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Locker 37 #1
The Magic Eraser
"A laugh-out-loud tour de force." --Kirkus, starred review
Ever wish you had a way to magically solve all of your problems? The kids at Hopewell Elementary School might have exactly what you're searching for--just walk down the hall and stop at Locker 37.
Carson Cooper realizes that he has a very inconveniently located stain on his pants. That is NOT the way to start things off on the first day of school. Fortunately, Carson finds a letter written by last year's fourth graders stuck to the bottom of his desk with some watermelon bubble gum. The note explains the existence of Locker 37, which will provide a solution to any problem! And when Carson sneaks off to the locker it does, indeed, provide a solution--an eraser! But the problem is that the eraser works a little too well, erasing anything it's rubbed against three times. ANYTHING.
Ever wish you had a way to magically solve all of your problems? The kids at Hopewell Elementary School might have exactly what you're searching for--just walk down the hall and stop at Locker 37.
Carson Cooper realizes that he has a very inconveniently located stain on his pants. That is NOT the way to start things off on the first day of school. Fortunately, Carson finds a letter written by last year's fourth graders stuck to the bottom of his desk with some watermelon bubble gum. The note explains the existence of Locker 37, which will provide a solution to any problem! And when Carson sneaks off to the locker it does, indeed, provide a solution--an eraser! But the problem is that the eraser works a little too well, erasing anything it's rubbed against three times. ANYTHING.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2020
6 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 20, 2020
I loved Starmer's Riverman Trilogy and found The Magic Eraser to be a fun middle grade adventure too. The Riverman was weird and creepy in all the right ways and the first book in the Locker 37 series is super funny and quirky in ways 4-6th graders will definitely enjoy too. More than anything else though, I am a huge fan of how Starmer weaves his narrative worlds together bit by bit and storyline by storyline. I can't wait to see where book two leads Keisha and her friends at Hopewell Elementary.
Final thought: The Magic Eraser would make for a great read aloud too.
Final thought: The Magic Eraser would make for a great read aloud too.
October 10, 2022
2022 bk 311. This is cute and funny and had me at the edge of my seat cheering for the fourth graders in this book as they first seek to erase their problems, and then realize that problems are best dealt with by working together. A fun read - well, except for the chapter that dealt strictly with fractions (my eyes were crossing).
June 27, 2021
Loved it!
November 7, 2023
The Magic Eraser
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.00/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 6
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.00/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 6
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
July 22, 2020
This was a bunch of super-silly fourth grade science fiction. Definitely made me chuckle a whole lot.
October 18, 2021
What a great adventure! Where was this magic eraser when I was in 4th grade? I can think of a few things I would have liked to remove back in the day. I liked that this story had a bit of math and history in it, while a majority of the story was fun-filled, action centered around a 4th grade student at Hopewell Elementary School.
When Carson first learned that Locker #37 was his, I don’t think he knew the magnitude of the power that he possessed. He had the magical locker, the locker that held the Magic Eraser. Being a 4th grader, he was excited to get Mrs. Shen and now this! Only 4th graders can use this locker, the knowledge and the power that came with this locker can only belong while you’re a 4th grader and now that Carson has this locker for the year, he must spread the word. So, what’s so wonderful about this locker? Any 4th grader with a problem can take their problem to the locker and find their solution inside. It might not always be the answer that you want but it’s guaranteed to work on your problem.
Ha! “Guaranteed to work” is a good answer as Carson and his peers soon find out as they take their problems to Locker #37 and look for the solution. I laughed and cringed as I read about this group of 4th graders as they ran around Hopewell Elementary. The idea behind the book was clever and I enjoyed the energy within the story. The mini lesson on math was fast but it does provide some good details if you follow along and grasp exactly what they’re doing. I thought the history provided in the story was nicely done and I like the math aspect of the story, it explains in detailed what happened and provides a mini lesson instead of just saying,” they did xxx.” I enjoyed this story and plan on reading the next story in this trilogy.
