Summary: Clay is always in trouble at school and his folder is growing every day. The only student that had a thicker folder was his older brother Mitch. Mitch comes back from jail a different person and is now determined to make Clay change his ways to so he doesn’t ever end up in jail. After a lifetime of being in trouble Clay finds it difficult to change and even harder to convince everybody else that he is.Review: This is one of Clements more serious books like The Jacket or Week in the Woods and though it does have some humor is not as light or as funny Frindle. The book though does an excellent job of showing that not only is it possible to change but, the advantages that can be gained from changing. As Clayton becomes more serious and less of a clown he gains more insight into himself and the adults around him. Set in the suburban setting that Clements knows the story still draws a powerful lesson about how being good can even be more rewarding than causing trouble especially when people start believing in you. The ending is perfect.Quotes:“She also had her notepad and three sharpened pencils. She always brought extra pencils when Clay met with the principal.For a full week Clay had spent time each day clenching and then slowly unclenching his fists. and his jaw muscles. Lots of time it had felt like his stomach was strangling itself.Seeing smashed pumpkins: But, this morning, in the light of day? Clay looked up and down the block, and all he saw was a big mess. And he imagined who had carved their own jack-o’-lanterns, looking at the broken chucks out in the street.Mr. Brighton wrote the name of every kid who got 90 percent or better up on the board. And his name was up there for the first time-Clay Hensley. Not my favorite Andrew Clements book as the subject matter was a little advanced for my 7 year old. Clay is a seasoned 6th grade troublemaker with a school file inches thick. His older brother gets out of jail (!) and decides that Clay will not end up well if he doesn't clean up his act. Clay struggles with being respectful, not playing pranks and being serious in school, but in the end, it all works out for him. The use of the word "jackass" was quite prevalent (in describing a drawing of the animal), but for my 7 year old, we had to substitute "rude donkey" because he felt it was a bad word. Good read, but maybe wait until your child is 9.
What do You think about Troublemaker (2011)?
librarian introduced me to this author. He's excellent. I'm now reading more of Clements' books.
—tuziec
DCF Book Award List 2012 - 2013. A quick read that should appeal to younger readers.
—john
Funny book so far I hope I can finish it with all the work I have
—ruth
