Death by Toilet Paper - by Donna Gephart (Paperback)

Number of Pages: 288
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Sub-Genre: Social Themes
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Yearling Books
Age Range: 9-12 Years
Author: Donna Gephart
Language: English

About the Book

Contest-crazed twelve-year-old Ben uses his wits and way with words in hopes of winning a prize that will keep his family from being evicted until his mother can pass her final CPA examination.

Book Synopsis

Fans of Louis Sachar will welcome the adventures of a contest-crazed seventh grader who uses his wits and way with words in hopes of winning a big cash prize to help his family avoid eviction.

Benjamin is about to lose a whole lot more than good toilet paper. If he doesn't make tons of money fast by selling candy bars and winning contests--like the Royal-T Bathroom Tissue slogan contest--his family will get kicked out of their apartment. Even with his flair for clever slogans, will Benjamin be able to win a cash prize large enough to keep a promise he made to his dad before he died? Or will he lose everything that matters to him?

Praise for Death by Toilet Paper

Readers can't help but enjoy this heartening book about hanging in there.--Kirkus Reviews

Ben is a character kids will root for.--Publisher's Weekly

Would make a fine classroom readaloud.--The Bulletin

Review Quotes

Gephart's generous view of humanity's basic goodness shines through, and she leavens her characters' difficult situation with plenty of humor. . . Readers can't help but enjoy this heartening book about hanging in there.--Kirkus Reviews

Ben is a character kids will root for, and he's surrounded by family and friends who help him see things will be okay, a message that may comfort readers facing similar circumstances.--Publisher's Weekly

Gephart, author of How to Survive Middle School (BCCB 6/10), again shows a deft hand at rendering difficult situations with empathy, adding just the right amount of realistic humor to relieve but not trivial- ize. . . Despite its title and cover art, this is not a romp, but it would make a fine classroom readaloud.--The Bulletin

About the Author

As a child Donna Gephart entered every contest she could find and won everything from savings bonds for college to a check for $1.98 to tickets to a local amusement park. She lives in Florida.