Reviews
Harley P. Davidsun's Loony Bin
“Harley P. Davidsun’s Loony Bin is a zany and fun read set in a fourth grade class and presents an unconventional teacher and his crazy classroom assignments: perfect reading for kids who are typically bored by your usual stories of school.
Teacher Harley P. Davidsun makes his difference evident from the moment students set foot in his classroom: “The HIM was leaning back in the teacher’s chair with his black motorcycle boots propped up right in the middle of the teacher’s desk. His faded, frayed, torn-up blue jeans looked like they were at least a hundred years old. A long ponytail hung over the back of his sleeveless black t-shirt, and a gold hoop dangled from his left earlobe. Dark sunglasses sat on his crooked nose, and a scraggly beard lay on his bulging belly, almost reaching to his big, silver belt buckle. The HIM didn’t say a word. He just crossed his huge, tattooed arms over his ample belly and sat there eyeballing every kid who passed by his desk.”
And lest appearances lie, the teacher's first greeting also indicates that school will be anything but normal this year: “…he grumbled in a sort of grizzly-bear voice wrapped up in a Southern drawl: “Welcome to the fourth grade loony bin.”
As Gomez and his best friend Fester come to know their unconventional teacher - and participate in his antics - they discover that it will be the best school year they’ve ever experienced - and so readers in grades 3-6 will also discover the Loony Bin to be one of the liveliest, most unpredictable reads about school to land on their desks in quite some time.
Mind you, there are lessons taught within the hilarious escapades throughout: “Here are a couple things, some real gems of wisdom you all oughtta tuck away in your gray matter for safe keepin’. If you eat like a pig, you’re gonna look like one. Believe me, too many chocolate fudge sundaes and sittin’ in front of the TV like a couch potato will be hazardous to your health.”
And even when Mr. D. is hospitalized and out of commission after an accident, the antics continue (at school and in the hospital), fostered by his unique brand of humor, insights on the world, and an attitude which successfully rubs off on his young students.
Ironically enough, one of his substitute teachers becomes equally zany, even participating when a fart-making contest erupts in the classroom and crescendos with a toilet-paper war pitting boys against girls.
There’s absolutely nothing boring - or predictable - about Harley P. Davidsun’s Loony Bin: even the most reluctant reader will become immersed in the whimsical exploits of teachers and students, and will find this to be a compelling page-turner.”– D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Teacher Harley P. Davidsun makes his difference evident from the moment students set foot in his classroom: “The HIM was leaning back in the teacher’s chair with his black motorcycle boots propped up right in the middle of the teacher’s desk. His faded, frayed, torn-up blue jeans looked like they were at least a hundred years old. A long ponytail hung over the back of his sleeveless black t-shirt, and a gold hoop dangled from his left earlobe. Dark sunglasses sat on his crooked nose, and a scraggly beard lay on his bulging belly, almost reaching to his big, silver belt buckle. The HIM didn’t say a word. He just crossed his huge, tattooed arms over his ample belly and sat there eyeballing every kid who passed by his desk.”
And lest appearances lie, the teacher's first greeting also indicates that school will be anything but normal this year: “…he grumbled in a sort of grizzly-bear voice wrapped up in a Southern drawl: “Welcome to the fourth grade loony bin.”
As Gomez and his best friend Fester come to know their unconventional teacher - and participate in his antics - they discover that it will be the best school year they’ve ever experienced - and so readers in grades 3-6 will also discover the Loony Bin to be one of the liveliest, most unpredictable reads about school to land on their desks in quite some time.
Mind you, there are lessons taught within the hilarious escapades throughout: “Here are a couple things, some real gems of wisdom you all oughtta tuck away in your gray matter for safe keepin’. If you eat like a pig, you’re gonna look like one. Believe me, too many chocolate fudge sundaes and sittin’ in front of the TV like a couch potato will be hazardous to your health.”
And even when Mr. D. is hospitalized and out of commission after an accident, the antics continue (at school and in the hospital), fostered by his unique brand of humor, insights on the world, and an attitude which successfully rubs off on his young students.
Ironically enough, one of his substitute teachers becomes equally zany, even participating when a fart-making contest erupts in the classroom and crescendos with a toilet-paper war pitting boys against girls.
There’s absolutely nothing boring - or predictable - about Harley P. Davidsun’s Loony Bin: even the most reluctant reader will become immersed in the whimsical exploits of teachers and students, and will find this to be a compelling page-turner.”– D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review