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Billy Forrester #1
How To Eat Fried Worms
A classroom-ready teacher's resource with chapter summaries, prereading activities, vocabulary lists with definitions and activities, short answer questions, chapter-by-chapter and whole book comprehension tests, Think/Write/Create activities, graphic organizers, and keys. Also suitable for home school programs and independent study. Reproductible. 55 pages.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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9814 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Rockwell
33 books37 followersThomas Rhodes Rockwell was an American author of children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,338 reviews
January 15, 2014
“You’re a bastard!”
That’s what one school-aged child says to another somewhere in this book. I read it in the third grade and I remember very clearly talking to Kevin Petrasek about it, Kevin telling me it was a swear word and me not believing him (I had never heard this word before in my life). So of course I asked Miss Lisak and she decided we should discuss it further in detention.
So anyway, my kid picked up this book at the library today. On my recommendation. I understand they changed later versions of this sentence to “You’re a fink!” which is totally fucking ridiculous. I just hope he enjoys it every bit as much as I did.
That’s what one school-aged child says to another somewhere in this book. I read it in the third grade and I remember very clearly talking to Kevin Petrasek about it, Kevin telling me it was a swear word and me not believing him (I had never heard this word before in my life). So of course I asked Miss Lisak and she decided we should discuss it further in detention.
So anyway, my kid picked up this book at the library today. On my recommendation. I understand they changed later versions of this sentence to “You’re a fink!” which is totally fucking ridiculous. I just hope he enjoys it every bit as much as I did.
March 30, 2024
Although Thomas Rockwell's 1973 middle grade contest themed novel How to Eat Fried Worms was very much a personal favourite when it was read our class in grade five (in 1977), as an adult rereading, I unfortunately feel that How to Eat Fried Worms has lost much if not most of its charm, in other words, that How to Eat Fried Worms has really not aged all that well for me. For sadly, the antics in How to Eat Fried Worms of Billy Forrester and his friends (and of course, also of his adversaries, of his nemeses), they now leave me, at best, only very mildly amused, and more often than not actually rather annoyed, rather frustrated.
I mean, eating fifteen large earthworms (nightcrawlers) for a silly wager, while this might have appealed to me as an eleven year old, as an adult, it does make me rather shudder (and I actually also feel sorry and some compassion for the poor worms, and especially the last nightcrawler that is literally consumed alive, not to mention that Billy's and Alan's bet is for something like fifty dollars, a pretty large amount of money that could in my opinion encourage imitation, even gambling). However, and that all being said, I guess I can to a point both still see and appreciate the lasting appeal of How to Eat Fried Worms (and in particular for girls and especially boys between the ages of eight to around twelve); after all, my eleven year old self absolutely loved this. And perhaps one could consider the fact that Billy not only manages to eat all of the required fifteen earthworms in How to Eat Fried Worms, but actually becomes "hooked" on them, that he begins to enjoy eating nightcrawlers as a food source, as somewhat of a mildly didactic authorial message to not simply disdain different, strange or exotic seeming foods until one has tasted them, until one has at least tried them (but this potential is not really enough for me anymore, as the erstwhile magic and delight of How to Eat Fried Worms I experienced in grade five has by now quite lastingly and massively dissipated).
Finally, just to say that I have now read How to Eat Fried Worms a few times as an older adult (to try to recapture what I loved regarding Thomas Rockwell’s featured text as an eleven year old). And sadly, even for my inner child, the magic, the reading joy of 1977 is just not there anymore, and I also cannot bring it back no matter how much I try, and as such, I will today not consider a rating higher than two stars for How to Eat Fried Worms.
