Der kleine Nick und die Schule (Nicholas Again)

Author: René Goscinny, Jean-Jacques Sempé (illust.)
Original Title: Le Récrés de Petit Nicolas
Genre: Children's book

Original publisher: Denoël,
Date first published: 1961
Date first read: 1994/1995

Main character(s): Nicolas (aka Nick, a boy of 7 or 8 years), Alceste (aka Otto, Nick's best friend, who likes to eat a lot), Rufus (aka Roland, Nick's classmate, whose dad is the policeman, and who therefore has a whistle he uses a lot), Clotaire (aka Chlodwig, Nick's classmate, who has the worst grades but is a great guy), Eudes (aka Franz, Nick's classmate, who is the strongest in the group and tends to resolve problems with his fists), Geoffroy (aka Georg, Nick's classmate, whose father is very rich and who is therfore very spoiled), Joachim (Nick's classmate, who likes to wear a beret and gets a little brother one day), Agnan (aka Adalbert, Nick's classmate, the best in the class and teacher's pet, who wears glasses), Maixent (aka Max, Nick's classmate, who is as fast as Nick in running), Marie-Edwige (aka Marie-Hedwig, Nick's pretty neighbor and his friend), Louisette (aka Louise, who plays soccer better than some boys), Nick's mother and father, the Teacher, the school's Principal, M. Dubon, "le Bouillon" (aka Herr Hühnerfeld, or "Herr Hühnerbrüh", a strict teacher at Nick's school)
Favorite quote: N/A

Synopsis:
Little Nick is back again, this time with 16 new stories surrounding him and his friends, especially involving all the things they are up to at school. For example, what news it is when Chlodwig suddenly gets glasses, too, leaving Adalbert fearing for his position as best of the class and teacher's pet. But Adalbert's needs to watch for Nick, too: after all, he was fourth-best in the history exam on Charlemagne. His father even gave 10 bucks as a reward for such a good job - but what should Nick spend it on? Of course he goes to his friends at school to ask for help in deciding.

Review:
Again, the petit Nicholas stories are just a joy to read. Each story seems better than the last one. René Goscinny really did a fantastic job, and this second collection of stories has more of the beautiful illustrations of Sempé. Really fun.

Prequels: Der kleine Nick

Sequels: Der kleine Nick und die Ferien; Der kleine Nick und seine Bande; Der kleine Nick und die Mädchen