Meet Robert Carver Ellis-Chan -- a perfectly normal fourth-grader who gets into perfectly crazy situations! Like when he was running for class pres...
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Dec 26, 2009
Abby
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Bobby and Holly have been secret best friends since they were little kids. It's a secret because at their elementary school, boys and girls do not hang out together. But things start to change when they enter the fourth grade. Holly starts trying out some girly things and Bobby feels a bit left behind. And then Bobby accidentally starts a battle of the sexes.
Move over, Andrew Clements. This story of boys and girls and friendships and school is pitch perfect. The supporting character More...
Move over, Andrew Clements. This story of boys and girls and friendships and school is pitch perfect. The supporting character More...
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May 11, 2010
Jennifer
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I recently went to the 2010 Children's Literature Council Spring Workshop. The theme this year was "Old Passions - New Technologies: Children's and Young Adult Literature in a Web 2.0 World." I had a great time listening to the speakers (who included Elizabeth Khuri Chandler, one of the co-founders of Goodreads!), but more importantly, like all good workshops, I was inspired to go and investigate some of the ideas mentioned in the presentations. One of the speakers showed us Lisa Yee's
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Oct 24, 2009
Natasha
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Great illustrations, interesting characters and punchy dialogue. Also an interesting view on several gender role-reversals, while dealing with typical gendered tensions at the middle grade level. I should take one star off for all the donuts I craved while reading...
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Dec 01, 2010
Alicia
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This book was a nice balance of humor and drama. It deals with identity, relationships, fairness and the passing of a pet. All themes are addressed in a way that children in second or third grade will relate to. Although most kids aren't quite as Anti-Boy or Anti-Girl, this aspect of the book could lead to some thoughtful discussions. It may also provide some consolation to a child who has recently lost a pet. Bobby is a fully-developed character who has flaws, talents, dreams and doubts. Female
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Aug 13, 2009
Scope
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In a climate where you can't throw a dinner roll without hitting five or six new series, Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) is a middle grade school story (and first in a series) that stands out with humor, believability, and a subtle touch.
4th grade is about to begin and Bobby Ellis-Chan is feeling uneasy. Third grade was a disaster, his friend Holly Harper has started hanging around with girlie-girl Jillian Zarr, and his ex-pro football player father (a.k.a. "The Freezer") is More...
4th grade is about to begin and Bobby Ellis-Chan is feeling uneasy. Third grade was a disaster, his friend Holly Harper has started hanging around with girlie-girl Jillian Zarr, and his ex-pro football player father (a.k.a. "The Freezer") is More...
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Jan 20, 2012
Heidi
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Bobby Ellis-Chan’s year as a fourth grader is filled with events he didn’t plan on happening. Instead of owning a dog (he has allergies), he’s given a goldfish. At a school field trip, Bobby hugs the Koloff tree, the stickiest and smelliest tree in the world, and gets stuck to it. However, the main event is when he accidentally starts a classroom war of boys vs. girls when he runs for student council representative against his long time best friend (who happens to be a girl) Holly Harper. Despit
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Nov 11, 2009
Sandra
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I thought this was the cutest book. When I told my students about it they were telling me similar stories that had happened to them in elementary school. Bobby and Holly grew up best friends. When they reached fourth grade Bobby realized that Holly had started hanging out with someone new. Now it was no longer cool for the girls to be seen talking to the boys and the boys talking to the girls. Bobby ends up with a fish named Rover, and comes home each afternoon and tells his problems to th
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Sep 16, 2010
Kate Hastings
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Recommended grades 2-4. Bobby and Holly were always good friends-- until the awkward third grade when they had to downgrade to secret friends because boys and girls shouldn't be friends.
At the start of the new year, Holly starts wearing dresses and painting her nails. Seems she started hanging out with girls over summer vacation. And Bobby finds himself stuck with boys that make fun of girls and do... boy things.
Eventually Bobby and Holly find each other at odds because of th More...
At the start of the new year, Holly starts wearing dresses and painting her nails. Seems she started hanging out with girls over summer vacation. And Bobby finds himself stuck with boys that make fun of girls and do... boy things.
Eventually Bobby and Holly find each other at odds because of th More...
Sep 14, 2009
Gwen the Librarian
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Bobby and Holly are best friends at home but can't be seen talking to each other at school where girls and boys DO NOT play together - ewww cooties! When Holly becomes friends with a girly girl, the dynamics of her friendship with Bobby change until the two are at war. Bobby struggles not only with the sadness of losing a friend, but also the embarrassment of having a stay-at-home dad who used to be a famous football player, and the wish for a dog instead of a goldfish. Funny, authentic chara
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Jan 27, 2010
Bronwyn
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A really sweet, fun and funny about two fourth grade friends (boy and girl)who find themselves on opposite sides of the class when they both run for student council representative. Bobby Ellis-Chan, whose father is former professional football great "The Freezer", and Holly Harper, are friends, not boyfriend and girlfriend, but they are forced to make friendship choices neither one is too sure about. Definitely recommended for any boy or girl who suddenly finds that he or she has to
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Jan 26, 2010
Rachel
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It's unfortunate that I read this over the course of 2 months, because it really is such a quick read, and I'm sure it would be even more enjoyable if read it in one sitting. So, from what I remember about the whole thing...
It was really, really funny. I love it when children's books are genuinely funny, and don't just resort to potty humor for a quick laugh. I was impressed by how smoothly the two friends became "enemies," because it would have seemed odd and out-of-place More...
