The Principal's Underwear Is Missing

by Holly Kowitt

When you're a sixth-grade nobody, the last person you want to accidentally zonk with a volleyball is Sloan "Selfie" St. Clair--the eighth-grade glamour queen of the school. But that's what happens to Becca Birnbaum, and it only gets worse when she tries to do Selfie a favor. She grabs the wrong shopping bag from the principal's office -- one containing a very personal item. and even that might not be so bad, if only Selfie didn't immediately lose it.

If they don't get it back ASAP, they're toast. They try not to panic--until they hear that the Biggest Prank Ever is about to happen. Can the school's oddest couple stop the disaster of a lifetime?

Genres: Childrens, Humor, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Mystery

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2017

About the author

Also writes as H.N. Kowitt.

Reviews

[Jennifer Y. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars

This book was an entertaining, quick read with relatable characters and a humorous plot.

When geeky sixth-grader Becca Birnbaum accidentally hits popular eighth-grader Sloan "Selfie" St. Clair with a ball during gym it sets off a series of events that no one would have ever expected including accidentally taking a bag containing the principal's bra...and then losing it. Humorous hijinks follow as this odd couple works together to try to find the principal's garment before they face even bigger problems.

I found this story to be quite humorous and enjoyed Becca and Selfie's interesting relationship. I enjoyed seeing the pair get to know one another and find common ground despite their differences. In addition to a fun plot, the story is filled with humorous illustrations from Becca's POV that made me chuckle and enhanced the story.

The fun illustrations as well as the quirky characters and are sure to entertain middle grade readers, especially fans of the Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries series. I wouldn't mind reading more stories from Becca's world.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a silly book about a silly problem. It is very much over the top, and full of cliches and impossible situations, and stereotypes. It's that a bad thing? I'm not sure. This book was not written for me, it was written for middle school students, and I don't think that even they would take this book at face value, any more than kids would take Captain Underpants at face value.

Having said this, I find it very odd that such a big fuss is made out of a DD bra. But, like farts, bras are supposed to be funny, I guess. The problem I have with this is that DD bra isn't that large. Not really. I wear one. Believe me, I doubt anyone would notice it if it went up a flag pole, but then I am not a bunch of middle school students.

So, it was a quick read, with likable enough characters. The usual divisions of cliches of students. And the mystery was interesting enough, with the clues along the way.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are several snort and laugh out loud moments in this book, and older readers will remain clueless as to why there is such a to-do about the principal's size DDD brassiere. But intermediate readers, especially girls, will find this title quite entertaining even though the outcome can be seen from miles away. Sixth grader Becca Birnbaum is lost in the crowd at James A. Garfield Middle School. Anyone who's ever attended middle school can attest to the fact that sixth graders are the lowest of the low there since eighth graders rule that world. When Becca accidentally injures eighth grader Sloan St. Clair, known as Selfie for obvious reasons, their paths come together under the most unlikely of all circumstances. Because Becca feels responsible for Selfie's injury, she tries to make up for things and agrees to retrieve a shopping bag from the principal's office. But it's the wrong bag, not Selfie's but Dr. Jasmine Valentine's, the principal. Obviously, the girls need to get that bra back to its rightful owner, but before they can do so, it's stolen for a devious act that would embarrass the principal and get the girls in trouble. Although it's all too predictable and somewhat silly--why not just tell the principal about the confusion over the same bags?--I liked how Selfie turned out to have more depth than might be expected and how Becca actually comes to like her without changing too much about herself. It's a breezy read that left me feeling entertained and smiling. I would read another book about these characters, and I'd recommend this one to those who enjoy Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Popularity Papers, and The Dork Diaries. Still, there's quite a lot of running around as those the girls are chickens with their heads cut off and more than a little helplessness on the part of Selfie. It's necessary to be a certain age to appreciate humor concerning farts, toilets, and underwear, though.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when sixth-grade nobody Becca Birnbaum accidently injures the richest and most popular girl in her school? A rocking good time happens. This is probably the funniest book I have read in a long time. Becca is one of those uncoordinated, trying to find herself in the big world of middle school sixth graders. When she tries to get a volleyball over the net and inadvertently bounces it off the ceiling and into an eighth grader who ends up breaking her arm, you know you are in for an interesting time. Maybe I found it so humorous because I teach middle school. I understand sixth graders and how they are trying to fit in. In Becca's place she also happens to be one of the rule followers, a natural nerd. The eighth grade girl she injures is a very rich, very spoiled, very popular girl with drop dead looks that she knows how to use. Selfie earned her nickname because she likes to take selfies of herself. I kept wondering how things would turn out since you had complete opposites suddenly forced together. To try to make amends for injuring Selfie, Becca agrees to get something from the principal's office. Unfortunately the wrong bag is given to her and that begins the adventure. Selfie and Becca try to return the bag only to discover that the item in question is missing. To make matters worse someone wants to use that item in a prank. I learned what I see here at my school all the time. No matter what rung on the social ladder students are on, they all have the same insecurities and feelings. There are so many underlying lessons to be learned in this book. It is done with humor and in such a way that you can't help but love reading the book. This is an author I most definitely must put on my shelf. I will soon have a review of her book "The Loser List". I took great pleasure in telling my students they could not read the book until I finished it. Our day of reading was wonderful. I highly recommend any books by this author.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Howitt, Holly The Principal’s Underwear is Missing, 216 pages. Fiewel(Henry Macmillan), 2017. $17. Language: PG (o swears; lots of fake swears); Mature Content: PG (lots of bra and bra size talk); Violence: G.

