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Boy/Girl Battle #5
A Traitor Among the Boys
The Hatford boys' New Year's resolution is "the girls can stay . . . but only if they play by our rules." Their mother insists that they "treat those girls as though they were your sisters." Okay, but somehow the boys' interpretation owes more to sibling rivalry than to brotherly love. The one weak link is young Peter, who doesn't understand the rivalry, openly likes the girls, and sees nothing wrong with sitting in their kitchen eating homemade cookies and answering questions about his brothers' plans. Readers will find themselves laughing out loud at the pranks, the conversations, and one unforgettably embarrassing moment. The high-flying humor is juxtaposed with the budding affection between Josh and Beth and the way all the children pull together during a blizzard. The fifth entry in Naylor's refreshing series chronicling the feud between the Hatfords and the Malloys.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 1999
29 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
245 books1,035 followersPhyllis Reynolds Naylor was born in Anderson, Indiana, US on January 4, 1933.
Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.
Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."
By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.
Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.
Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.
Her family were strongly religious with conservative, midwestern values and most of her childhood was spent moving a lot due to her father's occupation as a salesman.
Though she grew up during the Depression and her family did not have a lot of money, Naylor stated that she never felt poor because her family owned good books. Her parents enjoyed reading stories to the children--her father would imitate the characters in Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer--and her mother read to them every evening, "almost until we were old enough to go out on dates, though we never would have admitted this to anyone."
By the time Phyllis reached fifth grade, writing books was her favorite hobby and she would rush home from school each day to write down whatever plot had been forming in her head - at sixteen her first story was published in a local church magazine.
Phyllis has written over 80 books for children and young people. One of these books, "Shiloh," was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1992, was named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was also Young Adult Choice by the International Reading Association.
Naylor gets her ideas from things that happen to her or from things she has read. "Shiloh" was inspired by a little abused dog she and her husband found. The little dog haunted her so much that she had to write a story about him to get it out of her mind.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 3, 2021
I was stocking shelves at the bookstore and came across this. It sounded interesting with the boy/girl rivalry and it promised to be funny. I went home and looked it up on here but the description for another edition was different from the summary on the back of the book. It mentioned affection between Beth and Josh and I like a book with love in it, no matter what age, so I got the book for $1.
That was over a month ago and for some reason I forgot and thought that Jake and Beth liked each other, which I was really looking forward to. Jake is the mean one, the ring leader, the one doing most of the pranks, and that promised to be interesting. I looked forward to him being nicer. And then I had to know for sure if that's who Beth in fact liked. I came on here and checked out the other edition and lo and behold, it wasn't Jake at all, it's his twin Josh. I was so disappointed!
Jake and Josh are 11 year old twins. Wally is 9 and Peter is 7. Eddie is 11, the oldest girl. Beth is 10. Caroline is 8.
The description promised "high-flying humor" and that readers would laugh out loud. The humor was nonexistent. I didn't find anything funny, not one thing. I was into chapter 4 and hadn't found one thing amusing in the slightest. Actually I found the writing to be overdone and annoying. It was like the author was trying too hard and it was contrived.
The story started out with the boys being tasked with coming up with New Years' resolutions and this big to-do was made by Mrs. Hatford, their mom, when they came up with only one resolution between them and not 4 individual ones. Their mom was overdone, totally. She was making all these big movements and asking question after question to get to the bottom of it. She took her glasses off and looked at them, asked specific questions to each of them, then sat down in the chair. Hard. I was like what's the big deal? They came up with one resolution to work on together. The boys listed the pranks they had pulled on the Malloy sisters and that just prolonged the conversation. I just didn't find any of it funny at all.
Peter, the youngest, went to the girls' house and that scene which I expected to be so funny wasn't. For some reason the girls latched on to the boys just doing one resolution too, just like his mom had done, and I was like what is the big deal?! Who cares if they made one big resolution or 4? Ugh. When I looked back I did actually find one thing mildly amusing. Eddie, the second-oldest sister, said they were making a lot of noise at his house on New Years and it sounded like they were banging every pot and pan together.
Their questioning of Peter went by too quickly, there was no bribing, the kid already liked cookies and needed no encouragement at all. And he didn't say his brothers were still going to play pranks on them; all he said was that they were going to treat them like sisters which didn't really say anything. It was so disappointing and not what I expected at all. What should have been good scenes were disappointing and anticlimactic.
What happened at school was just over the top. Jake went to throw a snowball at Eddie, who moved and it hit the principal in the face. Of course. But I didn't understand why Eddie took the wrap and covered for him, saying he was throwing it to her and she missed. The principal sentenced them both to write I won't throw snowballs on the board 100 times and said if they throw any more they'll be banned from trying out on the team. Her logic was so weird and made no sense. She told her sisters if she doesn't throw snowballs she won't be banned, meaning she can try out. So you can only try out for the team if you get punished and threatened to be banned from trying out? Couldn't she try out without getting in trouble? Like, what?
