The Monster in the Third Dresser Drawer and Other Stories about Adam Joshua

The Adam Joshua Capers

by Janice Lee Smith, Dick Gackenbach (Illustrator)

An early chapter series features the redoubtable Adam Joshua as he rebels against his family's move to a new house and battles a nasty monster who emerges from the dresser drawers at bedtime. Reprint.

Genres: Childrens, Humor

86 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

She lives and plays in Colorado with her husband, Jim, and their dogs Rosie and Bailey.

Honors/Awards:
Bread Loaf Writer's Conference scholarship, 1981, and fellowship, 1982
Named among the Outstanding Young Women of America, 1981
Indiana Arts Commission/National Endowment for the Arts master arts fellowship grant, 1984, for The Show-and-Tell War, and for The Kid Next Door and Other Headaches: Stories about Adam Joshua
The Kid Next Door and Other Headaches was selected an International Reading Association Children's Choice, 1985
Addi Award, 1987, for advertising booklet

Reviews

[Cheryl]

I read an older edition, with a quieter cover. I'm glad it got zipped up for more modern readers, and I'm surprised it's not more well-known. I will look for sequels.

In both tone and length its several episodes are in-between Ramona the Pest and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Recommended to fans of either.

[Alexis]

THE VERY FIRST BOOK I EVER LOVED!!!!! The first book I remember reading and laughing out loud at!!! Totally forever embedded in my memory--- I remember the Flower Memorial Public Library in Watertown, I remember going home and reading with my mom, and laughing laughing laughing. Possibly my all time favorite book because of where it immediately takes me in my mind- back to the 8 year old voracious reader that I was. I should thank Adam Joshua (or is that my mom?) for sparking my love of reading!

[Michelle Gourley]

The author's frank, tender treatment of childhood is refreshing. There's a distinct Romona Quimby-like vibe to our protagonist, but also examples of trustworthy, intuitive adults in his sphere. This vintage little book is giving way more than we expected from it for family bedtime readaloud. What a delightful surprise.

[Kest Schwartzman]

This book is.... fine

[Katie]

I read this one with Jane (5). It was the perfect length for her (80 or so pages) with the perfect amount of pictures. We read a couple chapters each day and finished in 3 days. I thought it was pretty good, though a bit old fashioned and they used the main character's name over and over rather than just saying "he." This was a bit annoying since he went by 2 names, but Jane loved that his baby sister's name was Amanda Jane. :)

[Loki]

This was the first chapter book that Loki was kind of "ho-hum" about, and I suspect it might have something to do with the fact that it was also the first chapter book Odin was into, so Loki probably thought it was beneath him. But it was cute, full of interesting shorts and adventures of a grouchy little boy.

[Sandy]

Have to read this aloud every year!!!

[Marja]

The first book I truly loved. PLEH! makes me crack up. Much praise for Adam Joshua and Amanda Jane.

[Catherine]

See the review of this cute book on my blog.

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