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64th out of 211 books
—
37 voters
Niagara Falls, Or Does It? (Hank Zipzer #1)
For Hank, fourth grade does not start out on the right foot. First of all, he gets called to the principal's office on the very first day of school. Then the first assignment his teacher gives him is to write five paragraphs on "What You Did This Summer." Hank is terrified-writing one good sentence is hard for him, so how in the world is he going to write five whole paragr...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
May 12th 2003
by Grosset & Dunlap
(first published 2003)
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This book should be required reading for all teachers,students, and most parents (those who shouldn't read are those whose kids have no struggles in school and get all "A's" on second thought perhaps they need to read it too...to have an understanding of what others go through) This book probably would be considered to be a young adult (or younger) book, however, the story is for everyone. Hank is a smart kid and the book says he is creative and funny. He wants to do well, but has challenges. Ma...more
This book tells the tale of Hank Zipzer, who feels like the world's greatest underachiever. It's Hank's first day of year four and the teacher sets the task of writing a five paragraph essay chronicling what they did over the Summer holiday. Hank struggles with dyslexia so decides to build his project (a replica of Niagara Falls) instead and bring it into the classroom, which results in a classroom flood and two weeks detention. It seems that Hank's creative ideas keep getting him into trouble a...more
As an adult, I found the "funny" scenes a bit contrived, but my son liked them very much. Adults are given a good degree of complexity, and fathers and mothers are both involved in their children's lives. It is very refreshing to see fathers dropping off or picking up their kids from school while mothers work. There is also some mild stereotyping in the character of the grade 4 teacher, but the overall message was so good that it is hard to find fault. (This image of the teacher might change as...more
Henry Winkler (The Fonz) has written a wonderful series of books about a boy named Hank Zipzer (The World's Greatest Underachiever). These stories are based on some of his experiences as a youth with dyslexia. This is book 1 in the series. Hank really wants to do well in school and in life, but his best intentions have a funny way of falling apart. My dyslexic son loves them -- not just because they are funny and engaging, but because Winkler does such a great job describing the feelings and exp...more
This is a book with several plots: will Hank, starting fourth grade with his friends Ashley and Frankie, be able to dazzle Ms. Adolf with his project on "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" so she forgets that it is not a 5 paragraph essay? Will Frankie, Ashley and Hank be able to pull a small furry creature out of a hat at their premiere magic show at the Rock 'N Bowl? Will we find out why, despite his amazing creativity and memory for facts, Hank doesn't do well in school, and is often late and...more
Age of readership: Ages 8-10
Genre: Series Book
Diversity: Everyone learns differently
Illustrations: None
My response to the book: This is the first book in a series and is written from the perspective of a 4th grade boy growing up in NYC who has difficulty with homework assignments and school work in general. He states repeatedly that he thinks he is stupid, but as the story unfolds you see his family and friends in the neighborhood he lives in as a very supportive network and one teacher brings u...more
Genre: Series Book
Diversity: Everyone learns differently
Illustrations: None
My response to the book: This is the first book in a series and is written from the perspective of a 4th grade boy growing up in NYC who has difficulty with homework assignments and school work in general. He states repeatedly that he thinks he is stupid, but as the story unfolds you see his family and friends in the neighborhood he lives in as a very supportive network and one teacher brings u...more
Jan 08, 2012
Annette
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Annette by:
Ellen Sauer
Shelves:
juvenile-fiction
I really enjoyed this book mostly I think because I can really relate to Hank. Hank has a learning difference and really struggles in school. The story is told with Henry Winkler's good humor which keeps kids laughing and reading. Both of my girls really enjoyed listening to this book (incidentally Henry Winkler does the narrating of this book in the audio version as well).
This book was recommended to me by a third grade teacher when I told her that I have a son with a learning difference, unfor...more
This book was recommended to me by a third grade teacher when I told her that I have a son with a learning difference, unfor...more
People read this book. Read this series. Henry Winkler hit genius with this one. I wish this was around when I was a kid. It is well written. It is funny. It is entertaining. It's perfect for boys and Tom boys.
I kind of know where this series is going because I've listen to the next three books. If you haven't had time to read them, get them as audios and start working out. Caution there will be laughing.
Hank Zipzer has quickly become my palate cleanser. In a year filled with heavy depressing...more
I kind of know where this series is going because I've listen to the next three books. If you haven't had time to read them, get them as audios and start working out. Caution there will be laughing.
