Don't Tap-Dance on Your Teacher

Roscoe Riley Rules #5

by Katherine Applegate, Brian Biggs (Illustrator)

The fifth book in a hilarious chapter book series about an accidental rule breaker from Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal–winning and bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan , Endling, and Wishtree. Roscoe loves to make noise and tap shoes make the best noise ever! But tap dancing? The big boys at his school say that’s just for girls. Roscoe promised his friend Emma that he would tap in the school talent show with her. When the teasing starts, will he keep his word? Roscoe and his comical misadventures will appeal to fans of Megan McDonald’s Stink series; Nancy Krulik’s George Brown, Class Clown series; Rebecca Elliott’s Owl Diaries series; and Dan Gutman’s My Weirder School series.

Genres: Humor, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile, 1st Grade, Chapter Books, 2nd Grade

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.

Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).

She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).

Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).

With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)

Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.

Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roscoe Riley is back with another adventure, alongside an explanation as to how he landed in timeout yet again. When Roscoe's friend, Emma, comes to school to show off her new tap shoes, the class is quite excited. Roscoe is just as impressed, especially once he learns that boys can tap dance as well. When he agrees to take lessons alongside Emma, they become a force to be reckoned with. Emma has a wonderful idea about putting on a routine for a school talent show, something that Roscoe agrees would be wonderful. However, when some of the older boys tease Roscoe while he is practicing, he has a sudden change of heart. Unable to tell Emma what's going on, Roscoe takes things into his own hands, for better or worse! Neo loved this story and laughed throughout as Roscoe Riley proved that any kid can get into timeout, but it takes a special one to tell such a detailed story!

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma's tap shoes look like so much fun. Roscoe just HAS to get some of his own and he decides to join Emma and take lessons. Unfortunately he is the only boy in the class and struggles to enjoy the new activity while thinking it is only for girls. When he fakes an injury to get out of performing in front of the school, his male nurse helps him to realize that his parents are right about gender roles. A great reminder to enjoy doing what you are good at. How many things would we still be enjoying from when we were kids if we worried less about what other people think?

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were aspects of this I liked and aspects that I didn't. I liked that the author was trying to get rid of the stigma that boys can't be in dance lessons. I remember when Donald Driver did dancing with the stars, that was awesome! But it's not necessarily true that boys can do everything girls can do and voice versa. And that's okay! We're meant to work together, not be each other. So I liked the concept that girls and boys can have varied interests, but I would maybe quibble with some of the wording.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Join Roscoe Riley in his time out corner as he shares why and how he ended up in it again. After joining a tap dance class, Roscoe fakes an injury when he feels pressured to perform after being teased by some older boys about dancing. How will Roscoe Riley redeem himself, and not let his dance partner down?

[Patrick]

I like this book. I like when he didn't use his time to tap dance because he didn't think he was ready for it.

[Olive Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

When kids are ready for beginning chapter books, you might want to introduce them to Roscoe Riley. I have read several books in this series and they will definitely appeal to kids. I especially like this book because it addresses the stereotypes of boys and girls activities/interests. When Roscoe's friend, Emma, shares her tap dance shoes at school, Roscoe becomes interested in taking lessons. Even though he enjoys the class and loves the "noise" that his shoes make, he begins to question his decision when he gets negative feedback from others and is told that dancing is for girls.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roscoe Riley Rules is a fun new series for kids new to reading chapter books. Roscoe Riley is a good-hearted first grader who gets into all sorts of mishaps with his teachers and friends. It's a great choice for first and second graders who are ready to read a chapter book, but still need the support of plenty of pictures and a controlled vocabulary. Best of all, this story is both fun and thoughtful.

In this story, Roscoe really wants to take tap lessons because he loves the sounds that his friend Emma's shoes make when she dances. They're loud! They're fun! "Shoes with built-in noise? I thought. What will they think of next?" Some of the boys warn him that tap dancing is for girls, but Roscoe loved watching a video of a famous male tap dancer. The guy whirled faster and faster, and his tapping got louder and louder. "I never dreamed feet could make so much noise!" But Roscoe starts to get second thoughts when he realized that he was the only boy at tap lessons. And when Roscoe and Emma are getting ready to perform at a school assembly, Roscoe decides he can't go through with it and he fakes an injury.

I like the short, snappy sentences and the simple vocabulary. The print is large and set off with lots of white space. Black-and-white drawings, some full page, help new readers figure out what is happening.

