George Brown, Class Clown 1 – Super Burp!

Nancy Krulik's Super Burp is the first George Brown, Class Clown book, a very silly school story for 6 year olds about a boy whose wish on a shooting star only half comes true.

What happens

George is the new kid again. His dad's in the army, so the family moves a lot, and this time it's a town called Beaver Brook.

He's made a big decision. No more pranks and no more class clown. He's even starting school with his mum's surname instead of his dad's (new name, new George).

It doesn't go to plan. On day one his teacher, Mrs Kelly, picks him as her square-dancing partner, sweaty hands and all. Then a girl's pepper makes him sneeze at lunch, straight onto Louie's tray. Louie (the boy with the cool sneakers) makes sure George gets the blame.

That evening at Ernie's Ice Cream Emporium, George spots a shooting star. He wishes to make kids laugh without getting into trouble. Then he finishes his root beer float and out comes the loudest burp of his life.

What happens next isn't up to him. His hands shove two straws up his nose, he's up on the table being a walrus, and Mum's sundae goes flying.

And it keeps on happening! A careful magic trick with six eggs (which he forgot to hard-boil) turns into juggling, and George has never juggled in his life.

The burp always gives a warning, which is half the fun. The bubbles ping-pong round his belly and bing-bong up into his chest, so your reader knows exactly what's coming before George does. Can he squash it back down this time? Sometimes he even manages it, upside down in a handstand in the middle of a gym lesson.

Under all the mess George is a very easy boy to like. He's lonely at first, walking home on his own, so it's really nice when a boy called Chris stops by his skateboard ramp and laughs at his jokes.

It's an American school, so expect recess, fourth grade and Jell-O at lunch. Expect plenty of snot and egg slime too.

If you've got a reader who thinks a good burp is the funniest thing in the world, this is the one to start with.

What to read next

George's next adventure is Trouble Magnet. He's still keeping the burp a secret, and there's a school talent show on the way.