How to Eat Fried Worms
88A Critique for Parents and Educators
More and more children's books for boys are popping up in the last couple of decades. While it used to be boys would rarely do much reading, overall, unless it contained graphics and superheros and sound bites, boys are fast to catch up with girls as far as reading level and reading in general thanks to a variety of books and series that hold topics and characters that inteest them.
Before all that, there were few, and one in particular that was sure to please many an elementary school boy. This particular book was usually a reading requirement, at the very least a recommendation. The children's book I am speaking of is Thomas Rockwell's How to Eat Fried Worms, and is still on elementary school reading lists today.
When I was in the third grade, we would all join together for group reading time. It was one of the last things we did in our day. All four groups and three of the teachers would gather together on the carpet, with Mrs. Yaeger at the head in a student chair.
Muffled movements of excitement and getting comfortable, and of Mrs. Yaeger clearing her throat were the only things that could be heard at those times. I rather believe you could also hear the anticipation in all the third graders' breathing as we looked around to make sure everyone was doing what they were suppose to be doing. No one wanted there to be any reasons for Mrs. Yaeger to decide reading time would be replaced with heads down time at our tables.
It was a late winter day, when we got to hear... How to Eat Fried Worms, by Thomas Rockwell.
The girls, of course all thought it was gross. Though I must say we were still intrigued. As for the boys, well, they were in seventh heaven, and it opened their minds up not only to the messages How to Eat Fried Worms brought into those winter afternoons, but also the possibility that reading isn't all that bad. They could relate, really relate to the characters, and the daft situation, which they thought heroic. How to Eat Fried Worms speaks of a sense of integrity, keeping ones word, trust, sticking through to the end, friendship, and creatively rethinking tasks at hand so that perseverance was something attainable.
One of the greatest things about this book is that it is quite to the point. Not too much, not too little, keeps the pages turning, makes you wonder in the mean time. And for the child that wants to feel accomplishment in those early elementary grades, the chapters in How to Eat Fried Worms are short, some of them not even a full page. This is one of the reasons that it is clear that one of the main elements of this book is to guide the new chapter book reader.
Another is that its chapter numbers (in roman numerals) and chapter titles are in bold, bubble-like font. There are 42 chapters, (including the Epilogue), with interesting titles, such as "Red crash helmets and white jump suits", "Admirals Nagumo and Kusaka on the Bridge of the Akaiga, December 6, 1941",and "$%#!blip*+&!". The pages are durable and manila paper-ish. The font is mostlyregular typeface, with all caps when something said is stressed, letters as though from a typewriter, and some is even hand written.
There is definite action not just in the story, but in how the story is presented on each page, from the chapter titles, to the changes in font sizes and types, to the black rubber stamp images either fitted into the paragraphs or on a page of their own.
The fact that all the elements of How to Eat Fried Worms guide the reader along from beginning to end makes this an especially great book for independent study.
The premice? A dare to eat 15 worms in 15 days for 50 dollars. The crème de la crème are the wonderful recipes, for those bold enough try, found at the Epilogue.
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How to Eat Fried Worms
by Thomas Rockwell
paperback
Price: $2.38
List Price: $5.99 |
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How to Eat Fried Worms (New Line Platinum Series)
DVD
Price: $2.95
List Price: $12.98 |
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How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell: A Novel Teaching Pack
by Margaret Whisnant. only one more available. classroom ready. also suitable for independent study and homeschool. includes pre-reading activities
Price: $29.95
List Price: $30.00 |
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How to Eat Fried Worms Teaching Unit CD
by the teaching bank
Price: $8.99
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A Guide for Using How To Eat Fried Worms in the Classroom
by Jane Denton. A Teacher Created Resources book.