It was funny when Wally asked Carolina in class why Eddie had done what she'd done. Caroline looked innocent as she said Eddie was just feeling sisterly. Funny how she used their words against them.
I thought, finally, some humor. During the 4th grade recess Jake had to watch her write and during the 6th grade recess she had to watch him do the writing, and she had a sly smile on her face. Eddie's plan for revenge was so funny. She planned to have all 3 of then attack Jake and stuff him full of snow to where he'd think he was a snowman, assigned roles for each of them and I like that feistiness in a character.
It was going too far to have Jake tell them to tie Caroline's mouth and then Josh tied her arms to the chair with his jacket. Kids shouldn't be holding hostages!!
I was so glad that Caroline got them back, because I didn't think she was going to. She was taking her captivity too well, in silence actually and being too agreeable. So when they are those brownies and found them to be lumpy, discovered lima beans and mushrooms and peas I laughed aloud.
It was even funnier as she met up with her sisters who were looking for her and Eddie was upset thinking the boys were going to make them cook for them from now on, until Caroline said in 5 mins they were going to discover the beans she'd put in there. Their mom came in and heard them cackling and Eddie said a little justice was going on, and crime and punishment.
It was a nice moment when Beth said she hoped they got someone cute to play the guy in the play and Caroline asked like Josh Hatford and Beth blushed.
It was super cute about Caroline's plan. She left a message on the boys' doorstep and cut out letters to put Josh's name on it, and said that someone really liked him and to come to his address and ask about Elmer, and that's the part opposite Beth! I loved Carolina did that! When Jake asked what it was Josh stuffed it in his backpack and said it was just something dumb. And Wally caught Josh blushing.
It was so cute that he had Wally come with him, saying a girl liked him and he was curious. They get there and he asked about Elmer and was let in. They were looking around all confused, Josh commenting that he could paint better than the lady doing the backdrop, not knowing why they were there. The guy announced to everyone that they have the grocer's sons and Beth was on stage and looked as embarrassed as Josh. I loved it!
It was so cute how he stared at Beth and her cheeks turned pink.
I was disappointed that Caroline only did that because she thought they would cancel the play if they couldn't get the guy's part. I thought she was setting her sister and Josh up because she knew her sister liked him. It was cute how Beth was dazed after.
When Peter came over they struck a funny bargain to give him sweets if he told them what his brothers were planning. Beth steered the questioning and asked if Josh told him he was in a play, if he mentioned her and if he liked her. Peter said he thought so and that Josh had said he had to hold her hands and get married.
I was so upset that Caroline got sick and couldn't do the play. Was that a lesson in being humble? Because I didn't think Caroline was being conceited at all, despite the word "precocious" being thrown around about her. She was just proud she was going to be starting her career. What's wrong with that? She asked her parents if they were going to get her flowers and I didn't like her parents' reaction. Her mom said she wasn't the only actress, or the leading actress and this wasn't Broadway. She suggested she act the role of being humble. Her dad asked why she didn't accept the fact that she was lucky to get a part and everyone's role is important and stop looking for special favors. I didn't see anything wrong with parents getting flowers for their daughter's first role on stage--who wants to be an actress. That's called encouragement.
What made it even worse was that the mean girl who stepped on her toe and pushed her during tryouts got her part. I expected more from Beth and Josh being in the play, but nothing happened. Josh was mostly just proud of his painting job. But Caroline came onto the stage in her pajamas, all sick and flushed and her voice hoarse, tried to say a line and was pulled offstage. How awful! Wally did feel sorry for her, and it was nice that while she was out of school he brought her homework. She's in his grade, one higher, because she's "precocious."
I was expecting so much more to happen when they were all snowed in alone together, but it was disappointing. School was let out early because of the blizzard and the girls went home to discover that they're mom wasn't back yet and they couldn't get a hold of their dad. They feared the worst and so when Peter called to tell them he couldn't spy for them anymore, they told him what happened. Josh got on the phone and said they would come over.
The girls were so worried about their parents and then the boys got worried about their own parents that no one was hungry or felt like playing games. The food and hot choc went to waste and I wanted something to happen between Beth and Josh.
When the boys were leaving everyone was being nice to each other. Oddly, Caroline noticed they were as fat as furniture and I didn't understand what that was about, just figured it was bcuz of their coats. Then they discovered that the boys took all of their cookies and stuffed their pockets. That was the final prank and the girls vowed to get them back.
I didn't expect that to be the end because there were quite a few pages left. The last 18 pages weren't a part of the story and I hate when books end sooner than I expect because the last pages are scenes from other books and author notes and all that. It's deceptive.
It did make me want to read the whole series and catch up on things. I didn’t feel like I was missing out; this could be qualified as a stand-alone, but they did mention some past pranks that I’d like to know about, and I just want to experience them meeting and see where things obviously went wrong!