Hank Zipzer has quickly become my palate cleanser. In a year filled with heavy depressing...more
Aimed at 9-10 year old boys, the Hank Zipzer series features a well-meaning fourth-grader who is funny and creative, but struggles with his school work. The fast-paced books are written from Hank's perspective and, to adult readers anyway, it becomes clear early on that Hank has ADD. From the way his mind races and his legs seem to be in constant motion to the fact that he can't put his thoughts down on paper, it's clear that Hank's brain just works differently. I think this series would be a ni...more
This was the first book in Battle of the Books that I've finished so far. Winkler does a terrific job of getting into the head of a boy with learning challenges. Hank Zipzer has a hell of a time in school, mostly because his head isn't suited for learning in the traditional, acceptable way. His way of dealing with the struggle to write a 5 paragraph essay on his summer vacation inspires the book's title (without giving a whole lot away).
This is the first book in what appears to be a pretty big...more
This is the first book in what appears to be a pretty big...more
2.5 stars. Recommend for a child with ADD or ADHD or a classmate or a sibling. I am just not into elementary boy humor. This wasn't bad, but it's just not good. I think I will try listening, if I decide to try another book in the series.
Likes:
* I hope that if Hank does have a learning challenge like ADHD, they can help him preferably without medication
* Hank's friends, Frankie & Ashley, were supportive, loyal and endearing, great friends
* Mr. Rock, the music teacher, was phenomenal
* Papa Pet...more
Likes:
* I hope that if Hank does have a learning challenge like ADHD, they can help him preferably without medication
* Hank's friends, Frankie & Ashley, were supportive, loyal and endearing, great friends
* Mr. Rock, the music teacher, was phenomenal
* Papa Pet...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I gave this book the ranking of "It was amazing," not because it was the greatest piece of literature I have ever read, but because of what it does for students with learning disabilities. Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver have helped to put words to the feelings that many children have. The fact that Hank is a fourth grader helps students not feel that this is a "baby book." These are excellent books to be READ TO struggling students or for struggling students to listen to the audio on cassette or C...more
Fourth-grade underachiever Hank claims he wants to do the right thing, but somehow he always messes up. Take the assignment Hank's teacher doles out on the first day of school: write a five-paragraph essay, "What I did on my summer vacation." Since writing is hard for him, Hank creates a visual presentation on his visit to Niagara Falls instead--and winds up flooding the classroom. Some of the characters are stereotypes, such as buffoonish Principal Love and Hank's overly strict teacher, Ms. Ad...more
4th grader Hank Zipzer has a different way of learning. When his teacher ask them to write a 5 paragraph paper on what they did on their summer vacation, Hank decides to make Niagara Falls out of paper mache, fish tank pump and have a visual presentation. Everything goes fine until the water goes everywhere and makes a mess in the classroom. The teacher and principal decide to give him dentention for causing the rucus and he meets another teacher who recognizes how smart Hank really is.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. In my mind, it had two strikes--written by a celebrity and series title. However, I found myself really caring about Hank and his struggles with school. Adults will recognize early on that Hank has some "learning challenges" (as one teacher puts it) which means that traditional classrooms make him feel stupid. However, he's a very creative, bright kid. A great series for reluctant readers who will find a kindred spirit in Hank Zipzer.
This book is about Hank Zipzer. He is in 4th grade. He has trouble with spelling and math and other stuff. (mostly every thing.) On his first day of school he has to go to the princibles ofice. He goes their every day. He is in trouble for being tardy again. So when he gets back his mean teacher Mrs.Aldof tells him and his class he has to write a report on what they did over the summer. Hank is dead meat. So when he comes up with a other idea it might just go write.
Fell in love with these books after hearing Henry Winkler (that's right, The Fonz himself) talk about and read from this book at the L.A. Times Book Festival in 2003. He talked of how amazed he was to find himself a published author despite his life-long struggle with severe dyslexia. He said he put alot of "himself" into these books and it really shows -- these books have a real heart to them. Wonderful, wonderful juvenile fiction (even for us big kids!)
This book and i have said this in other reviews this book did not feed my good book appetite i went to this book whn i saw and was reccommended by a few friends the beggining started out OK and as i kept reading it got worse either Henry Winkler justran out of ideas or the book just sucked i gave it 2 stars instead of one because the idea could have been good he just ruined it. If you are a small child and need an easy book this is the book for you
Henry Winkler wrote a book? Yeah, this one comes from the Fonz himself and I have to say I liked it. I'm not sure if the kid has ADHD or Dyslexia or something else entirely but by the end I was very impressed with an honest and funny story about a kid with what they call 'learning differences' not 'disabilities.'
