Super Burp!

George Brown, Class Clown #1

by Nancy E. Krulik, Aaron Blecha (Illustrator)

The first day at a new school is always the hardest, right? No, not always as George finds out the hard way. On the second day at…Sugarman Elementary School, he is suddenly seized by uncontrollable burps, burps so loud they practically break the sound barrier, burps that make him do wild and crazy stuff and land him in trouble with a capital T. One thing is for these are not normal burps, they are magic burps—and they must be stopped! But how?

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

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2010

About the author

Nancy Krulik is the author of more than 100 books for children and young adults, including three New York Times bestsellers. She is best known, however, for being the author and creator of the Katie Kazoo Switcheroo book series, which has brought her to the attention of second, third, and fourth graders nationwide.

Nancy has also written extensively for teens and is well known as a biographer of Hollywood's hottest young stars. Her knowledge of the details of celebrities lives has made her a desired guest on several entertainment shows on the E! network as well as on Extra and Access Hollywood. She can be seen there talking about the secret lives of such celebs as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, and Frankie Muniz. Nancy has also been a guest on radio broadcasts nationwide discussing the superstars she has researched over the years.

As the author of several teen and preteen advice books, including Grosset and Dunlap's Prom!: The Complete Guide to a Truly Spectacular Night, Nancy has been interviewed by several prominent magazines including Cosmo Girl, Teen, Teen People, Seventeen, and Teen Celebrity. She has also been the celebrity guest for three Teen People chat presentations. Nancy has recently begun to delve into the teen novel market, writing four romances for young adults, all of which will be published between 2004 and 2005.

Nancy currently lives in Manhattan with her husband, composer Daniel Burwasser, their two children, Amanda and Ian, and a crazed cockerspaniel named Pepper .

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, George is moving to another town and a new school, again. At his last school, his friends knew him as the fun and crazy class clown. However, this time George wants to be a model student - a “normal” student. But of course, this doesn’t happen. After seeing a shooting star, he wishes to be funny, but not get into trouble. Soon after, that’s when the “Super” burp “ping pongs” from his stomach all the way up out of his mouth for all the world to hear. BURP! The mysterious burps cause George to do the silliest and craziest things. And of course he always gets into trouble. Will George ever be able to control his burps and himself from destroying his new school?

One of the scenes I enjoyed reading was when George had to present a topic to his classmates. He chose to perform magic with eggs. He was going to make them stand up all by themselves. After practicing the trick at home, he was ready to dazzle his new classmates. Amazingly, the trick was performed to plan and everyone was impressed. That’s when it happened - the Super Burp! George couldn’t control himself. He picked up his eggs, which of course were not hard boiled, and started juggling them high into the air! Unfortunately, George didn’t have the slightest talent for juggling. All of the eggs landed on his head or on the classroom floor, cracking open oozing raw egg everywhere. Then George jumped on the cracked eggs and slid back and forth acting like a possessed maniac. The classmates went wild and cheered him on, but of course his teacher was not at all impressed.

1st through 3rd graders will really enjoy reading this book. George Brown is definitely a fun character to root for, and one never knows what kind of trouble he will get into. His silly antics may be too silly and over the top for older students, but some may even like all the burping and flying snot details. This is definitely worth reading.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades 1-3. RL 550. George Brown moves to a new school and he is determined NOT to be a goofball and get in trouble with his teachers. Then he wishes on a shooting star "I wish I could make kids laugh, but not get in trouble." But only the 1st half comes true. Now he gets magical burps that well up inside of him and make him do crazy things. Kids are laughing... but he's getting into big trouble. My 1st grader cannot get enough of this! (as an aside-- George used to go to school with Katie Kazoo, another series by Krulik).

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Kind of gross. Difficult to read aloud (not particularly poetic). L (9) was spot on identifying that George’s burp comes when he feels pressure

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Brown was the class clown at his old school, but after his family moves once again he vows to be a perfectly behaved student at his new school. However, George trips when dancing and sneezes his lunch everywhere. Later, when eating out with his parents, George wishes on a shooting star to make kids laugh, but not get into trouble. Somehow the first part of the wish comes true, but not the second. George occasionally burps and then does crazy things (like skateboarding through school.) Grayscale drawings fill nearly every page. Fans of Captain Underpants should like this series.

[Alyssa]

George Brown was the class clown at his old school but he decides he should change when he attends his new school. As George tries to change something takes over and George can't stop his antics. Follow George as he tries to make friends and stop being the class clown.

This book is great for young readers, especially boys who can relate to the character. Should keep readers entertained and laughing beginning to end.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think 8-10 year old boys will like this book. George was known as the class clown at his last school, but wants to change things when his dad moves the family to a new army base. George really tries to behave, but when a super burp erupts from him without warning, his behavior seems to spiral out of control. He finds himself in the principal's office as usual. Will George be able to turn over a new leaf, or will he become the class clown once more? Read Super Burp to find out!

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the author of Katie Kazoo comes George Brown. The class clown plans to turn over a new leaf at his new school, but super burps are taking over and he can't control himself. Sure to hit the funny bone of 6 and 7 year old beginning readers or mIddle grade reluctant readers. Another choice for the Captain Underpants crowd.