I mean, eating fifteen large earthworms (nightcrawlers) for a silly wager, while this might have appealed to me as an eleven year old, as an adult, it does make me rather shudder (and I actually also feel sorry and some compassion for the poor worms, and especially the last nightcrawler that is literally consumed alive, not to mention that Billy's and Alan's bet is for something like fifty dollars, a pretty large amount of money that could in my opinion encourage imitation, even gambling). However, and that all being said, I guess I can to a point both still see and appreciate the lasting appeal of How to Eat Fried Worms (and in particular for girls and especially boys between the ages of eight to around twelve); after all, my eleven year old self absolutely loved this. And perhaps one could consider the fact that Billy not only manages to eat all of the required fifteen earthworms in How to Eat Fried Worms, but actually becomes "hooked" on them, that he begins to enjoy eating nightcrawlers as a food source, as somewhat of a mildly didactic authorial message to not simply disdain different, strange or exotic seeming foods until one has tasted them, until one has at least tried them (but this potential is not really enough for me anymore, as the erstwhile magic and delight of How to Eat Fried Worms I experienced in grade five has by now quite lastingly and massively dissipated).
Finally, just to say that I have now read How to Eat Fried Worms a few times as an older adult (to try to recapture what I loved regarding Thomas Rockwell’s featured text as an eleven year old). And sadly, even for my inner child, the magic, the reading joy of 1977 is just not there anymore, and I also cannot bring it back no matter how much I try, and as such, I will today not consider a rating higher than two stars for How to Eat Fried Worms.
September 4, 2018
When we finished this in school, I was in a split first and second grade class. So I was 6 and I remember vividly; The teachers brought us out an Oreo dirt cake with gummy worms. My imagination was so vivid that I thought that stuff was real!
I had not seen gummy worms or Oreo cake yet! So, I was staying far back; not for fear of worms, nah I always rescued them from hot sidewalks or played with them. No shame. I just didn’t fancy eating one.
They gave it to us in a cup and I thought oh gross what are these people thinking ?! I want to call my mother and get out of here!
When some finally got close enough to me for me to see the difference I was amazed!! I should also have had glasses when I was young. I squinted lots. Hehe.
The thing is they were acting like it was real and I was totally believing them! The worms, the dirt, like one teacher was jiggling the worm around, then ate it.
Anyway, this book is cemented in my memory because of that and because later I saw the movie. Icky. Good book though.
I had not seen gummy worms or Oreo cake yet! So, I was staying far back; not for fear of worms, nah I always rescued them from hot sidewalks or played with them. No shame. I just didn’t fancy eating one.
They gave it to us in a cup and I thought oh gross what are these people thinking ?! I want to call my mother and get out of here!
When some finally got close enough to me for me to see the difference I was amazed!! I should also have had glasses when I was young. I squinted lots. Hehe.
The thing is they were acting like it was real and I was totally believing them! The worms, the dirt, like one teacher was jiggling the worm around, then ate it.
Anyway, this book is cemented in my memory because of that and because later I saw the movie. Icky. Good book though.
June 9, 2015
Category: A Book from your Childhood
3 Stars
I didn’t remember much about this book when I started this re-read. I remember that my mother was more horrified by the prospect of my reading a book titled How to Eat Fried Worms than Billy’s mother seemed to be by the fact her son was eating worms. I remembered thinking that mustard (my second least favourite of all the condiment kingdom) was probably grosser to stomach than fried worms themselves. And that is about it. However, I saw this book in the second-hand store one day and picked it up again, which was handy since I started this lovely PopSugar Challenge shortly thereafter.
How to Eat Fried Worms is a children’s novel centred around three boyhood friends and a bet. 'The Bet' as you may have guessed is for one of said boys, Billy, to eat worms. Fifteen worms in fifteen days, to be exact. Grown up Karly is A LOT more horrified than child Karly was by this concept but she is also somewhat curious (not enough to try them, mind) what exactly a fried worm would taste like?! I have eaten some pretty gross things as an adult – I’m looking at YOU ceviche octopus – and I just don’t imagine it would be as gross as it seems.
Anyways, this book isn’t really ABOUT the act of eating fried worms so much as it is about friendship and the fissures that gambling and trickery can cause in relationships. It’s about keeping your word and also, to a point, the lengths that people (children) will go to to acquire things, such as motorbikes. It’s about arguments and the aftermath of such. And it’s a good little piece on that. I don’t really have much else to say about it, except this: my 'new' copy has been censored, ladies and gents. The copy I recently purchased says 'fink' and I DISTINCTLY recall getting soap to the mouth when asking – because of this book – what 'bastard' meant as a child. Censorship is NOT my bag!!
