The Spoon in the Bathroom Wall - by Tony Johnston (Paperback)

About the Book

Johnston's funny, magical story spoofs the legend of "The Sword in the Stone"--and conveys some poignant truths about teaching, leadership, and the responsibilities everyone has to each other.

Book Synopsis

Living in the Bloggins School boiler room isn't glamorous, but that's life for Martha Snapdragon, daughter of the beleaguered janitor. Life only gets weirder when Martha realizes bizarre events are afoot at the school. There's the dastardly dealings of evil principal Dr. Klunk and school bully Rufus. There's the dozen dancing eggs and the misbehaving dragons, property of the mysterious science teacher. And then there's the strangest thing of all: a giant golden spoon that simply appears one day, stuck in the wall of the school bathroom. Although everyone tries, only Martha is able to extract the spoon from the wall--an act that leads her to a destiny far beyond her meager life in the boiler room.
Tony Johnston's funny, magical story spoofs the legend of The Sword in the Stone--and conveys some poignant truths about teaching, leadership, and the responsibilities we have to one another.

Review Quotes

"With duly preposterous pomp, this comically written caper builds to a crowning scene of glory."--Publishers Weekly
"The mingled fantasy and realism elements and Martha's underdog triumph
create an emotionally satisfying story."--The Horn Book Guide

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About the Author

TONY JOHNSTON's first novel for young readers, Any Small Goodness: A Novel of the Barrio, was voted a Children's Book of the Year by the Southern California Booksellers Association. Her many acclaimed picture books include The Worm Family and That Summer. She lives in San Marino, California.