What do you think?
Rate this book
Leon Zeisel #2
Leon and the Champion Chip
The chips are down for Leon unless he can bag a bully!
Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Allen Kurzweil
9 books32 followersThe son of Viennese émigrés, novelist Allen Kurzweil was raised in Europe and the United States. Educated at Yale and the University of Rome, he worked for ten years as a freelance journalist in France, Italy, and Australia before settling in the United States and turning his attention to fiction.
Devotion to the complicated passions of his characters has led Allen to take courses in pop-up book design, study the repair of player-pianos and work behind the reference desk of a public library. He regularly constructs the contraptions “invented” by his characters. To date these devices have included roll-players, potato cannons, and color wheels designed to distinguish different brands of potato chips.
Despite a lacklustre performance in grade school, Allen, since 2002, has been writing children’s books. He has published two novels in the bestselling “Leon” series: Leon and the Spitting Image (2003) followed by Leon and the Champion Chip (2005).
Allen has received fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the New York Public Library Center for Scholars & Writers. He currently sits on the board of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and is a fellow at the John Nicholas Brown Center for the Study of American Civilization at Brown University. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island with his wife and son.
Devotion to the complicated passions of his characters has led Allen to take courses in pop-up book design, study the repair of player-pianos and work behind the reference desk of a public library. He regularly constructs the contraptions “invented” by his characters. To date these devices have included roll-players, potato cannons, and color wheels designed to distinguish different brands of potato chips.
Despite a lacklustre performance in grade school, Allen, since 2002, has been writing children’s books. He has published two novels in the bestselling “Leon” series: Leon and the Spitting Image (2003) followed by Leon and the Champion Chip (2005).
Allen has received fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the New York Public Library Center for Scholars & Writers. He currently sits on the board of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and is a fellow at the John Nicholas Brown Center for the Study of American Civilization at Brown University. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island with his wife and son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 1, 2022
Leon and his friends return in this sequel to Leon and the Spitting Image. Don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll just say this book is a riot. Love the science element that is such a major part of this book, without making it feel bogged down by facts. Wish there was another book in the series!
May 23, 2019
Another great kids' story featuring Leon, highly recommend the audio books.
December 4, 2017
Leon and the Champion Chip is a delightful tale of a student learning the scientific method via the study of potato chips. It rambles through some unexpected areas in a mildly unpredictable plot for a kids book. Unfortunately it continues the stereotype that the unlovely can be unlovable in the bully Lumpkin. Overall this is a fine story for it's target demographic with only some potential necessary coaching on the supposed merits of revenge.
November 10, 2019
Frequently clever, and should be enjoyable to literate young readers.
Or, as in my case, old readers.
My most serious complaint is Kurzweil's constant misspelling of "barbecue" as "barbeque."
Also, I question whether there is really a potato chip maker in each and every state, but his collection of potato chip facts and possibly alleged facts (I'll be checking his Internet references later) are fascinating and add a lot to a cute story.
Or, as in my case, old readers.
My most serious complaint is Kurzweil's constant misspelling of "barbecue" as "barbeque."
Also, I question whether there is really a potato chip maker in each and every state, but his collection of potato chip facts and possibly alleged facts (I'll be checking his Internet references later) are fascinating and add a lot to a cute story.
April 8, 2018
Really enjoyed listening to this audiobook- the only minus is that I realized too late that I actually had book 1 of this series on audiobook and I didn't realize it before I was into this one enough not to want to stop. I could have listened to them in order. Shoot.
November 12, 2020
The story is one to enjoy. There are 2 storylines to follow and I feel the author does a good job in bringing them together. I wasn't impressed with the outcome however the resolution sought from the start comes to fruition in a way that's foreshadowed a few times.
July 17, 2014
Years ago I read the first of Leon's stories, Leon and the Spitting Image. I rolled on the floor with laughter the whole way through and added that gem to our school library promptly. I had no idea a sequel was planned until I ran across a copy in a used bookstore. Hello!
Although it contains all the rollicking humor of the original, I was initially concerned since it goes a bit darker in plotting against another student who happens to be a bully. I worried at times that the obsession for revenge was all the story would involve. I would have preferred a different resolution to the conflict between the kids, but in the interest of not giving away the ending I will just move on to what I did like about the book:
Chips! Chips! Chips! The new science teacher Mr. Sparks does some wild and wonderful learning all around a single item: the potato chip. Since potato chips have been Leon's passion for some time, this was a thread that ran through the book and kept me turning page after page with huge smiles on my face. When Leon challenges the great potato chip minds in a Chip off, this is the highlight of the book. All in all, it was a fantastic, funny read.
Although it contains all the rollicking humor of the original, I was initially concerned since it goes a bit darker in plotting against another student who happens to be a bully. I worried at times that the obsession for revenge was all the story would involve. I would have preferred a different resolution to the conflict between the kids, but in the interest of not giving away the ending I will just move on to what I did like about the book:
Chips! Chips! Chips! The new science teacher Mr. Sparks does some wild and wonderful learning all around a single item: the potato chip. Since potato chips have been Leon's passion for some time, this was a thread that ran through the book and kept me turning page after page with huge smiles on my face. When Leon challenges the great potato chip minds in a Chip off, this is the highlight of the book. All in all, it was a fantastic, funny read.
April 14, 2012
In 4th grade, Leon (chip aficionado) created a sort of voodoo doll of a teacher that really worked, making her act even more unusually than ever. During the summer before 5th grade Leon attempted another doll of the bully that harasses him. Try as they might, Leon and this friends can't figure out why the doll doesn't compel the bully to do the actions they make the doll do. In comes the new science teacher who uses potato chips to teach the kids about science experiments and inspires Leon to keep trying to figure out what he is doing wrong.
