book, Neo and I met this little kid who seems to love first grade. While trying to help his new teacher, he brings along some supplies for the art cupboard, including the Super-Mega-Gonzo glue, which he aptly calls the don’t-you-dare glue. In preparation for the class open house, Roscoe realises that his teacher, Ms. Diz, is in trouble when their presentation seems sub-par. He wants to ensure everyone sits and pays close attention, dabbing some of the aforementioned glue onto the chairs. This glue is quite sticky and bonds with ease. What happens next might well explain how Roscoe started the story in time-out. Have a read and see! Neo loved the story and hopes to read more of them with me. Roscoe Riley is sure a troublesome kid, but he means well, much like a ginger I know! Great reading, either for the accomplished reader or an older storyteller for the attentive listener!

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother of boys, I love books like this. They give us the opportunity to walk in the shoes of a boy and see the world through his eyes. Indeed, how would you know it is a rule not to make walrus teeth with your sticks? How frustrating to have good ideas and want to implement them only to find out you have broken yet another rule set in place by grownups.

I found this to be an entertaining and enlightening read. Made me miss the days when my boys were this age. Would make an excellent classroom read aloud for K or 1st grades.

[Karina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short. Very cute. Roscoe is a first grader that has good intentions but is always getting into trouble. Common sense goes over his head. If he was my kid he would totally annoy me.
My 8 yr old read this in a day so it might be too easy for this age group. Older Katherine Applegate book series.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully understated, dry sense of humor. I was smiling the whole time I read it and often laughed out loud. A Junie B. for boys.

The junk drawer is one of my favorite off-limits places.
It's like a pirate treasure chest.
Only with no rubies.
I opened the drawer.
I looked inside.
Wow, I thought. This drawer is full of cool stuff!
And that's when all my trouble started.
_____

The junk drawer always has wonderful things in it.
Keys. Puzzle pieces. Paper clips. The head from one of Hazel's dolls.
I was playing brain surgeon the day that happened.
The patient died.

[Ahtims · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute adorable tale of what happens when Rascally Roscoe takes super glue to school to help out his favorite teacher

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny tale that made me and my son laugh out loud! 😂😂😂 We will be continuing the series right away!

[Bookish Devil · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so adorable when Roscoe stood up for Ms.Diz. He might be silly at times but he is truly an empathetic and a cute kiddo.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read aloud book for my first graders. Roscoe is a well intending, mischievous first grader who wants to help his teacher have a successful open house for the parents. His helpfulness leads to chaos and mishaps.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When your piano student recommends a book to you, you borrow it from him and read it! I can see why he loved this book. Roscoe says and does things that the rest of us can't! A really quick read but it entertained me.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mischievous boy telling a story about why he's in time out. Very funny and relatable.

[James Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it when Roscoe saved the teacher by jumping in front of her to save her from getting splattered by the pie.

This book was funny and cool.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meet Roscoe Riley, he is a first grader, who is at the moment in time-out. Join him in the Official Roscoe Riley Time Out Corner as he explains how he got there, and why it is sometimes hard to remember all the rules that a kid must follow. See what happens when Roscoe takes the "Don't- You- Dare Glue" from the junk drawer at home to school, to help his teacher Ms. Diz. save her job.

[Megan W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Supposedly reading books for kids helps you fall asleep. Will report back

[Tamera Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

1) Book summary: Roscoe Riley never actually tries to cause trouble for anyone but he can't help himself. There is a big performance at his school coming up for the parents and he want to do great. One day his teacher ran out glue to finish the customs and he thought he could just bring his mother to school to help his teacher. Riley thought the students would give the teacher a bad impression if they couldn't stay in their seats. At the end of the story the readers find out how strong the glue was.

2) Grade level, interest level, lexile: kindergarten-2nd grade, ages 6-10, 380L

3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area): Language art/ reading block

4) Individual students who might benefit from reading: Every busy body child that can't sit down or disrupt class.

5) Small group use (literary circles): I can do popcorn reading and have each student read a page. We can work on some vocabulary terms from the book

6) Whole class use (read aloud): Maybe we can do a art projects that involves glue

7) Related books in genre/subject or content area: Roscoe Riley Rules #2 Never Swipe a Bully's Bear, Roscoe Riley Rules #3 Don't Swap Your Sweather for a Dog

8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audible

[Beth G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids have to follow so many rules!
Sometimes my brain forgets to remember them all.
It's not like I try to find ways to get into trouble. It's just that trouble has a way of finding me.

