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Black Lagoon Adventures #3
The Class Election from the Black Lagoon
Another fun chapter book from the dynamic duo of Mike Thaler and Jared Lee -- just in time for Election Day! Hubie is running for president against Doris. But he doesn't think he stands a chance against the free ice cream that she's giving away to voters. Plus, to stay in the race he has to do crazy stuff like shaking Coach Kong's paw and Mrs. Green's claw, and kissing a bunch of babies. Hubie's chances look slim. Will being the candidate who stands for something---not just who stands on top of something--be enough to win him the race in the end?
64 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
22 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Mike Thaler
287 books117 followersMike Thaler, born in Los Angeles, started his professional career drawing cartoons for adults. A children's book editor saw one of his cartoon stories in a national magazine and encouraged Mike to try writing for children. His first attempt met with success, and "The Magic Boy" was published in 1961.
Mike has produced over 220 published books and is known as “America’s Riddle King.” He has also been called “The Court Jester of Children’s Literature.”
Mike Thaler lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Patty. He gladly welcomes all invitations to do church and school programs, and other book events.
Mike travels each year throughout the world helping children and teachers create their own stories, riddles, and books. He writes and teaches with creativity, inspiring his audiences with a love of language.
--from the author's website
Mike has produced over 220 published books and is known as “America’s Riddle King.” He has also been called “The Court Jester of Children’s Literature.”
Mike Thaler lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Patty. He gladly welcomes all invitations to do church and school programs, and other book events.
Mike travels each year throughout the world helping children and teachers create their own stories, riddles, and books. He writes and teaches with creativity, inspiring his audiences with a love of language.
--from the author's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 23, 2016
I love the black lagoon series except this book made me feel offended.
It all started when Hubie said "I can't believe I'm going to lose to a girl! They will kick me off the little league team! They won't let me go to boy scouts!" this one detail is very offensive to girls because there is nothing wrong with girls. but if there was something wrong with girls there would also be something wrong with BOYS. and i have had many boys at school say stuff like "your pretty good at basket ball... for a girl!" girls can do anything boys can do. and sometimes people say that boys are stronger than girls and taller but i have won lots of arm wrestling matches to boys and i am taller than lots of boys but there is nothing wrong with boys and there is nothing wrong with girls.
It all started when Hubie said "I can't believe I'm going to lose to a girl! They will kick me off the little league team! They won't let me go to boy scouts!" this one detail is very offensive to girls because there is nothing wrong with girls. but if there was something wrong with girls there would also be something wrong with BOYS. and i have had many boys at school say stuff like "your pretty good at basket ball... for a girl!" girls can do anything boys can do. and sometimes people say that boys are stronger than girls and taller but i have won lots of arm wrestling matches to boys and i am taller than lots of boys but there is nothing wrong with boys and there is nothing wrong with girls.
February 12, 2025
It's class election season. Everybody has to run for an office. There's only 8 people running, so it's a small class, I guess.
The kid gets all worked up as usual, but things turn out all right at the end.
Pretty funny.
The kid gets all worked up as usual, but things turn out all right at the end.
Pretty funny.
April 23, 2019
Wish they hadn’t gendered this book and it was just about 2 kids in an election
April 23, 2009
This story has the corny humor that elementry school students love! It's the story about a class election and everything that one little boy named Hubie does to try to win over a girl named Doris. His campaign slogan is "Don't be a booby, vote for Hubie.", just to give you a taste of the book's humor
October 5, 2016
I truly liked this book because this book made me laugh a lot. When you read this book you feel glad to read this book .The book tells about the boy who wants to be come president, and what he want's to change in America. I think the people who are in ELL would like this book because this book has easy words. People who love children will like this book.
November 4, 2024
This book was donated to my classroom and when I opened it up today I read lines like “he’d be upset if I lost to a girl”, asking about people’s agenda, calling people “boobys” and more. Not appropriate for the elementary classroom at all.
October 7, 2019
i. Summary
Hubie is running for class president, simply because his teacher Mrs. Green says that everybody has to run for something in the next campaign. Hubie was scared about the election and said he'd rather run for the hills, but nothing other than president sounded appealing for him. Mrs. Beamster gave him some confidence by showing him books about past presidents. Hubie was scared about what would happen if he lost, and begun to get into the role as a campaignee. He was given all of these absurd tasks to do and with close counting, he won as president.
ii. Major theme in this story
I think that a major theme in this story is perseverance because although Hubie did not want to run for anything in the election, he pushed through his fears and followed through. He overcame the silly tasks that he had to do and the fear that he had of being embarrassed if he lost. Despite the opponents ways of winning over the class with giving out donuts, Hubie pushed through and eventually came out on top.
