The New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Seed and The Good Egg takes a lighthearted approach to how to respond to the all-too-common claim "It's not my fault!"

Emotional literacy is embedded in this funny cautionary tale:

Why is your homework so messy?
It's not my fault! I blame my pen.
Why can't I read these test answers?
I blame my pen.
Why is your assignment so late?
Um...I blame my pen?

A boy steadfastly refuses to take responsibility for any of his mistakes. He just blames everything on his pen, his backpack, his comb, his pillow--whatever happens to be at hand. For a while, this approach works at home and at school. He's positively convinced he has it all figured out until...all the inanimate objects rise up and revolt. What can he do when a talking pen and talking backpack decide to rebel?

The #1 New York Times bestselling picture-book author Jory John encourages kids to accept responsibility while keeping the laughs coming in this fun-filled tale. “A creative way to start a discussion on taking responsibility for one's actions and learning why one shouldn't point fingers unfairly.” —Booklist

“As funny as it is acute, and hopefully pre- and primary graders will squirm as well as giggle when the message hits home.” —The Bulletin

“There’s something to be said for the story’s unalloyed righteous indignation, its conviction showing that the blame game is never just fun and games.” —Publishers Weekly

“The book’s presentation and metatext is dripping with [cleverness].” —School Library Journal

"The humor in both art and text makes this an appealing picture book that might even cause some self-reflection and growth in its readers." —The Horn Book