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Schooling Around! #1
Treasure Fever!
The literary genius behind the NY Times best-selling THE DAY MY BUTT WENT PSYCHO is back--with an original school-based series created just for Scholastic!
Meet Henry McThrottle, a fifth-grader at Northwest Southeast Central School. Henry has an extremely active imagination--sometimes it's hard to tell where his imagination stops and the real world begins. His flights of fancy lead to adventures of the sort only Andy Griffiths could dream up: always hilarious, never predictable, sure to keep kids laughing and reading!
Meet Henry McThrottle, a fifth-grader at Northwest Southeast Central School. Henry has an extremely active imagination--sometimes it's hard to tell where his imagination stops and the real world begins. His flights of fancy lead to adventures of the sort only Andy Griffiths could dream up: always hilarious, never predictable, sure to keep kids laughing and reading!
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
16 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Andy Griffiths
288 books827 followersAndy Griffiths is Australia’s most popular children’s writer. He is the author of over 20 books, including nonsense verse, short stories, comic novels and plays. Over the past 15 years Andy’s books have been New York Times bestsellers, won over 50 children’s choice awards, been adapted as a television cartoon series and sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
Andy is best known as the author of the much-loved Just! series and The Day My Bum Went Psycho. In 2008 Andy became the first Australian author to win six children’s choice awards in one year for Just Shocking!, smashing his previous record of 4 awards for The Bad Book in 2005.
In 2008 Andy and his wife Jill collaborated with The Bell Shakespeare Company on the popular and critically acclaimed theatrical production Just Macbeth! which was nominated for two Helpmann Awards. In July 2010 Just Macbeth!completed a return sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it received rave reviews. The book of the play was shortlisted in the children’s section of the 2010 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.
Andy has had a long-standing collaboration with the multi-talented illustrator Terry Denton. Together they have produced theJust! series, the wildly popular The Bad Book and The Very Bad Book, the ridiculous illustrated guide What Bumosaur is That?, and the Seussian-inspired early readers The Cat on the Mat is Flat and The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow! Their latest book is The 13-Storey Treehouse (September 2011).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/andygr...
Andy is best known as the author of the much-loved Just! series and The Day My Bum Went Psycho. In 2008 Andy became the first Australian author to win six children’s choice awards in one year for Just Shocking!, smashing his previous record of 4 awards for The Bad Book in 2005.
In 2008 Andy and his wife Jill collaborated with The Bell Shakespeare Company on the popular and critically acclaimed theatrical production Just Macbeth! which was nominated for two Helpmann Awards. In July 2010 Just Macbeth!completed a return sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it received rave reviews. The book of the play was shortlisted in the children’s section of the 2010 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.
Andy has had a long-standing collaboration with the multi-talented illustrator Terry Denton. Together they have produced theJust! series, the wildly popular The Bad Book and The Very Bad Book, the ridiculous illustrated guide What Bumosaur is That?, and the Seussian-inspired early readers The Cat on the Mat is Flat and The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow! Their latest book is The 13-Storey Treehouse (September 2011).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/andygr...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 25, 2025
got a fever because of how good this book is....
May 1, 2020
I can see how elementary readers would be engaged by the story, but a little tedious to read aloud. 7 year old listener says 3 stars but doesn’t want to continue series; one was enough.
April 1, 2015
I decided to read this book because it had a lot of good reviews and it got me hoked.
The book was about A kid and his friends working together to discover secret treasure that is actually meaningless in the end but it taught them all how to work together.
I loved this book as it was a big adventure but it was conducted by school students which made it just that more interesting. It was a great book and had a lot of comedy, this inst just a book just for kids, also has a lot of hidden sayings and morals.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained and have fun.
nine and a half out of ten
The book was about A kid and his friends working together to discover secret treasure that is actually meaningless in the end but it taught them all how to work together.
I loved this book as it was a big adventure but it was conducted by school students which made it just that more interesting. It was a great book and had a lot of comedy, this inst just a book just for kids, also has a lot of hidden sayings and morals.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained and have fun.
nine and a half out of ten
January 1, 2018
Griffiths, Andy. Treasure Fever, 198p. Scholastic- Language: G, Sexual Content: G, Violence: G-
Henry McTrottle thought it was just going to be his everyday substitute. What he didn't expect was Mr. Brainfright. His class went from learning math to falling out of windows! Not only did they learn that, they also learned how to eat a banana, fly, and make history. While learning the weirdest things, Henry and his friends are looking for treasure... and about thirty other kids. Will they beat everyone to the chase? What is in the treasure?