iii. Star Rating
I gave this book a 4 star rating because although it was a good message, I think the other books in this series have a lot more meaning and story to back the wording. I think that in order for it to have successfully relate its plot to perseverance, it would have showed more about the main characters emotional aspects and ways that he overcame his fear. The author showed this in several ways, however I think that going into deeper detail would have been a vital aspect.
iv. A personal response to the book
As stated above, I really liked this book. I think that there is more to the story than one could analyze in just one read, and that it does provide a meaningful message to children reading it. I think a lot of books in this series are about trust, bravery, and perseverance which is a vital building block for learning during your elementary school years.
v. Why I Recommend this book
I would recommend this book because as is the theme, the story is a meaningful way to share the normalities and thoughts about what its like to be in elementary school, especially emotionally. I think that this book would be best to be shared with a small classroom, to show that being brave and confident in running for leadership is a good thing, and that its normal to be afraid of rejection.
Hubie is running for class president, simply because his teacher Mrs. Green says that everybody has to run for something in the next campaign. Hubie was scared about the election and said he'd rather run for the hills, but nothing other than president sounded appealing for him. Mrs. Beamster gave him some confidence by showing him books about past presidents. Hubie was scared about what would happen if he lost, and begun to get into the role as a campaignee. He was given all of these absurd tasks to do and with close counting, he won as president.
ii. Major theme in this story
I think that a major theme in this story is perseverance because although Hubie did not want to run for anything in the election, he pushed through his fears and followed through. He overcame the silly tasks that he had to do and the fear that he had of being embarrassed if he lost. Despite the opponents ways of winning over the class with giving out donuts, Hubie pushed through and eventually came out on top.
iii. Star Rating
I gave this book a 4 star rating because although it was a good message, I think the other books in this series have a lot more meaning and story to back the wording. I think that in order for it to have successfully relate its plot to perseverance, it would have showed more about the main characters emotional aspects and ways that he overcame his fear. The author showed this in several ways, however I think that going into deeper detail would have been a vital aspect.
iv. A personal response to the book
As stated above, I really liked this book. I think that there is more to the story than one could analyze in just one read, and that it does provide a meaningful message to children reading it. I think a lot of books in this series are about trust, bravery, and perseverance which is a vital building block for learning during your elementary school years.
v. Why I Recommend this book
I would recommend this book because as is the theme, the story is a meaningful way to share the normalities and thoughts about what its like to be in elementary school, especially emotionally. I think that this book would be best to be shared with a small classroom, to show that being brave and confident in running for leadership is a good thing, and that its normal to be afraid of rejection.
January 20, 2016
I usually like the Black Lagoon Series. But with this specific title, not so much.
In the traditional Black Lagoon Series Children's Books, our hero Hubie is running for class president. He is running against a girl named Doris. Now, the entire Black Lagoon formula is here. The story is very Punny as you can imagine. Hubie worries for nothing and in the end he becomes class President. (Sorry for the Spoiler).
But here is my issue with this specific book. Lately, we as a society have become very aware and concerned to stomp out sexism. I believe that in order to do this, it has to start here.....as we start conditioning the young mind. I think of my young kids reading this.
When the story has Hubie worried that he would lose the election "to a girl" or that they make the girl try to win the class election by buying votes instead of using her mind, I have a problem with this. Hence, the low rating on this book by comparison to other Black Lagoon books I have reviewed.
In the traditional Black Lagoon Series Children's Books, our hero Hubie is running for class president. He is running against a girl named Doris. Now, the entire Black Lagoon formula is here. The story is very Punny as you can imagine. Hubie worries for nothing and in the end he becomes class President. (Sorry for the Spoiler).
But here is my issue with this specific book. Lately, we as a society have become very aware and concerned to stomp out sexism. I believe that in order to do this, it has to start here.....as we start conditioning the young mind. I think of my young kids reading this.
When the story has Hubie worried that he would lose the election "to a girl" or that they make the girl try to win the class election by buying votes instead of using her mind, I have a problem with this. Hence, the low rating on this book by comparison to other Black Lagoon books I have reviewed.
January 31, 2018
I read this book because my son wanted me too. He is a very reluctant reader that is behind for his age. I’m always thrilled to find a chapter book that he will happily read independently. The Black Lagoon Adventures series books are one of them. We own a few; and they are good, clean, fun. Plus, given they are so short-it builds his confidence when he is able to complete them.
March 15, 2018
Hubie and Doris face off for the office of class president in Mrs. Green's class. Hubie's slogan: "Don't be a Booby Vote for Hubie." But will a catchy slogan be enough to beat Doris, and her Birthday Party campaign, and free ice cream bars? The jokes and puns run rampant as election day draws closer.
