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and Then it Happened #1

And Then It Happened: Book One

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Welcome to Books For Boys, publisher of the popular "And Then It Happened" book series by M & L Wade. Books For Boys writes quality, high-interest books for students in grades 3 - 6. Since its publication in the fall of 2003, this best selling series has been entertaining students across North America. "And Then It Happened" is a laugh-out-loud series that is guaranteed to get kids reading.

81 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

80 people are currently reading
680 people want to read

About the author

M. Wade

19 books22 followers
Michael Wade

see also: L. Wade

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5 stars
263 (47%)
4 stars
157 (28%)
3 stars
91 (16%)
2 stars
23 (4%)
1 star
14 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Amanda.
117 reviews3 followers
September 8, 2013
I actually picked up this book at a garage sale for my 9-year old step son, and he enjoyed it so much he recommended that I read it. Boy, he was right.

The stories are believable. The stories are funny. The stories are GREAT for young boys who are reluctant to read. I absolutely loved it, as a reader and as a mom. The best part was, of course, being able to share it with my step son - it's not often we find a book we are both into and can laugh over together.
34 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2018
HELLO, THESE BOOKS ARE SO FUNNY. AT LEAST FROM I REMEMBER.
Profile Image for Kelvino.
171 reviews5 followers
November 12, 2024
This is a very beloved series to me and the author even came to my elementary school before for like book signings lol. It really shocked me that the series wasn’t more popular and that most people didn’t know of it’s existence. I really thought it was a crazy best seller but ig people outside of my elementary friends just aren’t in the know.

That said, man this did not age well 😭I reread part of this series hoping for a huge laugh again but not at all 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I was literally upset at how unfunny I found this all and I’m saddened for the first time and regret rereading this a little 😭. For the first time my childhood memories have been eviscerated. There’s this part in the second book that really made me put down the book and made me reflect at how stupid I was as a kid bruh. The humour and comedy style is really summed up in this. Or it’s the worst of it.

“I don’t remember exactly when Gordon invented the Fart Chart but I do remember when the Fart Chart got our whole class in a lot of trouble.” And then the rest of the chapter is dedicated to just kids farting and stinking up the room bro and like teachers are opening up windows and kids are eating beans. ⁉️⁉️⁉️ WHAT THE FUCK ⁉️⁉️⁉️

As I’m writing this I’m actually cracking up thinking about FART CHART like LMFAO THATS SO STUPID it’s so not funny that it’s looped around to be funny again. FART CHART 😭😭😭. The other chapters aren’t potty humour usually but I was just baffled that such low hanging fruit actually got published. Then again I prolly ate it up as a kid and I’m eating it again now so who’s the real sucker.

I hope Mr Wade is doing well he was chill I barely remember anything but I feel honoured that I did. Thanks for writing such a dumb series 😭, and thanks for Leo for lending me it again. Will probably just list the last book once I go through the whole thing again.
11 reviews
February 13, 2025
The and then it Happened books are fabulous, funny short stories about three boys who play jokes and get up to mischief. These books were first recommended to me by a student and I’ve been reading them to my students ever since. Laugh out loud funny. I would recommend these books for anyone in grades 3-6.
7 reviews1 follower
Read
January 22, 2020
This was a story about three boys who were best friends to each other they are kinda clumsy, goofy.

I found it really good and I enjoyed it.

Was this based on a true story?

Will they stop making books like these?

Are there any other books published by M a L Wade?

The best part of the book was the Halloween part when Paulo suggested to go through the tall grass to get to the rich people's house to get more candy. Loved it
645 reviews30 followers
February 15, 2022
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Mike Wade when he came to my last school for an author’s visit. The students loved his books. This evening, I read the first book in the series and I can see why his books are popular. Each chapter is a short story linked together by a trio of boys. The stories paint humourous and vivid pictures of adventures and high-jinx. So much fun.
21 reviews
September 21, 2024
I remember when he came to my elementary school and signed a bunch of these books. One of my favourite memories was reading these books with my siblings and the kids I baby sat. These books are so fun
Profile Image for Freya Abbas.
Author 8 books16 followers
November 17, 2019
Hilarious. A collection of funny short stories meant for young readers but they can be enjoyed by any age. The two stories about the turkey were my favourite :) .
15 reviews
June 3, 2020
First time I met a local author in 2005. Read his books in class; fell in love with his writing and how he can really hook you into the story.
1 review1 follower
February 3, 2021
My son 9 bought the series from you at his school!! WE LOVE THEM ALL!! Hope for more stories from you. He laughs. We laugh. The family has enjoyed them too.
Thank you.
11 reviews
January 8, 2013
Cute book! I read this to my 6-year-old son who thought it was hilarious and begs to have the book read to him. This is a great book for boys starting to read--as a chapter book to read to themselves or as a book to read to them. Each chapter tells a complete, funny story about three boys who tend to create chaos wherever they go, as their seemingly good ideas turn sour (or actually work accidentally). The stories were predictable for me, but not for my son. The boys are full of ideas, but are not mean or unkind to others (trying to get the most Halloween candy, scheming to save their pet turkey from being Thanksgiving dinner, finding the best fishing hole). The writing style does not offend (proper grammar helps, thanks, authors, for not trying to be too cute with the writing). The chapters are short (quick to read at bedtime or quick for the new-to-chapter-books reader) and action-packed, focused on telling the story from the perspective of a spirited boy. I love that this book is by local authors, too. The book is labelled "books for boys", even though girls would also enjoy it.
Profile Image for Aurora.
75 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2015
This is always my go to book for anyone having issues getting their children interested in reading. Boys especially, but girls enjoy this as well. The wonderful thing about this series is that each chapter is a story of its own. No need to have them read these long stories that are dragged out, each story is only a few pages! How can they argue with that? The books themselves are short also, always less than 100 pages with big print so they aren't that intimidating to look at either. There are 11 books in total, so enough to keep them going for awhile, and help them build up their passion and confidence in reading.