In this first book in a series, Roscoe Riley, a first-grader with "high spirits", welcomes us to his Official Time-Out Corner to hear the story of exactly what put him there this time. He was really just trying to help his teacher. Who knew it was a bad idea to glue things to people with the Super-Mega-Gonzo Glue?

This is a quick, breezy read, with one- and two-sentence paragraphs and short chapters interspersed with Brian Biggs' cartoony black-and-white illustrations. Well-meaning but short-sighted Roscoe will be a familiar character to adults and kids, and his droll delivery will raise more than a few giggles. I can't help but think of Roscoe Riley as similar to Junie B. Jones, but with more boy-appeal. Perfect for young readers just getting into chapter books.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Katherine Applegate.
.
You are my hero.
.
You consider your audience, your main character and you write with voice like no other.
.
Your books are all unique, each one 180 degrees opposite from the last one written.
.
That’s because this newest one about pesky Roscoe is for the younger crowd, the just-getting-into-chapter-book reading kids. It’s for fans of Horrible Harry or Lulu who expect to laugh audibly about the impossible predicaments a kid can put himself in when there’s no sensor on his thoughts.
.
As they grow into stronger readers, they’ll fall in love with Ivan and Kek. The lyrical words and heartbreaking situations they find themselves thrust in will at turns break their hearts and develop an empathy for others.
.
Now you must write a YA novel for your kids to be drawn to, and finally an adult book to round the seasons of reading for us all.
.
Oh, Katherine Applegate.
.
You are my hero.
.

[Ubalstecha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roscoe is supposed to bring craft supplies for his class. In doing so, he manages to get a hold of his mother's super strong glue, the "Don't You Dare Glue". And bringing this to school leads to chaos and bad choices.

This is a very cute early chapter book. Parents will love the author's sense of humour. There are illustrations every few pages to also keep the young reader's interest and to help with comprehension. But parents and teachers may hesitate to expose the young people in their lives to this work. Roscoe is a scamp, there is no other word for him. He routinely makes choices that are ill-thought through, but make for hilarious outcomes. Choices that these same children could mimic. You have been warned.

[Terry]

This is the book that launches the adventure series of Roscoe Riley, a first-grader whose life is full of humor and mischief. The author has captured the personality, style, and view of the life of your typical first-grade child. Roscoe's dialogue and logic suggest she is a wizened teacher or mom. You'll laugh all the way through.

To read our full review, go to This is a great book ... and we can't wait to read the next title..

[Corinna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read to my boys every night, but don't usually leave reviews for the kids books on GR. However, I have to leave one for this book and the other Roscoe Riley book we have read. These books crack my sons up, theu just love them. They are good chapter books for boys (and girls) that are early readers. The stories are hilarious. At our recent book fair at school, I bought this book for my sons classroom. The teacher read it to the class and she said they all loved it! We can't wait to read the rest of Roscoe Rileys adventures!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. Charming. Likable, well intentioned main character. Even though he mispronounces a few words that didn't seem true to first graders (which I teach), it was without the disrespect and bad grammar that drives me crazy in Junie B Jones. Cartoon illustrations by Brian Biggs will add to the pleasure for reluctant readers. A fun series!

[Kris Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! A second grade girl asked that I order these, and I'm glad I did. This year one of my projects is to read more chapter books for kids in grades 1 & 2 since this is what they so desperately want to read even if they aren't ready. Kathleen T. Horning (Author of From Cover to Cover) calls these transitional books.

[Sheri S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely kept the kids entertained! It was kind of a fun book about a kid who is a bit of a troublemaker. He finds an ingenious way of keeping things from falling apart. I'd consider listening to the next book in the series if I can find an audio version.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is possible to be funny and not annoying...Applegate hits the right note of humor with Roscoe Riley Rules #1. This was a fun read.

[Laura Komos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this one aloud to my first graders! Seeing some of their eyes light up with Roscoe's antics makes me believe they'll be asking to read more of Roscoe's books.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute and funny little read. A great early reader chapter book.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny story, well told. Loaded with pranks and asides.

[Chris Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amusing, sometimes hilarious book aimed at young kids. The book series is aimed at a younger audience than Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan, a book that had appeal to a wide age range, from kids to adults. But if you are a parent searching for a book to read with your child, you might find yourself amused by this one.


