Otis Spofford

Written by Beverly Cleary

Narrated by Johnny Heller

Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary brings her understanding and warmth to every page of this wonderful story of a ""bad boy.""

When it comes to stirring up a little excitement in class, Otis Spofford knows just what to do. He can turn a folk dance fiesta into a three-ring circus . . . or an arithmetic lesson into a spitball marathon.

Best of all, Otis likes teasing neat, well-behaved Ellen Tebbits—until the day his teasing goes too far. Now Otis is nervous, because Ellen isn't just mad . . . she's planning something!

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 17, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061762437

Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary is one of America's most beloved authors. As a child, she struggled with reading and writing. But by third grade, after spending much time in her public library in Portland, Oregon, she found her skills had greatly improved. Before long, her school librarian was saying that she should write children's books when she grew up. Instead she became a librarian. When a young boy asked her, "Where are the books about kids like us?" she remembered her teacher's encouragement and was inspired to write the books she'd longed to read but couldn't find when she was younger. She based her funny stories on her own neighborhood experiences and the sort of children she knew. And so, the Klickitat Street gang was born! Mrs. Cleary's books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the American Library Association's Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, presented to her in recognition of her lasting contribution to children's literature. Dear Mr. Henshaw won the Newbery Medal, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. Her characters, including Beezus and Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph, the motorcycle-riding mouse, have delighted children for generations.

Reviews for Otis Spofford

[Katie Hamlin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I could listen to this book 60 times nonstop!!!
Really!

[Bruce Chaffins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have always loved Beverly Cleary's books! Glad I can share them with my children.

[Timothy Hoke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was boring and I thought it was a baby boy but it wasn't really that long before we were born and the kids were five years old

[Gabriel Pech · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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[Valerie Frazier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

a great story with tons of trouble ideas . chapter one is the best.
otis is a great trouble maker.

[fingerpost_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Six short stories about Otis Spofford. Although Otis is not hateful and cruel, he is sufficiently mean in some of his pranks to make him an unlikable protagonist. In the stories where his is more mischievous, they're all right. But the couple where he is truly mean spoiled the book a bit for me.

[sean191 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

10. [Otis Spofford] by Beverly ClearyFirst, it made me so happy to learn that Beverly Cleary is still alive. So many of her books have been a treasure to read to my kids. Otis Spofford is no different. Otis Spofford isn't quite up there with the Ramona or Henry and Ribsy books on my children's list, but it's still so much better than 90% of the books coming out today for pre-teens. That said, this was written in a different time so there are a couple of spots that don't ring right in today's culture - use of the word "indian" and Otis pretending he's going to scalp someone is one example that jumps out. Still, even that can be a learning opportunity, a chance to explain to kids that people used to accept things years ago which aren't acceptable today and how we take steps forward.

[athena.j · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The genre of this book is realistic fiction. A boy named Otis Spofford is the protagonist of this story, and he is nothing short of mischief and devilry. He is always yearning for excitement, whether it's making mischief in school, or teasing Ellen Tebbits, a neighbor girl. Otis never feels sorry for the trouble he causes, until one of his tricks goes too far, and he has to truly apologize to Ellen.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Otis Spofford likes to stir up things at school, on the playground, just about everywhere. And his favorite person to tease is his classmate, Ellen Tebbits!Beverly Cleary takes us back, again, to life as an eight year old. Another fun read from the author of the "Ramona" books.

[bibliophyte · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The delightful tale of a rowdy, imaginative little boy who loves to stir up trouble... and how he gets his comeuppance. I simply adore the characters Beverly Cleary creates. They are a little bit of sugar, a little bit of spice, just a touch of vinegar, and positively bursting with personality. This was so much fun to read aloud to my own little boy, who I have a feeling is going to be in future an Otis Spofford/Henry Huggins hybrid. I'm okay with this, though, since I tended to take a page or two out of Ramona Quimby's book and I'm pretty sure it didn't cause any long-term damage :) I always said I would rather have an extremely creative (albeit somewhat naughty) child than a boring one, and it appears, especially with the help of Beverly Cleary, I will be getting my wish. I look forward to sharing the adventures of Henry, Beezus, Ramona, Emily and Ralph S. Mouse with my son... just to make sure he's as resourceful and full of personality as possible.

[dgadkins88 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think Otis is so mischievious that some of the kids in today's society really relateto, especially when Otis talks about how boring school is because a lot of students feel that way and are not interested in school. I was shocked and couldn't believe the stuff he pulled on his teacher, I would have been extremely frustrated!! My favorite part int he book was the hair cutting incident. I couldn't believe he actually cut a girl's hair. Wow, what some student's will do for attention!

[cmiersma_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary: Otis Spofford is a mischievous little boy who is constantly causing problems in his class, especially to little Ellen. This story tells of the many misbehaviors Otis partakes in. His reputation one day gets him in trouble when his classmate Ellen gets him back for cutting her hair. Her revenge makes him realize that he probably goes a little too far with his teasing. Critique: The characters in this book are given great descriptions and it is easy to picture how the character might look and act. For instance, Otis is portrayed as a naughty little boy who even looks like he is constantly searching for trouble. All the main characters in this book have unique personalities that are very vivid throughout this story. Teacher Use: A teacher could use this book as a read aloud for their class. It would easily grab the attention of a 3rd grade class through the stories told by Otis. This book would also be good for troublemaker children to hear during a read aloud. It might have some kind of an influence that could show the results of being mischievous during class. No Media