Too odd for my tastes, but I do have admiration for the science teacher's attempt to excite his class about the scientific method.
Upper elementary.
Too odd for my tastes, but I do have admiration for the science teacher's attempt to excite his class about the scientific method.
Upper elementary.
April 30, 2012
Library Catalog
This sequel to Leon and the Spitting Image centers around Leon and his 5th grade class’ fascination with potato chips. With the help of his friends P.W. and Lily-Matiss, and his science teacher, Leon enters an international potato chip competition, all while seeking revenge on the class bully. Will Leon win the contest? Will they teach the bully a lesson? Great for grades 3-6.
This sequel to Leon and the Spitting Image centers around Leon and his 5th grade class’ fascination with potato chips. With the help of his friends P.W. and Lily-Matiss, and his science teacher, Leon enters an international potato chip competition, all while seeking revenge on the class bully. Will Leon win the contest? Will they teach the bully a lesson? Great for grades 3-6.
April 28, 2009
This is one of the most clever books I have read in years. A science teacher, Mr. Sparks (& that is only the beginning of the puns in this book which are many & wonderful) decides to teach an entire year of 5th grade science--and it can be done! It is terrific all the scientific concepts the students learn via experiments with potato chips! (p.s. I was munching on Pringles "loaded baked potato" while listening to this book--ha ha!)
October 24, 2009
Leon is back at school in this sequel to Leon and the Spitting Image. He's still having trouble with a bully named Lumpkin, and hoping to use the magic of last year (essentially voodu) to help solve this problem as well. What I liked about this book was the scientific approach taught at school and used by the characters. I loved their teacher, Mr. Sparks, who could teach a whole year of science using potato chips. I just wish I'd been in that class!
March 1, 2011
Nathaniel and Annabel loved this one too -- I think it's one of those rare instances where the sequel is better than the original. Maybe I just have a weakness for potato chip themed books....Also, a science fair and the scientific method play a major role in this one, which makes it very relevant to our lives! Thank you to our local children's librarian who brought the Leon books to our attention!
February 8, 2016
I think this book is terrible. A book about chips are you kidding me. It's so boring. The book starts with Leon ,a 5th grader, who likes chips. But Leon faces off with a bully named Henry pumpkins. Leon makes a ridiculous plan of making a voodo doll(such a terrible book) to stop him. But while this is going on there is a national chip competition. Will Leon win? Will Leon make the voodoo doll to stop Henry? Well u wouldn't care because you will end up throwing this book away out of confusion.
October 4, 2008
This was a great book.
I enjoyed the first one Leon and the Spitting Image.
This book has the same basic idea but brings it up a level. Science, another spitting image to be made, dealing w/a bully and fighting for what's right.
If I say much more this book will be ruined for all.
Go out get Leon and the Spitting Image and Leon and the Champion Chip.
I enjoyed the first one Leon and the Spitting Image.
This book has the same basic idea but brings it up a level. Science, another spitting image to be made, dealing w/a bully and fighting for what's right.
If I say much more this book will be ruined for all.
Go out get Leon and the Spitting Image and Leon and the Champion Chip.
April 15, 2013
Another Read aloud. The boys are definitely done with the "young" writing in these books, but they were cute stories and creative. This one also uses a lot of science. :0) I like Allen Kurzweil's style. He shows how you can teach a full gammet of subjects from any passion, and how kids are much more likely to pay attention and remember if there is passion.
January 7, 2009
Favorite book ever!!!
It's one of the most awesome books ever!
The book: A boy who collects potato chip bags and enters a competition.
I repeat. The book: A boy who collects POTATO CHIP bags and enters a competition.
POTATOES!!!!!!!
It's one of the most awesome books ever!
The book: A boy who collects potato chip bags and enters a competition.
I repeat. The book: A boy who collects POTATO CHIP bags and enters a competition.
POTATOES!!!!!!!
January 6, 2023
I liked this book better than the first one. The jacket of the book is really clever. The science teacher is awesome. I love books that incorporate science in a fun way. I will use this book for some mini-lessons next year.
March 5, 2013
Oh my gosh, I remember reading this book in fifth grade! It was my favorite book at the time, because I must've read it at least half a dozen times. Glad it showed up again :) I would definitely recommend to any elementary school student such as I was looking for a funny and clever read.
March 28, 2008
Great book- not as amazing as the Spitting Image, but well worth the enjoyment of the read. I hope that we get to read about Leon in 6th grade. (Champion Chip was 5th)
June 18, 2008
A fun read if you have read the first book and very creative at times but not nearly as enjoyable or unique as the prequel.
February 10, 2009
Not as good as the first book, but still an enjoyable read.
May 7, 2009
It was about a kid. he went to a factory. A bully picked on him. The factory made different shapes chips.
January 22, 2010
unfortunate, this book has gone missing and i am unable to swap it for the time being (obviously)
November 9, 2009
leon rocks
July 16, 2010
I liked it as much as the first book in the series.
July 25, 2011
Odd, quirky. Definitely targeted towards younger readers. All in all, not that bad.
September 7, 2011
Enjoyed this, quick read. This book is the second in a series but you do not have to read the first one to understand. Highly recommended for boys grades 4-6
February 9, 2012
Very nice book. But may be too dull for teenagers.
July 1, 2012
My teacher read this to my class in 5th grade, and it was a good book but I felt like the plot was not that interesting. It was kind of a story with no exciting parts in it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews