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    Troublemaker
    Troublemaker
    Troublemaker
    Audiobook2 hours

    Troublemaker

    Written by Andrew Clements

    Narrated by Keith Nobbs

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Once a troublemaker, always a troublemaker? A reputation proves challenging to change in this “rock-solid school story” (Publishers Weekly) from Andrew Clements.

    Clayton Hensley is accustomed to trouble: There’s a folder of incident reports in Principal Kelling’s office that’s as thick as a phonebook and growing daily. Most recently, Clay’s art teacher told the class to spend the period drawing anything they wanted, and Clay decided to be extra “creative” by drawing a spot-on portrait of Principal Kelling…as a donkey.

    It’s a pretty funny joke, but Clay is coming to realize that the biggest joke of all may be on him. When his big brother, Mitchell, gets in some serious trouble, Clay decides to change his own mischief-making ways…but he can’t seem to shake his reputation as a troublemaker.

    From the master of the school story comes a book about the fine line between good-humored mischief and dangerous behavior—and how everyday choices can close or open doors.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateJul 26, 2011
    ISBN9781442304550
    Author

    Andrew Clements

    Andrew Clements (1949–2019) was the author of the enormously popular Frindle. More than 10 million copies of his books have been sold, and he was nominated for a multitude of state awards, including a Christopher Award and an Edgar Award. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, Lost and Found, No Talking, Room One, Lunch Money, and more. He was also the author of the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series. Find out more at AndrewClements.com.

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    Reviews for Troublemaker

    4/5

    76 ratings12 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Someone needs to fix the summary of the book, because the names are wrong, as Clay is named Holt and Mitch is named Winn, so please fix it. Now, to my summary. I am in the 5th to 8th grade age, so I can relate to some of the kids in this book. I feel, though, that it is deliberately setting an example for kids to follow the rules. That would be fine if it was a calmer tone. I know that more reviews have noted this too, so it is not just me. It seems like they are deliberately terrifying and forcing kids into obedience with threats and promises, as well as some violence. Does anyone agree?

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Sdgdgd gdgd Greg bob fb for rgf rgfb dgfb

      1 person found this helpful

    • 2/5
      I wish the author would just call the picture a donkey!
    • 5/5
      Funny but a little bit scary?????the Brother was in jail,and Clay is always is teasing someone
    • 5/5
      It was really cool an funny.you should read it
    • 2/5
      I have very mixed feelings about this book. At the beginning of the book, it seems like Clay is only acting out to impress his older brother. Initially, Clay turns himself around for his brother also, but he soon realizes that the change is a positive one for him as well. On one hand, I love that this is a story of living for you and not to impress others. On the other hand, this also seems like a story intended to scare kids into behaving, which I do not really like. This books shows that some school rules are silly, but that kids must suck it up and endure them or end up a delinquent. I like books that advocate creativity, not blind obedience.
    • 4/5
      Great school story told about a wise-crack who is compelled by his older brother to change his ways, before it's too late. Boys in the 5th and 6th grades who think that there aren't any books to appeal to them will devour this newest offering from the author of Frindle.

