Leon and the Champion Chip

Leon Zeisel #2

by Allen Kurzweil, Bret Bertholf (Illustrator)

Leon's back. Having survived the sweatshop methods of Miss Hagmeyer, his needle-wielding fourth grade teacher at the Classical School, Leon braces himself for fifth grade. He arrives armed with a backpack full of pens and pencils, binders and notebooks . . . plus a rag doll that's the spitting image of Henry Lumpkin, the bully who has Leon in his sights. If the doll works the way it's supposed to, Leon (and his buddies P.W. and Lily-Matisse) won't have to worry about Lumpkin the Pumpkin! Better still, Leon has a fabulous new teacher, Mr. Sparks, who conducts science experiments using that most miraculous of research materials -- the potato chip. And a good thing, too. Mr. Sparks's lab work will come in handy when Leon is forced to take on Alphonse "The Chippopotamus" Cipollini at the annual Chipapalooza! Chip-Off. Once you've sunk your teeth into Leon and the Champion Chip , the hilarious sequel to Leon and the Spitting Image , you'll never eat potato chips the same way again!

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, School

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Allen Kurzweil is an American novelist, journalist, editor, and lecturer. He is the author of four works of fiction, most notably A Case of Curiosities, as well as a memoir Whipping Boy. He is also the co-inventor, with his son Max, of Potato Chip Science, an eco-friendly experiment kit for grade schoolers. He is a cousin of Ray Kurzweil and brother of Vivien Schmidt.

Reviews

[Bookworm]

Leon and his friends return in this sequel to Leon and the Spitting Image. Don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll just say this book is a riot. Love the science element that is such a major part of this book, without making it feel bogged down by facts. Wish there was another book in the series!

[Melissa (Always Behind)]

Another great kids' story featuring Leon, highly recommend the audio books.

[Johnny Bennett]

Leon and the Champion Chip is a delightful tale of a student learning the scientific method via the study of potato chips. It rambles through some unexpected areas in a mildly unpredictable plot for a kids book. Unfortunately it continues the stereotype that the unlovely can be unlovable in the bully Lumpkin. Overall this is a fine story for it's target demographic with only some potential necessary coaching on the supposed merits of revenge.

[Michael Morrison]

Frequently clever, and should be enjoyable to literate young readers.
Or, as in my case, old readers.
My most serious complaint is Kurzweil's constant misspelling of "barbecue" as "barbeque."
Also, I question whether there is really a potato chip maker in each and every state, but his collection of potato chip facts and possibly alleged facts (I'll be checking his Internet references later) are fascinating and add a lot to a cute story.

[Angela9600]

Really enjoyed listening to this audiobook- the only minus is that I realized too late that I actually had book 1 of this series on audiobook and I didn't realize it before I was into this one enough not to want to stop. I could have listened to them in order. Shoot.

[Umair Sial]

The story is one to enjoy. There are 2 storylines to follow and I feel the author does a good job in bringing them together. I wasn't impressed with the outcome however the resolution sought from the start comes to fruition in a way that's foreshadowed a few times.

[Vidyuth Gowtham]

good

[Kat Mars]

goated

[Ellen]

Years ago I read the first of Leon's stories, Leon and the Spitting Image. I rolled on the floor with laughter the whole way through and added that gem to our school library promptly. I had no idea a sequel was planned until I ran across a copy in a used bookstore. Hello!

Although it contains all the rollicking humor of the original, I was initially concerned since it goes a bit darker in plotting against another student who happens to be a bully. I worried at times that the obsession for revenge was all the story would involve. I would have preferred a different resolution to the conflict between the kids, but in the interest of not giving away the ending I will just move on to what I did like about the book:

Chips! Chips! Chips! The new science teacher Mr. Sparks does some wild and wonderful learning all around a single item: the potato chip. Since potato chips have been Leon's passion for some time, this was a thread that ran through the book and kept me turning page after page with huge smiles on my face. When Leon challenges the great potato chip minds in a Chip off, this is the highlight of the book. All in all, it was a fantastic, funny read.

[Deborah]

In 4th grade, Leon (chip aficionado) created a sort of voodoo doll of a teacher that really worked, making her act even more unusually than ever. During the summer before 5th grade Leon attempted another doll of the bully that harasses him. Try as they might, Leon and this friends can't figure out why the doll doesn't compel the bully to do the actions they make the doll do. In comes the new science teacher who uses potato chips to teach the kids about science experiments and inspires Leon to keep trying to figure out what he is doing wrong.