Treasure Fever was a random and funny book. A good book, but not one that you had to absolutely read.
EL- ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CW
Henry McTrottle thought it was just going to be his everyday substitute. What he didn't expect was Mr. Brainfright. His class went from learning math to falling out of windows! Not only did they learn that, they also learned how to eat a banana, fly, and make history. While learning the weirdest things, Henry and his friends are looking for treasure... and about thirty other kids. Will they beat everyone to the chase? What is in the treasure?
Treasure Fever was a random and funny book. A good book, but not one that you had to absolutely read.
EL- ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CW
December 16, 2025
A very humorous read that is still enjoyable by adults.
I had this, and the Just Series, as a kid and enjoyed them all. Although it seems I didn’t completely finish this book as I found a piece of paper 83 pages in, and I couldn’t remember anything beyond that point.
Humorously, since I first read this as a kid of 11, I associated the teachers and places in this book with that of my primary school, and those associations immediately flooded back to me when reading it now at 28. My grade 5/6 classroom also happened to be on a second storey floor.
This book definitely has the Griffiths charm, much more so than the treehouse series does.
I had this, and the Just Series, as a kid and enjoyed them all. Although it seems I didn’t completely finish this book as I found a piece of paper 83 pages in, and I couldn’t remember anything beyond that point.
Humorously, since I first read this as a kid of 11, I associated the teachers and places in this book with that of my primary school, and those associations immediately flooded back to me when reading it now at 28. My grade 5/6 classroom also happened to be on a second storey floor.
This book definitely has the Griffiths charm, much more so than the treehouse series does.
August 12, 2018
The first in Griffiths' Schooling Around series.
The characters are introduced as they search for a lost treasure stolen from their principal when he was a child.
No spoilers but middle grade readers will enjoy the humor and recognize themselves in the various kids at this school.
The characters are introduced as they search for a lost treasure stolen from their principal when he was a child.
No spoilers but middle grade readers will enjoy the humor and recognize themselves in the various kids at this school.
June 17, 2022
2.5
usually its teacher vs student, but here there was a bit of teacher vs teacher, so that was interesting
usually its teacher vs student, but here there was a bit of teacher vs teacher, so that was interesting
August 15, 2022
This will be our literacy group reader for year 3. Andy Griffiths has a wonderful sense of humour and the kids should enjoy this
January 9, 2026
Brilliant fun!
Silly and exciting all at the same time. I love Mr Brain
Silly and exciting all at the same time. I love Mr Brain
January 17, 2013
Henry Mcthrottle and his friends found a treasure map in one of their textbooks, and were ecstatic about it. The following day they were already drawing out a plan to find this hidden treasure box. Henry and his crew couldn't keep their discovery on the down low, so soon the whole school knew about it. All the students were on the hunt, but Henry was determined to find it before anyone else. He stuck to his word, and found the treasure box, but what's inside the box wasn't as great as I thought it would be.
I first picked up this book because of the author. When I was in grade 5 my teacher had read one of Andy Griffiths books to me, and I found it amusing then, so I wanted to see whether his books would still interest me or not. One of my younger cousins had also recommended this book to me, I didn't know whether I should read it or not since he's so young and all but I read it anyway. Mostly because he wouldn't stop screaming " READ IT, IT'S AMAZING!" I also read the brief summary written at the back of the book, and it seemed to be interesting. The first line in the book was " Once upon a time there was - and still is - a school called Northwest Southeast central school," after reading "once upon a time," it made me excited about reading the book.
I finished this book because I don't like not finishing books and moving onto another one. I usually regret not finishing a book. I say this because, well, I didn't like this book at all, not one bit. I regret even picking this book up, but if I hadn't finished this book I would continuously wonder how it ended, so I had to finish it.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books, or mystery movies. If you read a lot of Andy Griffiths you'll enjoy this book, but if you are just beginning to read his books I recommend you start with another book. If you have read Hazel Green, The Battle of Rondo, The boy who lost his face, mirror or The big little book of happy sadness then you'll like this book.