3 Stars
I didn’t remember much about this book when I started this re-read. I remember that my mother was more horrified by the prospect of my reading a book titled How to Eat Fried Worms than Billy’s mother seemed to be by the fact her son was eating worms. I remembered thinking that mustard (my second least favourite of all the condiment kingdom) was probably grosser to stomach than fried worms themselves. And that is about it. However, I saw this book in the second-hand store one day and picked it up again, which was handy since I started this lovely PopSugar Challenge shortly thereafter.
How to Eat Fried Worms is a children’s novel centred around three boyhood friends and a bet. 'The Bet' as you may have guessed is for one of said boys, Billy, to eat worms. Fifteen worms in fifteen days, to be exact. Grown up Karly is A LOT more horrified than child Karly was by this concept but she is also somewhat curious (not enough to try them, mind) what exactly a fried worm would taste like?! I have eaten some pretty gross things as an adult – I’m looking at YOU ceviche octopus – and I just don’t imagine it would be as gross as it seems.
Anyways, this book isn’t really ABOUT the act of eating fried worms so much as it is about friendship and the fissures that gambling and trickery can cause in relationships. It’s about keeping your word and also, to a point, the lengths that people (children) will go to to acquire things, such as motorbikes. It’s about arguments and the aftermath of such. And it’s a good little piece on that. I don’t really have much else to say about it, except this: my 'new' copy has been censored, ladies and gents. The copy I recently purchased says 'fink' and I DISTINCTLY recall getting soap to the mouth when asking – because of this book – what 'bastard' meant as a child. Censorship is NOT my bag!!
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April 15, 2020Four boys. One bet. Fifteen worms. Fifteen days.
A couple bites of anything can't be that bad can it? Or so Billy thinks until his friend Alan dares him to eat worms. It's gross to be sure, but Billy never backs down, and $50 is on the line. Worm by worm, Billy gets closer to victory. But Alan won't let him win that easily...
A tale of honesty and trickery gross enough to turn your stomach. A story of boys, bites, and bets.
Warnings for body shaming, sexism, and a caution to those with queasy stomachs and eating disorders.
Stubborn, gutsy Billy was determined to get through every last worm. He wasn't about to lose to a fink like Alan! Obviously possessing a stronger mindset and stomach than I, his ways of hyping himself up to eat the wigglers were amusing.
Billy, Tom, Alan, and Joe. Four boys committed to their wormy bet. Some to see it through, some to fail it, and I loved their comadrey between. The boys knew how to trip each other up, as only best friends do. Within a few simple lines, it was easy to see each boy's personality, then watch them flesh out their characters as the story went along. However, I would be remiss if I didn't note my love for Billy's clever mother. You go mom!
Baked, broiled, boiled, nor oiled, so many ways you shouldn't eat these wiggly treats. Curious to take a nostalgia trip, I picked up this tale of friendship, cunning tricks, and keeping your word, fifteen years after the first time I read it. Disgustingly entertaining, Thomas Rockwell's easy prose conjured quite the vivid imagery. Aided by black and white illustrations, my feelings remain the same. I wasn't a fan the offhanded sexist remarks, and I won't eat fried worms, not even for a motorbike. However, I'll happily read this story of bets, boyhood antics, and not so fine dining. The bonus content about the author and worms was delightful.
So friends, can I interest you in some fried worms?
A couple bites of anything can't be that bad can it? Or so Billy thinks until his friend Alan dares him to eat worms. It's gross to be sure, but Billy never backs down, and $50 is on the line. Worm by worm, Billy gets closer to victory. But Alan won't let him win that easily...
A tale of honesty and trickery gross enough to turn your stomach. A story of boys, bites, and bets.
Warnings for body shaming, sexism, and a caution to those with queasy stomachs and eating disorders.
Stubborn, gutsy Billy was determined to get through every last worm. He wasn't about to lose to a fink like Alan! Obviously possessing a stronger mindset and stomach than I, his ways of hyping himself up to eat the wigglers were amusing.