Becca is a lowly boring sixth grader who is very involved with academics. After an accident involving the most popular girl in school, Selfie –Becca finds herself thrown into a madcap adventure to recover, you guessed it, the principals underwear (in this case an oversized bra). Now Becca is discovering a popularity world she didn’t know existed, having wild adventures, and stepping out of her comfort zone. Contains lots of illustrations.

Well, there are a number of content that push this from elementary to middle for me from the bra thing, to teen themes, to the disrespect of teachers. All things I think would make a middle schooler love this book –thought the cover does look kind of younger. Its quite perfect as a high/low book for middle school girl. My only big complaint about the plot is the Becca seems to forget about her true self and doesn’t either meld the two worlds or come back around to accepting her old life.

MS – OPTIONAL Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian & Author
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Natalie {I'd So Rather Be Reading} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: Even though this isn't my typical read, the title was just too funny to pass up. I can't tell you how many funny looks I got for carrying this book around, my copy was an ARC and was titled The Principal's BRA is Missing, how can you not snicker.

Straight up, this is an easy plot that is silly & exactly the kind of life altering situations that middle schoolers are plagued with; being awkward and trying to find where they fit while getting into one pickle after another.

Becca Birnbaum is a sixth grade girl who has trouble fitting in. Associating with the most popular 8th grader, known as Selfie, was the last thing she could have imagined doing. When the two girls accidentally misplace the principals bra, they are determined to do anything and everything to get it back and it gets silly fast. The relationship between the two main characters was unlikely, but it was fun to see two polar opposite people work together to avoid middle school humiliation.

It made me think of how different two people can be and yet still be the best of friends. There was an underlying theme of friendship and stepping out of your comfort zone. I think this is a fun read for girls entering middle school who might be a bit nervous or timid to change, I know I was nervous.

And I don't want to get anyone too jealous but I have been waiting to get an ARC that made a major change before it published and I finally got it! I have the coolest copy everrrrr.


Read original review my link text">HERE

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free in exchange for my honest review )

What a silly and fun book. I had so much fun reading it!

This was a light read that knows how to get you out of a bad mood. It had me in stitches at some points and I couldn't put it down. Becca and Selfie's growing relationship was something to watch. It's amazing how two opposite people can come together over a common cause.

The illustrations were cute, pretty and again super fun. I really had a time with this book, and you will to. This is a perfect book to read with your child or just if you want to have a good laugh. I highly recommend it, it will no dough put a smile on your face.

Happy Reading.

E.A. Walsh

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Principal’s Underwear is Missing is a silly middle school caper. When sixth grade nobody Becca Birnbaum accidentally injures eight grade goddess Sloan “Selfie” St. Clair, she attempts to make amends by doing one small favor. When Becca means to take a confiscated shopping bag for Selfie, she mistakenly ends up taking the principal’s shopping bag with a DDD bra inside instead. Selfie loses the bra, and the odd couple race through the school to find the ‘bra-napper’ and deliver it back to the principal before she finds out. The comic-novel style is a good fit with Becca’s playful doodles adding more silliness to the story. This novel is a quick read but might interest fans of Dork Diaries and Big Nate. Recommended grades 4 and up.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up as an addition for the humor unit that our 8th grade English class does every year. It definitely has lots of middle school humor... Could be a good read-alike for fans of Dork Diaries.

