Charlie Bumpers vs. The Really Nice Gnome by Bill Harley

This book is a 2014 release, and I gave it a rating of three out of five. Charlie's fourth-grade is putting on the annual play, and he is hoping to get the part of evil sorcerer. He doesn't get the part, and even worse, he must play the part of the nice gnome! It's a boring part, and he needs to be nice. He tries switching parts, changing lines, and even messing up, but nothing works. What else can he do to save himself from embarrassment?

Charlie's character is a normal fourth grader. He has a bossy older brother, a nosey little sister, and he's always trying to get out of walking the dog and picking up "the call of nature". The plot is easy to follow, moves along quickly, and should be enjoyable for younger readers.