5 Minutes for Books managing editor Jennifer Donovan received a copy of this book to facilitate her review, and we were compensated for this campaign, but as always, our writer’s opinions are her own.
I jumped on the opportunity to review this book when I had the chance, because it seemed like exactly the sort of book that my 4th grade son enjoys — funny, kind of science-y, but with a realistic school setting. He hasn’t had a chance to read it yet, but after seeing me reading it, he said that he definitely wants to.
Wilmer Dooley is in 6th grade. The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School kicks off with an entry in his brand new journal, day 2 (as an interesting twist, the journal ends with day 1, once all the secrets have been revealed).
Wilmer has two goals for 6th grade. One is to win the heart of Roxie McGhee (Parental observation: Why must all books, books that 9 – 12 year olds are reading, feature these romances and crushes?? It was a cute plot element that might make the book more interesting to girls, and it wasn’t too over-the-top at all.). His second pursuit is to win the Sixth Grade Science Medal.
Wilmer is working on a history paper about plagues of the middle ages, when the kids at the middle school start to experience their own symptoms, and it’s spreading rapidly. Soon all the kids in the school, except Wilmer and his nemesis Claudius, are infected. They are congested, coughing and sneezing, and changing colors. That’s right, Roxie is pink, and it’s spreading from head to toe. Wilmer’s little brother Sherman is all sorts of colors, changing all the time. The school becomes rainbow hued as the children all change colors.
Wilmer decides that to win the medal, he is going to keep investigating what causes an epidemic to spread so that he can figure out what exactly is going on at his school, and then find a cure!
The story moves along with a journal entry at the beginning of each chapter and then events at the school and at the Dooley household. His dad is a scientist too, and his mom is always whipping up wacky menu items. The story is funny and full of realistic school details that appeal to kids. It unfolds nicely as Wilmer is figuring things out through trial and error.
I figured the cause out right away. I don’t know if the author Fowler DeWitt wanted his grade school readers to figure it out before Wilmer, or if I’m just a lot smarter than the intended audience, but regardless, it didn’t spoil the fun of reading.
This fun tongue-in-cheek video trailer made me smile:
Enter to Win
One of you (U.S. only) will win a $50 Visa card for back to school shopping and a copy of The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School
I’d use it to get a couple items, such as padded envelope mailers and other office items.
I would get some school books.
commented here http://www.5minutesformom.com/83077/easy-couscous-salad-with-artichokes-and-feta/#comment-2177572
i would use towards school shoes
I would purchase some books and some new pens (:
I would use it to buy more daughter some more clothes.
I would put it towards winter boots.
My son needs some new shirts.
Would buy some fall time clothes for my kids
On new shoes!
daughter needs some shoes
I will spend it on pens, paper and scotch tape for my school supplies cache.
I would use it to buy a pair of shoes for school.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I will use it for school clothes or shoes.
I would use it for new school clothes
I will use it to help buy clothes for my daughter.
I would buy some more clothes for my growing daughter.
So many things to use it on, I think restocking on the art supplies is a good idea, that goes so very fast!
I might use it for items for great back to school lunches.
I would buy my granddaughter a new outfit as this is her first year of school
Clothes and shoes.
I would use it to buy textbooks.
I would pick up a few things for My Grandson for school.
Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway! I will use this for office/writing supplies. I never seem to have enough.
My daughter needs some cute coordinating cardigans now that it’s starting to get chilly here, so I would take her shopping. Thanks!
I would use the Back to School bucks to add to our homeschool curriculum.
i would get more back to school clothes for my grandson
Will put it toward paper and supplies
New workout shoes.
I’d give it to my daughter who just got her first teaching job! She could sure use that money in her classroom.
I woukd use it for new shoes. Two weeks into the school year, and already he has a hole in his shoes.
DEF. ON SCHOOL CLOTHES! THEY GROW SO FAST. THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY
I would use it for foods to pack in my boys’ lunches.
I would get shoes for my son.
Fall clothes and shoes for my granddaughter.
Food for lunches.
Ladyblueeyez1960 (at)(aol)(dot)(com)
I would use it to get some fall clothes for my daughter.
I would use it to buy some new clothes, socks, and shoes for my daughter!
I would use them to purchase some new shoes for my son
I would buy tissues and hand sanitizer for the school year.
I’d get new sneakers
The kids need pants, so that’s where this would go!
I would get some new school clothes.
I actually laughed out loud at this trailer! So cool! I would likely use the gift card to get some new khakis for my son; he went through a growth spurt and most of his pants from last school year are now WAY too short!
I’ll buy some clothes for my daughter!
My kids could use some more crayons and some new t-shirts.
My son needs new shoes!
