The War with Mr. Wizzle facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Gordon Korman |
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| Cover artist | Rodrigo Moreno Luis Borba Photo-illustration by Yüksel Hassan (2003 version) |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Series | Macdonald Hall Series |
| Genre | Adventure |
| Publisher | Scholastic Canada Ltd. |
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Publication date
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1982, 2003 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 205 (Not including the preview at the end) |
| ISBN | 0-439-96902-6 |
| Preceded by | Beware the Fish |
| Followed by | The Zucchini Warriors |
The War With Mr. Wizzle is the fourth book in the exciting Macdonald Hall series. It was written by Gordon Korman in 1982. This book, like others in the series, was re-released in 2003 with a new cover and title, "The Wizzle War."
The story talks a lot about technology and computers. Because of this, the 2003 version was updated to fit how much technology we use today. For example, in the first book, Mr. Wizzle brings a huge computer called a Magnetronic 515. In the newer 2003 version, Mr. Wizzle creates a new computer program called WizzleWare. He wants this program to control everything at the school.
Contents
The Story of the Wizzle War
The school year at Macdonald Hall starts with a big problem: a new dress code! Soon, the students, including Bruno and Boots, meet a new assistant, Walter C. Wizzle. He is a very strange man. Mr. Wizzle wants to make many new rules at the school.
Wizzle's New Rules
Mr. Wizzle brings in a strict dress code that all the students hate. He also starts a system to give students demerits for bad behavior. On top of that, he makes students take strange psychological tests. He believes the school is old-fashioned because it doesn't use enough technology. So, he starts installing his new software program, WizzleWare. This program is supposed to handle all school tasks and teaching.
The school becomes very strict and tense. Even the teachers and Headmaster Sturgeon feel the pressure. But Bruno Walton won't stand for it! He starts a group to fight against Mr. Wizzle and his new system. Slowly, other students join him. They come up with many ways to get Mr. Wizzle to leave the school.
Student Resistance
The students create a secret newspaper to share their ideas. They swap Mr. Wizzle's printer paper with toilet paper and napkins. One night, in the gym, they make a giant comic balloon shaped like Mr. Wizzle. With help from the smart student Elmer Drimsdale, they even make Mr. Wizzle think his guest house is having earthquakes! Elmer uses a special device and a clever presentation to trick him.
Trouble Across the Road
The problems aren't only at Macdonald Hall. Across the road, at Scrimmage's Finishing School for Young Ladies, Miss Scrimmage hires her own new assistant. Her name is Miss Gloria Peabody. She is a former U.S. Marine. The girls at her school hate her just as much as the boys hate Mr. Wizzle. Miss Peabody turns the girls' school into a military camp. She makes them do tough physical training and morning calisthenics.
The Coalition Forms
Both schools have big problems with their new assistants. Both groups of students try to fight back. Headmaster Sturgeon, who also dislikes Mr. Wizzle, finds out what his students are doing. He orders them to stop bothering Mr. Wizzle. He also tells Bruno not to get expelled, even though Mr. Wizzle wants him gone.
However, Bruno and Cathy, a girl from Scrimmage's, decide to work together. They form "The Coalition." They come up with a clever idea: they will try to get Mr. Wizzle and Miss Peabody to fall in love and get married! Through planned romantic dinners and flirting, they actually succeed. The two assistants get married, and both schools finally return to normal.
Main Characters
Bruno Walton
Bruno is the main leader. He starts the group to fight Mr. Wizzle. He also helps create "The Coalition" with Boots and Cathy to get rid of both Mr. Wizzle and Miss Peabody.
Melvin "Boots" O'Neal
Boots is Bruno's best friend. At first, he is scared of getting into trouble and leaves Bruno's group. But he later joins back in the fight.
Walter C. Wizzle
Mr. Wizzle is the new assistant at Macdonald Hall. He comes from a university with many ideas to change the school. He wants to make it a "school of the future" using his new software and rules. His methods make the school very tense. Most students and teachers, including Headmaster Sturgeon, do not like him.
William R. Sturgeon
Mr. Sturgeon is the headmaster of Macdonald Hall. He is strict but also kind. Students call him "the Fish" because of his name and his serious stare. He dislikes Mr. Wizzle's ways from the start. He punishes the boys for their actions against Wizzle, but he also protects them from being expelled.
Miss Scrimmage
She is the headmistress of the girls' school across the road. She is very old-fashioned. She hires Miss Peabody, who then takes over the school with her strict physical training.
Miss Gloria Peabody
Miss Peabody is an ex-Marine. She becomes Miss Scrimmage's assistant. She is very harsh and makes the girls do hard physical activities as punishment. She runs the school like a military camp.
Gavin Gunhold
The name G. Gavin Gunhold appears in this book. It's a fake student name used to confuse Mr. Wizzle. This name has appeared in other books by Gordon Korman in different ways.