I first picked up this book because of the author. When I was in grade 5 my teacher had read one of Andy Griffiths books to me, and I found it amusing then, so I wanted to see whether his books would still interest me or not. One of my younger cousins had also recommended this book to me, I didn't know whether I should read it or not since he's so young and all but I read it anyway. Mostly because he wouldn't stop screaming " READ IT, IT'S AMAZING!" I also read the brief summary written at the back of the book, and it seemed to be interesting. The first line in the book was " Once upon a time there was - and still is - a school called Northwest Southeast central school," after reading "once upon a time," it made me excited about reading the book.
I finished this book because I don't like not finishing books and moving onto another one. I usually regret not finishing a book. I say this because, well, I didn't like this book at all, not one bit. I regret even picking this book up, but if I hadn't finished this book I would continuously wonder how it ended, so I had to finish it.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books, or mystery movies. If you read a lot of Andy Griffiths you'll enjoy this book, but if you are just beginning to read his books I recommend you start with another book. If you have read Hazel Green, The Battle of Rondo, The boy who lost his face, mirror or The big little book of happy sadness then you'll like this book.
June 17, 2011
This book was awesome. I've never read a better treasure story than this one. I thought that fred and clive durkin need to mind some manners or gretel armstrong is going to teach them for them. she is a really, really, strong girl. Henry mcthrottal is the main character and he is just a normal kid. jenny friendly is a REALLY nice person she doesn't even call people mean she just says thats mean. gretel armstrong is a strong girl that can pick up a teacher better yet a pro-wresteler. grant gadget has all these knick knack gadgets that never work. jack japes is just a kid who likes to give a good combat. newton hooton is always scared of soemthing, because he NEVER is brave. And last but not least fred and clive durkin. these guys are like SOOOOOOO mean to everybody even people they don't even know. Then their teacher Mr. Brainfright. he is always coming up with crazy things to learn about. and the people I was talking just wish to have a normal Mr. Brainfright. but they still have a rest of the year left and worst of all. Mrs. Cross!!!!!!!!! She is always cross at something or just cross. Thats why she's always so cross! And she is always trying to get Mr. Brainfright1 I just hope the rest of the year is normal!
May 14, 2012
in my opinion this book is a great book, its really funny
characters:
henry mcthrotle, the main character (the whole story is from his point of view.
jack japes,henrys friend and relly good at drawing.
jenny friendly. henrys friend, most friendly person in the school.
gretle armstrong, henrys friend, strongest girl in school.
clive durkin a douche, fred, his brother
mr brainfright, the coolest teacher ever
characters:
henry mcthrotle, the main character (the whole story is from his point of view.
jack japes,henrys friend and relly good at drawing.
jenny friendly. henrys friend, most friendly person in the school.
gretle armstrong, henrys friend, strongest girl in school.
clive durkin a douche, fred, his brother
mr brainfright, the coolest teacher ever
April 22, 2013
At the beginning of the book Treasure Fever! Henry the protagonist was sent to the principal's office for getting in a fight with a boy named Fred over a lollipop. This ended up being the lead for the entire story. The principal while in the conversation with Henry brought up the topic of his old treasure map as a kid and handed the map to Henry. Henry then after that decided to pursue the treasure with his friends on their epic adventure through the school. In this book I really liked the comedy in it. The comedy kept you wanting to read the entire time such as when their teacher Mr. Brainfight decided randomly to fall out of the classrooms window. One thing I am pessimistic with this book about though is the very odd actions. I mean normally kids will not get in fights about stupid things such as lollipops and the teacher teaching his students how to apparently breathe properly. I would recommend this book to kids and teens 5th through 8th grade because of the school setting and the rather stupid actions of the characters.
September 22, 2025
Reading 'Treasure Fever!' with my children (aged eight and four) was an absolute delight. Andy Griffiths has crafted a story that is wildly imaginative, humorously unpredictable, and perfectly pitched for young readers. From the moment Henry McThrottle discovers the rumour of buried treasure at Northwest Southeast Central School, the adventure takes off with many zany twists and laugh-out-loud moments that kept both children entertained.
