Arthur and the Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club: An Arthur Chapter Book (Arthur Chapter Books) by Marc Brown

Arthur Chapter Books #2

by Marc Brown

Arthur and his pals can't wait for the next book in the Scare-Your-Pants-Off series, until they learn that a parents' group is trying to ban the popular books. The gang learns about standing up for what's right as they get help from a surprising source.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, Picture Books, Animals, Fantasy, Adventure

Paperback

First published April 24, 2007

About the author

Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.

He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids who are already fans of Arthur and his adventures in the PBS cartoon series will truly love "Arthur and the Scare-Your-Pants-Off-Club." Children who've never met Arthur and his gang are in for a treat! Arthur and his friends, Francine, Buster, Sue Ellen, and the Brain, are eagerly anticipating the newest release of the "Scare-Your-Pants-Off-Club" book. Avid fans, they join a growing line of young readers ready to storm the library and check out the next spooky story in the series. Soon, though, their excited anticipation turns to confused disappointment. The "Scare-Your-Pants-Off-Club" books are no longer available. They have been banned from the library, and removed from its shelves. The kids soon learn that a parents' group has formed against the series, and another friend's parents are leading the charge! Our heroes soon organize a group of their own, determined to rally kids and adults alike to bring the books back into the library and into the hands of eager young readers.

"Arthur and the Scare-Your-Pants-Off-Club" delicately addresses complex issues of morality. Within the 58 pages of this story, our gang learns:
*Adults don't always make accurate, informed decisions.
*There are time when you may have to fight to keep the things you love.
*Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for a good cause.
*Activism can help you get your message out to the right people.

Censorship affects us our whole lives, and this "Arthur" book give parents the opportunity to discuss why censorship exists, and how we strive to strike a balance between freedom of thought and protecting society from ideas that might be harmful. These lessons are all taught in an effective, entertaining, and age-appropriate way, and any young chapter book reader will immediately empathize with Arthur and his troubles.

[Julie Bosma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel wanted to rate this 4 stars “because it was good enough but not that bad”

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discovered this book while doing research on banned and challenged books. It has been many years since I've read an Arthur book, or watched the show on PBS, but I was always intrigued by this friendly aardvark and his friends, so I decided to give it a go.

In this chapter book, Arthur is so excited to read the latest installment in the Scare Your Pants Off Book Club, he forgoes homemade waffles on a Saturday morning to rush to the library to get in line for the book. Upon arrival he is shocked to discover the librarian announcing that the books have been removed from the library shelves. Arthur and his friends are horrified and decide to take action by gathering signatures to present to the group banning the book. There are twist and turns along the way, but Marc Brown does a fine job giving the different sides of the situation and the real dilemma involved in doing the right thing.

It turns out Muffy's well to do father, Mr. Crosswire, is behind the protest and he hasn't even read the book! Arthur and his friends prevail and there is a happy ending. It's a good introduction to banned books and would be a good discussion for families and young children. My only complaint was the assumption that a wealthy library patron could get the books removed from the shelves so easily.

Okay... back to my paper!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, and I would do what Arthur did standing up for what he thought was right even if he was going to be the only one, but his friend stood by his side and that made him happy

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this book in the Arthur chapter book series. It was a fairly quick read and we read it in one night's storytime. It's about books and the library, so how can you go wrong? I like that he was standing up for what he felt was right and taking action, rather than just complaining about the situation.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arthur learns to stand up for himself when his favorite books are trying to be banned by the PAWS (Parents Against Weird Stories) group. The message is that reading is good and sometimes people who try to ban books just don't know what they're talking about.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

How fun to revisit Arthur for my book club with my second grade nephew! This short little story touches on book bans, petitions and protesting, and standing up for what is right even if you think you'll be standing alone. What a great message for kids packed into a fun story!

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A story of book banning that is all too relevant today.

Arthur and his friends love the thrill of the Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club book series and can't wait to check out the latest book. But when a group of concerned parents form PAWS (Parents Against Weird Stories) and remove the books from the library shelves, the kids must band together to save their beloved books.

A great story showing ways kids can get involved, from creating petitions to holding protests to speaking up about their love of books and reading.

Nicely written. Despite its age, this book still holds up. Shows good examples of the importance of actually reading the book in its entirety before trying to ban or censor it and how not every book is a good fit for every child.

The black-and-white artwork pairs well with the story.

I haven't watched this episode of the show, but this appears to be a pretty accurate adaptation.

An engaging read about fighting censorship, sharing your love of reading, and standing up for what you believe in even if you stand alone.

[Na · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my 7yr old son. I love the Arthur chapter book series because it is a story about our life. This book tells the story that some parents baned very scare books series for children, but children wanted to read them. I baned for my son to read the captain underpants series because he followed some words from that book series. I reflect on that, and I will try to teach him how to behave.

[Kelly Ewing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was cute. I loved the lesson of “don’t judge a book by its cover” or to stand up for what’s right regardless of what your friends believe.

Great read for someone who’s a strong reader in 1st grade or an average reader in 2nd. Language was good, story pacing was great.

It’s interesting that this book speaks about banning books (and not reading them first) and today SO MANY books get banned because of a LACK of reading the book in its entirety.

[Mari]

the kids read a series like goosebumps and parents try to ban the books....muffy's dad makes a huge carnival party? but only invites those who agree with him... he hasn't actually read the books... he sees his former elementary english teacher who it turns out write the books under a pen name.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

When all of the Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club books are removed from the local library shelves after a parent group called PAWS calls for their removal, Arthur and his friends decide to take action. I enjoyed this but also wondered if the author was just trying to draw attention to "banned" books.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just reminded me how much I loved the show when I was growing up.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a retelling of the show. The show is better. Still, my son liked it.

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arthur encounters censorship when his favorite book series is removed from the local library.

[Crimson_Silence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books of all time.

[Stasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always liked this one.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur has and will always be part of my life. From the live shows on TV to the few chapter books of his and the other stories I've grown up loving, it brings back a lot of memories. ♥

[Deb Pizzica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's story about parent uproar and banned books. Stated simply but does not cover current suspicions about teenage subject matter.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is funny and Arthur is up to his usual good natured self. He helps his friends organize a rally against a book ban on their favorite books. The chapters are short and sweet we highly recommend this book.

[Angie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to discuss censorship and reading selection with children.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this book teaches kids that they can make a difference.

[Carey Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book about a group of friends love for a certain series of books. I believe kids would enjoy reading this.

[Charlie Frankel]

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[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love the book but I kept reading it to see what happened next.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Arthur books.