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72nd out of 95 books
—
11 voters
The Boys Start the War (Boy/Girl Battle, #1)
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 back. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is the winner of the Newbery Medal.
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
January 8th 2002
by Yearling
(first published March 1st 1993)
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recommended for E410
Maybe I have a juvenile sense of humor, but I found this book really funny. As the title indicates, it's basically about boys vs girls. It doesn't get much deeper than that, but the antics between the Malloy girls and the Hartford boys are a hoot. I know that's such an old-lady way of saying things, but I can't think of a more apt expression.
To quote a letter written by one of the Hartford boys:
"So far here is what these girls have done:
1. Outpitched the boys at recess (ev...more
Maybe I have a juvenile sense of humor, but I found this book really funny. As the title indicates, it's basically about boys vs girls. It doesn't get much deeper than that, but the antics between the Malloy girls and the Hartford boys are a hoot. I know that's such an old-lady way of saying things, but I can't think of a more apt expression.
To quote a letter written by one of the Hartford boys:
"So far here is what these girls have done:
1. Outpitched the boys at recess (ev...more
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 ma...more
Apr 08, 2012
Taylor Moore
added it
I really enjoyed this book! I originally read this series in the 4th grade and still enjoyed it more than ten years later. Naylor's series are all so very different, so it was fun to try to make connections between this series and the Shiloh trilogy and Alice series. This book, which focuses on a neighbor, boy vs. girl rivalry in which sibling alliances take turns playing pranks one another, is not only extremely funny and entertaining, but it has undertones of consequentialism. This book, like...more
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
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 Caroline into the creek, all fo...more
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 Caroline into the creek, all fo...more
Hilarious. Funny for children of all elementary school ages. Even my teen was laughing as she over heard me reading. Short chapters with something funny in each one. Perfect for a little evening reading with young children. As a parent, I love that these children spend their free time climbing trees, staging theatrics, playing outdoor games, and studying bugs. It's true that things do get a little heated between the boys and the girls at times, but ultimately, each side loves the excitement of t...more
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 famous feud between the Hatfield...more
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 famous feud between the Hatfield...more
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 excel...more
Jake, Josh, Wally and Peter Hartford are horrified when their best friends, the Bensons move away. The Benson’s house is up for rent and the Hartford boys are worried that someone without any children is going move into it. That means that they won’t have enough people for a baseball team, no one to go trick-or-treating with and no one to play with. But they never realized that wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. When three girls move in next door the Hartfords realize that they need to ge...more
i kinda liked the book. i liked the last part where Caroline pretends to be ill and then Jake calls Beth and begs her to come and take Caroline!and then when their mum and dad came and made them peel the apples!
i read this in an hour and a half i think mostly because it was kinda childish and didn't have that many pages and another reason was that i wanted to see what they were gonna do to each other!I might start reading the next book tonight!
i read this in an hour and a half i think mostly because it was kinda childish and didn't have that many pages and another reason was that i wanted to see what they were gonna do to each other!I might start reading the next book tonight!
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.
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.
Oct 09, 2012
Erick
added it
I think that when the Hatford brothers were expecting three boys to move into the house across the river where their best friends, the Bensons, used to live, the Malloy girl arrive instead. Wally and his brothers decide to make Caroline and her sisterso miserable that they'll want to go back to ohio, but they haven't counted on the ingenuity of the girls
The Harfield brothers are sad when their neighbors and best friends (boys) move away and are replaced by a houseful of girl - three to be exact. The Harfields decide to play a prank on the girls, starting the war. While it was cute, I don't have any intention of continuing the series. Really how can this plotline of pranks and revenge remain fresh?
Upper elementary.
Upper elementary.
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
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
3rd-4th grade
Recommended to Megan by:
"Realistic Fiction" Library Sparks 2/11
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
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Grades 2+
Shelves:
library-book
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!
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.
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.
In read this book a while ago and I LOVED it. A friend told me to read it and I did! I'm happy I listened. This is a series actually so if you like it you can read the whole series.
My teacher read this to me in 5th or 6th grade and it's always been a favorite! Such a fun kids book with exciting things happening all the time! Can't wait to read it to my kids!!!!
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.
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.
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!!
Cute and funny story about a family of four boys who get new neighbors: three girls! Hijinks ensue. My library book club will be reading this one this summer.
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. =)
I liked it its funny! it takes a little to get in to it, but i liked it!
really fun series for kids. I've started re-reading it recently.
This was really funny and cute.Girls rock! Girls rule!
Aug 05, 2012
Maddy
added it
I loved these books when I was younger!!!:)
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Phyllis 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 boo...more
More about Phyllis Reynolds Naylor...
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 boo...more
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Apr 02, 2011 11:16am