Module 2 - How to Eat Fried Worms

Cover art retrieved from the listing on WorldCat.org

Bibliography

Rockwell, T. (1988). How to Eat Fried Worms. New York: Yearling.

Summary

All that Billy has to do to earn fifty dollars is eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. That is not much of a task for Billy who has done crazier things in the past. Besides, winning fifty dollars would give him enough money to buy the minibike that he really wants. The problem is that Billy’s friend Alan does not want to ask his dad for the money so he looks for ways to trick him into loosing the bet.  In the end, Billy finds himself with a minibike and a new favorite food.  

My Impressions

I never read this book as a child but I watched the movie when it came out a few years ago. While I do not advocate betting, bullying, or cheating, all of which occur in this book, I think it is a cute way to introduce taking responsibility and follow through.

Reviews

Elizabeth Fresse - Children's Literature

Alan has bet Billy 50 dollars that he can't eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. Billy decides he is up to the challenge, so he begins a long process to get down fifteen worms. The first few were hard for Billy, but once he was sure that he would suffer no ill effects, the rest were easy to eat. The challenge came in actually eating them, since Alan was not ready to lose fifty dollars. As trick after trick is tried and Billy sees through each one, the drama increases. Even the boys' parents get involved, at times helping Billy eat his worms, and at times ruining the whole thing. This was a very comical book that any boy or tomboy should enjoy. It would be a great tool in opening the door to discussing betting, even small bets, and the risks that it involves. It also deals with friends doing things that upset each other, and how to get past the issues that arise and continue being friends after the incident is over. The back of the book contains several worm recipes, though of course these are not your garden-variety worm. 2006 (orig. 1953), Dell Yearling/Random House Children's Books, and Ages 7 to 10.

School Library Journal

Gr. 4-7 - The story of Billy who, because of a bet, is in the uncomfortable position of having to eat 15 worms in 15 days.

 Suggested Activities

Since How to Eat Fried Worms sounds like a how to book, it would make a good springboard to teaching children about misleading titles. Within a school library setting, the teacher and librarian could send students on a scavenger hunt to find how to books or to find non-fiction books about worms.