Billy, Tom, Alan, and Joe. Four boys committed to their wormy bet. Some to see it through, some to fail it, and I loved their comadrey between. The boys knew how to trip each other up, as only best friends do. Within a few simple lines, it was easy to see each boy's personality, then watch them flesh out their characters as the story went along. However, I would be remiss if I didn't note my love for Billy's clever mother. You go mom!
Baked, broiled, boiled, nor oiled, so many ways you shouldn't eat these wiggly treats. Curious to take a nostalgia trip, I picked up this tale of friendship, cunning tricks, and keeping your word, fifteen years after the first time I read it. Disgustingly entertaining, Thomas Rockwell's easy prose conjured quite the vivid imagery. Aided by black and white illustrations, my feelings remain the same. I wasn't a fan the offhanded sexist remarks, and I won't eat fried worms, not even for a motorbike. However, I'll happily read this story of bets, boyhood antics, and not so fine dining. The bonus content about the author and worms was delightful.
So friends, can I interest you in some fried worms?
March 6, 2022
Baby’s First Fear Factor! This taste-defying (pun absolutely intended) piece of “transgressive fiction for kids” is delightfully gross and gleefully childlike in a very real way. The villainous kids are appropriately infuriating, our hero’s journey is engrossing in a way that will literally have you cheering, and the level of detail that goes into the worm-eating was surprisingly explicit and even nightmarish at points. What else could you want? A real winner!
March 8, 2017
I read this book with my Reading Class. We spent a month listening to the book on tape and filling out a packet that went with it. Afterwords, we watched the movie and did a compare and contrast assignment.
The students rated this book:
1 star = 2 students
3 stars = 3 students
4 stars = 2 student
I personally felt this book was worthy of 3 stars. I found it entertaining and very creative. I completely understand why it is considered a "modern classic," because it is one of the first of its kind.
I found the characters to be a little confusing and had a hard time keeping everyone apart. Also, I thought at times the book dragged on. However, I enjoyed the creativeness of the story and how the book was written at a lower level but was made for older students.
The students rated this book:
1 star = 2 students
3 stars = 3 students
4 stars = 2 student
I personally felt this book was worthy of 3 stars. I found it entertaining and very creative. I completely understand why it is considered a "modern classic," because it is one of the first of its kind.
I found the characters to be a little confusing and had a hard time keeping everyone apart. Also, I thought at times the book dragged on. However, I enjoyed the creativeness of the story and how the book was written at a lower level but was made for older students.
February 23, 2024
This book had its moments but I don’t like the depiction of demons from hell. Worms are not to be spoken of lightly
December 22, 2010
Ingredients: 50 whole dollar bills, 15 ripe earthworms, 4 young boys, 1 disgusting dare
Combine all ingredients into a small book, carefully mix with witty dialogue, stir in unforgettable characters, add a dash of nausea, a pinch of mischief and generously sprinkle with humorous chapters. Let stand for fifteen days, remove from bookshelf and enjoy in large helpings.
How to Eat Fried Worms is a recipe for fun, laughter and possibly an upset stomach. However, it is sure to please even the pickiest of young readers who are reluctant to try new things and tend to stick with those familiar authors or their favorite series.
The fun begins when a conversation over last night’s dinner of salmon casserole and one of the boy’s refusal to eat even two bites of it (yuck!), turns into a contest of I’d eat anything for enough money. Well, it turns out $50 is enough and anything happens to be fifteen worms. One worm a day for fifteen days which adds up to some disgusting concoctions, some devious scheming, and a whole lot of arguing.
The book is filled with such remarkably realistic adolescent behavior that you being to wonder if these kids might happen to be neighbors of yours. Billy, the main character and recipient of 15 worms challenge, is drawn by the author with all the thoughts, actions, and unique characteristics that make for a believable character and one children can connect with easily.
More than just a book about four boys and a slightly disgusting premise, How to Eat Fried Worms is sure to please young readers and older readers who remember their favorite book from fourth grade.
Combine all ingredients into a small book, carefully mix with witty dialogue, stir in unforgettable characters, add a dash of nausea, a pinch of mischief and generously sprinkle with humorous chapters. Let stand for fifteen days, remove from bookshelf and enjoy in large helpings.
