Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
by Stephan Pastis
Timmy Failure and his sidekick --ahem, business partner-- are like
Calvin & Hobbes if Calvin was dense and Hobbes was a seal-obsessed
polar bear. Together, Timmy and Total form Total Failure, Inc, a
detective agency Timmy is sure will soon be an international corporation
making billions-- or at least enough to pay his mom's bills. The only
thing standing in Timmy's way is the CCIA or Corrina Corrina
Intelligence Agency run by the evilest girl in Timmy's class. Oh, and
his grade obsessed best friend (possible traitor) and an infatuated
classmate (international thief). Stephan Pastis' hilarious novel is
perfect for kids obsessed with Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Calvin &
Hobbes. Okay, adults will laugh, too. Under the humor are serious situations faced by many kids.
(spoilers as to what these issues are below)
Timmy's mom is finding it difficult to pay the bills and she and Timmy end up moving into an apartment. Timmy immediately dislikes his mom's boyfriend (ultimately, his mom realizes the boyfriend does not care as much about Timmy as his car and ends it). Timmy's grades are low but with the right teacher (who sees Timmy as an individual)Timmy begins to do very well. These underlying issues elevate the book to more than just another journal-style middle grade series.
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