Description

Author, Brian Silbert, masterfully explores the tumultuous journey of children through the complexities of school life, where homework and tests collide with the challenges posed by bullies and the elusive category of “perfect students.” This deep but whimsical narrative also introduces young readers to the perplexing world of having a first crush.

Fifth-grader Berticus exists at the collision point of homework and tests, bullies and first crushes, and the pressure to be The Perfect Student. It’s not a pretty sight. But it is a funny one.

Berticus isn’t navigating this journey alone. His best friend Thatch- -a kid who sticks by Berticus through thick and thin—remains by his side. Despite the fallout from Berticus’ misadventures, Thatch’s unwavering support and companionship never falter, proving that true friendship endures through all of life’s wild adventures, including Berticus’ bad ideas.

And Berticus has a lot of bad ideas. But how else does a guy work out his Big Idea, his surefire way of getting through a new school year loaded with tests, homework, and monotony aggravated by the unfortunate coincidence of the first day being his birthday?

You can’t fault a guy for trying—even though Principal Hooper sure tries to. With only best intentions, Berticus goes from being the lunchroom’s self-appointed maître d’, “Hey there, buddy. Try the tater tots. Chef microwaved them perfect-o fresh today.” to founding a super-secret club, to leading his class in an impromptu sing-a-long following a bathroom mishap, to becoming an actual sort a martial arts superhero, to running for school president without fully grasping the responsibilities. Then Berticus’ Journey of the Big Ideas lands him in the school band with the girl he’s been crushing on and the school bully, and all bets are off.

Resilience. Friendship. Humor hiding in life’s unexpected twists and turns. In Berticus: How I Survived School! And Bullies! And Farley Finnigan!, author Brian Silbert masterfully explores the complexities of just try to being a kid in fifth grade on his way to middle school.

IndieReader Professional Review

Perfectly paced and full of genuine laughs, Brian Silbert’s BERTICUS will remind readers of all ages that being the odd kid out—for all its mishaps—can be the greatest adventure of all. A timeless laugh-out-loud journey through the perils of fifth grade, capturing the chaotic wonder of childhood imagination.

A pitch-perfect middle-grade novel that chronicles the oft-hilarious, always relatable misadventures of Gilbert “Berticus” Icusberwitz as he navigates the fifth grade. From the boy’s opening daydream about race car glory to his disastrous campaign for class president, Silbert successfully channels the frenetic mind of an easily distracted eleven-year-old boy.

The story centers on a year in the life and times of Gilbert “Berticus” Icusberwitz, a daydreamer whose fifth-grade experience is a series of comedic mishaps and wild schemes. Whether he’s attempting to grow a beard, starting a “super-secret club,” or navigating his first crush on classmate Amy Appleton, Berticus’s approach is typically boundless creativity fueled by questionable logic. Through it all, his friendship with the equally eccentric Thatch is the beating heart of this book. Silbert balances slapstick humor with moments of genuine growth as the story builds toward the inevitable fifth-grade graduation and Berticus gradually learns to channel his energy more productively (while staying true to who he is).

Silbert’s talent for capturing authentic “kid-logic” shines throughout. When forced to use the bathroom at school and causing a flood, Berticus transforms potential humiliation into a personal triumph of sorts: “I had removed the lid from the back of the toilet and flipped it over on the floor. I had also removed my socks and shoes, and I was standing on the lid with my pants rolled up to my knees […] I was using the broom handle like an oar as I paddled in the middle of the flooded bathroom and loudly started to sing.”

The supporting cast (featuring the likes of sweaty Artie Calhoon and the nose-whistling Mary M’Gerkin) admittedly leans more toward caricature, but this approach actually serves the story well. After all, this is the world through the exaggerated lens of an adolescent boy’s perspective, where classmates often become defined by their most prominent (and usually embarrassing) characteristics.

Perfect for middle-grade readers and parents alike, the book’s brisk pace and episodic structure make the world of –Berticus easy to digest. While readers seeking a more contemporary setting may notice the absence of social media-related drama, this choice ultimately lends the story a timeless quality. To that point, classic social dynamics and expressions like “Holy cow!” and “Sheesh!” give the story a narrative voice that feels both fresh and nostalgic.

Perfectly paced and full of genuine laughs, Brian Silbert’s BERTICUS: How I Survived School! And Bullies! And Farley Finnigan! will remind readers of all ages that being the odd kid out—for all its mishaps—can be the greatest adventure of all. —James Weiskittel for IndieReader

Thank you for your kind comments

“Being a kid is hard.  I survived, and I can laugh about it now. Heck, I lived in a home “Battle Zone” and am here to say that you will survive too. Berticus is a great book that lets all readers know that they are not alone. His struggles will sound familiar, and it’s okay to laugh. Enjoy making Berticus your new friend.” –Leonard Tesler, Middle School Teacher, Maryland

About the Author

Brian Silbert’s inspiring journey—from a kid who didn’t love school to a graduate of American University, an author, and television producer known for the hit series “American Chopper” and “Practical Jokers”—highlights the transformative power of determination and passion. Through his storytelling, Brian empowers young people to embrace their uniqueness and triumph over adversity. He lives in NYC with his wife and two daughters.

English Language Arts, Literature, Reading, Special Education, Guidance, Book Club

 

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Reading Level: 4.4
• Publisher: Strong Learning Inc.
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-0895445032
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.54 x 8.5 inches

CCSS  RL.5.1, RL.5.2, RL.5.3, RL.5.4, RL.5.5, RL.5.6

 

SKU: 503