I didn't realize until I got on here and looked up the synopsis of the first book and read "the feuding Hatford and Malloy" that their names were modeled after the Hatfields and McCoys. The first letters didn't even hit me all through the story.
One issue was that it was mostly in the perspective of Wally and Caroline, so we were getting their thoughts and feelings most of the time. I would have preferred to hear from all of the kids. The only ones we got to see at school were Caroline and Wally and they were in the same class. I wanted to hear about Beth and Josh and Jake’s day. I think it should be told about all of the kids equally and not just focus on two.
I wanted descriptions of the characters because I didn't know what anyone looked like. I didn't know the girls had blonde hair until I went back and looked at the cover, or that the boys had dark hair. Even tho it's a kid's novel I need to know what everyone looks like. Hair color, eye color, height, what they're wearing, personality types, etc.
I could have done without the letters from Wally to the boys who moved out of the home the girls now reside in. I don’t know the boys since I’m just started out on the 5th book, but that should be over in my opinion. The boys moved to Ohio and I think the girls came from Ohio. I also didn’t like that the girls didn’t know if they were going to be able to stay there. And it sounded like the other family of boys was thinking of moving back. I hope the girls don’t leave! I don’t care about meeting those boys.
This is such a cute and enjoyable read. Their antics kept me smiling and laughing and it’s rare that I laugh aloud at a book or smile so big, so it takes something special to make that happen. Even being 24 while reading this for the first time didn’t make me feel too old. I saved this specifically for a snow day and what a perfect way to spend it. It snowed almost the entire day, around 6 inches, and I read this off and on for most of the day and had a great time. I was only sorry when it ended because I wanted even more pranks and couldn’t wait to find out how all the girls were going to get back them for stealing their desserts.
That was over a month ago and for some reason I forgot and thought that Jake and Beth liked each other, which I was really looking forward to. Jake is the mean one, the ring leader, the one doing most of the pranks, and that promised to be interesting. I looked forward to him being nicer. And then I had to know for sure if that's who Beth in fact liked. I came on here and checked out the other edition and lo and behold, it wasn't Jake at all, it's his twin Josh. I was so disappointed!
Jake and Josh are 11 year old twins. Wally is 9 and Peter is 7. Eddie is 11, the oldest girl. Beth is 10. Caroline is 8.
The description promised "high-flying humor" and that readers would laugh out loud. The humor was nonexistent. I didn't find anything funny, not one thing. I was into chapter 4 and hadn't found one thing amusing in the slightest. Actually I found the writing to be overdone and annoying. It was like the author was trying too hard and it was contrived.
The story started out with the boys being tasked with coming up with New Years' resolutions and this big to-do was made by Mrs. Hatford, their mom, when they came up with only one resolution between them and not 4 individual ones. Their mom was overdone, totally. She was making all these big movements and asking question after question to get to the bottom of it. She took her glasses off and looked at them, asked specific questions to each of them, then sat down in the chair. Hard. I was like what's the big deal? They came up with one resolution to work on together. The boys listed the pranks they had pulled on the Malloy sisters and that just prolonged the conversation. I just didn't find any of it funny at all.
Peter, the youngest, went to the girls' house and that scene which I expected to be so funny wasn't. For some reason the girls latched on to the boys just doing one resolution too, just like his mom had done, and I was like what is the big deal?! Who cares if they made one big resolution or 4? Ugh. When I looked back I did actually find one thing mildly amusing. Eddie, the second-oldest sister, said they were making a lot of noise at his house on New Years and it sounded like they were banging every pot and pan together.
Their questioning of Peter went by too quickly, there was no bribing, the kid already liked cookies and needed no encouragement at all. And he didn't say his brothers were still going to play pranks on them; all he said was that they were going to treat them like sisters which didn't really say anything. It was so disappointing and not what I expected at all. What should have been good scenes were disappointing and anticlimactic.
What happened at school was just over the top. Jake went to throw a snowball at Eddie, who moved and it hit the principal in the face. Of course. But I didn't understand why Eddie took the wrap and covered for him, saying he was throwing it to her and she missed. The principal sentenced them both to write I won't throw snowballs on the board 100 times and said if they throw any more they'll be banned from trying out on the team. Her logic was so weird and made no sense. She told her sisters if she doesn't throw snowballs she won't be banned, meaning she can try out. So you can only try out for the team if you get punished and threatened to be banned from trying out? Couldn't she try out without getting in trouble? Like, what?
It was funny when Wally asked Carolina in class why Eddie had done what she'd done. Caroline looked innocent as she said Eddie was just feeling sisterly. Funny how she used their words against them.
I thought, finally, some humor. During the 4th grade recess Jake had to watch her write and during the 6th grade recess she had to watch him do the writing, and she had a sly smile on her face. Eddie's plan for revenge was so funny. She planned to have all 3 of then attack Jake and stuff him full of snow to where he'd think he was a snowman, assigned roles for each of them and I like that feistiness in a character.