      This book also marks #30 out of #30 for me on Vermont's DCF list 2012-13. Goal to read all 30 ... completed!
    • 4/5
      Meet Clay, who absolutely idolizes his older brother, Mitch. Everything Clay does, from drawing a funny-mean picture of the principal to ducking his office disciplinary meetings, he has only one thought in his head, "Man, I can't wait to laugh about this with Mitch." But he'll have to wait a little longer, because Mitch is in jail. And when Mitch gets home, he has some ideas about how Clay should live his life from now on. But no matter what Clay does, he can't seem to escape his bad reputation (cue electric guitars).I'm not familiar with Andrew Clements, but apparently he wrote a bestseller called Frindle. Based on this book, I'm willing to check that one out. The age group of the kids in this story is sixth grade, making it perfect for 7th graders who might miss sixth grade life, or fifth graders looking ahead. While the book packs a pretty powerful message about the joys of staying out of trouble, kids with real disciplinary issues might find it a little hokey. But if you've got a sweet goofball, this might be the book for them. For middle schoolers, the print is pretty large, and some of your kids might dismiss it as childish as a result, and I hate to say it, but the cover is really unattractive. Still, that's why we don't judge books by their covers, right? (I totally do...)Anyways, good book for struggling readers, kids who are silly, or kids looking for a fast-paced read who don't really dig the fantasy thing. Decent writing, relatable characters, and a believable plot add up to a nice little read for middle schoolers. The only part I had trouble with is when the characters, as 5th graders, snuck out of the house at 1:00 am to smash pumpkins on Halloween. But then, I am, and always have been, a serious goody-goody.For 5th - 8th graders
    • 4/5
      Clayton Hensley is in 6th grade. He has more referrals and visits to Principal Kelling's office than anyone else in the history of the school aside from his older brother, Mitchell. Clay finds pride in his behavior and is excited to share with his brother his latest disruptive deeds- drawing a portrait of his principal, as a jackass, in art class. But, when Mitchell returns home from jail changed, it makes Clay reconsider his actions. This story, Troublemaker, tells in third person Clay's struggles of making good choices and the consequences of having a reputation of being a troublemaker. Author Andrew Clements writing style flows easily and honestly portrays the realities of life in middle school for some children. This story will peak and keep the interest of many readers and cause one to reflect on their own actions. Readers need to be aware that the word "jackass" is used derogatorily.Age Appropriate: 5th to 8th grade
    • 4/5
      From the inside flap:“Once a troublemaker, always a troublemaker?There’s a folder in Principal Kelling’s office that’s as thick as a phone book, and it’s growing daily. It’s filled with the incident reports for every time Clayton Hensley broke the rules. There’s the minor stuff, like running in the hallways and not being where he was supposed to be when he was supposed to be there. But then there are also reports, like the most recent addition, that show Clay’s own brand of troublemaking: The art teacher had said tha the class should spend the period drawing anything they wanted, and Clay decided to be extra “creative” by drawing a spot-on portrait of Principal Kelling . . . as a donkey.It’s a pretty funny joke, but Clay is coming to realize that the biggest joke all may be on him. When his big brother, Mitchell, gets in some serious trouble, Clay decides to change his own mischief-making ways . . . but he can’t seem to shake his reputation as a troublemaker.”Clay is one of those students “who is not living up to his potential.” He idolizes his older brother and wants to follow in his mischievous footsteps. At first I worried that this book might be a “bad influence” by giving kids ideas for making trouble (and it does, but nothing a mischievous child hasn’t already thought of). But it also sets a good, if someone simplistic example. Clay’s admiration for his older brother Mitch may get him into to trouble in the beginning, but it also puts him on the right path to making better choices.What I liked about the book: It provides a good message in simple and humorous terms. The writing is typical Clements and will appeal to students and educators alike. Mark Elliott’s illustrations have a feel as though they were done by a talented student, which will have great appeal for readers.What I don’t like about the story: The message is a little oversimplified. Though I think the simplicity of the story makes it perfect for its targeted audience it might also give the impression that changing one’s behavior can happen virtually overnight. It has the feel of an “after school special” where everything is solved in a couple of hours.Overall this is a good read and I recommend it for Clements fans and anyone who wants to impart a message about how your choices tend to follow you.Recommended for 3rd grade and up.Mrs. Archer’s rating: 4 of 5
    • 3/5
      I don't read a lot of books at this level, but I thought this one was pretty good. Easy to follow story, easy to understand moral of the story, and some good illustrations. It says it's for ages 8-12, but it uses the word jackass throughout the story, both to describe a donkey and a person, which I find odd. I'm not one for censorship at all, but I think it's weird for an 8 year old to be reading a book where the principal of the middle school is referred to as a jackass.
    • 3/5
      Clay is a troublemaker. He doesn't pull pranks to be mean or because he's angry, but because his older brother was a prankster and Clay's following in his footsteps. In fact, when Clay uses his time in art class to create a hilarious picture of the school's principal as a jackass, he can't wait to show Mitch and tell him the story of what happened. But Mitch is, for the first time, unimpressed by Clay's prank. Just home from a 30-day jail sentence, Mitch knows it's time for him and Clay to turn their acts around. Mitch makes Clay promise not to pull any more pranks and to start working harder in school. But when someone vandalizes the principal's house on Halloween, all fingers point to Clay. Can he prove his innocence? While I like the subject of this book, it's not one of my favorites of Clements'. The whole story is slight and quick and wraps up way too easily. Clay barely has any trouble switching gears and I found the pat ending a bit hard to buy. This might make an excellent choice for certain spirited children who might be heading down a bad path (or driving you crazy). Its slim page count will up the appeal for reluctant or high-low readers, but otherwise I'd skip it and pick up Frindle, No Talking, The School Story, or The Last Holiday Concert (my favorites).