Module 15: Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman by Dav Pilkey

Summary: Two school-aged boys named George and Harold get in trouble for using what they call  their "imagination."  What they did was to use their imagination to create a comic book about a "really mean" teacher named Ms. Ribble.  The problem is, Ms. Ribble is actually their teacher and she sees the comic book. After spending time in detention, Ms. Ribble is surprisingly happy to see them.  She has a surprise for them.  They are not happy with the news. As the story progresses, Ms. Ribble becomes the wicked Wedgie Woman...going around and giving wedgies.  I can't give away the ending. So find out the ending of the story when you check out this crafty book at your local library. You are sure to love it!

Citation: Pilkey, D. (2001). Captain Underpants and the wrath of the
        
        wicked Wedgie Woman. New York, NY: Scholastic.


My Impression:  This book is very similar in nature to the first four books from Pilkey.  Boys and girls of many ages are sure to enjoy the crazy adventure of Captain Underpants once again as he meets with the Wicked Wedgie Woman. The pictures help move the story along in Pilkey fashion.  One thing I enjoy most about Pilkey's books is the titles for each chapter.  I think the creative names for the titles make you want to read on to find out how the chapter unfolds.  This is a great option for reluctant readers to find enjoyment within the pages of a book.

Reviews:

Kirkus Review 

"Trying to salvage failing grades, George and Harold use their handy 3-D Hypno Ring on termagant teacher Ms. Ribble-and succeed only in creating a supervillain with a medusa-like 'do and a yen to conquer the world with wedgie power. Using a pair of robot sidekicks and plenty of spray starch, she even overcomes Captain Underpants. Is it curtains (or rather, wedgies) for all of us? Can the redoubtable fourth graders rescue the Waistband Warrior (a.k.a. Principal Krupp) and find a way to save the day? Well, duh. Not, of course, without an epic battle waged in low-budget Flip-O-Rama, plus no fewer than three homemade comics, including an "Origin of Captain Underpants" in which we learn that his home planet of Underpantyworld was destroyed by the . . . wait for it . . . "Starch Ship Enterprize." As in the previous four episodes, neither the pace nor the funky humor ("Diapers and toilets and poop . . . oh my!") lets up for a moment. Pilkey is still having entirely too much fun with this popular series, which continues to careen along with nary a whiff of staleness. (Fiction. 8-10)"

Kirkus. (2001, July 15). [Review of the book Captain Underpants and the 

        
        wrath of the wicked Wedgie Woman, by D. Pilkey]. Retrieved from

         http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

School Library Journal

"Gr 2-5-Fans need not worry. Pilkey's imagination shows no sign of flagging here. When George and Harold's evil teacher announces her departure, she forces the class to write "Happy Retirement" cards for her. Instead, the two boys create a comic book in which they turn Ms. Ribble into the titular "Wicked Wedgie Woman." She sees the book, tells them that they are not allowed to use their imagination in school, and sends them posthaste to the principal. The two friends seize the opportunity to get him to sign a blank card to which they add his protestations of love for Ms. Ribble. Hilarious wedding high jinks ensue (but no marriage). To prevent the villainous woman from retaliating, the protagonists hypnotize her with their 3-D Hypno-Ring. Their plan backfires and a cosmic battle follows, complete with the familiar Flip-O-Rama feature. Among the highlights of this book is an alliterative post-wedding food fight in which, for example, the "creamy candied carrots clobbered the kindergarteners." There is a great deal of laugh-out-loud humor that will appeal to a wide audience. "Captain Underpants" is still one of the best series to get reluctant readers reading."

Wadham, T. (2001, October 1). [Review of the book [Review of the book
        
        Captain Underpants and the wrath of the wicked Wedgie Woman, 

         by D. Pilkey]. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Uses within the Library:


1. Super Hero Day: Have students create their own super hero that loves books.  Students will name their super hero, create a life-size super hero and create a biography about their super hero. Hang the super heroes and bios around the library.

2. Super Hero Dress Up: Students will dress up as their favorite super hero to support the school library.  All students who dressed up will participate in a parade around campus.  Students will carry various, brightly colored signs with library slogans.  Examples of slogans are, "Read a Good Book Today", "Come check out the library", "New Books Arriving Daily", "What good book have you read lately?"

Book Cover: Book cover courtesy of Mansfield Public Library. Retrieved
from http://www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/library/