The pocket guide to mischief

Sized for handy stashing in the inside pocket of a jacket, this primer for merry-prankster wannabes starts out with the obligatory request that readers play safe, and not damage property nor hurt anyone, neither psychically nor physically. After this, King takes off the brakes. From the smorgasbord of tricks: instead of TP'ing someone's house at night, sprinkle the lawn with instant potato flakes (the dew will puff them up). And a tip: a pencil or pen clamped between the teeth effectively disguises one's voice. From the historical record: forced into a duel, Abraham Lincoln named, as the choice of arms, cow manure. From the sports ledger: the mascots of Ohio's Bryan & Stratton College are the Lemmings. Kids will also go for the Oxford Dictionary insults--e.g., "cockalorum"--recommended as replacements for "cuss words"; the detailed guide to shooting rubber bands; and the many scatological jokes. Ages 8-up. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Pocket Guide to Mischief-Excerpt Mischief of the Rich and Famous The Mythbusters are Jamie Hyneman, Adam savage, and Peter Rees. Theseguys created a TV show where they take urban legends and put them tothe test. It takes a special person to answer questions like: Can amicrowaved jawbreaker explode in your mouth? (Yes.) Does quicksand actually suckyou under and drown you? (No.) Can people row fast enough to pull a water skier? (Yes.) Would a penny dropped fromthe Empire State Building kill someone? (Nope.) Can you learn somethingwhile watching these guys blow things up? (Yes!) Special bonus score: To Jamie Hyneman, for saying, "We take largeobjects and make them into very small objects." Excerpted from The Pocket Guide to Mischief by Bart King All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.