This book is all about trying to follow rules, but sometimes as a young kid it can be hard. Especially when you don't know all of the rules. I mean, nobody tells you that you can't glue your friends to chairs, and Roscoe's story shows that he wasn't malicious - he just lacked foresight for the consequences of his actions.


The book is written at breakneck speed with single sentence paragraphs, one after the other. This not only helps keep kids interested, but established Roscoe's character as a bit of a spastic kid. He's nice and kind, the kind of kid that you find adorable as a teacher when he's not causing you to rip your hair out (as Roscoe's teacher, Ms. Diz does when telling a kid to take Play-Doh out of his ear). The way he builds up to why he glued his friends to their chairs is logical and amusing. I laughed out loud a few times, especially when his sister Hazel sings the alphabet song:


"...h, i, j, k, Ellen Emmo peed."


And then she wants to know who Ellen Emmo is, to which Roscoe replies that they explain all that in kindergarten.


Roscoe's classroom doesn't quite reflect reality, but it does reflect diversity. It seems there is at least one kid of each race in the world in his first grade classroom.


What's interesting is Applegate's portrayal of teachers. I find many popular children's books portray teachers as cranky, mean curmudgeons (especially the Captain Underpants books). But Applegate shows a lot of sympathy for teachers, in particular how difficult the job is, and anyone who is a teacher who reads these books can appreciate that. Ms. Diz is a first year teacher, and everyone from the students to the parents to the principal is aware of and supportive of that. There's even mention of the kindergarten teacher quitting for a boring office job. As much as Roscoe likes Ms. Diz, who is still working on her classroom management techniques, he can't help but cause her a source of headache by goodnaturedly breaking some rule or another.


I like that Applegate doesn't continue to hoist disrespect upon teachers and understands the difficult job they do. But outside of that, this is a book that you can feel comfortable with your child reading, knowing it will be entertaining and teach some good lessons without being preachy.

[Taylor Lubinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for children ages 4-7 because it is a chapter book for the older kids but the words are big and easy to read so younger ones can recognize them as well. It is a good story of a first-grader named Roscoe who gets himself into a lot of trouble frequently. His class is putting on a show about bees for the parents and the principal is coming to see as well. Roscoe is worried that if all the students act goofy during the show his teacher will get fired so he steals some superglue from his house and glues all of his classmates to their chairs. He also glues their bee antennas to their heads. The show goes perfectly until the class tries to stand up and take off their headbands and that is when the realize they are stuck. Chaos ensues, and all the parents and the teacher have to settle everything down and help out the children. At the end he has to go to time-out but no one is really mad at him because he was trying to help. He also realizes that the principal would never have fired the teacher because he knows how kids can be. I think that this is a good book for children especially ages 4-7 because they can relate to his first-grade shenanigans. As you are reading the book you read it from the perspective of a first-grader which will help children relate to it better as well. I thought that this book was very funny because there are even some parts where I laughed out loud at.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Hey! Over here! It's me. Roscoe. Welcome to the Official Roscoe Riley Time-out Corner. Want to hang out with me? I have to warn you, though. We're going to be here for a while.

Premise/plot: Roscoe Riley has GLUE, but not just any glue, it is Super-Mega-Gonzo Glue. It is PERMANENT. Of course, how and why he uses this super-permanent glue is an interesting, humorous story. (He's only got the best intentions, right????)

My thoughts: This is my first introduction to Roscoe Riley. Apparently there's a series! This one strongly reminds me (in the best way) of Junie B. Jones. It also reminds me of Robert Munsch's humor. I like this early chapter book very much. I could see how it could hook young readers and make them want to read more, more, more.

I am so glad I revisited Katherine Applegate's earlier works. I'm definitely going to see if the library has more of this series.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as part of my quest to read everything by Katherine Applegate....and I found myself in unfamiliar territory. This book is part of that in-between genre that is a chapter book meant for the 1st and 2nd grade reader. I finished it in about thirty minutes.

For the advanced first grade student looking for her first chapter book, this was reasonably entertaining....nothing great. I was a little disappointed, though, because I've come to expect incredible books from Katherine Applegate. Also, when I do read these really simple chapter books, I am reading them with an eye for my intermediate students that need easier books; I don't think this book would work for them. There were too many references to kindergarten and first grade experiences, and the humor would fall flat with my kids, I think.