March 20, 2017
This was just okay... I read this with my youngest son and he seemed to enjoy this book, but I on the other hand felt a piece to the story was missing, like how Hubie could accept losing, or how Hubie could overcome the emotions of the unknown if he will win or lose....
Instead it went on how Hubie wouldn't know what to do if he lost to a girl... I think people could use a message that it is okay to lose.....
It is a cute book, I had a few laughs with my son...
Instead it went on how Hubie wouldn't know what to do if he lost to a girl... I think people could use a message that it is okay to lose.....
It is a cute book, I had a few laughs with my son...
March 6, 2018
It's alright, nothing extraordinary but the artwork is kind of cool.
November 5, 2020
Sexist. Very negative. Terrible.
Not even interesting. Sad.
Not even interesting. Sad.
January 22, 2021
I like when he says “If I win the election, there will be no more homework, just having fun and video games.” -Liam Age 8
February 17, 2023
The incorrect historical facts make my fingers itch to fix them.
October 19, 2023
It was funny. He is good with words.
January 29, 2024
I enjoyed this third book in the series! An easy introduction to democratic politics for all ages.
May 31, 2024
I read a couple of these books as a kid so I was really excited to see them at a thrift store! This book is so silly and precious, I loved it. Very quick read when you're 20 as well.
December 20, 2024
Super cute book great theme
August 14, 2025
A very silly children’s book.
October 22, 2012
This is the third book in the Black Lagoon Adventures series of early chapter books by Mike Thaler and Jared Lee.
With short chapters, big font and lots of pictures, these books are just marginally more challenging than the original Black Lagoon series of picture books by the same author/illustrator team. In fact, I think I like the picture books better, but because I've only read a couple of the chapter books so far, I'll have to reserve my judgment until I've read a couple more.
This was a fairly similar storyline, compared to the picture books we've read. The class election scenario is one that many children face and I appreciated the boy's nervousness and the humor behind the election. It's a good book to read during a Presidential election year, and we talked a bit about the differences between running for President in the school versus for the whole country.
The story was entertaining, silly and short. We enjoyed reading it together and I'm sure we'll read more, but it just didn't have the pull or drama for a typical chapter book and it lacked the colorful illustrations of the picture books. I liked it better than the first book, though, and perhaps I'll like the rest as well.
With short chapters, big font and lots of pictures, these books are just marginally more challenging than the original Black Lagoon series of picture books by the same author/illustrator team. In fact, I think I like the picture books better, but because I've only read a couple of the chapter books so far, I'll have to reserve my judgment until I've read a couple more.
This was a fairly similar storyline, compared to the picture books we've read. The class election scenario is one that many children face and I appreciated the boy's nervousness and the humor behind the election. It's a good book to read during a Presidential election year, and we talked a bit about the differences between running for President in the school versus for the whole country.
The story was entertaining, silly and short. We enjoyed reading it together and I'm sure we'll read more, but it just didn't have the pull or drama for a typical chapter book and it lacked the colorful illustrations of the picture books. I liked it better than the first book, though, and perhaps I'll like the rest as well.
November 14, 2010
this book if funnnnny!! Mike Thaler has a series of Black Lagoon books they all are funny and the kids love the series. In this one Herbie is force to run against doris who gives away free icecream. I won't tell you who won the election. any lagoon book you get your hands on make it available for your class. I have The book report from the black lagoon. It was given out in class. I love that book. I go turned on the the series by reading that one. You and your students will laught out loud!!!
April 24, 2015
The kids liked this one - well my 8 yo did. I didn't like it so much because it would mention things of historical significance that neither kid has learned in school yet, so they would either have a misinformed impression or it would go right over their head. It is a rather short chapter book with easy vocabulary so appropriate in that regard for a 6-8 year old. I just wasn't a fan of the content.
April 28, 2016
Cute story, but with puns that kids might not get. Especially the target audience. Also, at this point, it comes off as pretty sexist. The characters are fun charicatures, but lack any depth, but kids will like this.
May 22, 2016
We like the Black Lagoon picture books, and the kids liked this one, but not as much as the picture books. I didn't like that he was afraid of losing to a GIRL! Wow! My boys don't think that way, why make that the focal point?
September 23, 2016
I think that this book is good because it shows what the people think the teacher will be like from what other people say. So this book is fun and recommended to everyone because this book will be enjoyed by everyone because it is a fantasy.
July 6, 2008
Cute literal humor about a class election. A fun read - I can see why the younger readers LOVE this series.
March 20, 2009
I made a 70 on this AR Test.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews