The Best of Iggy

Iggy #1

by Annie Barrows, Sam Ricks (Contributor)

From the New York Times bestselling author of Ivy + Bean comes a hilarious new series featuring a high-energy, lovable troublemaker.Meet 9-year-old Iggy Frangi. He's not a bad kid, he's really not. Okay, so he's done a few (a few is anything up to 100) bad things. And okay, he's not very sorry about most of them. People make a big deal about nothing. What's a little pancake here and there? Is that something to get mad about? Iggy doesn't think so. No one got hurt, so there's no problem. No one got hurt except for that one time, that one time when the Best Idea Ever turned into the Worst Idea of All Time.Iggy is sorry he did it. He is really, really, really sorry."For what?" you might ask. "What did he do?"Well, you'll have to read the book to find out.Things Iggy will NOT do in this the most polite kid ever.Play the cello.Think before acting.Learn a lesson.Regret his actions. (Most of them, anyway.)

Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Chapter Books, Childrens, Audiobook

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2020

About the author

Annie grew up in Northern California, and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, with a degree in Medieval History. Unable to find a job in the middle ages, she decided upon a career as an editor, eventually landing at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, where she was in charge of "all the books that nobody in their right mind would publish." After earning an M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Mills College, Annie wrote (as Ann Fiery) a number of books for grown-ups about such diverse subjects as fortune-telling (she can read palms!), urban legends (there are no alligators in the sewer!), and opera (she knows what they're singing about!). In 2003, Annie grew weary of grown-ups, and began to write for kids, which she found to be way more fun.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

10/15/20 If you're looking for a fun class read-aloud, look no further than this cute chapter book for younger readers about Iggy and the trouble he gets into at home and at school. With short chapters and illustrations throughout, this 144 page book it is also perfect for Sally Rippin's Billie B. and Hey Jack fans who are looking for what to read next. I know my 3rd graders (from a few years ago) would have loved both listening to and reading this story.
6/19/22 Still 3 stars, this one was more fun the first time. Iggy just can't stay out of trouble.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elementary readers will laugh at Iggy's adventures and his three levels of mis-adventures. Iggy has good reasons and explanations for what happens before he gets in trouble for two of his adventures. He also learns and admits there was no good reason for his third mishap.
Clever writing and illustrations.

[Kyla Schooling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book for elementary kids...but Iggy does a lot of bad stuff so some parents might not like it. The kids will like it for sure though!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Ivy & Bean reaching its end, Annie Barrows needed a new project and all she had to do was look around her house for inspiration. According to an interview with the Texas Bluebonnet Award committee, Iggy is modeled after someone who lives below her writing studio. Son? Husband? Kid in the neighborhood who hangs out there? She didn’t make that exactly clear, but maybe those real life, outrageous acts of someone close to her are the reason that Iggy’s hijinks seem so authentic. Iggy is one of those kids that teachers love because they have that wonderful spark that is impossible to describe. Especially when pranks and thoughtless actions lead to messes and more. Readers in grades 2-5 will laugh and shake their heads at the things Iggy rushes into headlong and without much (any?) thought. And the best news? Book 2, Iggy is Better Than Ever, is already available for even more laughs. Highly recommended with no red flags for profanity, violence, or sexual content. (But there are some not-to-be repeated, not-so-smart activities that hopefully no one tries to recreate.)

2021-2022 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to see Annie Barrows, in February, talk about this book, and she was awesome. This book is based on the antics of her husband when he was a kid, and she told a great story about a shed fire he was involved in that she would never put in a book for fear a kid would actually try it. My kids really enjoyed listening to this as I read it aloud, and it's one adults will enjoy as well. The chapters are also short, some only a page, and the illustrations are engaging. Barrows speaks to directly to the reader throughout the book, which is not something kids encounter a lot in their reading. It's also the first book in a new series so we are looking forward to more titles!

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 bk 396. Do you know a boy who is constantly in trouble - mostly because he has not yet learned to think through the process of his actions and consequences? Do you know a boy who doesn't like to read, or has to read a book with X number of pages or chapters? The Best of Iggy will speak to him, literally, the author speaks to the reader and includes him/her in the assessment of Iggy's actions. Is Iggy cured of acting without thinking by the end of the book, uhmmm, not quite. But he has learned... nope that would be a spoiler.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up and finished it in one reading. I thought it was delightfully funny. Iggy is someone kids can all relate to. I liked the use of big words like extenuating circumstances and then explaining what that means through context. I also liked it when the author addressed the reader. Elementary students will like this silly story with a dash of heart. Some mild elements of danger (jumping off a roof to a trampoline). 3rd grade and up.