Too odd for my tastes, but I do have admiration for the science teacher's attempt to excite his class about the scientific method.

Upper elementary.

[Lorraine Der]

Library Catalog

This sequel to Leon and the Spitting Image centers around Leon and his 5th grade class’ fascination with potato chips. With the help of his friends P.W. and Lily-Matiss, and his science teacher, Leon enters an international potato chip competition, all while seeking revenge on the class bully. Will Leon win the contest? Will they teach the bully a lesson? Great for grades 3-6.

[Elizabeth]

This is one of the most clever books I have read in years. A science teacher, Mr. Sparks (& that is only the beginning of the puns in this book which are many & wonderful) decides to teach an entire year of 5th grade science--and it can be done! It is terrific all the scientific concepts the students learn via experiments with potato chips! (p.s. I was munching on Pringles "loaded baked potato" while listening to this book--ha ha!)

[Jessie]

Leon is back at school in this sequel to Leon and the Spitting Image. He's still having trouble with a bully named Lumpkin, and hoping to use the magic of last year (essentially voodu) to help solve this problem as well. What I liked about this book was the scientific approach taught at school and used by the characters. I loved their teacher, Mr. Sparks, who could teach a whole year of science using potato chips. I just wish I'd been in that class!

[Abby]

Nathaniel and Annabel loved this one too -- I think it's one of those rare instances where the sequel is better than the original. Maybe I just have a weakness for potato chip themed books....Also, a science fair and the scientific method play a major role in this one, which makes it very relevant to our lives! Thank you to our local children's librarian who brought the Leon books to our attention!

[Ari]

I think this book is terrible. A book about chips are you kidding me. It's so boring. The book starts with Leon ,a 5th grader, who likes chips. But Leon faces off with a bully named Henry pumpkins. Leon makes a ridiculous plan of making a voodo doll(such a terrible book) to stop him. But while this is going on there is a national chip competition. Will Leon win? Will Leon make the voodoo doll to stop Henry? Well u wouldn't care because you will end up throwing this book away out of confusion.

[Tara]

This was a great book.
I enjoyed the first one Leon and the Spitting Image.
This book has the same basic idea but brings it up a level. Science, another spitting image to be made, dealing w/a bully and fighting for what's right.

If I say much more this book will be ruined for all.

Go out get Leon and the Spitting Image and Leon and the Champion Chip.

[Karen]

Another Read aloud. The boys are definitely done with the "young" writing in these books, but they were cute stories and creative. This one also uses a lot of science. :0) I like Allen Kurzweil's style. He shows how you can teach a full gammet of subjects from any passion, and how kids are much more likely to pay attention and remember if there is passion.

[Pandaluff]

Favorite book ever!!!
It's one of the most awesome books ever!
The book: A boy who collects potato chip bags and enters a competition.
I repeat. The book: A boy who collects POTATO CHIP bags and enters a competition.
POTATOES!!!!!!!

[Emily]

I liked this book better than the first one. The jacket of the book is really clever. The science teacher is awesome. I love books that incorporate science in a fun way. I will use this book for some mini-lessons next year.

[Jordan Gillespie]

Oh my gosh, I remember reading this book in fifth grade! It was my favorite book at the time, because I must've read it at least half a dozen times. Glad it showed up again :) I would definitely recommend to any elementary school student such as I was looking for a funny and clever read.

[Robin Hall]

Great book- not as amazing as the Spitting Image, but well worth the enjoyment of the read. I hope that we get to read about Leon in 6th grade. (Champion Chip was 5th)

[Jennifer]

A fun read if you have read the first book and very creative at times but not nearly as enjoyable or unique as the prequel.

[Denette]

Not as good as the first book, but still an enjoyable read.

[Mr]

It was about a kid. he went to a factory. A bully picked on him. The factory made different shapes chips.

[Zena]

unfortunate, this book has gone missing and i am unable to swap it for the time being (obviously)

[Damaris]

leon rocks

[Teya]

I liked it as much as the first book in the series.

[Veronica]

Odd, quirky. Definitely targeted towards younger readers. All in all, not that bad.

[Amy]

Enjoyed this, quick read. This book is the second in a series but you do not have to read the first one to understand. Highly recommended for boys grades 4-6

[Conor]

Very nice book. But may be too dull for teenagers.