It was going too far to have Jake tell them to tie Caroline's mouth and then Josh tied her arms to the chair with his jacket. Kids shouldn't be holding hostages!!
I was so glad that Caroline got them back, because I didn't think she was going to. She was taking her captivity too well, in silence actually and being too agreeable. So when they are those brownies and found them to be lumpy, discovered lima beans and mushrooms and peas I laughed aloud.
It was even funnier as she met up with her sisters who were looking for her and Eddie was upset thinking the boys were going to make them cook for them from now on, until Caroline said in 5 mins they were going to discover the beans she'd put in there. Their mom came in and heard them cackling and Eddie said a little justice was going on, and crime and punishment.
It was a nice moment when Beth said she hoped they got someone cute to play the guy in the play and Caroline asked like Josh Hatford and Beth blushed.
It was super cute about Caroline's plan. She left a message on the boys' doorstep and cut out letters to put Josh's name on it, and said that someone really liked him and to come to his address and ask about Elmer, and that's the part opposite Beth! I loved Carolina did that! When Jake asked what it was Josh stuffed it in his backpack and said it was just something dumb. And Wally caught Josh blushing.
It was so cute that he had Wally come with him, saying a girl liked him and he was curious. They get there and he asked about Elmer and was let in. They were looking around all confused, Josh commenting that he could paint better than the lady doing the backdrop, not knowing why they were there. The guy announced to everyone that they have the grocer's sons and Beth was on stage and looked as embarrassed as Josh. I loved it!
It was so cute how he stared at Beth and her cheeks turned pink.
I was disappointed that Caroline only did that because she thought they would cancel the play if they couldn't get the guy's part. I thought she was setting her sister and Josh up because she knew her sister liked him. It was cute how Beth was dazed after.
When Peter came over they struck a funny bargain to give him sweets if he told them what his brothers were planning. Beth steered the questioning and asked if Josh told him he was in a play, if he mentioned her and if he liked her. Peter said he thought so and that Josh had said he had to hold her hands and get married.
I was so upset that Caroline got sick and couldn't do the play. Was that a lesson in being humble? Because I didn't think Caroline was being conceited at all, despite the word "precocious" being thrown around about her. She was just proud she was going to be starting her career. What's wrong with that? She asked her parents if they were going to get her flowers and I didn't like her parents' reaction. Her mom said she wasn't the only actress, or the leading actress and this wasn't Broadway. She suggested she act the role of being humble. Her dad asked why she didn't accept the fact that she was lucky to get a part and everyone's role is important and stop looking for special favors. I didn't see anything wrong with parents getting flowers for their daughter's first role on stage--who wants to be an actress. That's called encouragement.
What made it even worse was that the mean girl who stepped on her toe and pushed her during tryouts got her part. I expected more from Beth and Josh being in the play, but nothing happened. Josh was mostly just proud of his painting job. But Caroline came onto the stage in her pajamas, all sick and flushed and her voice hoarse, tried to say a line and was pulled offstage. How awful! Wally did feel sorry for her, and it was nice that while she was out of school he brought her homework. She's in his grade, one higher, because she's "precocious."
I was expecting so much more to happen when they were all snowed in alone together, but it was disappointing. School was let out early because of the blizzard and the girls went home to discover that they're mom wasn't back yet and they couldn't get a hold of their dad. They feared the worst and so when Peter called to tell them he couldn't spy for them anymore, they told him what happened. Josh got on the phone and said they would come over.
The girls were so worried about their parents and then the boys got worried about their own parents that no one was hungry or felt like playing games. The food and hot choc went to waste and I wanted something to happen between Beth and Josh.
When the boys were leaving everyone was being nice to each other. Oddly, Caroline noticed they were as fat as furniture and I didn't understand what that was about, just figured it was bcuz of their coats. Then they discovered that the boys took all of their cookies and stuffed their pockets. That was the final prank and the girls vowed to get them back.
I didn't expect that to be the end because there were quite a few pages left. The last 18 pages weren't a part of the story and I hate when books end sooner than I expect because the last pages are scenes from other books and author notes and all that. It's deceptive.
It did make me want to read the whole series and catch up on things. I didn’t feel like I was missing out; this could be qualified as a stand-alone, but they did mention some past pranks that I’d like to know about, and I just want to experience them meeting and see where things obviously went wrong!
I didn't realize until I got on here and looked up the synopsis of the first book and read "the feuding Hatford and Malloy" that their names were modeled after the Hatfields and McCoys. The first letters didn't even hit me all through the story.
One issue was that it was mostly in the perspective of Wally and Caroline, so we were getting their thoughts and feelings most of the time. I would have preferred to hear from all of the kids. The only ones we got to see at school were Caroline and Wally and they were in the same class. I wanted to hear about Beth and Josh and Jake’s day. I think it should be told about all of the kids equally and not just focus on two.
