About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is caught up in a cycle of competition or needs a lighthearted way to discuss how ego can cloud one's judgment. While it is wrapped in the gross-out humor R.L. Stine is famous for, it serves as a perfect entry point for kids who struggle with perfectionism or social rivalry. The story follows Bernie Bridges, a fourth-grade mastermind at the eccentric Rotten School, as he tries to out-scheme his rival Sherman Oaks in a messy pie-eating contest. Beneath the slapstick comedy and blueberry stains, the book explores themes of accountability and the social fallout of being a show-off. It is highly appropriate for middle-grade readers who enjoy fast-paced, episodic storytelling. Parents will appreciate it as a tool to bridge the gap between reluctant reading and more serious discussions about sportsmanship and the consequences of one's actions, all while keeping the atmosphere fun and silly.