Amazing how quickly the cost of basic school supplies adds up. They are needed and necessary every year, so it seems I am always running out to get more paper, pencils and the like. The Visa card would go a long way towards stocking us up.
Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Aloha
Send to my niece for her children.
I would use for more school uniform for my daughter
I would buy a few more outfits
would buy something cool for my little one
I need to buy shoes!
xo
Books and art supplies.
I’d use it for my grandson’s upcoming birthday.
I’d buy more yarn 🙂
I will use it for unexpected expenses
My son’s class has a wish list of things for parents to bring for use during the year. I’d be able to get a few more things off the list. 🙂
I would use it to get my daughter some new shoes for school
For back to school clothes!
New shoes for the boys!
I will buy products with box tops for education and then submit it to give money to the school!
Mystery and humor, sounds like a 6th grader to me! My grandchildren would love this book.
I will use them to buy my son some new undies and jammies to replace those he’s outgrown!
I would get new polo shirts for my son since he loves wearing them
Socks and underwear! Man those can add up! Thanks for helping out!
Socks and underwear! Man those can add up!
We need to buy some football cleats!
new sneakers are needed right now
would use for books
I’d use it for new shoes
I am sure we would use it for books. We can never have to many books.
I would of course buy more books! I need this one to read aloud to my class!
I need the book to share with my class and the gift card would be to buy more books of course!!!
I need this book. Sounds like a perfect read aloud for my fourth grade class (can’t believe Kyle is in fourth grade!) especially with my crazy scienceness. I would use the gift card to buy more books!!!!!
I would use it to buy groceries for healthy lunch choices during the week!
Thanks for the chance to win! Books, books, books…
I’d buy my sons new shoes.
I’d buy a few things for the kids.
Thanks for the chance.
I will buy my son some more khaki shorts for his uniforms!
I would use it for a new winter coat for my middle daughter. She is outgrowing hers.
buy clothes and some ink
id buy new clothes
i would use back to school bucks towards a winter jacket, that’s one thing left on list need to get.
I would buy my kids some clothes if I won.
I would buy my son a new winter jacket
I would use it to get snow boots and snow pants for my Kindergartener!
I would use it for school clothes
Back to school clothes.
Diana C
I would use it for more clothes for my girls.
Would use the gift card for school clothes
I’d use the gift card for underwear and undershirts!
I’ll use it for socks. It seems that no matter how many pairs I stock for the beginning of the year, we need more by the time only a couple of months have gone by!
I’ll use it for jeans & shirts for my teenager
To purchase more school supplies and a winter coat for my daughter.
Buy my son new shoes….
this last pair barely made the 1st 3 weeks of school =(
**Having problems getting my comments to post =(
Buy my son new shoes….
this last pair barely made the 1st 3 weeks of school =(
Buy my son new shoes….this last pair barely made the 1st 3 weeks of school =(
I would buy my son more new clothes!
oops! Please delete this dup comment? Thanks!
I would use it to buy my son more clothes!
New clothes for my niece!
I would buy my son a new bookbag
I’d use it to buy fall clothing for my grandsons.
I’d let my daughter choose!
I would use it for our teacher wish lists.
I will buy homeschool supplies for my Kindergartener.
Probably to get those last-minute things that I always seem to forget…highlighters, calculator, maybe some White Out, more filler paper, it adds up!
I would buy a new backpack
I’ll put it towards buying daily school snacks and some jeans when it gets cooler.
I would buy clothes for my daughter.
School backpacks, we didn’t replace them this year
I would use it for the endless school supply list.
I would get my son a new lunchbox and backpack.
I would give it to my son to read and spend the money on school supplies-that is a never ending cost!
I would use it to buy clothes for my son.
My daughter is in desperate need of clothes. That’s what I would buy.
I would buy a bunch of books I’ve wanted for a while.
Get my daughter some new shoes
I will use the back to school bucks to get the boys more jeans. Amazing to see how much the kids grew over the summer.
Jeans and shirts for my grandchildren.
get some school jeans for the grandsons,they need them
More school needs like socks, etc…
I’ll put it towards a winter coat for my nephew!
I would use it on new kids shoes.
I would buy a pair of dressy shoes for my daughter and a few supplies for her class, like hand sanitizer.
I will buy socks and underwear.
i will use it to buy a backpack
My son needs new basketball shoes
i would buy new jeans
I will buy extra fine blue Sharpies and envelopes.
I would buy my son some new jeans and sweaters!
Entered the rafflecopter as “Wild orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I will buy socks, underwear and a few other supplies.
I’d use it to purchase socks and athletic shorts for my son. I’d also purchase a scientific calculator. Thanks.
I will give it to the teen who can use it for school supplies and books!