Beany and the Meany

Beany #5

by Susan Wojciechowski, Susanna Natti (Illustrations)

In Beany's latest adventure, the lovable worrywart gets stuck with a meany for a science-fair partner but discovers the confidence - and the smarts - to hold her own.

It starts out being a good day, as Beany and her best friend, Carol Ann, sit together on the school bus, happily planning a backyard campout. But that's before Beany learns there's a new kid in class, a fun girl with whom Carol Ann is matched up as guide and welcoming committee. And it's definitely before Ms. Babbitt announces there's going to be a science fair - and suddenly everyone's paired with a partner but Beany and Kevin Gates, the notorious class meany. How can timid Beany work with a bully who bosses her around and calls her names (even if he's surprisingly good at science)? Will she ever work up the nerve to tell him her own great idea for clinching their science project?

Genres: Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Susan Wojciechowski was a children's librarian for many years. "Every December," she says, "I read the same two or three classic Christmas stories aloud to the children. I tried to find another one I wanted to read and couldn't. So I wrote THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY. I've never written anything that way before. It just came through me in a flood of inspiration and was finished in less than an hour." THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY proved an enormous success, selling out its first printing long before Christmas Day. In addition, it won numerous honors, including the Christopher Award for "affirming the highest values of the human spirit" and Britain's prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal, and was a finalist for a National Book Award.

Following the success of THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY, Susan Wojciechowski wrote the acclaimed middle-grade novel BEANY (NOT BEANHEAD)! This time, inspiration came when she was in bed with a cold. "Beany just stayed there, and by the time I was well, the stories were written," she says. Beany has since had more adventures in BEANY AND THE MAGIC CRYSTAL and BEANY AND THE DREADED WEDDING, both of which were honored with a Parents' Choice Gold Award, and more recently, BEANY GOES TO CAMP and BEANY AND THE MEANY.


Along with the time she spends writing, Susan Wojciechowski makes many visits to schools, where she shows slides and talks about her books and her own life. Among the information she shares with children is the fact that, like many of them, she had no interest in writing when she was growing up. "In regard to writing for children, I like to create realistic kid role models," she says, "like Beany, who is not perfect, but tries hard." A native of Rochester, New York, Susan Wojciechowski now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband.

Reviews

[Keg Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I wish it was true that bullies come around with patience

[Shin Sarang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up as I was browsing the children's section of the library. I want to acquaint myself with more children's books. I thought the story was cute and it made me think how many times I made first impressions of people that were wrong. Also when I anticipated how badly something would turn out and surprisingly my worst anticipations didn't come true. Beany is a fun and lovable character and she reminds me of me! It was a fun read. And I ended up finding myself liking that Kevin Gates!

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beany is a kind-hearted girl. There is a new girl who comes to their school. Her name is Stacy and Beany's best friend named Carol Ann gets to show her around. When they do the science fair, Carol Ann gets to have Stacy as a partner. Beany gets mean Kevin Gates who is the class' meanest kid. They do a project on how solids, liquids, and gases expand when they are heated. This book is filled with surprises around every corner and intriuging events. Beany and the Meany by Susan Wojciechowski is a great book that you should read!

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book that showed how it feels to be pushed aside by a long time friend and being stuck with a mean kid on a science project. Beany's feelings were just right. No over dramatics. Beany's teacher in a limited but positive role was very influential. In the end Beany gained insite and a friend in Kevin, the mean kid. She also gained a new friend in the new girl.

[David prieto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever have your best friend leave you and go with the new girl . And You End Up Getting The Person You Never Wanted To Be With we'll this is the case for beany she ends up getting Kevin the bully as a partner for science project . But surprisingly they end up doing good with there water project

[Marielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book for kids! She should write a book for teenagers when she's older and she and Kevin are going out- it's totally headed that way. I mean, he gave her the Keeper of the Keys card! His most prized possession! There's no way they can't end up together ;)

[Belma C]

The book was overall great but the author should of added a little bit more but it was great and interesting to read, my favorite part is where Beany wins the science fair...ohhh spoilers!