Franklin Delano Donuthead is a fifth grader with a lot of problems: For starters, his last name is Donuthead. He considers himself handicapped beca...
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May 26, 2008
Carter
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Franklin Delano Donuthead is afraid of nearly everything. The typical things, of course, that 5th grade boys fear like bullies, girl cooties, etc. But Franklin has plenty more fears, including all-things germ related, junk food (because of its cancer-causing ingrediants), farm animals (what diseases will he catch if a cow licks him), his family's insurance rating, and the fact that his left arm and leg are slightly longer than their right counter-parts. To help keep some of these fears in per
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Jun 20, 2008
Lucy
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"My name, if you must know, is Franklin Delano Donuthead. Try saying that in a room full of fifth graders if you think names will never hurt you."
Franklin Delano Donuthead is a hygene-concious fifth grade boy. He is obsessed with cleanliness and safety and the probability of fatality. He has weekly--sometimes daily--phone conversations with Glora Nelots at the National Safety Department. He doesn't do anything that has even the remotest possibility of risk. Ever. But More...
Franklin Delano Donuthead is a hygene-concious fifth grade boy. He is obsessed with cleanliness and safety and the probability of fatality. He has weekly--sometimes daily--phone conversations with Glora Nelots at the National Safety Department. He doesn't do anything that has even the remotest possibility of risk. Ever. But More...
May 31, 2009
Badiss
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This book is about a boy named Franklin Delano Donuthead who has a rough childhood. His classmates make fun of him, because of his last name. His mom wants him to play for the New York Yankees when he grows up. The bully named Marvin Howerton, who has big fists and a small brain. Franklin’s mom, teachers, and classmates don’t understand the importance of proper sanitation. This new girl transfers to Franklin’s school, this girl is tough. She beats up Marvin twice, and she becomes baseball’s prot
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Feb 23, 2008
Debra
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A very funny, fast paced novel with quirky, loveable characters.
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Apr 22, 2010
Carter
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I sure hope Sue Stauffacher writes more books on Franklin Donuthead. They're just so damn good. Franklin, the ultimate germ-a-phobe has just started middle school. Unlike elementary where the risk level was limited to the few kids in his classroom, now Franklin must protect himself from the 478 students at his new school. Mainly, the bully Martin. Thankfully, Franklin has his two closest friends to help him-- Sarah and the conveniently promoted-one-grade Bernie. But Sarah's acting funny th
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Jun 07, 2011
Jori
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A neurotic 5th grader, who is preoccupied by problems that prevent him from being a normal child. He befriends a tough girl, who through his mother's help is able to become "girly". She comes from the typical "bad home" and he comes from a decent enough home where the mother is completely nice. It's a great read, though some of it seems a bit too old for the age group this is for.
Aug 17, 2010
Rebecca
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Franklin Delano Donuthead, a fifth-grader obsessed with hygiene and safety, finds an unlikely friend and protector in Sarah Kervick, the tough new student who lives in a dirty trailer, bonds with his mother, and is as "irregular" as he is.
This book was a hilarious read. Highly recommended. (I transferred this review from an index card I made years ago.)
This book was a hilarious read. Highly recommended. (I transferred this review from an index card I made years ago.)
Dec 23, 2008
I'm going through a list of funny middle-grade books with boys to get inspired for my work-in-progress. Donuthead came highly recommended, but I've discovered a big pet peeve - there are no stinkin' margins except for the first and last pages of the chapters. It gives one the uncertain feeling that one might fall out of the book at any given moment.
Feb 19, 2011
Phair
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Very odd book. Not sure what age group will appreciate this. Main character is a fifth grader who acts like a neurotic 35 year old. Apart from the boy, Franklin, acting too "adult" and his Mom being too, too nice this was an OK story about realizing your potential & facing your fears- embracing the dangers of everyday existence.
Dec 04, 2011
Cortney
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I read this for the program In2Books and was pleasantly surprised by how enjoying it was. Franklin Delano Donuthead is wise beyond his years and overall this book would make a great discussion piece since it deals with multiple themes of friendship, bullying, happiness, fears, and different family situations.
