How To Write Really Badly (1996) - Plot & Excerpts
‘How to Write Really Badly’ is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Even as an adult, I found it fast paced, witty and entertaining. The story follows Chester Howard, a new pupil in a school, who is forced to sit next to a child that has severe difficulties in writing. It is written in first person, therefore from the young boy’s opinion.This book would be really well suited to a KS2 class, probably for independent reading, as I would certainly encourage students to read this. Although there are some examples of vocabulary that I didn’t actually know the direct meaning of, it is well explained and narrated. I feel the way in which the character talks about the teacher would also entertain students greatly, and this book is really great in the fact that it covers an educational issue; the character who is unable to write at the class level, is actually really talented in making structures, and I feel this is something that would be really useful for children to read in school, so they are aware that although some other children might struggle, there will be something that they are also good at. There are various illustrations included in the book, especially regarding the handwriting of the student and I think that this would entertain and draw in many students.As part of reading is to encourage the pupils to read for pleasure, I think that this book, and therefore other Anne Fine works would be a great way into this.
This is one of my favourite stories by Anne fine. Howard steps foot in a new school where things are very different from the schools he has been to before. All the pupils are well mannered and courteous which he finds very strange. He develops a wonderful friendship with his desk mate Joe. The story highlights how children learn in different ways and that everyone has strengths in particular areas. In Joe's case his strength is 'how to write really badly.' I really enjoyed the humour in this book, and I believe that it will be a fun read for key stage two classes. The story can be used to teach children how to welcome new students to their class/school.
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