The Secret Life of the Underwear Champ

by Betty Miles

Ten-year-old Larry is "discovered" on the street and asked to appear in a television commercial. Only later does he find out what he is advertising.

Genres: Childrens

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1981

About the author

Betty Miles wrote more than thirty books for children, including easy readers, picture books, non-fiction books and nine novels for pre-adolescent readers. Her book HEY! I’M READING! is the first book about reading, written for new readers and their families.

Miles was an editor of the innovative Bank Street Readers. She has taught kindergarten children, graduate students, and volunteered as a visiting author in fourth grade classrooms at PS 291. Bronx, NY. She spoke and read workshops on reading and writing with children, parents, librarians, and teachers around the country. Betty Miles was a graduate of Antioch College. She taught children’s literature at Bank Street College of Education. Miles died on July 19, 2018 at her home in Shelburne, Vt. She was 90. She is survived by three children, Sara, David, and Ellen Miles (herself a middle grade author), and three grandchildren.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

In finding another book by Betty Miles, I came across this one!

Larry is "discovered" by an agent one day when he's walking around New York City. Suddenly he's in commercials and ads, but being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be... especially when he has to be in an underwear commercial!

For years I believed this was how everyone got discovered, on the street walking around. Ha! This was a fun book that gives a bit of a sneak peek into what it takes to be an actor/model. It all looks glamorous from the outside. I can even remember the commercial they were shooting, and how it was basically everyone playing baseball in their underwear. That kind of thing might have worked back in the 80s, but today there'd probably be a lawsuit!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on this boy named Larry Pryor. He gets picked by the Zigmund Model Agency and he is going to be on the television. But then, he discovers that he has to be in this commercial with his underwear on. Larry thinks modeling underwear is an embarrassment, he is afraid that will get tease by people. Larry tries very hard to keep it as a secret, but when he keeps missing baseball practices in order to film underwear commercials, he decides the truth has to come out. At the end of the book, no body makes a big deal about it. On the other hand, he becomes famous and decides to make his second commercial. He also had learned a great lesson at the end which is dealing with peer pressure and get over with others.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would probably give this book one and a half stars, but round it up to two since half-star ratings are not available.
"The Secret Life of the Underwear Champ" is an unfettered, breezy, short story that actually seems more brief than its 117 pages would indicate. The narrative contains some amusing moments, and is a good light read for travel, or anything along those lines when one prefers a story that is not at all heavy.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, fast paced, and relevant! The main character in the story is a baseball player and gets spotted on the street. He is invited to be in a commercial, but finds out its for UNDERWEAR. I think the kids will love it.

[Tiff]

I am pretty sure there is a copy of this among all the BSC books at my parents' house...

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read with the younger kids. They laughed each and every time I said "underware".

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was great and very funny and i loved reeding it.

[Vernon · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought it was funny

[Joelle Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not very surprising, but fun, well written, and timeless.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 438 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 3.7 - AR Pts: 2.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still don't know how I came across this book as a kid, but it's a title I'll never forget.