You don’t actually need to even have read the previous 8 books, because this reads easily by itself (although I WILL be reading the previous 8 books simply because of how amazing this one was). 8-12 year old children will absolutely gobble this up - it’s so easy to digest, with tons of learning opportunities for new words to extend kids’ vocabulary. Band practice with Derek tonight might not be so good because there’s absolutely NOTHING that will cheer me up now. Not a thing. . . . I n s tead Mo m g i ves m e a note to give to M r. Fullerman. Dear Mr. Fullerman, owTuooatuAmcnosWdtlu’fsuseaeodaarl,olirlatncyimynrgapeVgnei(EsadPIonRef.EjidflunYi.gvse)i.ahntrenctsceosaadapwtysoiTo et—nohnsmha iwibetnlegtetchorhaipitseasafsveiirsveeteyo.nnoWotmgust.eeewttrhaeietrreepoints. MKirn. danrdegMarrdss. ,Gates I think Mom was worried my story made them look bad. 31 This year, Dad said, “Let’s go camping, it’s cheap.” Mom didn’t seem that keen, but I’d never been camping before, so I was looking forward to it. Dad and I went to the camping shop to buy a few essential items like: \"W e won’t need much,” 1. Tent he said. Dad 2. Sleeping bags 3. Cooking stuff 4. Fishing rods 5. TV 6. Computer But the camping shop had some cool stuff, LOTand Dad got carried away. He spent a of money and made me promise not to tell Mom. “We could have stayed in a nice hotel; it would have been cheaper,” Dad said. “Not the same as sleeping under the stars and waking up in the fresh air!” said the man in the shop as he took Dad’s m o n ey . 16 I like the part "Buster got on a window", "Tom drew a drawing of Mr Fulerman". The author ( Liz Pichon)thinks of things - everybody could laugh at.

Tom Gates Scholastic Canada | Tom Gates

This book was very creative, fun and enjoyable to read. The front of the book is very colourful and imaginative. Not so good things: Then Derek comes over (he’s in Mrs. Worthington’s class, not mine, because we chat too much). I’ve seen him loads during t he s u mme r. (H i s h a i r h a s grown — h e hasn’t.) I show him my ideas and drawings for a band name. (He likes DOGZOMBIES best . . . me, too.) When Marcus Meldrew barges into our chat. . . . “What’s that?” “Ideas for our band.” “What band?” “Me and Derek are in a band, and we’re thinking of what to call ourselves.” “That’s easy.” “Really?” (Marcus has an idea.) 33 Bu T on the other side of me, the good news is I am now sitting next to , w h o i s very smart and nice (even though she didn’t seem thrilled to see me this morning). BriLLIANT At least I can have a sneaky look over her shoulder for a few right answers. I think she is looking at me now. is ve ry nice. 10

Someone called Buster Jones gets detention but it gets longer and longer because he does silly things such as climbing out the window to escape the detention and then drawing rude graffiti of the teachers. When a drawing Tom did of a teacher inspired by Buster also goes missing Tom gets worried he may end up in a lot of trouble, did enemy Marcus or Bully Buster have anything to do with this? Y“ eah. . . . Just call yourselves 'Th e Tot a l Lo s e rs .' Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! '' s ay s M a rc us . . . who's even more annoying this year than he was last year (if that’s possible). Marcus Ha! Ha! being a Ha! TWIT T he re 's hom ew o rk a l ready fro m M r. Fullerman. (It’s like we never had a holiday.) 34

Tom Gates: Top of the Class (Nearly) Book Nine - Tom Gates: Top of the Class (Nearly)

Summary: Somewhat of a return to form for Liz Pichon's endless series, with school life and a social problem for our artistic hero combining to make a more than decent plot. It sounds like you had a very eventful time, Tom! Excellent work. I felt like I was there . . . but glad I wasn’t! Merit Points 28Ocr_converted abbyy-to-hocr 1.1.20 Ocr_module_version 0.0.17 Old_pallet IA18213 Openlibrary_edition funnyI know . . . I’ll draw something . Mr. Fu lle r ma n w ith h a i r . . . (A my s ti l l not impressed .) 37 I loved this book. I liked it when Tom lost his drawing of Mr fullerman with a big bum and got scared that a teacher would find it and show it to Mr fullerman and he would get a detention, I found it really funny that they then found the drawing in a book in the library. Great story. She’s not looking. She’s ignoring me. . . . I think. So I might as well stop writing nice things now and draw a doodle instead. (This cheers me up.) Marcus by a gets squished I “ t looks like Marcus,” Derek laughs. “Or Norman Watson on candy!” I say. “Bet it belongs to a little new kid who doesn’t know any better!” says Derek. “What kind of person would have a stupid-looking bike like that?” I laugh. Ha! HHaa! ! HHaa!! HHaa! ! Ha! We both laugh! But is NOT laughing Tu T Tu T because it’s her bike. School janitor Stan is shaking his head and tutting in a disapproving way (which is making his keys jangle) because I have upset Amy (AGAIN!). She calls me an and takes her bike away. I say “Sorry,” but Amy ignores me. (She ignored my five merits, too.) It’s been a terrib le day . 39