How to Eat Fried Worms

This book is on the Challenged Book List

Summary: This is the story of four boys that have been life-long friends. Alan bets Billy that he cannot eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. Now Billy is up for a bet, for he's the kid that was dared to sleep in an igloo in the dead of winter and did it. However, eating fifteen worms has to be worth his while so Alan agrees to pay him fifty dollars if he can do it. After Billy eats the fourth worm with little trouble, Alan begins to get worried. He and Tom try every prank in the book, including gluing worms together so Billy will have to eat a monster of a worm. They tell his mother, they send fake doctor's notes describing poison worms, and they make a fake worm out of beans. Billy is encouranged by Tom not to fall for the pranks. After all is said and done, Billy wins the bet and buys a mini-bike with his winnings.

Personal Reaction: When I went to look for challenged books to read I had to just laugh that this book made the list. Supposedly it is challenged because it promotes inappropriate behavior. I doubt after reading this book that young boys will be inclined to run off, digging for worms, smothering them in ketchup, and eating them. Of course I remember this book when I was younger and it was a lot of fun reading it again. Since all four boys were introduced at once I thought I might have trouble keeping the characters straight, but it is a nicely written book that quickly establishes who is who. The boys get into typical boy trouble, including pulling silly pranks and fist fights. This is definately a classic, a fast-paced story about friendship and growing up.

Rockwell, T. (1973). How to eat fried worms. New York:Yearling.