How to Eat Fried Worms, Written by Thomas Rockwell

How to Eat Fried Worms

Written by: Thomas Rockwell

Grades: 3-7

Awards: 

Grand Canyon Reader Award (1979)

Nene Award (1976)

Massachusetts Children's Book Award (1976)

Iowa Children's Choice Award (1980)

Oklahoma Sequoyah Award (1976)

Billy and Allan make a $50 bet to see who can eat a worm for 15 days. The worm can be prepared anyway as long as the person eats it. Billy has a hard time at first eating the worms. Allan is surprised that Billy is eating them so he starts a rumor that worms are poisonous. Billy starts to feel sick so he tells his dad about the bet. Billy's dad reassures him they are not poisonous. Billy's mom even helps prepare the worms so they taste better. Allan has not eaten any worms. To stop Billy on the last day Allan takes him to a baseball game and fills him up with junk food. Allan thinks he has won when Billy falls asleep and can't eat his worm. Billy wakes up just before midnight to eat his worm. The kids wake up the whole neighborhood up to see the bet end. Allan's father is furious at him for trying to trick Billy and makes him go door-to-door to apologize. Billy gets his $50 and buys the mini bike he has been dreaming about. 

This book was funny and even has rhymes and songs for the kids about worms. It shows kids do not underestimate others when they really want something. It also shows them not to make bets.