Main Characters
| Name | Job/relationship to AJ |
|---|---|
AJ (Arlo Jervis) | Main character |
Ryan | friends with AJ |
Michael | friends with AJ |
Neil | friends with AJ |
Alexia | friends with AJ |
Andrea | is AJ's opposite, rival for best student |
Emily | Andrea's best friend, often called a cry baby |
Miss/Mrs Daisy | AJ's second grade teacher, she is the titile of the first book |
Mr Klutz | School Principal, has no hair, is often doing crazy things. |
Mr Grantite | AJ's third grade teacher |
My Weird School
The My Weird School books are a series of books based on a group of characters who attend Ella Mentry School, written by Dan Gutman. Although the main character in all the books is AJ, the books each have a separate story about a staff member or adult, whose name is usually the title of the book. You can, however, read the books in any order and independent of each other and still understand the plot and backstory.
They are chapter books, usually about 9 - 12 chapters in length and are full of illustrations. The recommended age range listed on the books is 7-10 years.
My Weird School Books
Dan Gutman
The back cover of the My Weird School books has the following description for Dan Gutman
' Dan Gutman has written many weird books for kids. He lives in New Jersey . . . with his weird wife and two weird children.'
His website www.dangutman.com. gives lots of information about how he became a writer and the other types of books he has written, including non fiction.
Why the Books Appeal to Children.
The combination of humor in the story and humorous illustrations keeps kids reading. The text is full of funny themes that reoccur through all of the books. For example every time the word wow appears it is followed by 'which means mom upside down'. If they need to move to another room they have to walk 'a million hundred miles'. There is a lot of play on everyday phrases that literally mean something different. One good example of the use of idioms is the use of the phrase You will never guess who walked in the door? Mr Klutz, of course he did not really walk in the door, that would really hurt.'
Children can relate to the evolving themes through the books. The characters, events and situations are all familiar things kids go through. Having to eat in the cafeteria, go out to recess, a trip to the nurse or the Principal's office and riding the bus are all within children's experiences.
The chapters are fairly short with lots of illustrations. Coupled with this the language used is very repetitive and friendly to those new to chapter books. The vocabulary used by AJ and the other students is similar to that used by children so they would be familiar with it.
Lastly, even though each story is about the same characters, school and locations all the books stand alone and are readable either in order or independent of each other.
Illustrations
The Illustrator of the books is Jim Pailot. He describes himself in the book cover as "lives in Arizona with his weird wife and two weird children. Isn't that weird? " On his website www.jimpaillot.com you can see his other illustration works. He produces comical illustrations for books, magazines and newspapers.
Example of a My Weird School Book
Ruth Brown
Things to Know about Andrea
Andrea is AJ's rival for the best student in the class. She knows everything and has been to every type of afterschool class available. She is best friends with Emily and calls AJ by his full name Arlo, possibly because she knows he does not like it. AJ and Andrea often end up working together and get teased by AJ's friends that they must be in love.
Things to Know about A.J.
A.J is one of the main characters and the voice of the books. At the beginning of the series he is 6 years old and in 1st grade. He generally starts each book with
'My name's A.J.and I hate school.'
He has many phrases and provides most of the humor in the books through both what he says and does. He is in the Gifted and Talented program, dislikes his classmate Andrea, loves his action figure, loves peeps. A.J. has lots of adventures with his friends Ryan, Michael and Neil and they all think the word butt is very funny!
My Weird School Specials
Book signing with Dan Gutman
Dan Gutman at a Book Signing.
Ruth Brown
Specials books and the 3 Series
The books have been written in 3 different series' and a set of specials books. The sets are broken up into My Weird School, My Weird School Daze, My Weirder School and My Weird School Specials. They begin in Miss Daisy's class where we are introduced to all the characters and teachers and as the books develop the students graduate, go on field trips and get up to all sorts of adventures. The Specials are usually based on holidays, for example Its Halloween, I'm turning Green. The story is based on the Halloween holiday and the adventure that AJ and his friends get up to. The Specials books also include puzzles and activities in the back of the books based on the characters and the story in the book.
List of Books
| My Weird School | My Weird School Daze | My Weirder School | My Weird School Special | My Weirdest School |
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Miss Daisy is Crazy | Miss Dole is out of Control | Miss Child Has Gone Wild | My Weird Writing Tips | Mr Cooper is Super |
Mr Klutz is Nuts | Mr Sunny is Funny | Mr Harrison is Embarassin | Its Halloween, I'm Turning Green | Ms. Cuddly is Nutty (available June 2015) |
Mrs Roopy is Loopy | Mr Grantie is from another Planet | Mrs Lilly is Silly | Deck the Halls, We're Off the Walls | Miss Brown is Upside Down (available October 2015) |
Miss Hannah is Bananas | Coach Hyatt is a Riot | Mr Burke is Berserk | Bunny Double, We're in Trouble |
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Miss Small is off the Wall | Officer Spence Makes no Sense | Ms Beard is Weird | Back to School, Weird Kids Rule |
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Mr Hynde is out of his Mind | Mrs Jafee is Daffy | Mayor Hubble is in Trouble | Oh Valentine, We've Lost Our Minds |
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Mrs Cooney is Loony | Dr Brad Has Gone Mad | Miss Kraft is Daft |
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Miss LaGrange is Strange | Miss Laney is Zany | Dr Nicholas is Ridiculous |
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Miss Lazar is Bizarre | Mrs Lizzy is Dizzy | Ms Sue Has No Clue |
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Mr Docker is off his Rocker | Miss Mary is Scary | Mr Jack is a Mainiac |
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Mrs Kormel is not Normal | Mr Tony is Full of Baloney | Miss Klute is a Hoot |
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Miss Todd is Odd | Ms Leakey is Freaky | Mrs Lane is a Pain |
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Mrs Patty is Batty |
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Miss Holly is too Jolly |
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Mr Macky is Wacky |
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Miss Coco is Loco |
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Miss Suki is Kooky |
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Mrs Yonkers is Bonkers |
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Dr Carbles is loosing his Marbles |
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Mr Louie is Screwy |
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Ms Krup Cracks me Up |
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Would you like to Attend Ella Mentry School?
In conclusion, the My Weird School Series is perfect for both boys and girls, beginner and fluent readers. The use of Idioms throughout the stories, the comic illustrations and the everyday experiences that occur appeal to everyone. The range of characters ensure all kids can identify with the stories.