[Aida · Rating 4 out of 5]

پایان: ۱۴۰۳/۸/۱۲
کوتاه هست و داستان جالبی داره، میتونست حتی بلدتر باشه داستان‌ش ولی چون بیشتر توجه روی سن افراد ۱۰ به بالا هست بنظرم خوبه که کوتاه باشه.
بهترین تیکه بنظرم فصلی بود که شروع کرد درمورد کارهایی به که واقعا پشیمون هست، به بهترین شکل تونست توضیح بده و اون حس رو به آدم القا کنه

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. I enjoy books where the narrator talks to the reader. Iggy is impulsive and makes poor decisions as a result. But he is also kind and means well. He learns some important lessons, but that likely will not help his impulses in future stories!

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny one for elementary chapter book readers...and it reminded me of Ramona's character by Cleary; but definitely a boy. Lot's of voice in the writing makes it a quick and fun read.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the theme of this book is to think before you do something.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our 7th Texas Bluebonnet book. We loved this book. It was hilariously entertaining and I think Silas found a book character he could relate to. It also allowed for a great discussion about extenuating circumstance. Perfect for 5th and 6th graders.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read about Iggy and what he's done, building up to something he WAS really sorry about (and for which he apologizes sincerely). Funny narrator, but not too intrusive. ("not telling you what he did" about one of the other characters.)

The scale of Things We Wish We Hadn't Done: you're just sorry you got caught; you went too far but otherwise great; you realize it was just bad.

How things can snowball. And look worse than they were.

[Bridget Neace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might read more in this series next year...needed a quick little listen while I was in the car a lot today and this fit the bill ;) Original review stands.

I liked it all right--I think kids will like it more than me. Could potentially be a fun read-aloud for a classroom teacher. My favorite chapter was Chapter 20. ;)

[Hella Smella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Barrows writes charming, relatable, delightful and most importantly, mischievous protagonists. If you’ve been a parent or teacher to any child that has had to negotiate a “bad kid” label from an early age, you know how important Barrow’s work is. I’m so grateful that she has provided such a fun way for kids with this burden to reflect, learn, and grow.

[Sarah W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Perfect for all the kids out there who often find themselves regretting their choices.

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

...once in a while, not very often, we wish we had not done a thing at all. We wish it could be erased. We wish we had never thought it. We wish we could go back in time and not do it.

Readers who clamour for children's book series such as The Terrible Two, Dory Fantasmagory, or any title featuring Ramona Quimby, here is something new and fantastic. Author Annie Barrows, behind the best-selling Ivy + Bean series (illustrated by Sophie Blackall), and illustrator Sam Ricks (Mo Jackson series, written by David A. Adler) team up for the wonderfully clever, perceptive and funny illustrated chapter book The Best of Iggy.

That's what this book is about: bad things Iggy did. You will also learn about an important idea called extenuating circumstances, but not right now.

Narrated via third person omniscient point of view, The Best of Iggy centers around nine year old "hero of the book" Iggy Frangi and the "three types of things we wish we hadn't done", as illustrated by Iggy. Going from bad to worse to the WORST of situations, readers follow Iggy through three very different incidents, all the while learning about intentions, perceptions, and what extenuating circumstances are. The novel also explores questions surrounding conceptions about being "bad" and feeling sorry- or not so sorry- about our actions. The third person narrative may seem uncommon at first (though I personally love this style!), but it works terrifically here to clearly (and concisely) navigate Iggy's mishaps and decision-making processes (or lack thereof) that lead to the BIG moments in the story. I do not wish to get into too much of the plot here (Iggy's three big things are really better served as surprises!), but I will say that a trampoline, a cello-playing kid named Jeremy Greerson, lipstick, shaving cream, new school desks, a teacher nicknamed Puttzi, and firefighters are somehow all involved.

In all, The Best of Iggy is very well done; highly engaging, zippy, comical, with moments of surprise, delight and OH NO!. Barrows is, as ever, on the ball capturing young character voices and dialogue, while Sam Ricks' illustrations (featured throughout) wonderfully capture the buzzing energy and emotions of Iggy. Labeled as book one in the Iggy Frangi series, readers may look forward to further (mis)adventures, mishaps and terrific insight featuring the dynamic and memorable Iggy Frangi. Bonus: Check out this interview with Annie Barrows, talking about The Best of Iggy, here!

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

[Estee · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK. So I see entirely why kids might enjoy this book. It is short and the mischievous main character Iggy is definitely someone I can see kids thinking is cool.

But I do Have a few issues of the story. Firstly, I've a big issue with adults in this novel. Iggy laughs at his mother saying Dutch baby which, to be honest, is a normal response for a 9 year old boy. So food that was in his mouth sprays out and he gets sent away from the table. This is just one instance but I genuinely felt like the parents were portrayed horribly. They over punish, never believe in their child....I know of course there are parents Like that but still.

