How to Fish for Trouble

Willimena Rules! #2

by Valerie Wilson Wesley, Maryn Roos (Illustrator)

It was spring break, Willimena's favorite time of the year. Besides that, Teddy, Willie's favorite cousin, was coming to visit for a week. They were going fishing, kite flying, and bird-watching with Willimena's dad. What could be more fun! But then it happened. Everything began to revolve around Teddy. It was "Teddy this . . ." and "Teddy that . . ." and "Teddy is so good at everything!" On the day of the family fishing trip, Willie was determined to capture the spotlight and catch more fish than anyone-especially Teddy. So, when Teddy caught the only fish of the day, Willimena put down her pole-and began fishing for trouble. And she didn't have to go far. Teddy was her bait.

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 2004

About the author

Valerie Wilson Wesley is an African-American author of mysteries, adult-theme novels, and children's books,[1] and a former executive editor of Essence magazine. She is the author of the Tamara Hayle mystery series. Her writings, both fiction and non-fiction, have also appeared in numerous publications, including Essence, Family Circle, TV Guide, Ms., The New York Times, and the Swiss weekly magazine Die Weltwoche.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willimena's excitement over her cousin Teddy's visit quickly turns to jealousy when it seems that both her sister and dad prefer Teddy's company over her own. A fun story for kids, that teaches a little envy is okay, but it can quickly go too far.

[Jane Maple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willie is excited that her cousin Teddy is coming for a visit, but disappointed to learn that it means that her cat Doofus Doolittle will have to be in the cellar during that time due to Teddy's asthma. The first day that he comes, their babysitter Mrs Cotton makes popcorn but because Willie went down to check on her cat she makes Willie wash her hands before having any and it is all gone by the time she gets back. Both Tina, Willie's sister and Teddy beg Mrs Cotton to make more but she says it is too close to dinner time but does give them both gum and not Willie. But Teddy saves his gum and gives it to Willie later. On Saturday they go to the Greene's yard and play with all the neighborhood kids, but while Teddy has a great time Willie feels left out. Willie takes her bad mood out on her sister and demands that she return the sweater she borrowed that she is wearing at the moment. Tina does it but is mad and plays what she calls "the alphabet game" with Teddy. Coming up with lots of Terrific words that start with the letter T but saying that only horrible words start with "W". Willie is also mad at dinner when she doesn't get a chicken leg. However, before she goes to bed she realizes it really wasn't Tina's fault that she had a bad day so she apologizes for taking her sweater back, in return her sister comes up with some "wonderful" words that begin with "W". The next day Willie goes birding with her father and Teddy but ends up feeling like a third wheel and like Teddy is trying to steal her dad. The next day the three kids and Willie and Tina's dad go fishing. Their dad has three rules: 1. stay on shore, 2. Respect the lake (don't throw in trash keep it clean), 3. Respect the fish (if a fish is too small you have to throw it back. Willie dreams about catching a big fish but when they get to the lake it is Teddy who catches the big fish and when Willie hears one of the fisherman say that he was lucky because big fish don't usually go close to shore, she decides to go out into the lake only to get in trouble and her dad has to save her. (Quick side note this scene would have made more sense in a river rather than a lake, I don't know a lot of lakes with strong currents.) As punishment she can't go fishing for another year, maybe longer. Willie apologizes to Tina and then when she goes to apologize to Teddy he is having an asthma attack and she finds his inhaler and gets her parents. Teddy is fine and her parents tell Willie they are proud of her. The next day Teddy and Willie fly a kite. Teddy leaves the next day but leaves the girls presents. For Tina it is his lucky charm from fishing and for Willa it is the kite with a message written on it. A note at the end says that the kite gets smashed, Willie and her dad put it back together again but loose most of the message so that it justs says "Wonderful Teddy" which Willie likes.
Willa

[Chasity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in 3rd grade. It is a pretty cool book. It teaches kids not to be jealous and it is suppose to give you tips or something along those lines.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 77455 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 3.7 - AR Pts: 1.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[Harouna · Rating 3 out of 5]

a girl is suppose to have a fun time with her cousin but things go wrong.