The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler by Gene Kemp, 1977

Should be read by all girls and boys

Once in a while, a story with a simple but brilliant twist comes along and says, "Now why would you think that?" Such is the case in this story of best friends Tyke Tiler and Danny Price, who wreak havoc wherever they go. Not that they always do it intentionally. Danny, not being the brightest crayon in the box, doesn't always know not to take ten pounds from a teacher's purse. Fortunately, Tyke is always there trying to set things straight. The whole term is a trial for Tyke who has to, at one time or another, fish a sheep's skeleton from a stream, perform chores around the house, steal a test to make sure Danny passes it, deliver electoral leaflets around town and beat up either slimy Martin Kneeshaw or his henchman Kevin Simms. But the real challenge is ringing the broken school bell that was last rung by an ancestor of Tyke's a long time ago. Climbing the roof without a ladder and pushing the bell without falling off or damaging the school will be the real test of Tyke's daring. Tyke, of course, is a nickname and the subtle hints all over the book of how horrible the real name is sets the reader up for the surprise.