Fifth-grader Mac McGerp is the best burper in Withersberg. In fact, he's a famous champion burper-he can even move objects with his burps! Mac and his best friend, Lido Katz, dream of someday owning the Burp and Surf shop in the Bahamas. But with the arrival of a new principal Mrs. Goodbody and her strict no burping rules, Mac nearly gets kicked out of school for his award-winning talent. And if he gets kicked out, Lido and Mac's dreams may just go down the drain. Mac tries everything to get rid of Mrs. Goodbody, but in the end, it's one big burp that does the trick. A hilarious story about friendship, perseverance, and good burping.
Mac McGerp is a local legend due to his inhuman and awe inspiring capacity for burping. Then his school gets a new principal who is the most skin-crawlingly diabolical villain in the history of grade school. She bans everything worthwhile in life—including burps. Mac tries to be good and hold in his belches, but it only makes them dangerously strong and uncontrollable when they do come out (one flips over a car, for instance). Of course a show-down is inevitable—and hilariously and outrageously entertaining. I read this aloud to a group of fifth grade boys and they thoroughly enjoyed it.
Okay, I mostly liked this book. It's a little weird, but what do you expect with "burp" in the title? I loved the ending, but I didn't like that the two main characters had their parents make their science experiments. I suppose it was intended to be funny, but I'm worried it would give kids the wrong idea.
read for a practice book discussion for "literature, the child & teen". not really my cup of tea, but if i knew any little boy reluctant readers, i would recommend it.