Never Walk in Shoes That Talk

Roscoe Riley Rules #6

by Katherine Applegate, Brian Biggs (Illustrator)

Mr. Destructo-Feet

Roscoe's friend Gus wants a pair of cool new shoes. But Gus's parents won't buy them until his old, boring ones are worn out—and that could take forever. Luckily, if there's one thing Roscoe is good at, it's destroying things. . . .

Genres: Childrens, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Audiobook, Juvenile, 2nd Grade

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 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 for another adventure, showing that popularity is not always what it cracks up to be! When the newest shoe fad hits the store shelves, Walkie-Talkies are all the local children want. With the ability to talk between pairs, children are begging their parents to get them. Roscoe is surprised when he receives a pair of his own, but his friend, Gus, is not so lucky. Gus has to wait until his shoes—the parent-popular Ruff and Tuffs—wear out. Nothing Roscoe or Gus do seem to wear those shoes out. However, leave it to Roscoe, Mr. Destructo, to find a way. With popularity on the line, Roscoe cannot let his friend miss this fad. This might be one time that a time-out is worth it. Neo really enjoyed this one, laughing when it came time to see how Roscoe destroyed those shoes. I reminded him not to get any ideas, or a time-out would be the least of his concerns.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoes with built in walkie talkies would be such a disruption in a classroom. I can just see Roscoe's teacher throwing her hands up in the air when the room is full of them, then doing a dance of joy when the principal bans them. What I especially appreciate about these books is seeing Roscoe's mental process as he crosses the line and breaks one or more rules. He is realistically sorry for his misdeeds and has to deal with the consequences. Both compliant and non-compliant kids will find these books speak to them and fun to read, too.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah you know same old time out. Except my friend Gus is also in time out but lets tell you the whole story ok. Roscoe riley is at school and he see's a bunch of kids surrounding Coco and Hassan Roscoe went over there and he saw Coco talking to her right shoe and Hassan listening from his left shoe. Roscoe thought that this was amazing and he wanted to have shoes like that to. So when he got home Roscoe had asked his dad if he could get the shoes called walkie talkies so he can talk to other kids with his feet. Roscoe's dad said no then Roscoe beg to his dad but still no. Then the next day when Roscoe got home from school the mail man came and had a package for him Roscoe signed the clipboard and he opened the package and he shouted Yes!!!!!! He had got the walkie talkies like he had wanted. Then he saw that the package was from his great aunt Imogene. Roscoe was very happy to play with Coco and Hassan tommorow. The next day Coco, Hassan, and Roscoe were very cool and popular in the whole class. Outside all three kids were playing hide and seek with there walkie talkies. Roscoe was hiding and if they were close to him he would say warmer to his right shoe and if they were farther from Roscoe he would say colder. Roscoe's friend Gus was really sad that he didn't have the walkie talkies he really wanted them. Roscoe did every thing he could to help his friend and then he finally got some walkie talkies also everyone else in the class had walkie talkies too so they were all talking to there feet then the principal announced that the shoes were banned from the school except for gym, recess, and lunch. So thats the story can't wait for the next.

[lovescats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good. I finished it in one day. The book has a few really cute pictures to go along with the story.
Roscoe Riley is called Mr. Destructo-Feet becuase he always breaks his new sneakers within the first week of having them. Roscoe's friend Gus wants a pair of cool new shoes too, but Gus's parents wont buy them until the old ones are worn out. Gus has a problem though becuase his shoes can't be worn out because they are ruff and tuffs.
Read the story to see if Gus gets his new shoes and to see what else happens! I'm a fourth grader and this book is really fantastic for people my age and older!

[Jen Selinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Roscoe and his best friend, Gus, discover that two of their classmates have the newest and coolest shoes around, Walkie-Talkies, they each decide they want a pair. Both boys ask their parents to buy the shoes for them, but the grownups don't want to pay the money for what they consider a fad. Even worse yet, Gus's parents won't get him another pair of shoes until his old Ruff Tuffs wear out. After Roscoe's great aunt sends him a pair of Walkie-Talkies in the mail, he lets Gus borrow them, so Roscoe can try and help to destroy the old shoes. Will Roscoe succeed in helping his friend? Read the book to find out!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story in the Roscoe Riley Rules series by Katherine Applegate.

