The Terrible Two Get Worse

The Terrible Two Get Worse

book

2017, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life

WISE
78%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Two prankster best friends take on an iron-fisted principal in this laugh-out-loud sequel that'll hook even your most reluctant reader.

Amazon4.7
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is exactly what it promises to be: a funny, fast-paced middle-grade comedy about two kids who love pranks. It's not going to change your child's life or teach them profound lessons about empathy, but it will get them reading—and laughing.

The friendship between Miles and Niles is genuinely positive: they collaborate, they problem-solve, they have each other's backs. The pranks are creative rather than cruel, and when things go wrong, the book doesn't shy away from consequences. That said, the entire premise celebrates rule-breaking and making authority figures look foolish, so if that makes you twitchy, proceed with awareness.

For reluctant readers, especially boys in grades 3-6, this series is gold. It's engaging, it's funny, and it builds reading confidence without feeling like homework. The 4.7 Amazon rating and enthusiastic kid reviews back this up. Is it enriching literature that will expand their worldview? No. Will it make them want to pick up another book? Absolutely. Sometimes that's enough.

Age Fit

Best for kids ages 7-12, especially those in grades 3-6 who love Diary of a Wimpy Kid-style humor. The reading level is accessible for emerging independent readers, and the pranking premise has strong appeal for kids (particularly boys) who enjoy mischief and underdog stories.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78

Models a positive friendship between two boys who collaborate and problem-solve together. The pranks are creative mischief rather than mean-spirited bullying—they bring 'joy to classmates' and target an authority figure who's portrayed as a blowhard. The book does show consequences (Principal Barkin gets fired), which adds moral complexity. However, the central premise celebrates rule-breaking and undermining school authority, which some families may find less than ideal modeling, even if it's played for laughs.

Imaginative
82

The pranking duo's schemes (The Big Chirp, The Cafeteria Calamity) require creative planning and problem-solving. The book celebrates ingenuity and thinking outside the box, even if applied to mischief. The absurdist humor (a principal's father becoming the new principal, running the school 'with an iron fist') and escalating pranks invite kids to imagine elaborate scenarios. It's not a build-your-own-world book, but it rewards clever thinking and unexpected solutions.

Safe
92

This is a straightforward middle-grade comedy with no content warnings. Common Sense Media notes it's 'smart and funny' with no mentions of violence, scary content, language concerns, or inappropriate material. The 'danger' is all comedic—pranks gone wrong, strict principals. The Amazon rating of 4.7 and the lack of any safety red flags in reviews suggest parents find it appropriate. Books in this category are almost universally safe, and this one fits that pattern perfectly.

Enriching
70

The book tackles themes of friendship, collaboration, consequences of actions, and navigating power imbalances between kids and authority figures. Common Sense Media calls it 'a smart and funny take on the power imbalance between kids.' It's entertaining and will keep reluctant readers engaged (grades 3-7 per the synopsis), which has value. However, it's primarily a comedy series—kids will laugh and enjoy it, but won't necessarily come away with deep life lessons or new skills beyond appreciating clever wordplay and plotting. The enrichment is moderate: good for reading fluency and understanding story structure, less so for profound personal growth.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Genuinely funny writing that keeps kids turning pages—perfect for reluctant readers who think books are boring
  • Models a positive friendship built on collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving (even if applied to mischief)
  • Shows consequences: when a prank goes too far, there are real repercussions that the boys must navigate
  • Celebrates clever thinking and ingenuity, rewarding kids who appreciate elaborate schemes and wordplay
  • Part of a series (4 books total) so if your kid loves it, there's more fuel for the reading fire
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What to Watch For

  • The entire premise celebrates pranking and undermining school authority—if you're raising a future rule-follower, this might not be your jam
  • Principal Barkin is portrayed as a buffoon who kind of deserves what he gets, which could spark conversations about respect for authority
  • The pranks are harmless fun, not bullying, but some parents might worry about kids getting ideas for their own classroom chaos

Conversation Starters

  • "Miles and Niles's pranks are meant to be funny, not mean. What's the difference between a prank that's fun and one that hurts someone?"
  • "When their prank gets Principal Barkin fired, how do you think they felt? Have you ever done something that had bigger consequences than you expected?"
  • "Principal Barkin Senior bans all fun at school. If you were in charge, what rules would you make? What rules would you get rid of?"
  • "Miles and Niles work together to solve problems. What makes them a good team? Who do you like collaborating with?"

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