General Butterfingers

by John Reynolds Gardiner

Book Overview

Eleven-year-old Walter can't believe his eyes when he sees the eviction notice from Ralph, the rotten nephew of his old friend, General Britt. It isn't so bad for Walter and his mother, who also lives there--she would have no trouble finding another housekeeping job to support them both. But what about the old soldiers, the last surviving members of the crack World War II rescue force called the Spitzers, who saved the general's life more than...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618759220
• ISBN13: 9780618759224
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.9" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

My favorite!

As a grade three teacher I've come across TONS of children's books in my career. One of the best times in a teacher's day is reading to students. General Butterfingers has become my favorite! A woman is a cook and housekeeper for 3 sweet veterans. Her son interacts in such a special way with the gentlemen that the whole story is touching, especially when Walter and the men formulate and carry out a plan to keep the veterans from being taken to live in a Veterans Home. I given MANY copies of this book as a gift to the children of friends, relatives, and neighbors.

Excellent read aloud

I am a fourth grade teacher at an American military school in Germany. I have used this book as a read aloud for many years and it is constantly rated as one of their favorites at the end of the year. They always want to know where they can buy their own copy and I'm very sorry to tell them that it's out of print. You can't find a better story to read around Veteran's Day than this.

Terrific!

The Spitzers were three World War II rescue commandos, brave and fearless and their greatest accomplishment was saving the life of General Britt. After the war was over, the General invited them to come live with him, his housekeeper, Mrs Wilson and her son, Walter, in his house on Felton Street. And they all live happily together for many years. Sadly, General Britt passed away, leaving the house to the three, now very old warriors. That is until the letter came. The General's nasty nephew, Ralph, claims he's the heir to the General's estate and is giving the Spitzers, Mrs Wilson and Walter one week to get out. But Walter will have none of this. He is determined to find a way to save the house for his "family" and stop Ralph from throwing them out. He tells the Spitzers, "We're not giving up this house without a fight." So begins General Butterfingers, John Reynolds Gardiner's fast paced, action packed story, that will delight and amuse even the hardest to please readers. Gardiner has filled his book with great characters, lots of dialogue and funny, vivid scenes that will keep kids turning pages to the end, as they watch Walter lead the Spitzers into one last battle. This is the perfect book for kids aged 9-12 and a wonderful read-aloud story the whole family will enjoy.