When Carson first learned that Locker #37 was his, I don’t think he knew the magnitude of the power that he possessed. He had the magical locker, the locker that held the Magic Eraser. Being a 4th grader, he was excited to get Mrs. Shen and now this! Only 4th graders can use this locker, the knowledge and the power that came with this locker can only belong while you’re a 4th grader and now that Carson has this locker for the year, he must spread the word. So, what’s so wonderful about this locker? Any 4th grader with a problem can take their problem to the locker and find their solution inside. It might not always be the answer that you want but it’s guaranteed to work on your problem.
Ha! “Guaranteed to work” is a good answer as Carson and his peers soon find out as they take their problems to Locker #37 and look for the solution. I laughed and cringed as I read about this group of 4th graders as they ran around Hopewell Elementary. The idea behind the book was clever and I enjoyed the energy within the story. The mini lesson on math was fast but it does provide some good details if you follow along and grasp exactly what they’re doing. I thought the history provided in the story was nicely done and I like the math aspect of the story, it explains in detailed what happened and provides a mini lesson instead of just saying,” they did xxx.” I enjoyed this story and plan on reading the next story in this trilogy.
December 30, 2022
Locker 37: The Magic Eraser is the first in a series and it focuses on the protagonist fourth grader, Carson Cooper, and his finding of the lucky locker number 37. It was an educational book with several subjects like math and history embedded into the story to act as an aide to help Carson on his journey with this locker. Carson’s sidekick friend, Riley, also has a catchphrase always saying ‘Oh [insert pasta name]’ whenever something crazy happens. I thought that this was a random but fun kind of insert to use for a sidekick catchphrase. Personally, I don’t think that I would have chosen this type of a read when I was a middle schooler or in elementary school, but I do think that it would reach audiences who like the Creepy Pair of Underwear series and Captain Underpants and other similar stories. I do think kids who enjoy adventure stories would also appreciate this read.
August 29, 2020
It’s Carson Cooper’s first day of fourth grade at Hopewell Elementary. He’s in Mrs. Shin’s class (and everyone knows Mrs. Shin’s homeroom is the BEST) and Carson’s READY to be the Big Kid on Campus. When he’s assigned Locker 37, the combination comes with a note from the previous year’s students entrusting Carson with the magical capability to solve any fourth grade problem. An unfortunately located stain on Carson’s pants give him a chance to put a magical eraser from Locker 37 to the immediate test, and a bunch of hissing cockroaches, a flooded basement toilet, and fish sticks come to Carson’s rescue. This heavily illustrated, laugh-out-loud early chapter book speaks straight to the reader in a smart and funny tone.
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January 31, 2021Carson Cooper discovers two things on his first day of fourth grade: a note claiming that Locker 37 at Hopewell Elementary is magical and a mysterious stain located in an unfortunate place on his pants. The note might solve his problem--inside Locker 37, Carson discovers an eraser that, when rubbed three times, makes anything disappear. Can Carson use the eraser to fix his pants? What happens when the rest of the fourth grade discovers the magic of the eraser too?
Another series I've read out of order, but I'm glad to have picked up Locker 37 simply for its readalike potential. I enjoyed the second book more than this one, but this is an easy readalike for fans of Wimpy Kid, Terrible Two, and even Klawde the Evil Alien Warlord Cat.
Another series I've read out of order, but I'm glad to have picked up Locker 37 simply for its readalike potential. I enjoyed the second book more than this one, but this is an easy readalike for fans of Wimpy Kid, Terrible Two, and even Klawde the Evil Alien Warlord Cat.
September 6, 2020
Unfortunately the author was too focused on pushing his agenda instead of writing a great children’s book. If using books as a platform to push your liberal beliefs is your focus then write to an audience that will comprehend that such as adults. I don’t understand the need for causing confusion by inserting chapters such as the math & history chapters. Elementary students would most likely be confused by these chapters. Stick to writing the story & leave the math and history chapters out (my opinion). I liked the story and can see the potential of it being a good series if the focus stayed on the story and not liberal agendas.
July 19, 2021
Synopsis from the book:
When Carson Sooper learns Locker 37's combination, he's more concerned with the stain on his pants that his life-altering discovery. But Locker 37 can provide a solution to any problem - even if it's not the solution you want, or expect. And Carson definitely wasn't expecting pink eraser he finds that can erase... anything!
