Summer reading is a cherished tradition, and revisiting childhood favorites can be a delightful journey. This summer, I decided to revisit some books from my younger years, starting with a memorable title from elementary school: How to Eat Fried Worms. While my memory of the specifics was hazy, I recalled a story about kids, a dare, and, intriguingly, worms as food. Re-reading it after about 22 years, I found that How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell holds up remarkably well, offering a funny and engaging story for a new generation of readers.
The premise of How to Eat Fried Worms is simple yet captivating. Billy Forrester finds himself in a bet with his neighborhood rivals: can he eat fifteen worms in fifteen days? If Billy succeeds, he wins fifty dollars; failure means owing them the same amount. The catch? While his antagonists, Alan, Joe, and Tom, select the worms, Billy gets to decide how they are cooked and seasoned. This sets the stage for a series of increasingly creative and humorous attempts to make worms palatable.
The narrative unfolds primarily through lively dialogue, mirroring the way children actually interact. We witness the boys negotiating the terms of their wager and then see Billy’s daily worm-eating trials. Despite limited descriptive passages, Rockwell masterfully brings each character to life through their reactions to the ongoing bet. Even minor characters, like parents, are vividly portrayed through their involvement and opinions on this unusual challenge. The story progresses incrementally, with each worm consumed revealing more about the characters and the escalating stakes of the bet.
One element I vaguely remembered was a “bad word” in the book. Indeed, the word “bastard” appears once, uttered in a moment of genuine frustration. While this might raise eyebrows for some, within the context of the story, it feels like a realistic expression of anger and not gratuitous. As a child, I recall discussing this word with my teacher, which became a valuable lesson in context and appropriate language. Concerns about this single word seem minor compared to the book’s overall positive qualities. Adults reading aloud could easily substitute a less offensive word if needed, but most young readers will likely understand the context and not start using the word indiscriminately, just as they hopefully wouldn’t start eating worms after reading this book!
What struck me most upon re-reading How to Eat Fried Worms was the wave of nostalgia it evoked. From Emily Arnold McCully’s charming illustrations to the book’s layout and chapter titles, it felt like reconnecting with a cherished piece of childhood. While specific scenes didn’t immediately jump out, a strong sense of familiarity and comfort permeated the reading experience.
Even though How to Eat Fried Worms was published over four decades ago, its themes remain timeless. The book taps into the universal fascination boys (and many girls!) have with gross-out humor, the thrill of dares, and the dynamics of childhood friendships and rivalries. These elements ensure that How to Eat Fried Worms continues to resonate with contemporary readers. It’s a book that deserves a prominent place in libraries and classrooms, ready to create new memories for a fresh generation eager to discover the surprisingly funny world of eating fried worms.
