The second book in the Petu Pumpkin series...
Petu Pumpkin's friends form a Gap Club. But Pushkin (Petu's real name) is ineligible to be a member for he doesn't have a 'gap' in his teeth. If only he could lose a tooth, then he could be part of the Gap Club too.
Meanwhile, one of the Gap Club members, Jatin, challenges the proud fourth-graders to a football match because they call the Gap Club members "babies". Unfortunately, the Gap Club only has a plastic ball to practice with. They desperately need a football.
Clever Pushkin makes a pact. "If you let me join the Gap Club now, I'll ask the tooth fairy for a football when my tooth falls."
The offer is too tempting for the Gap Club to resist. They are full of ideas and try different ways to make Pushkin's tooth fall - suggesting hard things to eat, tying a thread around his front tooth and pulling it and even aiming their plastic ball at his jaw! But nothing works.
Then Pushkin remembers his Thatha (Grandpa) being worried about losing his few teeth when Paati (Grandma) offered him hard snacks like murukku and chikki. Pushkin eats a mound of them and succeeds in making his front tooth loose.
The tooth eventually falls. But Pushkin's request to the tooth fairy for a football is not granted. Two, not one, baby teeth are needed to earn a football from the tooth fairy!
Pushkin must loose a second tooth. With a second front tooth already dangling, he has no problem losing it with some assistance from his friends.
The football is finally granted and the club members begin their practice!
During the match, the fourth-graders take an immediate lead. But when Pushkin takes over as referee, does the fate of the Gap Club change? Will the snickering fourth-graders continue calling them "babies"? To find out, read the book.
I liked the first book in the series - Petu Pumpkin: Tiffin Thief, but found this one more humourous. Pushkin and his friends seem to get better at outdoing their rivals! Some scenes such as Pushkin watching his loose tooth in the school toilet mirror while eating his lunch and whistle-hating dogs going after Pushkin and his friends, are particularly humourous.
Although meant for younger readers, this book does have some hard words like "sympathised" and "extricated" and phrases such as "tails between their legs". But what's the use of a book if it doesn't add to your vocabulary and knowledge of the language?
Overall, an enjoyable read for kids 7+.
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