Yep, I'll read the rest in this series. And will definitely recommend it to my own kids who struggle with learning differently.
Yep, I'll read the rest in this series. And will definitely recommend it to my own kids who struggle with learning differently.
We have read/listened to the first 4 Hank Zipzer books. They are read by the author- Henry "The Fonz" Winkler- and they are hilarious! (They are somehow not as funny when I read them.) The books have lots of boy humor- and are more appropriate for 3rd grade and above. The books also talk about Hank- who has learning challenges- and it gives you great perspective about how he struggles.
Jan 04, 2009
Mike
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Mike by:
One of the awesome librarians at the Nampa Public Libary!
Every parent and teacher should read this book!!!!
As a teacher, I know first hand how teachers and principles act like Ms. Adolf (I am convinced she is named after Hitler) and Principal Love (can you hear the sarcasm?). Mr. Rock just rocks! Every kid is unique and sometimes the problems they have at school are because of the school and/or adults at school. What do you think?
As a teacher, I know first hand how teachers and principles act like Ms. Adolf (I am convinced she is named after Hitler) and Principal Love (can you hear the sarcasm?). Mr. Rock just rocks! Every kid is unique and sometimes the problems they have at school are because of the school and/or adults at school. What do you think?
This was marked by the library as "Humor" but I thought it was more cynical and snarky. Maybe I was just turned off by the subtitle of the series, "The World's Greatest Underachiever". I didn't find this first book as humorous as Skinnybones, but some kids may be amused by Hank's creative approach to completing his homework.
Not a series that I will pursue or own.
Not a series that I will pursue or own.
Wonderful story. If I'd read this book as a kid I would have understood I wasn't dumb or stupid, I was like Hank. I enjoyed the plot, and Hanks family and friends. A must read for kids, teachers and parents. Teaches about learning differences without preaching or shoving it n your face. Lots of comical action and a few tender moments.
Feb 27, 2013
Susan Menk
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
series,
645-library-materials-for-children
Tags: Hank Zipzer, magic show, friendship, apartment building, dyslexia, school, series
Hank Zipzer is a new fourth grader and is assigned a five paragraph essay on what he did over summer vacation. Hank is creative and decides to make Niagara Falls instead of write the essay (since he can't seem to get the words on paper). When his project turns into a disaster, Hank is in big trouble! While serving detention, Hank meets Mr. Rock who visits his parents with his concerns that Hank is not an under...more
Hank Zipzer is a new fourth grader and is assigned a five paragraph essay on what he did over summer vacation. Hank is creative and decides to make Niagara Falls instead of write the essay (since he can't seem to get the words on paper). When his project turns into a disaster, Hank is in big trouble! While serving detention, Hank meets Mr. Rock who visits his parents with his concerns that Hank is not an under...more
I read this since my son was doing it as part of his extra curricular language arts reading link project.
Of the 6 books he had to read, I would say this was one of the weakest. I am sure kids would find it entertaining, but it was a little disjointed the title wasn't really what the book was about, it was a small part of it.
Of the 6 books he had to read, I would say this was one of the weakest. I am sure kids would find it entertaining, but it was a little disjointed the title wasn't really what the book was about, it was a small part of it.
Great first book of the year for 4th graders! It starts with Hank's first day of 4th grade being called to the principal's office. Hank is a creative and smart boy with differences in the way he learns. Super book for having that kind of conversation with the kids! Looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
This was a great book. I don't have dyslexia but after reading these books I could definiatly understand people who do have it. The authors do a great job describing what it's like to have dyslexia. And to top it all off, you should read this series because it's a great story and very, very funny!
Jun 29, 2010
Lilly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people
Recommended to Lilly by:
My grammie
The book is about Hank who gets in trouble on the first day of fourth grade . He gets called to the principal's office on the very first day of school. Then instead of writing about what he did over the summer liked the teacher asked he makes a big project that goes all wrong and gets him into more trouble.i really liked this book. It was easy to read and pretty funny. It's in a series so there will be more of them to read.
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A great read for 3rd and 4th grade boys in particular... It's about a boy named Henry AKA: "Hank" who is very creative, but has trouble with writing and spelling... I picked this up mainly because Henry Winkler wrote it... I would definitely read the rest of this series!
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Henry Winkler is instantly recognizable and admired by audiences of all ages for his role as the Fonz on the long-running series, Happy Days. In addition, he is an award-winning producer and director of family and children's programming. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Hank Zipzer series, which follows the everyday adventures of a bright boy with learning challenges.
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