Holy Enchilada! facts for kids

Holy Enchilada! is an exciting book from the popular Hank Zipzer series. It's the sixth adventure featuring Hank, a fun-loving kid who often finds himself in hilarious situations. The book was written by famous actor Henry Winkler and talented author Lin Oliver. It first came out in August 2004, bringing more laughs and lessons to young readers.

What's the Story About?

In Holy Enchilada!, Hank Zipzer gets a big responsibility. He's chosen to host a boy named Yoshi, who is visiting from Japan. This means Hank needs to make sure Yoshi has a great time and feels welcome.

But that's not all! Hank also has to prepare a special dish for his school's multi-cultural day. He decides to make enchiladas, a yummy Mexican dish. However, Hank might have gotten a little carried away with the chili powder.

When the enchiladas are ready, things quickly go from tasty to totally chaotic! The story follows Hank as he tries to handle his new guest and his spicy cooking disaster. Get ready for lots of laughs and unexpected twists as Hank navigates these challenges.

Meet the Characters

The Hank Zipzer series is full of memorable characters who help make Hank's adventures so much fun. Here are some of the main people you'll meet in Holy Enchilada!:

Hank's Friends and Family

• Hank Zipzer – Hank is the main character, a fourth-grader at P.S. 87. He has dyslexia, which means he learns in a different way. He's known for his big ideas and getting into funny trouble. His best friends are Frankie and Ashley.
• Frankie Townsend – Frankie is one of Hank's best friends. He's super smart and always ready to help Hank, even when Hank's plans go a bit wild.
• Ashley Wong – Ashley is Hank's other best friend. Hank and Frankie sometimes call her "Ashweena." She really loves anything sparkly, especially rhinestones.
• Papa Pete – This is Hank's awesome grandfather. Hank and his friends are very close to Papa Pete, and he often gives them good advice or joins in their fun.
• Emily Zipzer – Emily is Hank's younger sister. She's in third grade at P.S. 87 and is very clever. She can be a bit annoying to Hank sometimes, but she's still family. Emily even has a pet iguana named Katherine!
• Randi Zipzer – Hank's mom is very health-conscious. She runs a deli called the Crunchy Pickle Deli and always tries to make sure her family eats healthy food.
• Stanley Zipzer – Hank's dad has a big hobby: he loves crossword puzzles. He's often seen trying to solve them.

Other Important Characters

• Nick McKelty – Nick is Hank's rival. Hank, Frankie, and Ashley call him "Nick the Tick." He often teases Hank, especially about his dyslexia. Nick is known for being annoying and a bit of a braggart.
• Robert Upchurch – Robert is a classmate described as being a bit scrawny and very studious, sometimes called a "nerd."
• Yoshi Morimoto – Yoshi is the boy from Japan who comes to stay with Hank. His visit is a big part of the story's plot.
• Mr. Morimoto – Yoshi's father, who is also part of the story as Yoshi's parent.
• Mrs. Adolf – Mrs. Adolf is Hank's teacher. She is known for being very strict and sometimes a bit boring.