Just Stupid!
Just series
on Goodreads (1,381)
What’s inside...
In 'Just Stupid!', Andy Griffiths' collection of absurd and hilarious stories, Andy gets into all sorts of wild and wacky situations often due to his own ludicrous decisions and overactive imagination. From mistaking a blob of bubblegum for his brain, to super-gluing his thumb to his nose, Andy's shenanigans are both outrageously funny and cautionary. 'Just Stupid!' is the third book in a series of short stories about the world's smartest, craziest, and most annoying practical joker, co-created by bestselling Treehouse series authors Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. The book also features a 'stupid test' to determine your affinity for the book's humor, asking questions like if you push doors marked 'pull', believe a bogeyman hides under the bed, or worry about getting sucked into the top of escalators. Depending on the number of 'yes' answers, the test humorously rates your stupidity and suitability for enjoying the book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-10
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Andy
Discussion points
What do you think motivates the characters to act silly or make poor decisions in the story?
How do you feel about the choices the characters made? Can you think of alternative ways they could have handled situations?
What lessons do you think the characters learned by the end of the book? Have you learned similar lessons in your own experiences?
How does the author use humor to address serious topics? Can you find examples in the book where humor changed how you understood a situation?
If you were to write your own silly story, what kind of funny situations would your characters get into?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to emphasize the humorous parts of the book, making the read-aloud experience more engaging and fun.
After reading, encourage your child to describe their favorite part or character, linking it back to the themes of decision-making and consequences.
Discuss the emotions displayed by the characters and ask your child how they would feel in similar circumstances, which builds empathy and understanding of diverse reactions.
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them to come up with an alternate ending to the story based on different choices by the characters.
Relate situations in the book to real-life incidents where they or someone they know faced a dilemma, discussing what was learned from those experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences of actions
Explanation: Through the humorous misadventures of the protagonist, the book demonstrates how actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think about the outcomes of their choices, helping them make more thoughtful decisions in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of honesty
Explanation: The story showcases various scenarios where the truth eventually comes out, emphasizing that honesty is the best policy.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to practice honesty in their dealings with friends and family, fostering trust and strong relationships.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: The characters face challenges that they overcome by working together, highlighting the strength found in friendship.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to collaborate and support their peers, which can be beneficial in school projects and other group activities.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: The protagonist's repeated blunders serve as learning experiences, stressing the importance of learning from errors.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children that mistakes are part of learning and growing, and it's important to use them as stepping stones to improvement.