The Terrible Two (book series)

Last updated
The Terrible Two
  • The Terrible Two (2015)
  • The Terrible Two Get Worse (2016)
  • The Terrible Two Go Wild (2018)
  • The Terrible Two’s Last Laugh (2018)
Author
Illustrator Kevin Cornell
Language English
Genre
Publisher Harry N. Abrams
Published2015-2018
No. of books4
Website http://terribletwo.com/

The Terrible Two is a series of four novels aimed at tweeners. The two protagonists are Miles Murphy and Niles Sparks, who are in the same grade at the Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy. It is the local public school in Yawnee Valley, a town in a country area where the main industry appears to be dairy cattle. Originally rivals, Miles and Niles discover that they have a shared love of pranking, and begin to institute elaborate pranks, often aimed at the principal of the Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy, Barry Barkin.

Contents

The series was written by Jory John and Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell, and published by Harry N. Abrams. The four books in the series are: The Terrible Two (2015), The Terrible Two Get Worse (2016), The Terrible Two Go Wild (2018), and The Terrible Two's Last Laugh (2018).

The Terrible Two

The Terrible Two is a book in the series. [1] It introduces Miles Murphy, who has recently moved to Yawnee Valley with his mother. Miles is upset about the move, away from his former town and school where he had established his reputation as a prankster. On his first day of school, he meets Niles Sparks, an extremely well-behaved student who has earned the title of "school helper" from Principal Barkin. Barkin is the victim of an elaborate prank the first day of school and blames Miles, without any proof. Miles gradually realises that behind the facade of good behaviour, Niles is a committed prankster. They eventually team up, with Niles having considerable planning abilities, and Miles having a strong skill at improvisation, when a prank looks like it may be about to be detected. The book finishes with an elaborate prank on Principal Barkin, and his son, Josh Barkin.

Josh is the school bully and class president. He is opposed by Holly, a bright student who regularly runs in opposition to Josh for the class president. She is sceptical of Niles's excessively good behaviour, and befriends Miles, who is an outsider. She gradually realises that Miles and Niles have become friends and is somewhat puzzled, as Niles and Miles seem completely different in attitudes.

The Terrible Two received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly , [2] Booklist , [3] Kirkus Reviews , [4] and The Guardian , [5] as well as the following accolades:

The audiobook, released January 12, 2015 and voiced by Adam Verner, received a starred review from Booklist . [9]

The Terrible Two Get Worse

The Terrible Two Get Worse is the second book in the series. Barry Barkin has lost his position as principal because of the fiasco at the end of the first book. He has been replaced by his father, Former Principal Barkin, who comes out of retirement to try to restore order at Yawneee Valley Science and Letters Academy. Niles and Miles continue their pranking ways, but find that Former Principal Barkin is a more formidable opponent than Barry Barkin had been.

The Terrible Two Get Worse was published January 11, 2016, and a Spanish-language edition of the book, titled Bromas Pesadas S.A. Aun Peor, was released March 15, 2017. The book is a New York Times Bestseller [10] and received positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews, [11] Booklist, [12] and School Library Journal. [10]

The Terrible Two Go Wild

The Terrible Two Go Wild, the third book in the series, cover the adventures of Niles and Miles during summer vacation. They are camping in the country outside Yawnee Valley. Barry Barkin is also on vacation, taking nature walks in the same area. Josh Barkin is leading a small group of scouts in the same area. It was published January 8, 2018.

The Terrible Two's Last Laugh

The Terrible Two's Last Laugh was published January 14, 2019.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Libba Bray</span> American writer (born 1964)

Martha Elizabeth "Libba" Bray is an American writer of young adult novels including the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, Going Bovine, and The Diviners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Barnett</span> American childrens books author

Mac Barnett is an American writer of children's books living in Oakland, California. He was born in Castro Valley, California but grew up in Castro Valley and Oakland.

Hannah Moskowitz is an American author of young adult and middle grade novels. As of 2021, Moskowitz has published fourteen novels, three short stories, and three non-fiction essays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christina Lauren</span> American writing duo

Christina Lauren, the combined pen name of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, is an American author duo of contemporary fiction, teen fiction and romance novels.

<i>Weedflower</i> 2006 childrens novel by Cynthia Kadohata

Weedflower is a 2006 American children's historical novel by Cynthia Kadohata, the author of the award-winning Kira-Kira. The cover photography of the first edition is by Kamil Vojnar. The story is set in the United States during World War II and told from the perspective of 12-year-old Japanese-American Sumiko. A 6.5-hour-long audiobook version of Weedflower, read by Kimberly Farr, has been published.