Also, there is bullying. Straight up taunting and name calling AND NOTHINF HAPPENS TO THE BULLY. For children's story I feel like this is a horrible message even if it wasn't the point of the story. If you're gonna have somebody who is using words that you have to write shouldn't be sad and calling someone a piggy and taunting someone, I think there needs to be repercussions especially in this day and age.

lastly. Iggy Does some dangerous things. And to be honest, I don't think there's that much remorse. Like after doing something it's truly dangerous, He talked about how the 1st bad thing he did was lying. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for a book that says lying is wrong but if that's the only thing that they say is wrong and not the dangerous thing that he did, again I feel it's a poor message to send to children.

Maybe I am reading too much to the story but That's my opinion on a children's novel.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iggy gets into trouble a lot! He shares his insight about it by explaining that there are three different types of regret and how to determine the different degrees of how much trouble you have caused. He then he tells a personal story about getting into each degree of trouble and its outcome. His miss-adventures lead him to discover the meaning of extenuating circumstance and how much it hurts his soul and others when his most serious level of not thinking about consequences causes unintentional harm to his beloved teacher.

This new series by the author of Ivy and Bean, featuring male protagonist Iggy will have mass appeal to fans of books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and others that feature illustrated chapter book characters of the same genre, but this book like Wimpy Kid is not about being bad for bad’s sake. It has a pretty deep fourth grade understanding of how our actions can hurt others and what we can do to prevent our need to explore and test boundaries from blowing out of control. Iggy is both an entertaining and a cautionary tale for the grade school set. The text is threaded with illustrations by prolific and Geisel winning illustrator Sam Ricks that interact perfectly with the text in a way that chapter book readers will enjoy.

I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This beginning chapter book made up of three separate episodes progressing from the kind of bad thing you regret getting caught for, the kind of bad idea you know you took too far and the kind of actually really bad thing you wish you hadn’t done. Big pluses are it is entertaining and it is short. A minus is evident and immoderate scorn for a boy wearing a scarf and disturbing fantasies about what horrible things should happen to said scarf wearer. I get that kids and adults feel this way, and books shouldn’t only showcase palatable emotions, but I would prefer if what Iggy loathed was the mean spirited toadying behavior of the scarf wearer. I fear scarf wearing may be a dog whistle.
The author speaks directly to the reader, and some of that is quite fun, (when you are told the character did something you can’t know about because it could be dangerous and all authors have to sign a contract saying they won’t put those things in their books.) I am not sure why it seemed like a good idea to congratulate the reader at the end for reading ‘a twenty-chapter book! What a good kid you are. Not as good as Jeremy Greerson though, you can just forget about that.’ I am pretty sure if Iggy read that, no matter how much he had enjoyed the book, he would throw it in the trash.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

"FROM THE 'NEW YORK TIMES' BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF 'IVY + BEAN' COMES A HILARIOUS NEW MIDDLE GRADE SERIES FEATURING A HIGH-ENERGY, LOVABLE TROUBLEMAKER.

Meet Iggy Frangi. He's not a bad kid, he's really not. Okay, so he's done a few (a few is anything up to 100) bad things. And okay, he's not very sorry about most of them. People make a big deal about nothing. What's a little pancake here and there? Is that something to get mad about? Iggy doesn't think so. No one got hurt, so there's not problem. No one got hurt except for that one time, that one time when the Best Idea Ever turned into the Worst Idea of All Time.

Iggy is sorry he did it. He is really, really, really sorry.

"For what?" you might ask.
"What did he do?"

Well, you'll have to listen to and/or read the book to find out.

Things Iggy will NOT do this book:

Be the most polite kid ever.
Play the cello.
Think before acting.
Learn a lesson.
Regret his actions. (Most of them, anyway.)"

I didn't like this series though it was recommended by a friend. Just not a character that I felt changed and grew with his experiences.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding funny realistic books about impulsive boys is almost impossible to locate, yet there is always a certain child or two in every classroom that fits this description perfectly. In The Best of Iggy, nine-year-old Iggy enjoys entertaining himself and others, often at the expense of the lesson his teacher is trying to teach, and the class that they're trying to manage. Having a group of naughty boys who follow his lead just ignites his passion to make more poor choices. Yet Iggy finally goes too far and something occurrs at school that causes dire consequences for him. The author of Ivy & Bean has come up with another unforgettable character that kids will totally relate to, sometimes too perfectly! The humorous expressive black & white illustrations sprinkled on almost every page make the tale come alive. In a time when behavior is discussed in the classroom more than ever, there is something refreshing about Iggy's free spirit, and delight in the unexpected.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Iggy isn't a bad kid--he has just done some bad things (which he is mostly, sometimes sorry for). Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances to consider when bad decisions are made...and sometimes poor decisions are just poor decisions. Get ready for three Iggy filled adventures:
- one where we say we wish we hadn't done a thing, but actually just wish we hadn't gotten in trouble for the thing,
- one where we wish we hadn't done quite as much of the thing as we did, and
- one where we really, completely wish we hadn't done the thing we did.

