Einstein the Class Hamster and the Very Real Game Show

Einstein the Class Hamster

by Janet Tashjian, Jake Tashjian (Illustrator)

Janet and Jake Tashijan, the author and illustrator team behind the My Life series, deliver a hilarious sequel to the illustrated chapter book Einstein the Class Hamster.

We follow Ms. Moreno's class as they face off against the students of Crackerjack Elementary on the hit game show Kids Know Stuff . But when Principal Decker sneaks Twinkles the python into the studio, there's widespread panic; the show's host is afraid of snakes and walks off the set. Now is Einstein's chance to shine! With the assistance of a sound engineer who can also hear Einstein, Ned and Marlon help Einstein get ready to host the show and save the day. But something goes wrong. Does Einstein have... STAGE FRIGHT? Oh no! Ned and Marlon must find a way to help Einstein and win the game show in Einstein the Class Hamster and the Very Real Game Show .

“Jake Tashjian's manic, kid-scrawled spot illustrations have an energy that matches Einstein's, and there's an abundance of humor (generally goofy or gross-out) in both his artwork and in Janet Tashjian's writing.” ― Publishers Weekly

“A kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun and more plot.” ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review , on 'My Life as a Book'

Genres: Middle Grade, Humor

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2014

About the author

Janet Tashjian is a middle-grade and young adult novelist who’s been writing books for children for fifteen years. Her first novel Tru Confessions was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her novels My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stuntboy, and My Life As a Cartoonist are all illustrated by her teenage son, Jake. Their collaboration continues with Einstein the Class Hamster coming in August.

Janet lives with her family in Los Angeles, enjoying her respite from the long Boston winters. When she isn’t writing, she’s rewriting.

Janet has been doing school visits for fifteen years; you can email her at spatulaproductions@mac.com for details.

We invite you to follow her on Twitter @JanetTashjian and like her books on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Lif...
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Plus, check out her YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/janettash...

Reviews

[Laila · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are very silly and unrealistic but entertaining read-alouds for my third-grader.

[Brittany Kraft]

Boerring Elementary school is anything but boring. One class pet has a knack for knowing facts he likes to call tasty tidbits. Einstein the hamster is no ordinary hamster and has big dreams of being a talk show host one day. After him and the class turtle Marlon join the class on a field trip to a game show, Einstein might just finally get his chance. After much confusion and one trouble making snake, the game show is without a host! Could this be Einstein’s chance? Will the world see the first master game show host?

Questions:
1. What choice would you have made if you were in Einstein’s situation?
2. What was the relationship between Ned and Einstein?
3. What motive was there for Twinkles to jam up electrical panel?
4. Would it be better if Einstein did get to host the game show?
5. What is your opinion of Twinkles, and why do you feel that way?

Tashjian, J., & Tashjian, J. (2014). Einstein the class hamster and the very real game show. New York, New York. Henry Holt and Company.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mom and son duo have yet to let me down! This second installment of the series Einstein the Class Hamster presents Einstein on the verge of having his dreams of becoming a game show host come true. The situations that arise at the television studio with Marlon, the class turtle, and Twinkles the Python, the school principal's pet, and the students and teacher in Einstein's class, are beyond hilarious. Kids who are fans of stories such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, and My Life as ... from the same authors of Einstein, will delight in the humorous and sometimes ridiculous situations that happen in this series. This is a great study of fiction and non-fiction being "mashed up" together in a chapter book. Einstein's Tasty Tidbits at the end of every chapter not only open readers' eyes to interesting facts about science, animals and history, but may very well entice readers to further research these topics.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Einstein the class hamster has been quizzing the kids at school with Answer That Question. Now the kids are heading off to a real game show and Einstein gets to go along. He and his sidekick Marlon the turtle are smuggled into the game show studio. Principal Decker also brings his pet snake Twinkles who causes all kinds of havoc. But the havoc gives Einstein the opportunity to be a real game show host. This was a decent chapter book for early readers. It has nice big text and lots of illustrations. The story was not to my tastes but I can see where it will find fans. There are all kinds of crazy antics and a teacher who falls asleep all the time. I think my favorite parts of the book Einstein's Tasty Tidbits were he shared facts and information on all kinds of subjects.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I didn't like this title as much as some of the author's earlier books, I can see why it would appeal to its intended audience. Ned, Bonnie, and Ms. Moreno head to a quiz bowl competition against the students of Perfect Ed Elementary. Class pet mascots Einstein and Marlon come along for the ride, and Einstein is ready to save the day when Principal Decker's pet snake Twinkles causes fear on the television set. The inclusion of a couple of pages of interesting facts about various topics interspersed among the narrative chapters adds appeal to this amusing second title in the Einstein the Class Hamster series. Late elementary students will enjoy this title and Ms. Moreno's tendency to fall asleep at critical moments.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this installment of Einstein: The Class Hamster the class is going on a field trip to be part of a real game show, and Einstein, of course couldn’t be more excited. The story is a fact-filled class pet-led adventure that is filled with witty banter that is likely to charm reluctant and voracious readers alike. The simple line drawings do a good job of illustrating key details in the text, and even if the adults in the story are clueless or seem to have questionable intentions at times, it is clear that they are champions of the kids when it really counts.

This series is good for kids with a quirky sense of humor, class pet lovers and fact lovers alike.

[Kris McCracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another top bedtime read for Ezra and I. As ever, Einstein and chums mix plenty of fun with a good dose of facts and good humour. We especially like the decidedly odd relationship between principal and snake. Very odd indeed!

It's also great to see a kid's book avoid the usual cliched denouncements and go for something a little more left field. We're already looking forward to the next installment. Recommended for any younger readers out there who enjoy a good romp, with bonus trivia thrown in.

[Gail Shipley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute easy to read with large font. The story is funny and includes lots of fun science and historical facts that readers will pick up without realizing they are learning. Has interesting questions along the way that kids can try to answer.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious 2nd adventure in the Einstein the Class Hamster series! Sure to be a class "winner"!

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Einstein's dream of becoming a game show host almost comes true, but many factors prevent his success. Still, he helps Ned and his classmates.