I wanted descriptions of the characters because I didn't know what anyone looked like. I didn't know the girls had blonde hair until I went back and looked at the cover, or that the boys had dark hair. Even tho it's a kid's novel I need to know what everyone looks like. Hair color, eye color, height, what they're wearing, personality types, etc.
I could have done without the letters from Wally to the boys who moved out of the home the girls now reside in. I don’t know the boys since I’m just started out on the 5th book, but that should be over in my opinion. The boys moved to Ohio and I think the girls came from Ohio. I also didn’t like that the girls didn’t know if they were going to be able to stay there. And it sounded like the other family of boys was thinking of moving back. I hope the girls don’t leave! I don’t care about meeting those boys.
This is such a cute and enjoyable read. Their antics kept me smiling and laughing and it’s rare that I laugh aloud at a book or smile so big, so it takes something special to make that happen. Even being 24 while reading this for the first time didn’t make me feel too old. I saved this specifically for a snow day and what a perfect way to spend it. It snowed almost the entire day, around 6 inches, and I read this off and on for most of the day and had a great time. I was only sorry when it ended because I wanted even more pranks and couldn’t wait to find out how all the girls were going to get back them for stealing their desserts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2021
My sister passed this along to me, and I had planned to read it on a snow day, but it doesn't look like we're going to have another of those. I did save it for when the weather turned cold again, though, so it would at least feel wintery when I read it.
It was odd to introduce the mom as Mrs. Hatford, instead of 'mom.' I thought she was a housekeeper or something. All the parents were referenced as Mr. and Mrs.
I was surprised when Peter said the Malloy girls whom he liked very much, because I thought all the boys didn't like the girls.
Jake goes to throw a snowball at Eddie, and it hits the principle. Eddie covers for him, saying they were practicing baseball. The principle tells them to skip morning recess while Eddie writes I will not play catch with snowballs while Jake watches. & then Jake will wipe the board off. And to skip afternoon recess, while Jake writes I will not play catch with snowballs, while Eddie watches& then she will wipe the board. The punishment sounded so unrealistic and robotic. & I've never heard of having two recesses in a day. Certainly not morning recess. Also there's a rule not to throw snowballs on the playground, & he tells them if they ever do they'll be banned from the baseball team. They were at the front of the school, about to go in, so how are they all of a sudden on a playground? Unless the playground is the front steps of the school??
It was so funny what Eddie had planned, to tackle Jake with her sisters and shove snow in his face. & then take off running after.
I love the twist with Caroline baking brownies, and it turns out she put peas, mushrooms and Lima beans in them to get back at the boys for kidnapping her.
Caroline wants to try out for the community play, of the founding of their town. There's two families, the grocers and farmers. The oldest farmer's daughter ended up married one of the grocer's sons. I saw where that was going!
I found it too predictable and unrealistic that that Caroline got the part of the middle child,& then Beth gets picked out of the audience for the oldest sister. It was cute when Beth said she hoped the boy who played the part of Elmer was cute, and Caroline said like Josh Hatford and Beth blushes.
Caroline planned something else to get back at Josh, and then a note shows up saying someone really likes him, and Josh is blushing.
At school Caroline asked how did they like the brownies and he pretends there was nothing wrong with them! And she looks dismayed to think her trick didn't work.
It was coincidental that Josh asked Wally to join him to meet his secret admirer, so when he asks about Elmer they say they've gotten both the grocer's sons cast for the play. And Beth is looking even more embarrassed than Josh, which is so cute!
It's unrealistic for Wally, who's 9, to say precocious.
They call Eddie the Whomper, Beth the Weirdo, and Caroline the Crazie. I wondered what made them call them that, and what exactly they meant by whomper.
I like when Caroline thought if Josh didn't like Beth a little then he wouldn't hold hands with her in the play in front of everyone, and if Beth didn't like Josh a little the. She would show up for rehearsal.
At the birthday party, the boys' mom made a chocolate chiffon cake, and Jake said like the kind Caroline threw in the river, and Caroline blushes. I didn't know what they were talking about. I know the boys mentioned they ruined a cake the girls made them, checking for dog poop, so I didn't know the girls ruined a cake.
I find the parents in here kind of weird. They don't talk much,& they don't even seem excited about the play. Wally's mom seemed to forget his birthday and only remembered it when someone bought stuff for their daughter's birthday, and it was only a few days away. I would be hurt if my parents forgot about my birthday, and only remembered it a few days before. And they actually said it right in front of Wally!
Then Caroline asks if her parents will give her flowers at the curtain call,& her dad asks why, are you dying? And she says actresses get flowers at curtain calls,& her mom said there's a lil something she should know. She wasn't the only actress, she wasn't the lead in the play, and it isn't Broadway. And because she's learning different roles she should learn to be humble. I didn't think that was rude at all to ask for flowers. Or to say she's an actress. Showing up for your daughters play with flowers would be a sweet thing to do.
What's rude is it's the day before your children's play and they appear to not even have planned on going,& she's asking them to come. They should be excited to go and support their daughter.