Price: $4.37
List Price: $8.99 |
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- edHelper teacher resources and lesson plans
I've used edHelper many times for wonderful and easy to print out activities. Friendly downloads. Printable pages. Excellent resource! Just type in How to Eat Fried Worms in the search box middle for classroom use printouts, some are chapter specific
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Comments
I read this book as a young boy and found it hard to swallow hehe...the book I really loved and identified with was Tales of a Fourth Grade nothing and it's sequel Superfudge...much better books over all
Okay, you're kidding. I can't believe it. That so sucks FP. You probably would get a kick out of it. I just read it again a couple of weeks ago. Still thought it was great. Well, now you know, if you should ever come across it, remember me and pick it up.
Hey David, thanks for the read. How to Eat Fried Worms is for younger kids. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing etc. are for kids a bit older. This is more in line with Judy's Freckle Juice (another excellent book for the early chapter reader).
I remember this book but, not entirely, Frieda...I think I was in third grade too when I read it! It's got something to do with a bet by a couple of boys (boys and men in general for some reason or another LOVE betting for some damn reason).
And OMG, the placing of our heads as a punishment would've been forgotten by me had it not been for you! It's all coming back to me now! I also remember the Judy Blume books too. Thank you for writing this and sharing it with us!
I wonder if they do that anymore. My children never complain of it, so I'm guessing not. Egads, harsh times we had, lol. Thanks for the great comment dohn. =D
This hub must be switching from Frogdropping's to Frieda Babbley's! LOL!! My favorite books from about 4-6th grade were the Children of Green Knowe.. I think the author was Boston. I reread the first one a couple of years ago.. still a good read and the parts that scared me as a kid, still had me in suspense (tho I knew everything would turn out ok) Good hub FD or Frieda!
I remember the title, but can't really remember the plot. I figure it would go something like: open your mouth, put the worm in, close your mouth, chew, swallow... Kid's books are awesome!
My next children's book will be called ~How To Belch The Letter "O"~ =)
I have never come across this book but whoever placed it on the school reading list was inspired, how could any child resist having a look to see what it was about????
I read that book in the fifth grade out loud in my class. I was the only girl who got a kick out of it. When I was really little, I tried frying gummy worms and eating them...it was just disgusting
Hi Candie. I have to say I've not read the Children of Green Knowe. Sounds wonderful though. Oh, almost forgot... FD?
Marco, I was so excited about the book I never wrote anything about the plot! I'll have to make those changes asap.
Thanks... what would I do without you? And I think that's an awesome title. Bestseller I'm thinking. You're going to have to mail me a copy. ;)
Hey there Brian, great thinking indeed.
Hi there icelandgirl. Welcome to HubPages! Thanks for the read and the comment. I think it's awesome that you got a kick out of it. (Me too!) Yeah, I'm thinking fried gummy worms would have to be way gross, lol.
Wonderful meaty review of what sounds like a great kids book-- makes me sorry I missed it as a child and as a mother too when my kids were young. Can't imagine trying the recipes though-- a big ewwwwwww to that-- although what a great way to get kids interested in reading and cooking LOL
Freida - I was worried for a moment. I thought you'd gone mad and you'd published a worm recipe. I was going to stop by paper and stare at him. It'd be his fault of course. I love kids books, have a collection in the UK somewhere. I even tracked down a fantastic book I read as a child - I wanted the first edition and actually found it in the US a few years ago. Cost me a few quid but I can't tell you the pleasure it gave me when it arrived and I finally owned a copy.
If I get to read How To Eat Fried Worms - I won't be treating myself to a panful any time soon. Great stuff Frieda, as always :)
FD
Thanks robie2. lol, meaty, that's a good one. I couldn't imagine eating those either. Ewwwwww is right! But wonderfully curious, isn't it.
Froggie, greetings. Yes, you can rest assured any crazy from me would definitely stem from paper, lol. I am a lover of first editions myself, and a particular edition of a certain book I would definitely be glad to spend my money on. Ah, yes, the cozy satisfaction. Your smile must have been enormous!
Your title intrigued me for starters. Thought that it might have been a hub of how to add protein to your diet at a cheap price. Your fried bug recipes hub would follow... LOL
Had never heard of the book and obviously missed reading it as a child. I just have to ask...did you or anyone you know actually try any of the recipes? (Smile)
Yes, I read this book at school too, (aged about 10), fabulously gross book, but very funny and addictive reading. A great children's book. Thanks for the blast from the past :)
A very ostute way of looking at a topic and explaining it. I enjoyed that read!