We enjoyed listening to Jared Goldsmith narrate the tale on audio CD during a car ride for a weekend trip. It's short enough to keep the attention of a five-year-old, but has enough humor to keep the adults chuckling, too.

[Jonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the walkie-talkies because they can talk. I like Roscoe Riley because he got some Walkie Talkies. I learned that you don't drag your feet on the ground when you stop your bike.

I didn't like when he dragged his feet on the ground when he stopped his bike. I'd like a friend like Roscoe Riley.

(Jonah loved the walkie talkie shoes. He missed the moral of fads though and thinks Roscoe should absolutely want to get the backpack with a display screen next.)

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Join Roscoe Riley in his personal time-out corner, and hear him tell the tale of how a pair of talking shoes, and a pair of "ruff and tuff" shoes that belongs to his best friend Gus put him there. Fun read, with "time-out" activities created by Roscoe to help you pass the time, if you're ever in an extended "time-out".

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've been a teacher or a student in elementary school, you know that fads can quickly spread throughout an elementary school, often interfering with the educational climate. This book addresses what happens when a new brand of shoes becomes the "it" item. Entertaining but also a book that student's will relate to and want to talk about. Perfect for students who are ready for short chapter books ( around 80 pages) and those readers who like reading a realistic fiction series.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fad shoes are all the rage and Roscoe snags a pair. What trouble could they cause? Nice realistic intermediate book that isn't at all mean-spirited. Mid-way through the series and the character is nice and accessible.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take enjoy reading this series with my daughter because the main character is funny, and he always leans a lesson from the mistakes he makes. I also enjoy both the home and school settings and characters.

[Shekinah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍👍👍👍👍

[Mal the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Roscoe Riley books have been great so far. My sister has read The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ivan and she cried in both of them. I'm am totally going to read them.

[Betsy Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is cute, 3rd graders love these books!

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My Thoughts} – In this book Roscoe Riley wants the newest fad he’s seen advertised on television. It’s a pair of shoes that are basically like walkie talkies. They can communicate with other peoples shoes if they have the same kind. Two of his classmates have some and he really wants some too so that he can be cool. His parents both told him no though. His friend Gus is dealing with a similar situation with his parents telling him no. Roscoe ends up getting some from his Great Aunt. And he tells Gus that he can borrow his shoes. However, Gus has a different size foot then Roscoe so Roscoe’s shoes are too small on him. He squishes his feet into them anyways and Roscoe borrows Gus’ boring shoes and tries to find out a way to ruin them so that Gus’ parents will need to buy Gus some new shoes.

Roscoe does manage to ruin Gus’ shoes and because of it they both end up in time out. It’s amazing the ideas that children can come up with as a means of trying to get what they want or trying to help their friends to get something they want. Children will never cease to amaze me in that aspect.

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.

[Edward Creter · Rating 3 out of 5]

When he finally gets his coveted walkie talkie shoes from his ditsy great-aunt from out of town, Roscoe Riley not only walks the walk but talks it too, since he can actually talk via shoe with other kids. Then his friend trades the talkies with his own shoes which seem indestructable. Roscoe promises to "break in" those indestructible shoes anyway he can. The results are funny, but I wonder if the talking shoe was ripped off from that thing in Get Smart. Y'know? The one where Don Adams talks thru a shoe also???

[Joenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having gotten a pair of hard-to-find Walkie Talkie shoes, Roscoe is suddenly popular and wants his best friend, Gus, to join the fun, but before Gus's parents will buy him new shoes, he must wear out his long-lasting sneakers.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text in large font and short sentences make this story accessible to younger or struggling readers. The short sentences are not stilted nor short on meaning, intensity, or suspense.
Roscoe Riley -- rock on!!

[Toni Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I preread some of my kids scholastic reading counts books, to try to help them better understand it. This series is definitely one of the very best, these books are great.

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

Great read aloud book.

[Martin Guzman]

This book was about a boy who tells you all about rules.This book i like it is 1 of my favored book it is funny.I will recommend it to Chris.f he will like it.

[Jen H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and wholesome.

[yahya]

its ok but I won't do spoilers

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

재밌다