However I didn't likr her attitude after, saying she didn't like criticism, and would someday hear it from a director but didn't wanna hear it from her parents. Idl that she's seen as narcissistic.
Also saying she had the lead role of the girls.
"Why don't you accept the fact that you were lucky to get a part in a community play and that everyone's part is important, and stop looking for special favors?" This was so snide and overly aggressive to speak to a child. How is it asking for special favors by wanting your parents at your play & asking to be sent flowers?
She says she's the most precocious child in Buckman and ppl would live up for her autograph someday.That isn't likeable either.
It was cute when Caroline asks Wally if they'll be in plays when they're in HS, and asks if he'll send her flowers. He says he'll never be in another play and he'll never send her flowers.
It was sweet Josh said he'd rather say the lines to Beth than any other girl he could think of.
It was funny when Caroline said let her play the sick girl, cause she was sick. I hated that she got sick and couldn't be in the play, and her understudy got the part.
Wally realized he felt sorry for Caroline. I thought they might like each other.
It was quite the turnaround when Caroline's parents told her she need to be humble, and then after the play her mom said actresses have to use the things that happen to them, even the awful things. To hold onto anger, embarrassment, fear to draw on it when they need it. So all of a sudden you're calling her an actress?
It was funny when Caroline shows up at school Wally says welcome back from the crazy house, and she says she had the highest fever any girl ever had and survived from. There's some unexpected humor in places you don't see coming.
After the girls attacked them from their fort, the boys realize Peter has been telling them their plans. They look for him, find wet footprints to the phone and then to his room, and find him in his bed, and thinks Peter looks too innocent for words.
Both josh and Beth said their fort looked like a castle. It shows they're similar. & she didn't think Josh would enjoy tearing it down, and was right, because Josh tried to talk them out of it.
I didn't like their plan to reconstruct the boys fort on their front porch, because then the boys' parents would know. Also I doubt the snow would have stayed that intact to move it like that.
It was unbelievable how the Malloy parents let the girls stay out til 9, and didn't even go looking for them. They just left them outside skating on the pond. They could have fallen through!
This will be good for girls to read, about the part where Caroline is talking to Wally and saying that it's something the boys could never be, wonderful, glorious, intelligent, adventurous, magnificent girls.
Josh asked who's crying and when he found out it was Beth he took the phone.& asked if they wanted them to come over. It's so sweet how he's changed and seems to like Beth, too.
And Jake says well that was dumb, who would go driving out in a blizzard? haha!
If the lights, tv, and fridge went out how was the phone still working?
It was sweet when Josh said they won't leave until their dad finds the girls mom,& Beth looked over at him and said she was glad they were there& he said so am I.
When Caroline says the boys looked so fat I thought it was an odd thing to say. But of course they stole their cookies!! I couldn't believe it. I thought the pranks were over. Especially after they were so scared about their parents being in the blizzard.
There should have been more bonding between them during the storm. That could have been a real turnaround for them. They barely talked, and didn't do much, and then the girl's dad showed up.
I read the last line of the book and I was smiling, waiting to find what the girls had planned.& I look at the next page and it says About the Author. I couldn't believe that was the end of the book!
Their parents hadn't even made it home! I thought it could have at least wrapped up with that.
This was cute. I'm glad I read it, and I really appreciate humor in books. That always makes them fun to read. It was in Caroline's perspective too much, and wasn't ever in Eddie's, besides maybe the beginning. And then it stopped being in Beth's and Josh's too, and went totally to Caroline, Wally, and Peter. We didn't get to hear of Jake and Eddie. I wanted to hear more of those two. Because of it, I couldn't get a sense of who they were as much, and couldn't connect to them like the others.
I wish the parent's had been better, too. Nicer, more supportive, interested, and active in their children's lives. I did find the mom annoying in the beginning, asking for EVERY prank they pulled on the girls, wanting to know everything. I'm surprised she didn't tell her husband about it. And how when they made brownies she asked where are they, cause she'd like to have some. It seemed like a lead just for the boys to say that they ate them. I found the Hatford mom to be annoying.
This would be good for both boys and girls, because it covers both perspectives, and I think kids would relate to the pranks/mischievousness between siblings, and how you feel about the opposite gender at that age.
I liked the preview from the first book, where the boys are delivering a cake to the girls. It says the Hatfords and Malloys were on the bridge, and that's when it hit me: the Hatfields and McCoys! I think my sister brought it up to me, but I forgot, because I didn't realize the parallel until then!
The first preview was funny, & the camping preview sounds interesting.
Their real names were said in one: Wallace, Joshua, Joseph. I had no idea these were nicknames in this book, and not their real names. How did they get Jake from Joseph??
It was odd to introduce the mom as Mrs. Hatford, instead of 'mom.' I thought she was a housekeeper or something. All the parents were referenced as Mr. and Mrs.
I was surprised when Peter said the Malloy girls whom he liked very much, because I thought all the boys didn't like the girls.