When 6th grader Becca hits a wild volleyball that breaks popular 8th grader "Selfie" St Clair's arm, she thinks her days are numbered. However, she has started a crazy series of events that open her eyes to a side of middle school that she never knew existed before, especially when the principals' DDD bra disappears and she and Selfie need to find it before it gets run up the flagpole on school-wide TV.

[Laura Siebenmorgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 13 and I just loved this book! It helped me realize I was hanging out with the wrong people and I should make at least one GOOD friend! It also made me realize that not all popular people are mean and stuck up! I never read but if I do it takes more than a week for me to finish it but when I got this book I read it in 2 days!!! It is funny and entertaining! I LOVE IT !!!!!!

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of middle grade fun, Dork Diary / Wimpy Kid style humour. The premise is funny, a bag of confiscated clothes needs to be recovered, the wrong bag is taken, a Double D bra is on the loose and sure to cause trouble. Some solid stereotyping about populars versus nerds and the friendship possibilities between the two. I found this entertaining and readable.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixth grader Becca learns to look beyond the trendy clothes and makeup of eighth grader Selfie to solve a problem in a well plotted dilemma-to find principal Dr. Valentine's bra. Line drawings are on almost every page which enhance the characterizations and plot elements.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

sixth versus eighth graders
lots of silly cartoons

[Shera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated by Bradynn - age 8
My rating would be 4 stars. It's a fun read but not really what middle school is like.

[WKPL Children's/YA Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Lisa chose to read this book due to the funny title! She really enjoyed the pranks and suggests that readers in 4-7th grade might enjoy it, too.

[M.K. Pagano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Holly's books, they're hilarious and so much fun!

[Arjun Manoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a nice book, with many snort and LOL moments.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I was not the intended audience for this book, and middle grade works in general don’t usually appeal to me, I still found it quite enjoyable. The story features who middle school girls who could hardly be more dissimilar. But through the course of some shared misadventures, they learn to appreciate what the other has to offer, and even end up being friends in the end. A great example of the good that can come from keeping an open mind and an open heart. While the premise of the story itself was entirely silly, the characters were quite well drawn, and the ultimate message of the tale was achieved without being overly pushy.

I received an eBook copy of this title from NetGalley and Rockstar Book Tours, and have willingly provided an honest review.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

An awkward sixth grader, Becca and ultra cool eighth grade party girl, Sloan aka Selfie, become unlikely friends in this middle grade novel. What happens when Selfie and the principal's shopping bags with unmentionables (a DDD bra)inside it get mixed up? Can Becca hang with the cool crowd? Is Selfie actually more down to earth and grounded than she appears? And can the unlikely duo be able to swap them back before it's too late?
This who are looking for more books likeDork Diaries or Chris Rylander's The Fourth Stall that are greatly exaggerated and full of stereotypes will want to check this one out.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to 3.5 I think. This was an ARC from the publisher. (And I'm pretty sure my copy says "Bra" rather than "Underwear".) I thought it was charming and funny. I particularly appreciated that the pictures were an amplification of the text rather than just a straight-up illustration - they made me laugh out loud more often than the story itself did! Would definitely read more of Becca and Selfie's adventures.

[Barbara Desmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to get my hands on an ARC but it said bra instead of underwear which I prefer. I wonder why it was changed. This was such a fun book. I started reading it last night and finished it this morning. It has pictures and is totally ridiculous but in a good way. I really needed this kind of book right now because it is raining and well I'm not in a good mood but this helped perk me up a little.

Becca is a sixth grader who I can totally relate to since I'm more like her than the girl whose freaking nickname is Selfie. Yes her nickname is Selfie. Becca accidentally does something to Selfie and through a weird twist of fate the popular eighth grader and the nerdy sixth grader find themselves thrown together in a seriously funny and weird situation.

There is a life lesson to learn her or I guess more than one. First the popular isn't always a raging bitch since this showed a popular girl who actually was nice and okay a bit off but that isn't a bad thing. Who isn't a little off? Okay I might be more than a little off? The two girls team up to find out where the missing bra has gone. Always make sure you check a bag before you take off with it since you might find a ginormous bra inside. Good lord that bra was huge.

[BookzBookzBookz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a silly, funny read. My son flew through it in less than two days. Great for middle grade readers. Full review to come.

[Shy# · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think that book was boring.