How to Eat Fried Worms is a recipe for fun, laughter and possibly an upset stomach. However, it is sure to please even the pickiest of young readers who are reluctant to try new things and tend to stick with those familiar authors or their favorite series.
The fun begins when a conversation over last night’s dinner of salmon casserole and one of the boy’s refusal to eat even two bites of it (yuck!), turns into a contest of I’d eat anything for enough money. Well, it turns out $50 is enough and anything happens to be fifteen worms. One worm a day for fifteen days which adds up to some disgusting concoctions, some devious scheming, and a whole lot of arguing.
The book is filled with such remarkably realistic adolescent behavior that you being to wonder if these kids might happen to be neighbors of yours. Billy, the main character and recipient of 15 worms challenge, is drawn by the author with all the thoughts, actions, and unique characteristics that make for a believable character and one children can connect with easily.
More than just a book about four boys and a slightly disgusting premise, How to Eat Fried Worms is sure to please young readers and older readers who remember their favorite book from fourth grade.
January 17, 2023
You know how when you were a kid... you have bets with other kids as to eat this, do that, etc... well this is it! $50 for 15 worms... want to know all of the ways to eat a worm?! This book is for you! Want to know all of the ways to find a worm and if you should eat one that is found in manure? This is book is also for you!
Super fun read. Obviously for a challenge because not one I would have chosen voluntarily! LOL
Super fun read. Obviously for a challenge because not one I would have chosen voluntarily! LOL
March 7, 2017
This book was short, sweet, and hilarious! I can just imagine 10-year-old boys making this sort of bet with each other. I admit, the part where he at the worms was kind of gross, but I enjoyed all the ways he tried to make the worm appetizing. It was also funny seeing how the other two try to trick Billy into losing the bet (and there are a couple of good tricks).
I do have to say that this book is somewhat dated. Written in 1973, some of the phrases used and attitudes of the parents/children just don't fit in with how today is, but it still a great read. When it comes down to it, it's all about dealing with peer pressure and that will stay relevant forever.
If you have a couple of hours to spare (whether for reading or listening to an audio book), then go for it and pick this one up. It's worth it!
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
I do have to say that this book is somewhat dated. Written in 1973, some of the phrases used and attitudes of the parents/children just don't fit in with how today is, but it still a great read. When it comes down to it, it's all about dealing with peer pressure and that will stay relevant forever.
If you have a couple of hours to spare (whether for reading or listening to an audio book), then go for it and pick this one up. It's worth it!
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
August 15, 2018
A tale I read many moons ago - but was funny. I purchased this for my oldest daughter who said, “Mom, I can’t believe you let me read a book with curse words!.”😂❤️
March 1, 2021
i'll admit the ketchup and salt thing made me really want to eat worms when i was 9
September 7, 2021
From the days when a man's honor was his word and children were largely unsupervised. This book was hilarious in third grade and it was still flipping intensely funny, especially when the kids go on monologues and use flowery language and when Billy eats the first worm and turns into a bird. My adult four stars are because of the intense sadness when the boys divide into pairs and their friendship begins dissolving, until Alan suggests hogtying Billy and lowering him into the cistern. Cistern was on our spelling test that week in third grade. But a kid brain would read, "Billy and Tom: good. Alan and Joe: bad," and I used to have a kid brain. Nowadays, I kept appreciating how well the parents were handling the situation.
A line about spilling a bottle of ink on a kid in school made me think that Thomas Rockwell was dripping his own childhood into an era where they surely had ballpoint pens, but I looked it up, and some schools were using dip pens until the mid-60s, so it is possible that a kid could have a bottle of ink poured on him in school and come home to find his mother using Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Worms must be a good protein source. Am assuming we do not hear about how worms are the protein of the future because we do not breed and harvest worms already, unlike crickets who are bred and harvested for the lizard owners and their pets.
A line about spilling a bottle of ink on a kid in school made me think that Thomas Rockwell was dripping his own childhood into an era where they surely had ballpoint pens, but I looked it up, and some schools were using dip pens until the mid-60s, so it is possible that a kid could have a bottle of ink poured on him in school and come home to find his mother using Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Worms must be a good protein source. Am assuming we do not hear about how worms are the protein of the future because we do not breed and harvest worms already, unlike crickets who are bred and harvested for the lizard owners and their pets.