This was surprisingly delightful! I meant to just read a few chapters but instead quickly read the whole book in one sitting. The story moves quickly and the humor in both the story and the narrator's commentary made this so much fun. Hand to kids who love The Terrible Two (or kids who aren't quite ready yet for The Terrible Two). Will be picking up the sequel soon.

[Devin Redmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books really made me laugh out loud. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘨𝘨𝘺 and 𝘐𝘨𝘨𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳 are written by Annie Barrows, the author of 𝘐𝘷𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘯. They are illustrated by Sam Ricks. Kids LOVE books where the main character feels real and doesn’t always make the perfect choices, and they also love when a character talks to them as a reader. Iggy, a 4th grader, finds himself in some wayward situations, some he regrets and some he does not. No doubt kids would enjoy this as a classroom read-aloud, but it is accessible to lots of readers because of the illustrations. The books reminded me of an older Roscoe Riley and a younger Joey Pigza. The 𝘑𝘰𝘦𝘺 𝘗𝘪𝘨𝘻𝘢 books I’ve read have an underlying sadness to me, but these two Iggy books just felt silly. ⁣
(Some of the commenters on the books were worried that Iggy’s antics would make readers naughty and they questioned his morality. This never entered my mind once.)⁣

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book features one of those students that causes you to sigh frequently because they create classroom trouble or frustration for you. But, you only sigh instead of getting angry because the trouble is usually unintended and probably wouldn't have happened at all had he just listened a little closer. In the book, this young man is named Iggy. Iggy talks to the reader about different levels of "things you wish you hadn't done." He explains that he groups these items into 3 levels and he gives examples of each level from his life. He also explains consequences and extenuating circumstances in an effort to demonstrate that frequently he is just misunderstood, not a troublemaker. I could see this being a quick read aloud near the beginning of the year to comically, but seriously, discuss behavior and what you see differently from Iggy. I also think this would be a good recommendation to students who would be captured by a shorter read and one with humor.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

125 pgs. The main character, Iggy, is the worst nightmare of every teacher. He is a fourth grader who is out of control and seems to have no boundaries at school or home. The illustrations help to fully explain his current situation and how he managed to get himself into so much trouble. Kids will enjoy this one, not just because it is so funny, but because it is so realistic, I think the author has a great take on what and how kids are thinking when they are out of control. It also shows that just because you are sorry for your actions, does not make it ok. You have to take responsibility for things when you mess up. I really liked this book. Boys will especially enjoy this one. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[Kelly Patton]

2021-2022 Bluebonnet Nominee

Iggy is not a bad boy, he's just a normal boy who does things that sometimes turn out to be bad. There are three kinds of things to be sorry about. 1 - Things you aren't really sorry about, you are just sorry you got caught and punished; 2 - Things that we wouldn't have been sorry about, except that we took it just a little too far; and 3 - Things that we are really, truly sorry for and wish we hadn't done. Iggy does all of these. Sometimes it's really funny - even when his parents don't think so. But one time it turned out not to be funny. It's a fun book though with good cartoon type drawings.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new Otis Spofford. I grew up with books about Otis and spitballs and all his antics. But he didn’t have video games and backyard trampolines. Ivy is the new, “If you don’t keep him busy, he’ll keep himself busy in ways you won’t appreciate” kid. And yet he’s sorry and the consequences are clear, even as you laugh. Let kids read this so you can talk about how those little “Do it!!!” Ideas can be stilled.

And if you were never tempted to pull an Iggy/Otis, you were probably a Jeremy. Read the book and find out...

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 20 short chapters we meet Iggy, a fourth grader. He likes his teacher but he has trouble not getting into trouble. She is the first teacher to not seem to be upset with him. In one incident Iggy jumps from the roof of a shed on a skateboard onto a trampoline, one incident involves new desks and a race to drive the desks the fastest, and a third involves a bored Iggy and some shaving cream, eye liner and lipstick. I did laugh out loud several times. You have to love this poor impulsive kid who usually regrets his bad choices sometimes for a long time.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that many children will enjoy this book as it is a classic example of a book where the writer has essentially said that all of Iggy's problems, such as not owning a computer at the age of nine are outrageous crimes and that Iggy's parents are the worst people on earth. The book was written is easy to understand childish vocabulary and I thought that it was slightly condescending as a ten year old, who I assume would be the target audience could definitely understand more complicated language.