Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Back in the days of black-and-white TV and color Sunday comics, Billy has trouble fitting in at school.  Dubbed “my most challenging student” by his principal, Billy’s creative attempts at making math and P.E. more fun are not appreciated by his teachers.  When the school librarian announces a book-writing contest, Billy gets right to work, researching meteors, mythology, and…mucus.  The latter topic wins out, and Billy creates a book about a super booger, which is included in its entirety as an insert to this book.  When prizes are announced, Billy’s entry is overlooked, and he’s discouraged for the next several days.  Finally, whe goes to the library to return all the books he used for his research, he hears laughter.  A group of kids is gathered around a table, and they’re all reading his book!  The librarian tells him that she put all the contest books in the library, and his has been checked out the most.  Billy’s career is launched.  Grades K-4.

Pros:  This would be a great mentor text for memoir writing.  And of course, every 7-year-old boy will be clamoring to read a book entitled “Billy’s Booger”.

Cons:  The “be yourself” message is a bit heavy-handed.