Charley Maplewood has never been one for parties–that would require friends, which he doesn’t have. But now that he’s turning ten–the big one-oh–he decides to throw a birthday party for himself, complete with a “House of Horrors” theme and a big birthday cake. Of course things don’t work out as Charley plans. In trying to make friends, he ends up inviting the class bully Cougar to come, and that’s before he ruins the cake and burns down the garage. By the time of the big day, Charley’s home really is a house of horrors. Will Charley be able to pull it together before the big one-oh becomes the big OH-NO!? From start to finish, The Big One-Oh is a laugh-out-loud riot, and any listener will relate to the pressures Charley faces both at school and at home in planning his special day. So put on your party hat and celebrate The Big One-Oh today!
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"Funny book about a boy who tries to figure out how to make friends. His 10th birthday is coming up and he wants to have a party. He ends up getting help from his strange but fascinating neighbor who specializes in making special effects for movies, which includes fake body parts."
— Sylvia (4 out of 5 stars)
" It was spooky and surprising at the same. "
— ebecca-ray, 2/16/2014" This was even better than I thought it would be! I laughed out loud...wasn't expecting that. "
— Laurie, 2/10/2014" Charley is about to turn ten - and wants to celebrate with a big birthday bash. There's just one problem: he doesn't have any friends to invite. Despite this minor detail, Charley decides on a theme (House of Horrors), makes his own cake (which falls), and inadvertantly invites the school bully and his nasty cohort. And oh yeah - his mom has to work so there won't be any adult supervision. But Charley has it all under control - or so he thinks... "
— Susan, 2/2/2014" Traumatized after an embarrassing party experience when he was six, Charley decides he must pull off the perfect birthday party for the big one-oh. "
— Donalyn, 1/28/2014" This is a really humoraous book about a kid who is troughing a birthday party and his mom wants him to do cowboys but he thinks that is lame. That is about all I can tell you other wise i will get carried away and tell you the whole book. That would be bad. "
— Scc, 1/26/2014" Hilarious middle grade for boys "
— Laura, 1/23/2014" I listened to this one; it's read by the author. HILARIOUS! "
— Katie, 1/21/2014" The kids will love the special effects talk. I think many will relate to the main character as well. "
— Lori, 1/20/2014" My brother just got it from the book fair, so I might as well read it... It's kind of stupid... But I guess I've only started. It's okay. A little boring and predictable. You should only get it from the library. Not worth your money. "
— Tiffany, 1/17/2014" Cute. Very easy to read. And funnywould be a good read aloud. "
— Nicole, 1/17/2014" This is a MUST READ for any parents with 10 yr old boys! Absolutely hilarious! Our favorite book we've shared so far! :-) "
— Marcie, 1/6/2014" A goofy, fun read about a quirky misfit and his upcoming tenth birthday. A light, fun read. "
— Jeff, 1/1/2014" Nothing too suprising in the story, you can see most everything coming, but fun to watch it unfold. "
— Stephanie, 12/18/2013" it was funny. Mostly because people acted stupid. "
— Beau, 12/18/2013" Gavin and I listen to this book together shortly before his big One-Oh! Great book. "
— Jennifer, 12/10/2013" This book is about a boy that is trying to set up his birthday party. Two mean kids at his school want to be invited and they want it to be scary. His neighbor makes fake body parts and decides to put them on the cake and in the punch. "
— Camraan, 11/25/2013" This was/is one of Sam's favorite books and Nathan's too. So, I had to see what the fuss was all about and I can see why they enjoyed it so much. It's definitely their sense of humor, ha! "
— Mandy, 4/28/2013" This is a grrreat book! I wish I had had a birthday this awesome when I was a kid! This is the first book that I've read by this author and I can't wait to check out his other titles! "
— Carole, 2/28/2013" A little too strange for me. "
— Donna, 11/24/2012" The best book! Made me laugh out loud all the way through the book! Read it several times! "
— Adia, 9/2/2012" I read this one with my 10-year-old grandson. We both enjoyed it. "
— Joan, 6/22/2012" Such a great book!!! One of my teachers read it aloud to me a couple years ago and I loved it!!! Totally recommend for a nice classroom-reading "
— Sir, 1/5/2012" This book made me laugh. I enjoyed reading it. "
— Tina, 11/3/2011" A fun, quick read about a boy who decides to throw himself the best ever horror themed 10th birthday party in order to make some friends at his school. "
— Catherine, 8/11/2011" For fans of realistic fiction, this fast-paced read will have you laughing and thinking about what it takes to be and make a friend. "
— Ratforcekids, 7/3/2011" I read this one with my 10-year-old grandson. We both enjoyed it. "
— Joan, 4/25/2011" A fun, quick read about a boy who decides to throw himself the best ever horror themed 10th birthday party in order to make some friends at his school. "
— Catherine, 12/1/2010" A goofy, fun read about a quirky misfit and his upcoming tenth birthday. A light, fun read. "
— Jeff, 10/18/2010" Nothing too suprising in the story, you can see most everything coming, but fun to watch it unfold. "
— Stephanie, 5/5/2010" This was/is one of Sam's favorite books and Nathan's too. So, I had to see what the fuss was all about and I can see why they enjoyed it so much. It's definitely their sense of humor, ha! "
— Mandy, 3/16/2010" Cute. Very easy to read. And funnywould be a good read aloud. "
— Nicole, 2/21/2010" This is a really humoraous book about a kid who is troughing a birthday party and his mom wants him to do cowboys but he thinks that is lame. That is about all I can tell you other wise i will get carried away and tell you the whole book. That would be bad. "
— Scc, 1/17/2010" This book made me laugh. I enjoyed reading it. "
— Tina, 11/30/2009" A bit convoluted, but also kind of cute. The main character is likeable, but has no friends. The chaos that is created when he tries to make friends by throwing himself a birthday party is the main conflict in the story. <br/> <br/>I think younger kids, about 3rd grade would enjoy it. "
— Lisa, 11/27/2009" My brother just got it from the book fair, so I might as well read it... It's kind of stupid... But I guess I've only started. It's okay. A little boring and predictable. You should only get it from the library. Not worth your money. "
— Tiffany, 11/23/2009" This is a grrreat book! I wish I had had a birthday this awesome when I was a kid! This is the first book that I've read by this author and I can't wait to check out his other titles! <br/> "
— Carole, 8/20/2009" Very funny and perfect for fourth and fifth graders. Kids will relate to the main character and his search to find out where he fits into the world. Lots of interesting characters and crazy situations! "
— Lea, 8/3/2009" Traumatized after an embarrassing party experience when he was six, Charley decides he must pull off the perfect birthday party for the big one-oh. "
— Donalyn, 7/21/2009" well, this book is pretty funny... it keeps the reader interested, and it has a lot of different- oh, how do i say it... captivating parts that everyone is sure to like! 2 thumbs up, dude! "
— Natalie, 7/20/2009" The kids will love the special effects talk. I think many will relate to the main character as well. "
— Lori, 7/1/2009