fudge-a-mania

Blume, J. (1990). fudge-a-mania. New York: Puffin Books

Plot Description: Peter and his family go on a three week family vacation to Maine. They are sharing a connected house with the Tubmans,whose daughter Sheila, is Peter’s nemesis. Peter is dreading the vacation because he will be around Sheila and will also have to put up with his annoying little brother Fudge. Peter’s only saving grace is that his friend Jimmy Fargo will be coming to spend a week with him. Throughout the vacation Peter, Fudge, Sheila and Jimmy embark on adventures that include meeting a famous baseball player and almost getting thrown overboard during a sailing trip. Just when Peter and Sheila think they have survived the entire three weeks and can get away from each other they find out that their Grandfather and Grandmother are getting married.

Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book would be suitable for grades 4-7.

Series Information/Similar Books: If you want to continue to keep up with Peter and Sheila check out the other books in the Fudge series; Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge and Doublefudge.

Personal Thought: This is a humorous book that outlines the adventures of Peter Hatcher while he deals with his younger siblings and his arch nemesis Sheila Tubman. It accurately portrays relationships of siblings and also male and female interactions in middle school.

Subject/Themes: Sibling Relationships, Family, Adolescent Relationships

Character Description: Peter Hatcher has just finished sixth grade and is looking forward to an exciting summer. He has a younger brother Fudge, who is always asking questions and bugging him. He is still at the stage where girls have cooties.

Sheila Tubman is the same age as Peter. They both do not get along and are constantly fighting. During the vacation Sheila becomes Fudge’s babysitter which brings her and Peter in constant contact.

Annotation: Peter who has just finished sixth grade learns that he is going to embarking on a three week family vacation that includes sharing a house with his sworn enemy Sheila. Near the end of the three weeks both are in for a big surprise when an unlikely wedding changes their lives forever.