Troublemaker

Illustrated by: Mark Elliott / Read by: Keith Nobbs

For Ages: 8 - 12

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Once a troublemaker, always a troublemaker? A reputation proves challenging to change in this “rock-solid school story” (Publishers Weekly) from Andrew Clements.

Clayton Hensley is accustomed to trouble: There’s a folder of incident reports in Principal Kelling’s office that’s as thick as a phonebook and growing daily. Most recently, Clay’s art teacher told the class to spend the period drawing anything they wanted, and Clay decided to be extra “creative” by drawing a spot-on portrait of Principal Kelling…as a donkey.

It’s a pretty funny joke, but Clay is coming to realize that the biggest joke of all may be on him. When his big brother, Mitchell, gets in some serious trouble, Clay decides to change his own mischief-making ways…but he can’t seem to shake his reputation as a troublemaker.

From the master of the school story comes a book about the fine line between good-humored mischief and dangerous behavior—and how everyday choices can close or open doors.

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Book details:

Simon & Schuster Audio |
ISBN 9781442304550 |
July 2011 |
Grades 3 - 7

$11.95 List Price

Available for immediate download

Teaching Resources

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Andrew Clements Curriculum Guide 2013 (pdf)

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Praise

“Clements is a genius of gentle, high-concept tales set in suburban middle schools.”

– The New York Times

SEE ALL PRAISE (2)

“Clements is a genius of gentle, high-concept tales set in suburban middle schools.”

– The New York Times
“Another rock-solid school story that will resonate with middle graders.”

– Publishers Weekly

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Reading Group Guide

A reading & activity guide for

Troublemaker by Andrew Clements

ABOUT THE BOOK

Clayton Hensley has been getting into trouble since he started elementary school. From running in the halls to drawing an unflattering cartoon of the principal, he’s always been pretty proud of his pranks. Then his big brother, Mitch, returns home from a stint in jail with a new attitude and wants Clay to change his ways too. But Clay’s rambunctious friends don’t understand. Resisting the urge to act up when somebody bugs him is not as easy as he thought it would be. And a few weeks of good behavior may not be enough for the people Clay tricked and ridiculed to stop thinking of him as a troublemaker. Clements tells a thought-provoking and important story about rules, reputations, and the possibility to change course for the better.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

1. List at least three things you think you know about Clay after reading only the first page of Troublemaker. What is your opinion of Clay at the end of Chapter 1?

2. Who is Mrs. Ormin? How does she help readers understand Clay’s story? How does Clay feel about Mr. Dash, Mr. Kelling, and Mrs. Ormin? Is he angry at them? Why do you think Clay behaves the way he does in the early chapters of the book?

3. What do you think Clay expected would happen after Mr. Dash and his classmates see the donkey picture? What events resulting fro see more