Punished by David Lubar*

Ever heard some really bad jokes? Most of them are probably a play on words of some sort. Wouldn't chew just love to be able to think of these witty play on words off the top of your head? Now you can begin to understand how our words have many meanings hear in this book.

Logan and his friend, Benedict, are given a research assignment which requires them use resources other than the internet, which forces them to go to the public library. While at the library, they begin chasing each other (yes, running in a library) and Logan ends up running into a mysterious old man, Professor Wordsworth. Being disrespectful towards him, Wordsworth tells Logan that he needs to be punished and by blowing dust off of an old book, casts a spell on him. As a result of this spell, Logan unconsciously starts answering questions and speaking in ridiculous puns. His "new found humor" makes friends and adults groan at him because of his bad word play. Professor Wordsworth makes a deal to cure Logan, if he can finish three tasks for him in three days. The tasks force Logan to take pictures of oxymorons, place anagrams in a bag, and place rubber bands around palindromes. Logan learns about words but due to some problems trying to complete the tasks he may have to be punished forever.

The author does a good job of making use of the English language to introduce readers to terms that they may not have been familiar with before. He also opens it up for some great language arts lessons. The story is a quick read and kids will find that unwrapping the mysteries is very a peeling. It's as easy as a pizza pie to read.
This book is much better red on your own. If a teacher is going to Rita loud to their students, it's best if each person has their own copy so they can sea the puns and the tricky word play fur themselves. Students will find the conversations funny, while adults will the feel the need to grown at the puns.
My master and I both very much appreciate a play on words and think kids will too. So, I'm giving this book:Since listening and seeing this book, my mind is constantly in motion thinking of some punny things that I could say. This book is seriously funny! Ha I just said an oxymoron. At leash I'm getting better at it. Ha! Orange you glad I'm such a witty dog! Oh man, some one stop me, it's going to be hard to behave my shelf. Ok, I definitely knead some help.

- The Reading Dock send

Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing
ISBN: 1581960638
Price: $15.95

* 2008 William Allen White Master List - Elementary