Otis Spofford: A Hilarious and Heartwarming Tale About Mischief and Friendship for Children (Ages 8-12)

The first Beverly Cleary book I ever read, at age 10. Otis was just like some of the boys in my class who loved to tease girls and "stir up some excitement." The book is hilarious. Beverly Cleary is 100 years old. I started re-reading her books, as I enjoyed them so much as a child. I was amazed at how wonderful they still are after so many years.

Re-reading this book as an adult, I think this may be Beverly Cleary's most interesting piece of fiction. Most of Cleary's characters are ordinary kids (Henry, Beezus, Ellen) or unusually spunky but otherwise still ordinary kids (Ramona) who live in two-parent homes with yards. Otis, on the other hand, has a single mom, lives in an apartment, and has behavior issues. He's not a bad kid by any means, but he's impulsive, easily bored, and has a very hard time thinking through the long-term consequences of his actions. He's like a jack-in-the-box where all of Cleary's other protagonists are regular dolls. And yet, Cleary writes his character as masterfully as she does the "ordinary" children she usually writes about. She gets inside Otis's head to make the reader understand exactly why he behaves the way he does, to make it make sense, but you can also see, outside his head, why he irritates everyone all the time. I find myself feeling sorry for Otis because he would be happier if he did make progress in learning to think before he acts, which he never seems to do, not even when he finally gets his come-uppance. Reading this book right after Mitch and Amy sparked a GREAT discussion with my child about the difference between a kid who's just being annoying (Otis Spofford) and a kid who's actually being a bully (Alan Hibbler).

Always a great read for my young students! They love it as much as I do!

A classic children's book that is both smart and entertaining. I read it as a child, I bought it for my goddaughter and cannot wait for my own children to read it one day.

I loved the book. It was very good. The only thing I would change was the ending. I felt that it needed more

We liked the story very much. Good old fashioned humour. Perfect for my boys Glad we read it. Will continue our quest to read all cleary's works!

Beverly Clearly is a wonderful author of children's books. I loved them so much as a child, I ordered them for my grandchildren to have. I know they will love them too!

I purchased this book for my daughter who is part of the Battle of the Books. A reading program through the library for 4th, 5th and 6th graders. An easy fun read. I would recommend this book.