Fourth Grade Nothings

"Soon Fudge would be a famous television star and I would be plain old Peter Hatcher---fourth grade nothing" (Judy Blume, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, 90).

Most of the boys in the club are starting fourth grade this year. And, most of the boys have younger brothers or sisters that steal their spotlights. But, it wasn't until we reread this classic Judy Blume tale of ruined school projects and eaten turtles that I realized Garrett and his little brother, Ryker, are the exact same age difference as Peter and Fudge.

So, to begin this month's book club, I promptly put a sticker on Garrett's wily, mischievous little brother to name him "Honorary Fudge." He then promptly took it off and ate it. So, I put it on his back so he couldn't eat it. He played his part well.

As the boys arrived, they each had the chance to guess the number of jelly beans in a fish bowl to have a chance to win a fish. (Spencer's mom helped me by looking for turtles, but with the kit of everything you need to take care of a turtle, the cost was too prohibitive for book club's $8 a month dues. We settled for a fish.) As the boys used their estimating skills to figure out the number of jelly beans in the bowl, Ryker continued the birthday theme by dancing around wearing a party hat and singing happy birthday to himself.

After the guesses and after all the boys arrived, we went outside for a tricycle race. Garrett M.'s mom was nice enough to donate her tricycle for the cause as was a neighbor mom. (Our Fudge has yet to get his own tricycle.) I explained the bracket for the racing tournament and the boys were off.

Unfortunately, eight- and nine-year-old boys riding tricycles in a competitive spirit is a recipe for disaster. So, without completing the bracket, we retired inside for the rest of the festivities.

Gathered around the birthday party themed table, the boys voted for the book they will read in November, The Castle in the Attic, and the vice-president for next month, Garrett M. They then answered questions about the book to earn swings at the birthday party pinata. Finally, after the pinata was broken and the candy gathered, the boys ate birthday cake out of dog bowls in honor of Fudge's demands to eat as a dog. Mason left with the beta fish and Zack, who was next closest, won the bowl of jelly beans. The rest of the boys left with next month's book, The 100-Year-Old Secret, and a turtle-themed treat bag.

The Honorary Fudge, however, still reigns supreme at our house and still insists it is his birthday, even when it is actually his older brother's. Happy 9th birthday, Garrett! (September 28)

P.S. Because most of the boys are getting out earlier from school this year, we're going to move the time book club meets to 4:00 p.m. See you next month!