October 26, 2019
Meh. Got to page 38 and just couldn’t anymore. Did read bits to someone who was once a boy the age of those in this book are they said that “grown-up” boys are much the same. So it gets two stars for realism, but it’s not quite for me. I think I’m in a book-slump, so it’s not the book on this one. I am not quite the demographic for this story. Some kids books work well for adults, but I don’t think this is one of them.
June 15, 2021
My kids and I listened this on audiobook because I remembered liking it when I had to read it in elementary school. I have to say that as an adult, I did not appreciate this book at all. As a novel, it’s quite simplistic. There’s just one main storyline—no subplots. In addition to that, there weren’t any characters in this story whom I’d want my children to emulate. Even the main character agrees to a silly bet when he could have just said “NO” and walked away. I couldn’t figure out why he kept hanging out with such mean kids in the first place. This book earns two thumbs down from me.
April 30, 2025
My reading partner now wants to try a fried worm. Can’t get him to eat vegetables, but fried worms? Makes total sense.
January 30, 2023
I realize this is a children's book and for that reason I especially didn't like one of the main aspects of it: peer pressuring. Alan dares his friend Billy to eat worms and, as often happens with younger people, Billy wanted to do the dare but not because he wanted to eat worms! He is typical of boys at his age and he wants to be accepted and show he's not scared among other reasons. Personally, I can't even watch a show where someone puts a worm or spider or other but in their mouth, so I turn the station and don't watch that show or I look away/close my eyes during that part. There are four boys involved in this wormy nightmare: Billy, Alan, Joe and Tom. I see why children might like this one, but even though some people love the boys' friendship, I simply hate that they use peer pressure on each other.
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December 7, 2025Published in 1973, this book still holds up as a middle grade read aloud. Short chapters and lots of funny antics. The caveat is that some language needs to be changed to make it school appropriate.
November 15, 2012
Thomas Rockwell’s How to Eat Fried Worms is about a group of young boys who have made a bet. The book is about Bill and his two friends Alan and Joe. Billy is a normal kid with no money who wants a new motorbike and to earn the money for it his two friends bet $50 that he can’t eat 15 worms in 15 days. So on the day one of the bet Alan and Joe bring Billy a worm which has been boiled in mustard, horseradish and ketchup. Billy struggles to eat the first worm but manages to get it all down and survives day one. Over the next few days the worms that Alan and Joe bring are just as horrible. But with the help of Billy’s mom and his other friend Tom Billy comes up with special words that will help him eat the worms. They also come up with their own ways to cook the worms to help Billy eat them more easily. As Alan and Joe begin to see that Billy can actually win this bet, they try to cheat in order to keep Billy from winning their money. Despite the tension between friends, and all the cheating Billy powers through and wins the bet.
How to Eat Fried Worms is an excellent children’s book. It’s a fun book that will make kids laugh and cringe at the same time while reading about the disgusting worms that Billy has to eat. It also shows the friction between friends and some of the peer pressure you go through as a child which the kids can relate to. The book also uses very descriptive and awesome visual words. The illustrations in the book are good too.
How to Eat Fried Worms is an excellent children’s book. It’s a fun book that will make kids laugh and cringe at the same time while reading about the disgusting worms that Billy has to eat. It also shows the friction between friends and some of the peer pressure you go through as a child which the kids can relate to. The book also uses very descriptive and awesome visual words. The illustrations in the book are good too.
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November 9, 2012Originally posted here as part of the 30 Day Book Challenge.
Wow, who knew this question would be so difficult? I remember lots of books I read when I was a kid, but I think this was the first chapter book I read on my own.
The First Novel I Remember Reading
I had no idea they'd made a movie of this book! I am kind of afraid to watch it.
Man, 6 year old sj LOVED this book. To this day, every time I see a mini-bike, I think of this chanty song:
Mini-bike, mini-bike, mini-bike, mini-bike!
