Buster Makes the Grade: A Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book 16

"Buster Makes the Grade" is one of many in a series of Arthur books adapted from television scripts. In this story, Buster Baxter finds himself in danger of failing third grade if he doesn't receive at least a B+ on an important test. The book version makes a few important changes to the story. Unlike many other television adaptations, Stephen Krensky's alterations always seem to be for the better. This version enriches the story with new details and enlightening descriptions of character fantasy sequences. Also one important detail is changed --- in the television version, the characters are tested over everything they've learned in third grade, while in the book it is only a math test. The only problem with this adaptation is that a rather odd bit is left in regarding division. At one point, Francine and Muffy attempt to tutor Buster by having him split a group of 20 candies evenly. He correctly splits then into two sets of 10, but struggles when they ask him to split them into even groups of three. They then criticize him when he begins eating candies, even though he has the correct general idea --- 20 candies cannot be split evenly among a group of 3.