by
4.05 of 5 stars
It's the summer holidays--time for camping, fishing or just lazing, until girls move in next door. That means war, but the girls know how to fight ... read full description

reviews

May 12, 2011
Zack K. rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I really liked the book. It was funny it had rivalry and the setting was perfect for the idea of the book. The part i like most was when the boys' dad caught caroline taking his boxer briefs. It was hilarious! the book was about when the boys' friends move out and girls move in. When the boys find out they try to chase them off to get their friends to come back.The parents of the two rival families think each of the other families kids are nice and try to get them to be friends. The boys' mom m More...
Jan 15, 2010
Jackie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
The Harford boys, Jack, Josh, Peter, and Wally are sad when the Benton family (and their best friends) move to Georgia. They're hopeful that more kids will move into their house...and their wish is granted when the Malloy family with three kids all about their ages move in! Just one problem...they are all girls! Well, when the boys plan a 'welcome to the neighborhood' prank on the girls, they don't know what they are in for, or what they've started. All summer long and well into the start of sch More...
Aug 29, 2011
Suebee rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A fun introduction to a series. One of my 3rd grade classes liked this last year.


Written in 1993, the four Hatford brothers are upset that their best friends, the five Benson boys, moved away from their home across the creek in their small WV town. Three Malloy girls with their family move in, and a war begins when the boys dump stinky dead fish, etc. in the creek by their house, and the girls see it and get even, pretending to mourn and dump their "dead" sister Caro More...
Apr 23, 2011
Nicole rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book was a mother-daughter bonding experience. My 8 year-old daughter recommended it to me, and we've had a great time talking about the characters and the things they did to get the others to leave. Lots of opportunities to talk about "what could they have done" or "what was a consequence of that decision".

With the story's feuding main characters, the Hatfords and Malloys, who lived on opposite sides of a small river, the author was clearly alluding to the More...
Sep 12, 2009
Katie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The four Hartford brothers thought that having some new boys move into the neighbor's house might make them feel a little better about the fact that their best friends had recently moved away. When the new family shows up, however, it is discovered that the Malloys have three GIRLS. Within less than a week the Malloys and the Hartfords have declared war. What follows is an unceasing series of sinking cakes, floating heads, stolen underwear, and elaborate hoaxes. This riotous book begins an e More...
Apr 08, 2010
Miss rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book was added by Ummey.
This book is a really good book. Escpecialy for boys who are always planing to trick each other. All the book is about is about the boys of the family of the Hartfords live in West Virgina. Their best friends\neighbors have moved away to Gorgia and instead of boys moving in there three girls move in . Read about all the bad tricks each other play on each other.
Apr 03, 2011
Heather rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Set in W.Va. and includes an allusion to the Hatfields and McCoys feud, with the kids in the story being named the Hatfords and Malloys. The boys are the Hatfords and they hope that a family of boys their age is moving next door, but what they get are the Malloy girls. I borrowed this from one of my students. I'm only on Chapter 4. I'll keep you posted.
May 03, 2011
Megan rated it: 2 of 5 stars
The Hatford brothers are devestated when the family who moves in next door (the Malloys) have girls instead of boys. Determined to get the girls to move away, the brothers begin a series of pranks that are quickly reciprocated by the Malloy sisters. A reference to the Hatfield/McCoy feud that young readers probably won't get.
Oct 07, 2010
Rebecca rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The Boys Start the War is the first of many books in this series, which is about the Hatford boys and the Malloy girls, who do everything from faking a death to stealing Mr. Hatford's underwear to make each other miserable. I really liked it because it is funny, and it is easy enough for a 2nd or 3rd grader to read. Great book!
Apr 12, 2011
Amy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I read dthis book a few years ago and loved it so much that I went out and bought the rest of the series. Saddly I have not yet been able to read all of the books yet but I plan to reread/read all of them starting with this book. I think this is a great book for someone looking for a funny, easy read.
Feb 04, 2012
Vicky rated it: 2 of 5 stars
It was enjoyable to read the silly antics these kids got into. I just had to root for the girls, too, because it was so much fun watching their elaborate scheme of pretending to burying their "dead" sister at sea. Great book for kids or for adults who are easily amused. LOL.
Jun 19, 2011
Brianon rated it: 3 of 5 stars
cute, funny. my boys really liked this, but i can see how girls would too. every other chapter is written from either the girls' or boys' perspective. might be a good read-aloud.
Jun 15, 2010
Meredith rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Man, I love these books. They're hilarious and clever, and a nice quick read for when I'm feeling nostalgic. I still totally root for the girls to win the war. A great start to the series.
Mar 14, 2009
Camille rated it: 5 of 5 stars
DUDE!! I GREW UP WITH THE HATFORDS AND MALLOYS!! I'm just reviewing this book, but consider the whole series (yes, all twelve books) 5-starred. ROCK ON!!
May 25, 2011
Erin rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book and i would give it more stars if i could. I read the whole series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sep 07, 2010
Cheressa added it
Another great childhood favorite! Fun story and always great for a quick summer read. =)
Feb 12, 2011
Jocelyn rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I liked it its funny! it takes a little to get in to it, but i liked it!
Jul 25, 2011
Lizzy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
really fun series for kids. I've started re-reading it recently.
Jan 04, 2011
Cindy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A fun read aloud for my 3rd grade classes.
Dec 04, 2010
Bernini and Juliet rated it: 4 of 5 stars
It was one of my favorite books as a kid.
Jul 24, 2010
Amethyst rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Girl Power Baby!!!! =P
Nov 06, 2009
Kristin rated it: 1 of 5 stars
This book was AWFUL!
Jul 13, 2011
Melissa rated it: 3 of 5 stars
funny
Oct 17, 2010
Ciera added it
Lame
17 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 22, 2010
Meagan rated it: 3 of 5 stars
ok book
Sep 13, 2009
Kyana added it
love it
Dec 11, 2011
Tina rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Fun story. Enjoyed the fact in was set in WV.
Oct 07, 2010
Jeremiah rated it: 5 of 5 stars
great
Aug 24, 2008
Caroline rated it: 3 of 5 stars
The Hatford brothers' friends moved away, and now a new family is moving in. It's three girls, and they all have nicknames. Eddie is "The Whomper" because she can whomp a baseball really hard and really far, which is one of the twins' true title (I forget which). Beth is "The Weirdo" because she reads mystery books 24/7, even when she's brushing her teeth. And Caroline is "The Crazy" because she's always ready to involve everyone in her dramatic scemes.
Jun 13, 2011
(*Kenna Bear*) rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book was great and funny but it was alittle mean.