Just Shocking! facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Just Shocking!

The cover of the Australian version
Author	Andy Griffiths
Illustrator	Terry Denton
Cover artist	Terry Denton
Country	Australia
Language	English
Series	"Just!"
Genre	Children's, comedy
Publisher	Pan Macmillan
Publication date	September 2007
Media type	Paperback
Preceded by	"Just Disgusting!"
Followed by	"Just Macbeth!"

"Just Shocking!" is the sixth book in the popular "Just!" series, written by Andy Griffiths. It was first released in September 2007 in Australia. This book shares ten funny and often surprising short stories about the main character, Andy.

"Just Shocking!" is known for being the longest book in the "Just!" series. It also won a special award called the BILBY Award in the Younger Readers category in 2008, which shows how much readers enjoyed it!

Exploring the Stories in Just Shocking!

This book is packed with ten different adventures. Each story is short and full of humor, making it a fun read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh. Let's take a closer look at some of the exciting tales inside.

Fun with a Fire Hose: A Wet Adventure

In this story, Andy and his friend Danny start imagining what it would be like to play with a fire hose. They think about all the fun they could have. Terry, another character, points out all the things that could go wrong. But Andy is quick to find a silly solution for every problem. In the end, they decide to go ahead with their wild plan. This story is written like a play script, with different characters speaking their lines.

I Am a Ro-bot: Andy's Robotic Prank

After seeing someone read a book about robots, Andy decides to pretend he is a robot. He takes his act very seriously, even getting himself stuck in a closet! His parents join in the fun, calling him "The Andy 2000." Things get even stranger when he ends up in a wardrobe and a vacuum cleaner seems to talk to him. It's a hilarious look at what happens when imagination takes over.

Balloons of Doom: A Choose-Your-Own-Silly-Fate

"Balloons of Doom" is a special kind of story where you get to choose what happens next. Andy's goal is to blow up fifteen pink balloons and put them in Jen's room while she's sleeping. No matter what choices you make in this adventure, things always go comically wrong in an exaggerated way. It's a silly story that shows how even simple tasks can become incredibly complicated and funny in Andy's world.

Unfunniest Home Video: Filming Fails

Andy and Danny try to make a funny home video to send to a TV show called "Australia's Funniest Home Videos." But their plans keep going wrong. Danny gets easily distracted by a cute kitten named Fluffy, which causes all sorts of chaos. Eventually, their camera gets broken. Luckily (or unluckily for them!), Jen manages to film their whole messy adventure on her phone and sends it to the TV show instead.

101 Dangerous Things: A List of Wacky Risks

This section is exactly what it sounds like: a list! It's a collection of 101 different things that are considered dangerous in a funny, exaggerated way. It's a quick read that highlights Andy's unique and often risky way of looking at the world.

A Really, Really Good Excuse: Andy's Wild Story

Andy is late for school, and he comes up with an incredibly long and unbelievable excuse. His story involves his underpants being too big, getting locked out of his house, being arrested, and even meeting a criminal who can escape from prison with teaspoons! He ends up in a criminal hideout where bad guys are planning to shrink police officers' underpants. Andy somehow convinces them to be good. He gets arrested again but is freed when he tells his wild tale. By the time he finishes his story, school is already over! This story also has fun, comic-book-like pictures.

Why I Love Choco Pops in 50 Words or Less: A Cereal Essay

Andy writes a short essay explaining why he loves Choco Pops cereal. The funny part is that after his fifty-word essay, he adds thirty-five extra notes, called "postscripts." These notes have very little to do with the cereal itself, making the whole piece much longer and funnier than it should be.

Lemonade Roulette: A Fizzy Game

On a very hot day, Andy and Danny decide to play a game called "lemonade roulette." It's a bit like a famous game where you shake cans of lemonade and then pick one, hoping it won't explode when opened. Mr. Bainbridge, a neighbor, comes home and tries to get a drink. He ends up getting blasted in the face with lemonade! Andy gets into trouble, but then Mr. Bainbridge admits he used to play the same game when he was a kid.

The Exploding Butterfly Story: A Picture Tale

This is a story told mostly through pictures. It features various explosions, including pink butterflies, a bluebird, a man, his wife, and even lambs. It's a very visual and silly story that shows Andy's love for dramatic and unexpected events.

Fun with a Monster Truck: Crushing Dreams

Similar to the fire hose story, Andy and Danny imagine what it would be like to drive a giant monster truck. They think about all the amazing and destructive things they could do with such a powerful vehicle. It's another imaginative adventure where they dream big about wild and exciting possibilities.

Images for kids

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  The cover of the Australian version