Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
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| Author | Judy Blume |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Dutton |
| Released | 1972 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 128 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-525-40720-0 |
| Followed by | Superfudge |
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is a novel written by Judy Blume in 1972 with interior illustrations by Roy Doty. It is the story of Peter Warren Hatcher, a boy living in New York City. It is the first of the "Fudge books." It was followed by Superfudge, Fudge-A-Mania, and most recently Double Fudge. Though Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great features many of the same characters as Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, it does not fit exactly in the continuity of the Fudge books because it focuses on Peter’s classmate, Sheila.
Fudge is the nickname of Peter's two-year-old brother (whose legal name is Farley Drexel Hatcher). Fudge hates the sound of his legal name, and prefers Fudge for any and all occasions. Sheila Tubman is a girl in Peter's class, and his best friend is named Jimmy Fargo. Fudge gets Peter into trouble several times, but somehow gets out of it just as easily.
[edit] Plot summary
1.The Big Winner
- Introductory chapter with Peter winning a turtle at his friend Jimmy's birthday party. Peter introduces his family and the concepts of his annoying brother and his habits.
2. Mr. And Mrs. Juicy-O
- Fudge annoys his father’s business clients culminating in plastering the client's suitcase with stamps. Peter believes that the clients have a distinctly poor attitude.
3. The Family Dog
- Fudge refuses to eat, pretending he is the family dog and wanting to eat off the floor. Dad's patience is broken and he dumps a bowl of cornflakes over Fudge's head, leading to Fudge's new favorite phrase, "Eat it or wear it!"
4. My Brother the Bird
- While being watched by Sheila Tubman on the playground, Fudge jumps off the jungle gym, thinking he can fly, losing his top two front teeth, and Peter almost immediately gives Fudge a new nickname, Fang.
5. The Birthday Bash
- Peter is recruited by his mother to chaperone Fudge's birthday party, which ends up with some amusing and disastrous results.
6. Fang Hits Town
- Peter, Fudge and their mother go shopping. Fudge makes a spectacle of himself at every stop. Mom reaches her breaking point when Fudge decides to smear mashed potatoes on the wall of a restaurant.
7. The Flying Train Committee
- Peter and his friends are grouped for a class project, but Fudge makes the situations more difficult by graffiting their piece of project work. Fudge is spanked when his mom finds out.
8. The TV Star
- Mom goes out of town to visit her sister in Boston. Dad takes his sons into work when coincidently Fudge stars in an advertisement on television.
9. Just Another Rainy Day
- All hell breaks loose when Fudge is taken to the movie theatre and makes a spectacle of himself, almost getting lost.
10. Dribble!
- Fudge swallows Peter's pet turtle, Dribble. This chapter was inspired by a newspaper article brought to Blume's attention by her secretary, and Peter's parents get him a dog to apologize about only giving attention to Fudge, and Peter names the dog Turtle.
[edit] Characters
The Family
Peter Warren Hatcher: A 9\10 year old fourth grade boy living in New York City. The main character whose brother sets a bad age for him.
Farley Drexel 'Fudge' Hatcher: A two year old (turns three in the book) in which disaster follows everwhere he goes, often making a spectacle of himself and setting a bad image to his family
Anne Hatcher: mother to Peter and Fudge
Warren Hatcher: father to Peter and Fudge
Dribble: Peter's pet turtle which he won at Jimmy's ninth birthday party.
Grandma Muriel: Anne's mother. She is known for using classic phrases.
Friends
James Fargo: Known as Jimmy to Peter; is Peter's best friend. He is mentioned as younger than Peter, though older than Sheila (assuming he's taller than her).
Sheila Tubman: Lives in Peter's apartment block. Peter believes Sheila is a real know-it-all. She is Queen Of Cooties even though she is in 4th grade. She gives up cooties sometime between the fourth and seventh chapters.
Henry Bevelheimer: The elevator operator, seems to know everybody in the apartment well.
Ralph, Jenny and Sam: Fudge's friends. Ralph is very fat to the point where his own mother cannot lift him, Jenny is described as a mini-vampire, and Sam suffers nearly every phobia possible (though he gets over his one over parties).
Warren Hatcher - Career colleagues
Mr and Mrs Yarby: The Juicy-O company president and wife - Warren's former employer
Mr George Vincent: Warren's current boss - The toddle-bike company
Janet: Warren's secretary
[edit] Fudge series
- Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing (1972)
- Superfudge (1980)
- Fudge-A-Mania (1990)
- Double Fudge (2002)
| Books by Judy Blume | ||
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Superfudge series: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing • Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great • Superfudge • Fudge-A-Mania • Double Fudge |
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Other books: The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo • Iggie's House • Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret • Then Again, Maybe I Won't • Freckle Juice • It's Not the End of the World • Deenie • The Pain and the Great One • Blubber • Forever • Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself • Wifey • Tiger Eyes • The Judy Blume Diary • Smart Women • Letters to Judy: What Kids Wish They Could Tell You • Just as Long as We're Together • Here's to You, Rachel Robinson • Summer Sisters • Places I Never Meant to Be |
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