The humour is clever, yet accessible, with plenty of silly scenarios and quirky characters that sparked giggled and wide-eyed curiosity. The 8yo was captivated by by mystery and fast-paced plot, while the 4yo loved the playful language and exaggerated antics. Griffiths breezy writing style made this an easy one to read aloud.
I enjoyed how the book encouraged imagination and problem-solving, all wrapped up in a story that never took itself too seriously. It's a great introduction to chapter books for younger readers and a great way to bond over shared laughter.
Recommend this one for families who don't mind a good giggle with a side of adventure.
The humour is clever, yet accessible, with plenty of silly scenarios and quirky characters that sparked giggled and wide-eyed curiosity. The 8yo was captivated by by mystery and fast-paced plot, while the 4yo loved the playful language and exaggerated antics. Griffiths breezy writing style made this an easy one to read aloud.
I enjoyed how the book encouraged imagination and problem-solving, all wrapped up in a story that never took itself too seriously. It's a great introduction to chapter books for younger readers and a great way to bond over shared laughter.
Recommend this one for families who don't mind a good giggle with a side of adventure.
December 15, 2010
Henry McThrottle of Northwest Southeast Central School likes telling stories. Since his school is filled with crazy characters that live up to their names anyway, stories about school are great for him to tell.
Take, for instance, the fact that Henry's principal, Principal Greenbeard, likes to run a tight ship--on dry land. And the fact that Principal Greenbeard used to just be a student at Northwest Southeast Central School, and when he was just a student, he liked to play pirates at recess. And he buried a treasure-that was stolen, and never recovered. Henry McThrottle never had so much fodder for a story as when he and his schoolmates were stricken with treasure fever and decided that this was the year they would find that treasure.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Treasure Fever! (Schooling Around)
Author Andy Griffiths
Reviewed By Purplycookie
Take, for instance, the fact that Henry's principal, Principal Greenbeard, likes to run a tight ship--on dry land. And the fact that Principal Greenbeard used to just be a student at Northwest Southeast Central School, and when he was just a student, he liked to play pirates at recess. And he buried a treasure-that was stolen, and never recovered. Henry McThrottle never had so much fodder for a story as when he and his schoolmates were stricken with treasure fever and decided that this was the year they would find that treasure.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Treasure Fever! (Schooling Around)
Author Andy Griffiths
Reviewed By Purplycookie
Read
March 24, 2011The teacher is late to school, students are freaked out. What will happen? Out of nowhere a funny looking teacher that looked like a clown burst out the door yelling for no reason. Well the kids seem annoyed but later they have a feeling like they like his humor and best of all, NO WORK. That's right, no SS, no L.A., No math etc. You're probably wondering, why is it called treasure fever? Well the principle is like a sea captain talking pirate like. He has been bummed because he cant find his treasure when he buried it when he was a kid. The substiture gets out of hand and threatends to get fired. The sub. has been acting like, a teacher? An actual teacher that teaches math and every other subject. Will the students find the treasure to make the principal calm down? Will the sub continue to be boring? Find out and read this!
August 8, 2011
I'm such a sucker for inspirational, fictional teachers, it's not even funny. The day that Mr. Brainfright shows up at NSC School is certainly a fortuitous event for the students in classroom 5C. The ensuing chaos had me giggling, worrying about poor Newton and wondering what would happen next.
Kids who enjoy pirate!speak, falling out of windows, and the idea of digging up the schoolyard will love this book. The wacky character names were a fave with me: Newton Hooton, Principal Greenbeard, Mrs. Blackboard? Love it! And though there is a broad cast of characters for a juvenile novel, each had a distinct voice.
One quibble: I don't relish the portrayal of the school librarian. The "hate children in libraries" attitude is a bit cliche and, well, hopefully not very common anymore. But then, I'm wearing my bias quite openly. ;)
Kids who enjoy pirate!speak, falling out of windows, and the idea of digging up the schoolyard will love this book. The wacky character names were a fave with me: Newton Hooton, Principal Greenbeard, Mrs. Blackboard? Love it! And though there is a broad cast of characters for a juvenile novel, each had a distinct voice.
One quibble: I don't relish the portrayal of the school librarian. The "hate children in libraries" attitude is a bit cliche and, well, hopefully not very common anymore. But then, I'm wearing my bias quite openly. ;)
March 8, 2016
I decided to read this book because it had a lot of good reviews and it got me hoked.
