The Terrible Two Series is a great series for kids in upper elementary to read. I think I have read The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John at least 25 times. This book is such a treat that I have read the book aloud at least two to three times a year for the past nine years. I would go on to say that, like a fine wine, The Terrible Two gets better with age!
Who is The Terrible Two for?
The Terrible Two is a great fit for students between 3rd and 7th grade. Older kids might enjoy it as well, but I am unsure what age this books top out at. I am over 40 years old and it’s a great fit for me. So maybe I should amend my answer to 3rd-7th grade students and women over 40 years old!
I love this book especially for reluctant readers and avid fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This is a great book to bridge the gap away from Wimpy Kid because it is funny, has an engaging story and has illustrations throughout the book to assist in telling the story. It also has a fast paced plot with frequent chapter breaks.
What is Terrible Two about?
The protagonist is Miles a new kid to Yawnee Valley, Wyoming. Miles is not excited that he moved to Yawnee Valley with his mom. He looks forward to continuing to be the school prankster at Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy. Unfortunately on his first day at the new school, Miles learns that the school already has a prankster and has parked the principal’s car at the top of the school steps!
FYI: I only endorse things that I've personally used or have come highly recommended from my teacher friends and family and think they may be helpful to you. If you buy anything mentioned using my Amazon referral links, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The principal thinks Miles is the culprit and constantly accuses Miles in a delightfully silly manner throughout the book. Miles pulls a few pranks of his own, which are superb. A diorama of Principal Barking taking a bubble bath is my favorite- The Bathing Adonis!
Throughout the book, Miles has to deal with a school bully and making friends at his new school as well as handle the school helper, Niles. Yes, there is a Miles and Niles in this book. As Principal Barkin would say, that is confusing!
Somewhere in the distance a cow mooed . . .
Terrible Two is such a pleasure to read. The character’s dialogue is such a treat! I love reading the conversations with Principal Barkin and his dad, former Principal Barkin . . .honestly, I love reading Principal Barkin’s character always. He is such a nimbus.
The pranks that were discussed and pulled in the book were thoughtful and original (Operation Cold Oatmeal, The Birthday Party Prank to name a few). They were not so specific, though, that anyone would need to worry about students actually pulling these pranks at school.
The theming of cows is woven so effectively throughout the book as well. From the start with Miles noticing all of the cows mooing, to Principal Barkin’s Cow Handbook that he hands out from his fanny pack, I mean principal pack, to the final prank pulled in the book that involves all of Bob Barkin’s cows.
Finally, the rich vocabulary found throughout the book is fantastic. The students are so engaged by the entire book that they just soak up the richness of the text the entire time. If there is ever a school day where I am unable to read The Terrible Two aloud, there are complaints and groans and cheers the next day when we resume reading.
Terrible Two Series
The best part of this read aloud is that there are three other books that continue the series. The entire series consists of:
I love seeing the books fly off the library shelves as the students devour the stories. Over the years I have seen countless students check out the book as I read aloud, a sure sign of a successful read aloud. I really love a good read aloud but it is an extra bonus when the students enjoy the story so much they don’t want it to end!
