Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing

By (author) Blume, Judy
Description
Millions of fans young and old have been entertained by the quick wit of Peter Hatcher, the hilarious antics of mischevious Fudge, and the unbreakable confidence of know-it-all Sheila Tubman in Judy Blume''s five Fudge books. And now, Puffin Books honors forty years of the book that started it all, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, with a special edition--featuring a new introduction from Judy--to celebrate this perennial favorite.
Review quote
Praise for Judy Blume and the Fudge books:

“Each [Fudge book] is packed with wacky earthy disasters that are her trademark and that children love to read about . . . Judy Blume has a knack for knowing what children think about and an honest, highly amusing way of writing about it.” —The New York Times
 
“It’s a pleasure to watch a talented author like Judy Blume consistently create books that reflect a
remarkable ability for combining humor with perceptive insight into a child’s world.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“Blume has her eye on the fine details of life, whether funny or frustrating.” —Booklist
 
“For anyone who has ever been ‘burdened’ by a pesky younger brother, there’s fast and funny
reading in this story.” —Children’s Digest on Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
 
“As usual, Blume’s humor and pitch-perfect ear for sibling rivalry and family dynamics will have readers giggling with recognition. Newcomers and Fudge fans alike will savor this installment in the well-loved series.” —Booklist on Double Fudge
 
 “Fudge-a-Mania infects kids with giggles.” —BookPage on Fudge-a-Mania
Biographical note
JUDY BLUME spent her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey, making up stories inside her head. She spent her adult years in many places, doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Her numerous books have won many awards, including the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is the first in a five-book series about Peter, Fudge, and Sheila. Judy lives with her husband in Key West and New York City. You can visit her at judyblume.com.
Excerpt
The Big Winner
I won Dribble at Jimmy Fargo''s birthday party. All the other guys got to take home goldfish in little plastic bags. I won him because I guessed there were three hundred and forty-eight jelly beans in Mrs. Fargo''s jar. Really, there were four hundred and twenty-three, she told us later. Still, my guess was closest. "Peter Warren Hatcher is the big winner!" Mrs. Fargo announced.

At first I felt bad that I didn''t get a goldfish too. Then Jimmy handed me a glass bowl. Inside there was some water and three rocks. A tiny green turtle was sleeping on the biggest rock. All the other guys looked at their goldfish. I knew what they were thinking. They wished they could have tiny green turtles too.

I named my turtle Dribble while I was walking home from Jimmy''s party. I live at 25 West 68th Street. It''s an old apartment building. But it''s got one of the best elevators in New York City. There are mirrors all around. You can see yourself from every angle. There''s a Soft, cushioned bench to sit on if you''re too tired to stand. The elevator operator''s name is Henry Bevelheimer. He lets us call him Henry because Bevelheimer''s very hard to say.

Our apartment''s on the twelfth floor. But I don''t have to tell Henry. He already knows. He knows everybody in the building. He''s that smart! He even knows I''m nine and in fourth grade.

I showed him Dribble right away. I won him at a birthday party," I said.

Henry smiled. "Your mother''s going to be surprised."

Henry was right. My mother was really surprised. Her mo