i be a fifth grade language arts teacher and and after we read this book ( which the student love ) and then we watch the movie . they laugh out loud . unfortunately and it not a comedy . the acting be so awful and i felt like i be watch a bunch of kid in the neighborhood put on a play . my student be mimic the line and make fun off and on the whole way through . i have to agree with them and at time and it be pretty bad . still and i would show it to student again and just for fun and and to compare the film with the book . we do a venn diagram ( teacher know what that be ) afterward and to show what be the same in both and what be the difference and so there be an educational value in show it . i notice that another adaptation be be film for 2005 so we can only hope the acting will be good .