Jake goes to throw a snowball at Eddie, and it hits the principle. Eddie covers for him, saying they were practicing baseball. The principle tells them to skip morning recess while Eddie writes I will not play catch with snowballs while Jake watches. & then Jake will wipe the board off. And to skip afternoon recess, while Jake writes I will not play catch with snowballs, while Eddie watches& then she will wipe the board. The punishment sounded so unrealistic and robotic. & I've never heard of having two recesses in a day. Certainly not morning recess. Also there's a rule not to throw snowballs on the playground, & he tells them if they ever do they'll be banned from the baseball team. They were at the front of the school, about to go in, so how are they all of a sudden on a playground? Unless the playground is the front steps of the school??
It was so funny what Eddie had planned, to tackle Jake with her sisters and shove snow in his face. & then take off running after.
I love the twist with Caroline baking brownies, and it turns out she put peas, mushrooms and Lima beans in them to get back at the boys for kidnapping her.
Caroline wants to try out for the community play, of the founding of their town. There's two families, the grocers and farmers. The oldest farmer's daughter ended up married one of the grocer's sons. I saw where that was going!
I found it too predictable and unrealistic that that Caroline got the part of the middle child,& then Beth gets picked out of the audience for the oldest sister. It was cute when Beth said she hoped the boy who played the part of Elmer was cute, and Caroline said like Josh Hatford and Beth blushes.
Caroline planned something else to get back at Josh, and then a note shows up saying someone really likes him, and Josh is blushing.
At school Caroline asked how did they like the brownies and he pretends there was nothing wrong with them! And she looks dismayed to think her trick didn't work.
It was coincidental that Josh asked Wally to join him to meet his secret admirer, so when he asks about Elmer they say they've gotten both the grocer's sons cast for the play. And Beth is looking even more embarrassed than Josh, which is so cute!
It's unrealistic for Wally, who's 9, to say precocious.
They call Eddie the Whomper, Beth the Weirdo, and Caroline the Crazie. I wondered what made them call them that, and what exactly they meant by whomper.
I like when Caroline thought if Josh didn't like Beth a little then he wouldn't hold hands with her in the play in front of everyone, and if Beth didn't like Josh a little the. She would show up for rehearsal.
At the birthday party, the boys' mom made a chocolate chiffon cake, and Jake said like the kind Caroline threw in the river, and Caroline blushes. I didn't know what they were talking about. I know the boys mentioned they ruined a cake the girls made them, checking for dog poop, so I didn't know the girls ruined a cake.
I find the parents in here kind of weird. They don't talk much,& they don't even seem excited about the play. Wally's mom seemed to forget his birthday and only remembered it when someone bought stuff for their daughter's birthday, and it was only a few days away. I would be hurt if my parents forgot about my birthday, and only remembered it a few days before. And they actually said it right in front of Wally!
Then Caroline asks if her parents will give her flowers at the curtain call,& her dad asks why, are you dying? And she says actresses get flowers at curtain calls,& her mom said there's a lil something she should know. She wasn't the only actress, she wasn't the lead in the play, and it isn't Broadway. And because she's learning different roles she should learn to be humble. I didn't think that was rude at all to ask for flowers. Or to say she's an actress. Showing up for your daughters play with flowers would be a sweet thing to do.
What's rude is it's the day before your children's play and they appear to not even have planned on going,& she's asking them to come. They should be excited to go and support their daughter.
However I didn't likr her attitude after, saying she didn't like criticism, and would someday hear it from a director but didn't wanna hear it from her parents. Idl that she's seen as narcissistic.
Also saying she had the lead role of the girls.
"Why don't you accept the fact that you were lucky to get a part in a community play and that everyone's part is important, and stop looking for special favors?" This was so snide and overly aggressive to speak to a child. How is it asking for special favors by wanting your parents at your play & asking to be sent flowers?
She says she's the most precocious child in Buckman and ppl would live up for her autograph someday.That isn't likeable either.
It was cute when Caroline asks Wally if they'll be in plays when they're in HS, and asks if he'll send her flowers. He says he'll never be in another play and he'll never send her flowers.
It was sweet Josh said he'd rather say the lines to Beth than any other girl he could think of.
It was funny when Caroline said let her play the sick girl, cause she was sick. I hated that she got sick and couldn't be in the play, and her understudy got the part.
Wally realized he felt sorry for Caroline. I thought they might like each other.
It was quite the turnaround when Caroline's parents told her she need to be humble, and then after the play her mom said actresses have to use the things that happen to them, even the awful things. To hold onto anger, embarrassment, fear to draw on it when they need it. So all of a sudden you're calling her an actress?
It was funny when Caroline shows up at school Wally says welcome back from the crazy house, and she says she had the highest fever any girl ever had and survived from. There's some unexpected humor in places you don't see coming.
After the girls attacked them from their fort, the boys realize Peter has been telling them their plans. They look for him, find wet footprints to the phone and then to his room, and find him in his bed, and thinks Peter looks too innocent for words.