But best of all is how Roscoe wrestles with his decision. He's found something he loves to do, but when the big boys tease him, Roscoe doubts himself. So he lies to his best friend and feels awful. This is a funny book that's also thought-provoking, a winning combination.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey it's me Roscoe Riley and I'm timeout again. But don't judge me yet because you don't know the whole story. Let me tell it to yah. At Shalinto am about her taxes from tap dance class and made a lot of noise Roscoe thought that that was awesome and he wanted to try it. He asked his mom if you could take Dance lessons and they had a good conversation on it. His big brother Wyatt said that tap dance is for girls. He also said that Roscoe wouldn't want to be teased by other Boy's. Roscoe didn't care what his big brother had said he stuck to his promise and his parents let him take tap dance lessons. The first day of school didn't really like it so he decided to ask the tap dance teacher to send on the bench for second because he thinks he has a rock in his tap shoe. The next day at school he brought his tap dance shoes with him just like Emma did. At recess kids made fun of them but one of Roscoe's best friends defended him. Roscoe decided to fake breaking his whole body and he got crutches. In this classroom his teacher Mrs. Diz maid an announcement and said that. One of the kindergarten teachers Mrs. Herman was retiring from being a teacher. So they had a showing tell for her in the Auditorium. On Emma's turn Roscoe felt sad that she had to perform by herself. She looked so sad so Roscoe decided to take off his crutches and put on his tap shoes and get out there start tapping. Everyone clapped for their performance. At home he explained it to everyone. So that's why i'm in time hope you like it. So get ready for the next book.

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My Thoughts} – Roscoe Riley is rather good at getting into trouble for not behaving. In this book he pretends to have hurt himself because he was afraid to carry out a tap dance in the school talent show with his friend Emma. He enjoys tapping but not being made fun of by the other children that don’t think that boys should be able to tap dance or do any kind of dance. Eventually, he comes to his senses and does part of the dance with Emma. However, he ends up making a mess of things which in turn gets him into some trouble as well as lying and faking an injury did.

I highly recommend this book for any child that is having a difficult time engaging in the book world. It has a nice lesson about following the rules and it has humor, which makes for a nice read.

[Ms. Garr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade 1 or 2 and up; this is #5 in the ROSCOE RILEY DOESN'T MEAN TO BREAK THE RULES series, which is a few years old but new to me. In the series, elementary school student Roscoe makes mistakes- in this case, faking an injury because he is scared to perform in the school talent show - but learns from them in an authentic way. This story has a little more depth than some of the other early chapter books I've read; Roscoe is relatable and likable and a pretty realistic high-energy boy, so his antics and decisions can help young readers understand the process of making good choices in a way that doesn't feel preachy or boring. At the Chandler Library.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! My 7 year old son and I love this series. Katherine Applegate has the personality of a boy down pat. My son and I have so much fun reading these books together. He read #2 and #3 and #4 by himself, but it is so much fun for me to read to him and listen to him giggle heartily. He says that he thinks the stories are soo realistic! Thank you Katherine Applegate!

[carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended Ages: 1st - 3rd grade

Roscoe Riley decides he wants to become a tap dancer because of the loud noises the shoes make, but when he realizes he's the only boy in the class, he's not sure he wants to continue.

[Joenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roscoe really wants to tap dance, but is afraid he'll be made fun of because he's the only boy. He decides to enter a talent show honoring a retiring teacher and his taps get a bit out of control:)

[Edward Creter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten year old Roscoe wants to learn to tap dance, even tho' he does consider it a female thing (at first), but with help from his little lady friend he gets the courage to tap in front of a live audience for a talent show. Hope this one encourages kids to try different things without fear.

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun boook

This series is perfect for the. reluctant boy reader! Rosco's best friend, Emma, is taking tap and Roscoe wants to tap, as well. Is he brave enough to trap in front of his nemesis, Wyatt?

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Roscoe Riley book!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a book I can start and finish on my lunch break!

[Charletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is ......... cool

[Jen H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series for readers just starting with chapter books. My older boys still like them too, even though they can breeze through them.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice character!

[Nanette Fandino-Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lesson on nit lesson a friend down.

[Iamaby En · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked?

1. It quashes preconceived notions about gender roles for activities like tap dancing, and for careers like nursing.

2. Tap dancing elephant drawing, and the word "pachyderm"!

[Susannah Goldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. Roscoe is a great narrator, and this book also addresses the X is for girls. Y is for boys problem in elementary school. I'll definitely look at the rest of the series.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old just loves these books. He read it very quick in just one day.

[Miguel ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was good

[yahya]

its ok but I read two books in one day