[Ian Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and funny book! I really enjoyed this tale of being the new kid in town and trying to fit in. George Brown does his best not to be the class clown at his new school, but a wish upon a shooting star leads to George obtaining a super burp that causes all sorts of uncontrollable trouble for the fourth-grader.

George is hilarious and relatable, and he feels like a regular kid just trying to fit into a new environment. I had to laugh as his new teacher instructed his class on how to square dance since that happened to me in fourth grade, too!

The illustrations by Aaron Blecha are fantastic and really elevate an already enjoyable story.

There’s plenty to like about George Brown, Class Clown, in his first adventure, Super Burp! I also liked that there was no clear-cut resolution to George’s problems. He thinks he has this burping under control, but his plan doesn’t work and only leads to more chaos. It made the conclusion feel more realistic by not tying things up in a neat bow.

There are 14 books in the series, including several bonus books, so if you’ve got a kid who's a reluctant reader, I highly recommend trying out the George Brown, Class Clown series by Nancy Krulik.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

George's dad is in the military and his family has moved yet again. George has his first day of school and he has to make new friends. The other kids at school are not too quick to warm up to him, and George misses his old friends. However, at this new school, George has vowed to become a "new" George. No more getting into as much trouble as he used, now George wants to be more mature. As a shooting star falls, George makes a wish to be able to make the kids laugh without getting into trouble. But something goes terribly wrong, as all of a sudden he gets these super burps and his body starts doing silly things. His wish came true as he makes others laugh, but he still gets in trouble! What is going on? Why does he have these magic burps?

This was an interesting read. It's silly and gross with boogers to boot. George doesn't have control over his burps or his body when the burps take over, causing him to do all sorts of stuff he doesn't want to do. All this ends in big messes and chaos to be cleaned up.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another read aloud with two of my kids. The story made them laugh and burp. It was fun. They were both disappointed at a lack of resolution by the end, but they were eager to jump into the next book. They would cover their faces when something bad was about to happen. A humorous book at a grade 4 level with a male protagonist. I’m planning to do a quick read aloud at school to see if the series is a win for some of my reluctant readers. Supported with enough graphics to help comprehension. 19 books in the George Brown series.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a book for me, but... I just didn't really get what it was trying to convey. Overly relied on burps as punchlines, really random use of bold font, and I'm not really sure what we were supposed to have as the takeaway at the end. George breaks rules and makes things hard for others, but... kids laugh? And... he's going to have to figure out how to live with the burp? For a whole series? Seems like the sort of thing that should be resolved in book 1, but I'm no author.

[Amanda Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flat characters, cringeworthy relationships between characters. The super burp takes over George's body and makes him do crazy stunts not unlike a kid's movie with the inevitable food fight. Humorous and mildly diverting, but an unsatisfying ending.

[Nathaniel Dykstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like how it sounds like the thoughts of a child written down on paper. The use of words such as "way-cool" sell the idea. It also shows how moving to a new school can feel. Even though it sets up a second book, the ending is very satisfying. I will definitely read the next book.

[Debra Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my 6yo son, he found it to be highly amusing and was always eager to find out what George would do next.

[Carl Tolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason I rate this book five stars is because it was a great book. If you like George Brown class clown you will like this one. My favorite part was when he let out the super burp at the end.

[Simone · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to find early chapter books for my class but will not be recommending this. He is disrespectful and the burp idea is just plain stupid. This is a potty book and I couldn’t finish it.

[Abdulrahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice and a bit of sad book

[Marley galaApple · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a gross book series but I managed to pass it off as a realistic fiction series for my book report

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book!

[Lahars_little_library · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a weird ending make sure you have the second one on hand.

[Robin]

Kids will giggle at George's goofball antics, but the text is not memorable.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read for kids - especially boys. New name - George Brown. New kid. Dad in the Army. Moving a lot.

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn’t like this but I know a whole bunch of kids who will!

[Gerald McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was Weird

[Jen Schaap · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up the first few books of this series at our library’s book sale, and our 3rd grader and I have been reading them together at bedtime. We both laugh out loud often!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's fun and silly. really liked the jokes and pictures

[Isaac Grotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the super burp.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much use of the word dumb and stupid when referring to other people.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

03/16: The boys enjoyed this little series back in the day. I'm deleting all but Book 1 to save time transferring reviews from Shelfari to Goodreads.

04/12: David is going through books so quickly these days. I found this series through the "Books for Boys" website. Easy reads. David read this first one one night, and JB read it last night, after finishing "Inkheart" and waiting to get "Inkspell."

Amazon Book Description:
The first day at a new school is always the hardest, right? No, not always as George finds out the hard way. On the second day at…Sugarman Elementary School, he is suddenly seized by uncontrollable burps, burps so loud they practically break the sound barrier, burps that make him do wild and crazy stuff and land him in trouble with a capital T. One thing is for sure: these are not normal burps, they are magic burps—and they must be stopped! But how?

[Devon O · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I read was George Brown Class Clown by Nancy E. Krulik. George’s dad is in the military so George and his family are always moving to new places. Every school that George goes to he is always the class clown. George and his family are moving again and he wants to start out fresh. He does not want to be the class clown again. He wants to be the kid that always knows the answers and always raises his hand. He does not want to tell anymore jokes and he does not want to make anyone laugh. If you want to know how this works out for George you should read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read an easy book but with a great story.