My take:
It's very rare for me to laugh while reading, which I did with this book. It also incorporated maths and history nuggets in between the chapters which I totally loved. Highly recommend to read and have a good laugh.
When Carson Sooper learns Locker 37's combination, he's more concerned with the stain on his pants that his life-altering discovery. But Locker 37 can provide a solution to any problem - even if it's not the solution you want, or expect. And Carson definitely wasn't expecting pink eraser he finds that can erase... anything!
My take:
It's very rare for me to laugh while reading, which I did with this book. It also incorporated maths and history nuggets in between the chapters which I totally loved. Highly recommend to read and have a good laugh.
August 1, 2020
This is such a fun book, exactly the kind of thing I would have read as a kid--there's magic, there are funny characters, there's educational chapters. What more could a fourth-grader ask for? Reminiscent in all the right ways of Louis Sachar's Wayside School, with a touch of Lemony Snicket narration for good measure. Looking forward to the other entries in this series!
October 5, 2025
Fabulism series based around place - Locker 37 in Hopewell Elementary "can provide a solution to any problem - even if it's not the solution you want, or expect". Magical items, each book features a different kid. Highly illustrated, fast-paced, funny, cool facts, short chapters, diverse cast. Good for writing prompts, too.
July 30, 2023
Cute kids story about a magical locker that can solve all 4th grade problems. In this book, a magical eraser was the solution. Could be a good writing segue to what kids would want to erase in their school.
August 23, 2025
My kid loved this book and wanted me to read it. While it is cute and fun, it definitely is a kids book. I don’t mind reading kids books, but this one is a little too young for me. The history and math sections were fun. Definitely a fun one for kids.
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June 26, 2020Over-the-top fun. Fast-paced, if a bit light on internal logic or character development.
July 31, 2020
3.5 stars. The math chapters felt like a jarring interruption and didn’t quite work.
September 9, 2020
Give this one to Origami Yoda, Dog Man and Captain Underpants fans when they've read through their series. Fourth graders are privy to magic locker and chaos reigns though all is right in the end.
November 2, 2021
Fabulous and hilarious read for middle graders.
August 17, 2022
What a silly story! Perfect for middle elementary aged kids, lots of humor, mixed with a little real knowledge.
January 24, 2023
I love it! When I first heard of it I didn't think much of it, but now I love it!
July 29, 2023
Definitely cute and interesting. I'll be recommending it to customers!
February 26, 2024
A GREAT 3/4th grade book. Fast paced, full of humor, a little math too, it's great.
September 15, 2022
The first day of 4th grade was supposed to be amazing for Carson until he discovers a stain on his pants. Fortunately, he discovers the secret of Locker 37 along with the combination under his desk which promises to provide a solution to every problem. The solution turns out to be an eraser that can erase anything and does. I read this aloud with my ten-year-old and it was a hit. The characters of Carson and his best friend Riley along with the requisite bully Hunter were well developed and believable. Lots of action and humor that kept the story moving quickly. My son loved reading the lists that were scattered through the story and I was impressed by the math. We are looking forward to reading the next three books in the series.
January 10, 2023
This book was a joy to read and so much fun! I finished it in one sitting ("sitting" by the public pool where my son swims).
There were two controversial 'math chapters' (mentioned in other reviews), but for me, they added to the humor of the book albeit I would have shortened them if I was the editor.
As for any controversial 'history chapters' (also mentioned in other reviews), I did not find anything like that, but there was a history of the school. And since when did math and history--or backstory as I call it--become 'liberal subjects'? Good grief!
There is a second book in this Locker 37 series, and I can't wait to read it
There were two controversial 'math chapters' (mentioned in other reviews), but for me, they added to the humor of the book albeit I would have shortened them if I was the editor.
As for any controversial 'history chapters' (also mentioned in other reviews), I did not find anything like that, but there was a history of the school. And since when did math and history--or backstory as I call it--become 'liberal subjects'? Good grief!
There is a second book in this Locker 37 series, and I can't wait to read it
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews