Andrew Clements never fails to produce a book well worth reading. This title would make an excellent read-aloud to elementary and middle-school students to start discussion and promote reflection about the direction they want their lives to take as well as the destructive nature of humor at the expense of another person. I would have given it five stars except for two issues. The first is the brief explanation of why big brother Mitch wants Clay to shape up (he just finished 30 days in jail), and why Clay offers no resistance to the idea. This moment could have been expanded to give it more impact. My other problem with the book is near the end when Clay describes several trouble-making acts he sees and decides not to do. It's funny and shows his increased maturity, but it could spark a lot of ideas in the unrepentant and unreformed trouble-making reader. Nevertheless, I recommend it to teachers for use in the classroom and to counselors for use in groups or one-on-one therapy. Boys especially will love the concept.