The Last Burp of Mac McGerp - Hardcover

Grade 4-6-Fifth-graders Lido and Mac try to outwit their strict new principal who wants to straighten up their school. Mrs. Goodbody's rules for excellence prohibit sports, field trips, and other fun stuff. Worst of all, she allows no burping, and Mac is a legend in that area, with hopes of making the National Burping Competition. He has trouble lasting a day without erupting, but when he does, his belches can open doors, propel math books, and even flip cars. When Mrs. Goodbody finally traps him, he lets go of one mighty burp that both defeats her and gives him a nice vacation. The humorously earnest narration from Lido's point of view neatly balances a story that's both a school comedy and a modern tall tale. Lido describes the amazing physical effects of Mac's burps almost casually, bringing a bit of understatement to what could have been an obvious gross-out plot. Principal Goodbody is pure evil from a student's point of view, or from any other. Her rigid rules not only cramp Mac's style, but they also threaten to ruin what is obviously a creative environment. The subject, title, and cover should make this story an easy booktalk. Fans of Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" series (Scholastic) are an obvious potential audience, and this book has a bit more substance and subtlety than many Pilkey imitations.
Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
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