The Cut-ups

The Cut-ups

by James Marshall

Practical jokers Spud and Joe get away with every trick in the book until the day they meet a little girl named Mary Frances Hooley.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1984

About the author

James Edward Marshall (October 10, 1942 – October 13, 1992), who also wrote as Edward Marshall, was a children's author and illustrator.

His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.

It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.

In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten about this book from my childhood. Good memories! The original Ferris Bueler.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading all of the Miss Nelson Collection, I checked out some more James Marshall books thinking my son might like them. The term 'cut up' isn't used much anymore (although I heard it in Georgia), so this one took some explaining. Definitely no where in the league of Miss Nelson.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Marshall is fun.

[Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-defined mischievious characters who love to get into trouble get swindled in this lighthearted story.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two boys who were friends were always finding ways to make mischief and trouble for their families and other people. One day they tried to impress a girl who was then able to trick them. Cute story.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meet Spud and Joe, the cut-ups. They're two mischevious boys and they have fun wherever they go. They meet a new friend named Mary Frances and she's so posh she's made her own sports car and even a rocket ship. When the boys test out the rocket ship they land in Lamar J. Spurgle's flower bed and he chases them down the block because he hates kids like the Grinch hates Christmas day. Luckily, they escape, but Mary Frances uses the time while they are gone to sneak into Spurgle's house and recover some of her lost property (Spurgle has made a habit of hoarding it to discourage kids from disturbing him).

Funny and realistic. The kid dialogue is spot on as is the characterization.

[Taleda Crafter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book teaches children that they should never do something now that they will have to pay for later.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a cute book. my kids enjoyed hearing this book. it was a quick read. I would recommend this book to others.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny crazy kids