Both josh and Beth said their fort looked like a castle. It shows they're similar. & she didn't think Josh would enjoy tearing it down, and was right, because Josh tried to talk them out of it.
I didn't like their plan to reconstruct the boys fort on their front porch, because then the boys' parents would know. Also I doubt the snow would have stayed that intact to move it like that.
It was unbelievable how the Malloy parents let the girls stay out til 9, and didn't even go looking for them. They just left them outside skating on the pond. They could have fallen through!
This will be good for girls to read, about the part where Caroline is talking to Wally and saying that it's something the boys could never be, wonderful, glorious, intelligent, adventurous, magnificent girls.
Josh asked who's crying and when he found out it was Beth he took the phone.& asked if they wanted them to come over. It's so sweet how he's changed and seems to like Beth, too.
And Jake says well that was dumb, who would go driving out in a blizzard? haha!
If the lights, tv, and fridge went out how was the phone still working?
It was sweet when Josh said they won't leave until their dad finds the girls mom,& Beth looked over at him and said she was glad they were there& he said so am I.
When Caroline says the boys looked so fat I thought it was an odd thing to say. But of course they stole their cookies!! I couldn't believe it. I thought the pranks were over. Especially after they were so scared about their parents being in the blizzard.
There should have been more bonding between them during the storm. That could have been a real turnaround for them. They barely talked, and didn't do much, and then the girl's dad showed up.
I read the last line of the book and I was smiling, waiting to find what the girls had planned.& I look at the next page and it says About the Author. I couldn't believe that was the end of the book!
Their parents hadn't even made it home! I thought it could have at least wrapped up with that.
This was cute. I'm glad I read it, and I really appreciate humor in books. That always makes them fun to read. It was in Caroline's perspective too much, and wasn't ever in Eddie's, besides maybe the beginning. And then it stopped being in Beth's and Josh's too, and went totally to Caroline, Wally, and Peter. We didn't get to hear of Jake and Eddie. I wanted to hear more of those two. Because of it, I couldn't get a sense of who they were as much, and couldn't connect to them like the others.
I wish the parent's had been better, too. Nicer, more supportive, interested, and active in their children's lives. I did find the mom annoying in the beginning, asking for EVERY prank they pulled on the girls, wanting to know everything. I'm surprised she didn't tell her husband about it. And how when they made brownies she asked where are they, cause she'd like to have some. It seemed like a lead just for the boys to say that they ate them. I found the Hatford mom to be annoying.
This would be good for both boys and girls, because it covers both perspectives, and I think kids would relate to the pranks/mischievousness between siblings, and how you feel about the opposite gender at that age.
I liked the preview from the first book, where the boys are delivering a cake to the girls. It says the Hatfords and Malloys were on the bridge, and that's when it hit me: the Hatfields and McCoys! I think my sister brought it up to me, but I forgot, because I didn't realize the parallel until then!
The first preview was funny, & the camping preview sounds interesting.
Their real names were said in one: Wallace, Joshua, Joseph. I had no idea these were nicknames in this book, and not their real names. How did they get Jake from Joseph??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2021
i’m so upset💔
September 20, 2012
Thoroughly and completely enjoyed this series, which I read to my daughters through Nov & Dec at bedtime. Love, love, love Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for elementary aged readers. Love, love, love this series for the Brady-bunch era of hijinx between children... Love, love, love that neither the boys nor the girls are clear-case winners of the "war", though, my daughters do believe there was a winner. Whole-heartedly recommend as a family read and to all elementary-aged readers.
October 31, 2014
i loved it
January 29, 2016
As good as the others in this series. Well-written, fun book.
May 25, 2023
I read this aloud with my kids. We love this series. My kids are constantly giggling, and at the end of each chapter, they ask for me to read another. I also read this to my students when I was still teaching in the public schools. It was a favorite among theirs as well. I definitely recommend this entire series. It's a wonderful light and hilarious read that kids can easily relate to.
January 15, 2021
I've never understood the whole boys against girls thing
July 19, 2022
My 4th grader asked me to read this with him. It's a cute series about a family of brothers and the silly pranks they pull on a family of girls.
May 3, 2024
Fun read aloud
June 6, 2008
Best
May 31, 2022
Kids love these stories! Such fun characters.
Re-read and adored with the younger kids.
Re-read and adored with the younger kids.
April 25, 2014
Boys vs Girls or is it Boys & Girls?
Read
November 20, 2014WOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
December 22, 2022
3 stars
Peter is so cute. He's definitely the best definition of a traitor who will sell out his brothers for some nice home made cookies! Josh and Beth's budding romance is also adorable.
Peter is so cute. He's definitely the best definition of a traitor who will sell out his brothers for some nice home made cookies! Josh and Beth's budding romance is also adorable.
Want to read
March 10, 2010I guess am gonna read it since everyone gave it high ratings
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