...and now I'm off to find a copy of this to read to my younglings. I wonder if it's an ebook? They will LOVE this. Love it.
Have any of you out there seen the movie? Is it horrible? I kind of imagine it's horrible.
Wow, who knew this question would be so difficult? I remember lots of books I read when I was a kid, but I think this was the first chapter book I read on my own.
The First Novel I Remember Reading
I had no idea they'd made a movie of this book! I am kind of afraid to watch it.
Man, 6 year old sj LOVED this book. To this day, every time I see a mini-bike, I think of this chanty song:
Trout, Salmon, flounder, perch,
I'll ride my minibike into church.
Dace, tuna, haddock, trout,
Wait'll you hear the minister shout.
Mini-bike, mini-bike, mini-bike, mini-bike!
...and now I'm off to find a copy of this to read to my younglings. I wonder if it's an ebook? They will LOVE this. Love it.
Have any of you out there seen the movie? Is it horrible? I kind of imagine it's horrible.
October 30, 2015
Audiobook: listened to this with my 9yo son on a road trip. I have memories of loving it as a kid, and he ended up loving it as well, however, as a grownup it's not as awesome as my memory of the story.
March 18, 2023
This was my jam in grade school. I read it more than once. I should read it again as an adult and see if I still enjoy it as much.
September 22, 2020
Banned book for reasons: children gambling.
I certainly didn’t see a problem with this story....Well, in the regard of placing this on a banned or challenged book list anyway.
I do however think the story is a bit slow at times....having to read about eating one worm a day for fifteen days. How many ways can this actually be played off?
I would have no problems letting my children or grandchildren read this.
I certainly didn’t see a problem with this story....Well, in the regard of placing this on a banned or challenged book list anyway.
I do however think the story is a bit slow at times....having to read about eating one worm a day for fifteen days. How many ways can this actually be played off?
I would have no problems letting my children or grandchildren read this.
December 28, 2025
Some books have lofty goals - to introduce you to a unique culture or character, to put forth
compelling ideas and perspectives, or to inspire us and stretch our imaginations. Then there is this book, which simply seeks to entertain and amuse you and your grandkids as you bond over a silly, funny story. And maybe that is a far loftier goal than you thought initially.
This is a good read that captivates younger kids and keeps everyone laughing as 4 young boys are involved in a contest involving the main character eating a fried worm every day for a month. The humor flows naturally from this premise that we all can relate to from our youth: “I bet you can’t (fill in the blank)”.
I liked it but my grandsons loved it so the target audience would give it 5 stars. Enjoy - there’s even some tasty recipes for fried worms at the end of the book (which I am not tempted to try).
compelling ideas and perspectives, or to inspire us and stretch our imaginations. Then there is this book, which simply seeks to entertain and amuse you and your grandkids as you bond over a silly, funny story. And maybe that is a far loftier goal than you thought initially.
This is a good read that captivates younger kids and keeps everyone laughing as 4 young boys are involved in a contest involving the main character eating a fried worm every day for a month. The humor flows naturally from this premise that we all can relate to from our youth: “I bet you can’t (fill in the blank)”.
I liked it but my grandsons loved it so the target audience would give it 5 stars. Enjoy - there’s even some tasty recipes for fried worms at the end of the book (which I am not tempted to try).
January 28, 2020
Highly entertaining! I read this aloud with my son who also really enjoyed it. Be warned that if you have an older edition of this book (mine was published in the 1970s) that one kid calls another kid a "bastard." When we got to that part my son, who's 8, said, "I thought you said this was a book for KIDS!" I said, "It is, but it was written in the 1970s, and things were a lot different then." Ha!
September 4, 2021
My kids loved this one.
April 13, 2024
For the books I read with my oldest son, I let him rate the book. When I asked him what number of stars he’d give How to Eat Fried Worms, he said, “A full five, mom! Did you even have to ask?!” 😂 So, there you have it. In the eyes of an eight-year-old, this one gets a full five!
May 7, 2024
Stupid book I read with my students
July 22, 2024
I recall loving this book as a kid. I read this story to my son recently, and my perspective as an adult is that this book is terribly written. My son loved it.
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