The best part is that the stories are funny, the three boys get into all kinds of trouble (innocent trouble of course) and they have you laughing right from the very first chapter to the end. These stories are perfect for both read aloud and independent reading.
Profile Image for Simon.
1,298 reviews26 followers
September 24, 2015
I think this book series, while aimed a children should be one that most young kids read and talk about with their friends.

I wonder if any of the misadventures in these stories were based on the real lives of the author and his friends as they grew up.

I wanted to read all of the books but at the time I had a lot of reading to do in school and time just slipped away from me, as did much else.

Perhaps these will be the kinds of stories I read to my young children. Certainly youthful and fun, its the adventures that every young kid wants to have with their best friends and wild imaginations.
Profile Image for Michelle K.
657 reviews65 followers
October 20, 2010
This book is meant for young boys. My youngest son is 10 and out of my 3 boys, is the only one who likes to read.
The author of this book M Wade came to his school to do a reading of "And Then It Happened". My son laughed and loved it so much he asked me to buy him the series. So I did. He talked and talked about his book begging me to read it.

I just finished it and I am still wiping away the tears of laughter. What an absolutely wonderful series for young boys. I will have to read the rest if the series some time.

Highly recommend for boys 8-12 yrs old.
4 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2010
When i was reading this book, i really didn't like it. I thought it wasn't making any sense, but also when i was looking fro a book to read, i was reading the back, and it sounded like a good book. But when i read it, i HATED it!


I would not recommend this book to ANYONE!
I am different to most people, so you might like this book, but i HATED IT!
Profile Image for Shonna.
143 reviews12 followers
February 18, 2014
Not really something I enjoy to read but I'm not the target audience. It had perfect short chapters. Each one basically a short story. The books are written for young boys and they will certainly appeal to that group. He's coming to speak at my school in March and I think he will be a huge hit. The kids are very excited.
Profile Image for Rebecca Mckenzie.
354 reviews7 followers
February 1, 2013
Funny book - reminds me of a fictionalized version of Robert Woods book, "The Five Greatest Spankings of all Time" in that both books involve hijinks performed by 3 boys who always seem to find trouble! A great book to encourage boys to read, the stories are humorous and it's a short book!
Profile Image for Drew.
1,618 reviews9 followers
February 28, 2013
a pretty good book for reluctant boy readers. Each chapter is a different adventure of three boys. The adventures usually take a turn for the hilarious, as something always emerges to throw their plan into the garbage.
Profile Image for Jeremy.
1,367 reviews58 followers
August 1, 2015
This is an excellent book for reluctant male readers, the stories are silly, mischevious, and short. Each story only lasts a chapter, which is nice. That being said, its literary value is next to nothing. So this is definitely a kids only sort of book.
Profile Image for Danika Jade.
2 reviews
January 31, 2025
I loved these books as a kid. My kindergarten teacher was the person to introduce me to the series, she’d read them to us in class and I was instantly hooked. I was also so very lucky to actually have Mrs. Laura Wade as my school librarian. Both her and Mr. M Wade are are such kind people.
21 reviews
May 22, 2023
The first time when I heard about this book was when I learned that the writer of this book was coming to our school. Unfortunately, our class was some of the unlucky ones who didn't get to see him. But I did read all of his books, and wish there were more.
30 reviews1 follower
Read
August 11, 2011
Hilariously funny. Sometimes embarassing. Feels good to relive some childhood hijinx! Now the boys will tell me anything!
Profile Image for Amy.
54 reviews
January 28, 2012
Much more tolerable for me than Diary of A Wimpy Kid. I think this book would be awesome if you were a 10 year old boy. I am not a 10 year old boy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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