Colin T Mercer.
I must fried worm with oil ,next mixed with salt or sauce.
Or can fried it without oil.
Never read the book but somehow I think it would be a great read to share with my grandsons. We did however have a student that actually ate a live night crawler. he di it on a dare and I guess the poor worm though not fried passed through the annals of history.
Robert Ballard
Sorry on the FD comment.. having an out-of-hub experience! OOPS! My bad! You must read, at least, the first Greene Knowe book. It's my fave by far. The invisible children and the ebony mouse that leaves crumbs under Tolly's pillow and the magical garden... oooh! Good stuff!
Brings back many memories of childhood, heh we ate worms, kid thing you know, preparing us for later years in life or so we thought. In case anyone wonders they tasted horrid, but you brought a smile to my face...great Hub
Blessings
This book was read to us when I was in 6th grade, and once it was finished, I checked it out to read on my own. I've never been inspired to actually try any of the dishes described therein, but I do remember it being a great read.
Hey there everyone. Thanks so much for the wonderful comments and memories.
Peggy, I hope you were pleasantly surprised, lol. Jerilee Wei made a great hub about worms. It is fantastic and you should deinitely check it out: http://hubpages.com/hub/Many-Times-On-Trial-But-Ne She's got a few others, you can go to her profile and type in worms in the search box in her sidebar there on the right.
To everyone: Though there was talk about trying out some worms and recipes, I question whether anyone did or not. As for me.... NO WAY! Egads. So major kudos to the main character in this book, and I'll say no more, just let you read! =D
I loved this book and read it to my son too. Plus, the movie was cute, but the book was great!
Hi Ladybird. I have yet to see the movie. I can't believe I haven't. Now that yo say you enjoyed it, I think I may try to get it over the weekend and watch it with the kids. Perhaps some popcorn and gummy worms will be in order.
Frieda--wanted to comment sooner but was in class when I read this one. Another classic hub from you on a most critical piece of literature for children. I remember reading this, and I do believe that there was a cartoon at one time about this book. I only remember it being very gross, and how just about anything can taste good with chocolate or ketchup!
Wonderful review of this book I will read this when I get time
Hi Aidy. Was there really a cartoon of this? I would have loved to see it. Very cool.
Awesome Lgali. It's a fun quick read. You'll get a good laugh.
Wow, Frieda! I wasn't prepared for the blast of nostalgia I experienced when I read what you wrote about the group reading time. That brought back a lot of memories of my early school years. Thanks! :) (Now I'm going to go reflect on where all the years have gone)
I hadn't thought of that memory in a long time myself. All sorts of things started flooding back. I hope those memories were good, or at least laughable in a nostalgic way. Where have all the years gone, indeed. Seems like yesterday and so so long ago at the same time. Hope your reflections leave a smile on your face. Glad you came over for a read. Thanks much Lowell's Notes.
I don't know this book, but I find your insight into it helpful, informative, and intelligent! Very nice!
Thanks Christoph. I think you'd really get a kick out of this book even now. If you find it, I'd give it a read.
My son is reading this book right now. He is an avid reader (just like his parents) I too read this book in grade school. We have pet worms that my son brought home the other day (gross but interesting). Glad I stumbled on this...now I am a fan, Thanks
Thanks for coming by for the read. What a great project to have along with the reading of the book, was that part of the theme? I'm smacking my forhead now because I didn't think of that one. Excellent project. Yucky, but a great idea. At my kids' schools they have gardens, it could easily be incorporated. Not so sure how I'd feel about pet worms though. I suppose I wouldn't mind if they were "outdoor" pets =D. Thanks for the read and the info, Tammy. Wonderful to meet you.
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Feline Prophet says:
2 months ago
Too bad 'How to Eat Fried Worms' never reached us in India - sounds like a fun book! :)