Apr 22, 2010
Kent
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The latest book I read, Donutheart by Sue Stauffacher was a fun, lighthearted young adult book. Franklin Delano Donuthead is obsessed with cleanliness, hygiene, and risk avoidance. Fortunately, he has Sarah to fight his battles and help him out of difficult situations. In the end, he ignores his obsessions in turn for helping Sarah, his best friend.
It might be classified as a young adult book, but it could be recommended for older grade school children as well. The content and langua More...
It might be classified as a young adult book, but it could be recommended for older grade school children as well. The content and langua More...
Jan 21, 2012
Ann
rated it: 
Ages 9+
Hilary, I finally read Donuthead! I thought it was quite funny, but wished that the ending weren't so abrupt.
Hilary, I finally read Donuthead! I thought it was quite funny, but wished that the ending weren't so abrupt.
Apr 22, 2010
Bethany
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Disappointed. Hardly do I find a main character that I completely do not enjoy. Donuthead is one. He's self-involved and a germaphobe who is critical of everyone around him. He finds it appalling that his mother cleans the bathrooms at the local skating rink so that their charity, Sarah - a motherless girl whose father from time to time gets in trouble with the law, can skate competitively. Doesn't she know the amount of germs she can come into contact with cleaning public restrooms? I cou
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Nov 29, 2007
elissa
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My older son and I read this aloud together. It took us awhile, but not because we weren't enjoying it, we just didn't have that much time to read, and had another book that we were also reading for a book group. My son said he'd give it 5 stars when we were done. I liked it a lot, but there was something slightly missing for me (in terms of putting it in the "amazing" category), and I'm not sure what. The first page had us both laughing so hard that we were crying, but we both agr
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Nov 24, 2010
Jackie
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Read this for some volunteer work that I do. Very witty... I enjoyed her writing!
Nov 13, 2010
Allie
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A wonderful and unique book that is full of interesting characters. My In2Books elementary school student picked this as our first book to read together the first time I participated in the e-mentoring program and I’m so glad he did. It is not something I would normally pick myself to read (I’m too old at 23 and my nephew is only one as of this writing). This book was not only an easy read but made for an excellent discussion.
Jul 13, 2007
Mel
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I thought this book was great. I was amused on nearly every page, and some parts even made me chuckle a bit. Given that it's very rare for me to laugh out loud at something I'm reading, this book was very funny. It also had some genuinely touching moments, including the ending. I think that even as a I child I would have loved it, although it's true that Franklin sounds nothing like a typical child.
Dec 17, 2009
Susie
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Sometimes I worry that the more children's books I read, the more it takes to wow me. Donuthead is a good example of this phenomenon! I enjoyed this book about an obsessive compulsive fifth-grader named Franklin Delano Donuthead, but I didn't love it. The children's lit world abounds with misfits with funny names, and unfortunately Donuthead just didn't stand out for me.
Feb 03, 2008
Beth
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Adolescent boy (think Monk) is befriended by tough, poor girl; they help rescue each other. Very funny and also interesting in the way the author uses FDR to remind us to be kind to those less fortunate.
Apr 22, 2010
Mel
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The further adventures of Franklin Delano Donuthead and Sarah Kervick are even better than the first book. I love these characters, and I hope that Sue Stauffacher writes more books about them.
Jan 15, 2008
babyhippoface
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This book cracked me up! Franklin Delano Donuthead is the quirkiest, most neurotic kid you'll ever meet, but you can't help but laugh at his unique way of looking at life.
Jan 26, 2008
Mahathi
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very funny. its about a guy whos very hygenic and has a mom who doesn't care about hygenic stuff so much. so yah. he meets people and other stuff like that.
Aug 22, 2007
Maira
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I read this aloud to my students...so very funny...I tried the sequel but wasn't into it..maybe I'll give it another try.
Apr 22, 2010
Kirklandlambert
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This book is pretty funny and made me laugh! It's kind of hard to read but you'll get used to it after a while.
