In the 1980s and 90s, Paul Kropp wrote three funny books for kids in grades 5 and 6. In 1999, Scholastic Canada - after selling 100,000 copies of these books - decided not to reprint them. Interested readers will have to find copies at their local library.

Each book has the same main characters:

• the narrator, Jason, an 11-year-old kid, smart but somewhat obnoxious
• the younger brother, Justin, a 7-year-old airhead
• Fred, the wild and crazy babysitter

The author points out, "I do have two sons named Jason and Justin, but any resemblance to the characters in these books is purely accidental. Besides, look at the father in all three novels--he's an idiot! Not at all like me."

Fast Times With Fred (Scholastic, 1986). The first book in the series, now out of print. Originally this was published as Justin, Jay-Jay and the Juvenile Dinkent, but too many kids thought the title was "rude." The book introduces the three main characters in an episodic adventure that gives a new spin to the idea of babysitting.

Cottage Crazy (Scholastic, 1988). Fred, Jason, and Justin head off to Uncle Jervis's cottage. In the adventures that follow, they have to deal with a ghost, a leaky boat, and a swimming contest that almost leaves Fred at the bottom of lake Juniper.

Ski Stooges (Scholastic, 1992). They're off again, this time to a high-tech ski chalet where Fred tries to master skiing, Jason learns how to diaper a baby, and dad learns to drive a snowmobile.

Read an excerpt from Ski Stooges

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