The Adventures of Captain Underpants: An Epic Novel
by Dav Pilkey
published in 1997, by Scholastic, Inc. (New York, NY).
Summary
George and Harold are the biggest troublemakers in the school, and their principal can't stand their tricks; he especially can't stand their comic superhero they've invented--Captain Underpants! After George and Harold get caught red handed for some of the worst pranks the school has ever seen the principal blackmails them until they hypnotize him into believing he's Captain Underpants! Then they are off on an adventure that leads them to a face-off with the evil Dr. Diaper!
Impressions
The fairly mild potty humor in the book may concern some parents, but I didn't feel it was too much or too crude. Its a quick read that many reluctant readers may find fun. There are quite a few illustrations and features several pictures that the reader flips back and forth to see the "action": like Harold jumping on a robots head. I disagree with the first review given about the illustrations take away from the plot. I never felt like they were a distraction, they only helped enhance the book.
Reviews
"The title and cover art, which depicts a toothy, egg-shaped fellow in a red cape and jockey shorts, are designed to keep this chapter book in constant circulation. The story is a superhero spoof...The extra leading and slightly enlarged typeface make for easier reading, but the silliness goes overboard...and the many action-packed illustrations rob the plot of some if its zip by commanding more than their share of attention...Still the humor is on target for some kids in this age group, who will undoubtedly look forward to a planned second adventure--Captain Underpants 2: Attack of the Talking Toilets." --Stephanie Zvirin. (1997). Booklist. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.
"Few things command disrespect like the sight of a man wearing whitie-tighties. However, the bald and barefoot Captain Underpants happens to be a superhero...Pilkey (Dog Breath) uses a sitcom-like formula to set up the rivalry between the boys and the principal, and to strip the authority figure of dignity...Line drawings of the slapstick action appear on every page, and 'Flip-O-Rama- climactic sequences create an agreeably corny 'motion-picture' effect. But the lowbrow jokes (the Captain uses an elastic waistband to apprehend an evildoer) chiefly constitute this tale's harmless, non-gross appeal." -- (1997). Publishers Weekly. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.
Uses
I think that Captain Underpants would be a great book to use for a boys book club. The boys could read that book, and then they could have a little discussion about it, a trivia quiz, and then they could come up with their own superhero and make their own comic strip.
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