<i>Out of My Mind</i> (novel) 2010 novel by Sharon Draper

Out of My Mind is a 2010 novel by Sharon M. Draper, a New York Times bestselling author. The cover illustration of the fifth edition is by Daniel Chang, and the cover photography is by Cyril Bruneau/Jupiter Images. A reading group guide is enclosed. The book is recommended for ages 10-14 and for grades 5–8. The story was written in first person, featuring Melody Brooks, a girl with cerebral palsy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Brown (illustrator)</span> American writer and illustrator

Peter Brown is an American writer and illustrator who is best known for children's picture books. He won a Caldecott Honor in 2013 for his illustration of Creepy Carrots!

Amie Kaufman is an Australian author. She has authored New York Times bestselling and internationally bestselling science fiction and fantasy for young adults. She is known for the Starbound Trilogy and Unearthed, which she co-authored with Meagan Spooner; for her series The Illuminae Files, co-authored with Jay Kristoff; and for her solo series, Elementals. Her books have been published in over 35 countries.

<i>Tippy Lemmey</i>

Tippy Lemmey is a 2003 chapter book by Patricia McKissack about three children, Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie, who are terrorised by a neighborhood dog, called Tippy Lemmey, but manage to overcome their fears and befriend him.

Anna-Marie McLemore is a Mexican-American author of young adult fiction magical realism, best known for their Stonewall Honor-winning novel When the Moon Was Ours, Wild Beauty, and The Weight of Feathers.

Mindy McGinnis is an American writer of young adult fiction. Her most notable works include Be Not Far from Me (2020), Heroine (2019), The Female of the Species (2016), and A Madness So Discreet (2015).

Jory John is an American author of children's books. He is known for incorporating dark humor and discussing difficult topics in his books.

The Food Group is a children's book series by American author Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald and published by HarperCollins between 2017 and 2021. The series includes seven books: The Bad Seed (2017), The Good Egg (2019), The Cool Bean (2019), The Couch Potato (2020), The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape! (2020), The Smart Cookie (2021), and The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky (2021), The Sour Grape (2022), The Big Cheese (2023), and The Cool Bean Presents: As Cool as It Gets

Animal Problems is a children's book series by Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith, and published by Random House Books for Young Readers. The series includes three books: Penguin Problems (2016), Giraffe Problems (2018), and Cat Problems (2021).

Goodnight Already! is a children's book series by American author Jory John, illustrated by Benji Davies and published by HarperCollins. The series includes four books: Goodnight Already! (2014), I Love You Already! (2015), Come Home Already! (2017), and All Right Already! (2018).

<i>Somethings Wrong</i> (childrens book) 2021 childrens book by Jory John

Something's Wrong!: A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear is a children's book written by Jory John, illustrated by Erin Kraan, and published March 23, 2021 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

<i>Its Not My Fault!</i> 2020 childrens book by Jory John

It's Not My Fault! is a children's book about emotional literacy written by Jory John, illustrated by Jared Chapman, and published June 9, 2020 by Random House Books for Young Readers.

<i>Penguin Problems</i> Childrens picture book by Jory John and Lane Smith.

Penguin Problems is a 2016 Children's picture book by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith. It is about a penguin that complains about his situation. They would later follow that up with Giraffe Problems (2018) and Cat Problems (2021).

<i>Giraffe Problems</i> 2018 childrens book

Giraffe Problems is a 2018 children's book written by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith. It is a comedic picture book about a self-conscious giraffe. John and Smith also wrote Penguin Problems (2016) and Cat Problems (2021).

<i>Cat Problems</i> 2021 childrens book

Cat Problems is a 2021 children's book written by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith. It is a comedic picture book about a pampered house cat. John and Smith also wrote Penguin Problems (2016) and Giraffe Problems (2018).

References

  1. ↑ Jory John and Mac Barnett, The Terrible Two (New York: Amulet Books, 2015).
  2. ↑ Malk, Steven (2014-10-17). "Children's Book Review: The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, illus. by Kevin Cornell". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  3. ↑ "The Terrible Two". Booklist. January 1, 2015. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  4. ↑ "The Terrible Two". Kirkus Reviews. October 22, 2014. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  5. ↑ IX, Henry (2015-03-13). "The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John - review". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  6. ↑ "ABA Announces 2015 Indies Choice and E.B. White Award Winners". the American Booksellers Association. 2015-04-16. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  7. ↑ "Cumulative Texas Bluebonnet Master List titles 1980-2019". Texas Library Association. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  8. ↑ "Winners of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award" (PDF). Vermont Department of Libraries. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  9. ↑ Blau, Amanda (June 1, 2015). "The Terrible Two". Booklist. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  10. 1 2 "The Terrible Two Get Worse (UK edition)". IndieBound. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  11. ↑ "The Terrible Two Get Worse". Kirkus Reviews. September 16, 2015. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  12. ↑ "The Terrible Two Get Worse". Booklist. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.