- Niagara Falls, or Does It?
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Niagara Falls, or Does it? 
Book coverAuthor(s) Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver Illustrator Jesse Joshua Watson Country United States Language English Series Hank Zipzer Genre(s) Children's novel Publisher Grosset & Dunlap Publication date 2003 Media type Print (Paperback Pages 133 pp Followed by I Got a "D" in Salami Niagara Falls, or Does it? (2003, ISBN 0448431629 ) is the first book in the Hank Zipzer series, written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson and published by Grosset & Dunlap.
Plot summary
Hank starts a new year at his school and meets his new teacher who has her students write an essay about their summer vacations. Hank has a hard time with homework and with staying on task which makes writing an essay a difficult assignment. Meanwhile, his grandpa, Papa Pete, asks Hank and his friends Ashley Wong and Frankie Townsend to put on a magic show at his bowling league game. However, his teacher made a statement to Hank saying she can't wait to see his creative report, so he has to do his report and perform for Papa Pete. Hank decides to make a model of Niagara Falls, where he spent his vacation, rather than write about it but when he presents the project in class he accidentally floods the classroom. Hank is given two weeks of punishment at school and at home. His punishment includes not being able to participate in the magic show for Papa Pete's bowling league. Finally, after a lot of convincing, his parents allow him to do the magic show. It was a relief to all the people at the bowling lanes because class bully and overall idiot Nick McKelty was performing in Magik 3's (Hank, Frankie, and Ashley's magic group) place. The magic show happens, and McKelty gets laughed at and thrown off stage. In the end, things go well for Hank, as he also meets the new music teacher, Mr. Rock, during detention, and they instantly like each other. Mr. Rock helps Hank with his essay and talks to his parents about his learning disabilities, which no one knew Hank had.
Characters
- ibed as being very smart. He is African-American boy.
- Ashley Wong – Ashley, dubbed Ashweena by Hank and Frankie, is Hank's other best friend who loves rhinestones. She is Taiwanese-American.
- Robert Upchurch - Robert, a 3rd grader who lives in Hank, Frankie & Ashley's building. He is annoying to the other kids - he knows many facts, especially numbers and skipped the 2nd grade. Ultimately he is helpful to them and befriends them.
- Nick McKelty – Nick, dubbed Nick the Tick by Magik 3, is their rival, described as annoying and often exaggerating events. He is a very mean bully.
- Papa Pete – Papa Pete is Hank's grandfather, whom him and his friends are very close to. He and Hank love eating pickles together!
- Emily Zipzer – Hank's younger sister. She is in the third grade at P.S. 87 and is described as being very smart, but also annoying. She has a pet iguana named Katherine.
- Mr. Rock – The new music teacher at P.S. 87. He meets Hank at the end of the book, and they instantly like each other.
- Randi Zipzer – Hank's mother, who runs the Crunchy Pickle Deli and insists that the entire family eat healthy food.
- Stanley Zipzer – Hank's father, who is obsessed with crossword puzzles.
- Mrs. Adolf – Hank's teacher. She is described as being very boring and strict.
- Principal Love – Hank's principal at his school the kids describe him for having a statue of liberty mole.
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