It was really, really funny. I love it when children's books are genuinely funny, and don't just resort to potty humor for a quick laugh. I was impressed by how smoothly the two friends became "enemies," because it would have seemed odd and out-of-place More...
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Sep 04, 2009
Elizabeth
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I have a theory. A theory about why boy v. girl books are so popular with the youngsters. It goes like this: When you’re a kid you find that sometimes the only way to feel real and included in a group is to point out the other kids that (for whatever reason) cannot be included. Now kids cannot help but notice too that human beings are neatly divided into two groups: men and women. By dint of your sex you instantly belong to a group of like-gendered people. And if you band together against t
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Dec 19, 2009
Heather
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Pretty cute school story. Bobby and Holly have been best friends forever, until it became 'uncool' for boys and girls to be friends in elementary school. Holly starts hanging out with girls and soon Bobby and Holly are competing against each other and not even friends. Bobby is stuck with a fish named "Rover" (as he's allergic to dogs), a stay-at-home dad with a static cling problem, and two sisters.
Nov 17, 2009
Roxanne
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Fourth grader Bobby can't understand why is best friend, Holly is changing this year. She is paying more attention to her hair, and her clothes, and hanging around with Jillian. His hurt feelings cause him to say some things that are taken out of context, and it all comes to a head with the class elections for student council representatives. Will Bobby and Holly ever get to be friends again?
Oct 28, 2009
Karin
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funny beginning chapter book about bobby as he starts 4th grade and copes with a stay-at-home, ex-football-player dad and drifting apart from his childhood best friend who happens to be a girl. i thought the character sounded a bit young (maybe should have been a 3rd grader?), but enjoyed it. have really liked author's other books and would be happy to read more about bobby.
Nov 01, 2009
Virginia
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Good 3rd or 4th grade realistic fiction with humor and characters that are believable. Bobby's father (an X football player) becomes house-husband and Bobby's long-time childhood friend, Holly starts to act like a girl instead of a kid. Among other humorous moments, Bobby trains his goldfish to do tricks and gets stuck to an exotic tree while on a field trip.
Mar 23, 2011
Library Lady
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While this isn't as cute or as good as the "Alvin Ho" books, it was still quite enjoyable. I really liked the relationship between Bobby and Holly and the dynamic between the boys and girls in their class. I think this would be a fun book to booktalk, especially if one reads the scene with Bobby and the tree!
Jan 29, 2010
Karen
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Very nice story. I enjoyed how realistically the author portrayed friendship without going overboard with ridiculous antics to keep students reading. I would recommend this to 3rd and 4th grade girls. I think 5th graders may find it too simplistic given the desire to be more grown up than they are.
Jan 30, 2012
Julia
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Book 5 from Sunshine State list, this was an easy read and my daughter got through it without too much trouble. It was a little sad as the main character's goldfish dies in the book, and we just lost our dog at 14-1/2 this morning. The fish was buried in the book, just as we had to do today. She finished the book tonight and now wants to get a fish.
Jan 17, 2011
Astoria
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Bobby vs. Girls is a funny book. I like this book because it relates to me. In kindergarten my friends and I would play boys vs. girls tag. this book is not only chasing, but it is sort of like a war. how every girl and every boy gang up on each other till one team gives up.
Aug 19, 2010
Sarah
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Kids who love "Alvin Ho," "Olivia Kidney," and "Martin Bridges" will latch onto this book - fun and lively events and snappy dialog keep this book from falling into the do-gooder, lesson-learned trap that kids steer clear of. This is a must-have keeper - grades 3 and up.
Aug 15, 2009
Cathy
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Cute little book about how hard it is to be in fourth grade and about navigating the tricky waters of boy-girl relationships at that age. 7- to 9-year-olds should enjoy and appreciate this witty look at life-- school, friendships and family.
Oct 13, 2010
Patti
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I am intrigued by books geared toward boys. And the title of this book had me intrigued. However, as I read through it - and thought about the boys that I work with - I found that it didn't seem like a book boys would read as readily as others. There wasn't a whole lot of action - mostly quieter action (dad's a former football pro and now stay-at-home dad, Bobby does some skateboarding to school, Bobby is running for office).
I believe that this book would appeal more to girls than boys More...
I believe that this book would appeal more to girls than boys More...
Feb 09, 2010
Rotem
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So far: love the trim and the paper. Creamy & smooth. :) The creative embossing on the cover works for me. This is why I can never get a kindle (what would I say? It has no smell, no touch, no paper color variance. Every book looks exactly the same on there.).
May 26, 2011
Tracy
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Silly, fun! Boys vs. Girls story (obviously). Situations presented are not always believable, but the characters' feelings and reactions to the predicaments are realistic and well written.
May 24, 2010
David Yi
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This book is about a boy named Bobby starting 4th grade. He started a boy vs girls war without meaning to. In the end, he was friends again with Holly.
Sep 28, 2009
meg
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a fun girls vs. boys novel that realistically and sensitively covers the issues of co-ed friendships and the death of a pet. funny and sweet.
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Feb 05, 2011
Joshua
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Another good read from an author who captures kids, despite a slightly slow start. Not much happens but its a pleasant journey.
Oct 18, 2009
Beth
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An excellent children's book. It was funny, warm, and well written. It never dragged and would be understandable for someone at the reading level of the book.
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Feb 14, 2011
Michelle
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This book is great because One of bobby's best friend is a girl that is running for president and so is bobby.
