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Description
Famous film star Tawdry Hipbone visits Grubtown for the world premiere of her latest movie. Mayor Flabby Gomez couldn't be more excited but, as usual, nothing goes to plan.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a laugh-out-loud middle grade book that doesn't take itself too seriously, this is it. Ardagh has created a gloriously ridiculous small town called Grubtown where chaos erupts the moment a big-time movie star named Tawdry Hipbone rolls in for a premiere, and the mayor is completely out of his depth trying to keep everything under control. It's fast-paced and packed with absurd situations that somehow feel believable, which makes it perfect for kids who think they don't like reading this one pulls you along at a clip and never gets bogged down. The humor leans silly rather than mean-spirited, so younger middle graders and older ones alike can enjoy it without anyone feeling left out. There's just enough tension and surprise to keep things exciting, but nothing too scary or intense for the age range, which makes it a solid choice for kids transitioning into chapter books or reluctant readers who need something that doesn't feel like homework. Fans of books like "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" or anything with a comedic small-town setting will likely gravitate toward this one right away. At under 12,000 words, it reads quickly without feeling thin on story, and kids tend to fly through it and immediately want to talk about the funniest parts.