The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco

by Janice Repka, Glin Dibley (Illustrator)

Phillip comes from a circus family, but all he really wants is to be a regular kid. After persuading his parents to let him move in with his aunt and uncle, he winds up in Hardingtown, where everyone is wild about dodgeball. When he gets slammed in the face with a speeding ball in gym class, he decides to take the dodgeball bully to court. But can a circus boy take on the Unofficial Dodgeball Capital of the World?
This uproariously funny middle-grade novel carries an inspiring message about sticking to your beliefs, however unpopular they may be.

Genres: Humor

181 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2004

About the author

In addition to her writing career, Janice Repka has been a teacher and a lawyer. Her first book, The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco, won the Nebraska Golden Sower Award and was a Junior Library Guild Selection. She has a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania as well as Master's degrees in English and Creative Writing from McNeese State University. She is a mother of four and a teaches writing among her many other pursuits.

Reviews

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculous

[Robyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip's parents perform in a circus and for he has spent his entire life traveling with them. Philip knows that he's not cut out to be a circus performer like his parents so he begs them to send him to live with his aunt and uncle so he can go to a regular school. Unfortunately the school he chooses is known for one thing, Dodgeball. Philip's glasses break while playing this game and he decides to file a lawsuit to pay his aunt back for all the money she has to spend to replace them. He doesn't realize that in filing this lawsuit he must defend himself against the entire town who are strong dodgeball supporters.

I thought this story was going to be very silly and light-hearted. However this story was so much better. The author includes little trivia on circus lingo and history in each chapter as well as information on famous lawsuits. There were hilarious moments but it was also a serious story about being bullied by adults and fighting for what you believe in no matter the cost.

[lucem · Rating 5 out of 5]

CIP: Eleven-year-old Phillip's dream of running away from the circus comes true when his parents allow him to stay with relatives in Hardington, Pennsylvania, where dodgeball is practically a religion and life is anything but normal.

This hilarious read will be enjoyed by all ages ... maybe a 3rd-5th reading level. Elementary kids with an interest in the circus, law and dodgeball will enjoy this. Even kids with a dislike of school sports will get something out of it. This book gives kids a glimpse into the world of decision making and the legalities of court. I did think this book skims over the realities faced by a child never having attended school before (whether home schooled or circus life prior).

Reviewed in School Library Journal (Dec 2004) and Booklist (Dec 15, 2004).

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last few years, I thought this was a funny book about a boy who leaves his circus life and ends up in a small town obsessed with dodgeball. Well, he does, and it is, but it is so much more! It is a book about finding out who you really are, and sticking up for yourself (and others) in the face of bullies. It is about not accepting others' labels for you, but being proud of where you come from when you discover who you are. It was a quick and interesting read, sprinkled with slapstick comedy and some great circus trivia. Highly recommended to grades 4 & up, especially anyone who ever felt like they don't quite fit in anywhere. (And add another title to the list of books I wrongly judged by their covers.)

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for any child who has an interest in law, circuses, or middle school. The character development was a strong point. No character stayed the same from beginning to end. Depth and change were everywhere. My favorite character was Sam, without a doubt. The legal talk was kept in an understandable language and nobility and perserverence were the benchmarks of the protaganist. That's always a winning formula. It was a real pleasure.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book MUCH more than I thought I would...Phillip comes from a circus family and just wants to be a "regular" kid...he moves to the unofficial dodgeball capital of the world....he gets pummeled a few times and then fights back...against the school bullies....the school...and the dodgeball manufacturing company...great story..the little guy triumphs! OOPS...did I give that away??:)

[Starr Elementary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great, easy read for 3 - 5th graders. Phillip leaves the only world he's ever known, circus life, to become a "normal" 6th grader in a town obsessed with dodgeball. Surrounded by challenges he doesn't always understand, he doesn't always make the smart choices. How will he survive in this new world?

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. I can see that some kids would really enjoy it though. It was an easy read.

[Mariam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the part when Phillip had to go to court for things that didn't matter. Overall I thought it was dumb.

[Alexis]

It has been a long time since I have read it.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

it kept me reading.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT IS FUNNY AND KEPT MY INTEREST.