The book was about A kid and his friends working together to discover secret treasure that is actually meaningless in the end but it taught them all how to work together.
I loved this book as it was a big adventure but it was conducted by school students which made it just that more interesting. It was a great book and had a lot of comedy, this inst just a book just for kids, also has a lot of hidden sayings and morals.
the favourite character was the main one; henry because he sortof has a different perspective on everything and can look at things and think racionally about them. this was important to me as it sortof showed me that things arent always as they seem.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained and have fun.
nine and a half out of ten
The book was about A kid and his friends working together to discover secret treasure that is actually meaningless in the end but it taught them all how to work together.
I loved this book as it was a big adventure but it was conducted by school students which made it just that more interesting. It was a great book and had a lot of comedy, this inst just a book just for kids, also has a lot of hidden sayings and morals.
the favourite character was the main one; henry because he sortof has a different perspective on everything and can look at things and think racionally about them. this was important to me as it sortof showed me that things arent always as they seem.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained and have fun.
nine and a half out of ten
January 17, 2013
Treasure Fever was a really fun and adventurous book to read. It all started with Henry, the protagonist of the book,found out about the principal's hidden treasure IN THE SCHOOL! He leads his friends and the readers in finding the hidden treasures, which wasn't so easy. This book emphasized a lot of visualization, creativity and imagination, as I can practically create vivid images in my minds about the journey- from the starting point to the end. It was almost as if I was a part of the journey of the 5th grade class, helping them find the treasure with the given clues,experiencing bump roads along the way and laughing along with them when they finally found the treasure. Thus, I really enjoyed reading this book.
August 28, 2010
Seth chose this gem for his fourth grade bookclub selection. I was a little embarrassed that it didn't have any deeper themes than goofy kids and teachers trying to find a buried treasure on the school playground, but after listening to his friends all laugh about their favorite parts, I figured not all children's literature needs to be deep.
This would be a good choice if you're looking for something to spur on your third/fourth grader to read.
This would be a good choice if you're looking for something to spur on your third/fourth grader to read.
March 13, 2016
We read this with the kids from our junior book club, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Treasure Fever is a fun and sill read about a school thrown into chaos over the promise of treasure. Featuring a collection of ridiculous children digging up the school, and a teacher who keeps falling out the window, this is book is typical of the authors. Silly, fun, ridiculous, and engaging. we scored it 8/10/8/10/9/7
February 1, 2009
An eminently silly book. The puns fly fast and furious (especially the character names), the characters all have one note to them, and the situations are ludicrous, but you won't care because it's all so darn silly! My favorite bits are in the classroom with Mr. Brainfright, especially the memorable "historical reenactment."
A solid beginning to silly series. For grades 3-6.
A solid beginning to silly series. For grades 3-6.
January 13, 2015
This was a very fun chapter book that had me giggling out loud. It is a fantastic choice for kids who have outgrown My Weird School but who still think those books are funny - a lot of the humor is based on wacky grown-up behavior. However, the plot is quite a bit thicker, with a mystery concerning a buried treasure to solve. Good fun.
April 5, 2017
I read this with the kids from my junior book club, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Treasure Fever is a fun and sill read about a school thrown into chaos over the promise of treasure. Featuring a collection of ridiculous children digging up the school, and a teacher who keeps falling out the window, this is book is typical of the authors. Silly, fun, ridiculous, and engaging. 7/10
June 18, 2012
I thought this book was quite good. It was set in a school called North-South East-West Central High School.
It was about a boy, Henry Mcthrottle and his friends trying to find their principles hidden buried treasure.
Over all this book is a pretty good book and keeps you wanting to read.
It was about a boy, Henry Mcthrottle and his friends trying to find their principles hidden buried treasure.
Over all this book is a pretty good book and keeps you wanting to read.
June 7, 2008
Entertaining light read for kids - shelve under humor.
July 31, 2008
Big crowd-pleaser at our house, kids 9 & 11. Sometimes I was laughing so hard I couldn't keep reading. Kids got cross.
May 17, 2009
Now I know Griffiths is a great writer, but this book was sooooo boring. We are reading the 2nd one at the moment and it is much better thankfully.
April 10, 2009
It was really funny. I really liked it.
December 14, 2009
horribly funny!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews