My Secret Life as a Ping-Pong Wizard
Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever Series
Author: Henry Winkler
Author: Lin Oliver
Illustrator: Jesse Joshua Watson
Book 9 in the Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever series
Pages: 160
Published: 2005
Age: 7+
Hank thought that getting through summer school to get to the fifth grade would be hard enough, but little did he know that it would get worse! Everyone in the fifth grade is starting to focus on a sport — and they're getting really good.
Everyone, that is, except Hank. When Papa Pete suggests that Hank take up Ping-Pong, he decides to give it a try but keeps it top secret, as he thinks the other kids will tease him about it not being a "real" sport. Hank is so good that he manages to Ping-Pong his way to the championship! But when he finds out the contest is being held at "Nick the Tick" McKelty's family bowling alley, will he risk being the laughing-stock of the fifth grade?
About the Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever Series
Books in series order
- 1.Niagra Falls, Or Does It?(2003)
- 2.I Got a "D" in Salami(2003)
- 3.Day of the Iguana(2003)
- 4.The Zippity Zinger(2003)
- 5.The Night I Flunked My Field Trip(2004)
- 6.Holy Enchilada!(2004)
- 7.Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade!(2004)
- 8.Summer School! What Genius Though That Up?(2005)
- 9.My Secret Life as a Ping-Pong Wizard(2005)
- 10.My Dog's a Scaredy-Cat: A Halloween Tail(2006)
- 11.The Curtain Went Up, My Pants Fell Down(2007)
- 12.Barfing in the Backseat: How I Survived My Family Road Trip(2007)
- 13.Who Ordered this Baby? Definitely Not Me!(2007)
- 14.The Life of Me (Enter at Your Own Risk)(2008)
- 15.A Tale of Two Tails(2008)
- 16.Dump Trucks and Dogsleds: I'm on My Way, Mom!(2009)
- 17.A Brand-New Me!(2010)
Reading age: 8+ years
Hank Zipzer wants to be number one, not the one who always gets it wrong. Hank Zipzer's report is due, and he's dreading it. Then he gets his grades and they are his worst nightmare come true: straight Ds. His parents are not going to be happy. Hank needs help. And he needs it fast.
Inspired by Henry Winkler's true life experiences of growing up with dyslexia, this popular children's series about the world's greatest underachiever is funny, touching, and deals with learning differences in a gentle and humorous manner.