The Terrible Two

Miles Murphy and his mother move to the small town of Yawnee Valley, a place with a preponderance of cows, and Miles is not happy. He had recently confirmed his place as the greatest prankster at his old school. Now he would have to start over at building his reputation. When he arrives at his new school, someone has parked the principal’s car at the top of the stairs in front of the school door. Principal Barkin somehow gets it in his head that the new kid, Miles, must be to blame, but since he can’t prove it, he assigns Niles Sparks, perfect kids and school helper, to show Miles around. Niles, it turns out, is a well-hidden prankster. Pranking wars begin, but it takes cows to make the best prank of all.

Mac Barnett and Jory John have written a very funny, very creative book that middle-schoolers, both boys and girls, will love. Kevin Cornell’s silly illustrations are the perfect complement to this over-the-top wacky story. The most reluctant of reluctant reader will be unable to resist this one. Librarians may want to order multiple copies for what is sure to be a very popular book.