Sometimes we make judgments about a person based upon their looks, actions, speech and even their nationality. When we hear the word, disability, we might assume the person with a disability is weird or dumb. People from other countries are often considered peculiar and even unpleasant.The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines the word, stereotype, as, “[an] idea or image that many people have of a particular type of person or thing, but which is often not true in reality.” (1).The sixth book in the Hank Zipzer series, Holy Enchilada!, tackles this subject of stereotypes with an amusing and eventful story.The first chapter opens with Hank Zipzer reeling from a math test on fractions. He has some difficulties in general with math but when it comes to fractions, Hank feels that he is worse than worse.Distracted by his frustrations, Hank misses part of Ms. Adolf's introduction to a special school event.Hank's school, PS87, is hosting a celebration of Multi-Cultural Day and Ms. Adolf's class has been chosen to cook foods from other countries for lunch on that particular day. Ms. Adolf also informs her class that Yoshi Morimoto, son of the principal from a “sister school” in Japan will be their special guest. Yoshi and his father are touring schools around the United States and have chosen to visit PS87 for two days. To make the event extra special, Yoshi will be allowed to stay overnight with one of the students in Ms. Adolf's class. Names are put in a hat and Hanks name is chosen.The book continues on with Hank and his friends discussing Japan and what Japanese kids must be like. Yoshi will probably have short hair, wear short pants and even have thick glasses. Ms. Adolf shares her concern with Hank about the fact that his family isn't really a “typical American family” and she wants to make a good impression on the visitors, but Hank's name was chosen so Ms. Adolf agrees to let their Japanese visitor stay overnight with Hank.Yoshi and his father finally arrive at the school and the class discovers that some of their assumptions about Japanese kids isn't actually true. Hank and Yoshi get better acquainted and we find out that Yoshi loves to eat enchiladas. Later that day, Hank and his friends get together and decide to make enchiladas for the international lunch celebration. Hank finds a recipe and the ingredients are purchased. Each member of the group has an assignment for helping with the cooking. Hank's job is to read the recipe. Oh no! Hank has dyslexia and he gets a bit confused when he reads the fraction measurements in the recipe, especially the amount of chili powder that is needed. Hank is embarrassed about his dyslexia and doesn't tell anyone. He just guesses.The enchiladas are finished and the next day the food is taken to the school. Hank is concerned that he may have read the recipe wrong and added too much chili powder. He frets all morning long.The luncheon begins. Ms Adolf gets sick. The problem turns extreme and finally, the truth reveals lots of interesting facts about Ms. Adolf, about Hank, and about their Japanese visitors. Hank learns some valuable things about himself and his new friend, Yoshi.Mr. Winkler and Ms. Oliver tell a delightful story which succeeds in presenting some important issues about learning disabilities, people of other countries, and stereotypes.(1) Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, “stereotype,” 2015, Online posting, Oxford University Press.
This was a really good book its about a 4th grade boy who has a kid named yoshi stay at his house for a school project.In the middle they have to bake enchiladas for the school.And hank doesnt really know how to read so instead of putting a 1/2 cup of chilie powder in he put as much as he think it needs.But the next day is when he brings in the enchiladas and he thinks there really spicey.Then he asks his teacher if she thought the enchiladas looked good and she said yes but she also says she doesnt like to much chilie powder in hers because it makes her sick. So hank thinks he put to much chilie powder in.So then its time for her to try a little bit of each meal that was brought in. Buts she gets sick in the middle of eating one.Was it hank?Is he introuble?
What do You think about Holy Enchilada! (2004)?
Hank Zipzer is a forth grade boy with a lot of personality. He isn’t perfect, has interesting pets and cool friends. Children can relate to a character that can’t always do everything right. In this story, Hank has trouble making enchiladas because he doesn’t understand the fractions in the recipe. It is a cute story about a boy who makes a mistake and has to own up to it. We learn about friendship and responsibility while laughing. I can see how elementary school students could fall in love with this character.
—Ashley
This book was suggested to me by a friend and I can't believe I have never read any of this series! It is about a boy named Hank Zipzer who has learning disabilities. Hank is chosen to have a Japanese student named Yoshi stay at his apartment. People thought that Hank wouldn't be able to provide Yoshi with a good time, but in the end it turned out that boys are boys and enjoy the same things, regardless of culture. When the boys decide to make enchiladas for "international night", Hank misreads the recipe and uses 3 cups of chili powder instead of 1/3 cup. This is a great book for boys, especially those who struggle in school. It is a great example of friendship and accepting people as they are and not trying to change or make them conform to a certain standard. A funny thing is that I took something so completely different that the way goodreads describes this book. The cooking part was a very funny, yet really small part of the story.
—Laura
