Story of kids in Australia trying and failing at revenging their crazy dictator-like teacher.

Awesome YA fiction. The protagonist, Calma, is likably awkward. I think lots of girls would identify with her self depreciating humour.

This is one of the funniest and most gripping books you will ever read. I really enjoyed it, and it also made me cry. It's hilarious and it has painful parts, and it is also very very funny.
I came across this book by luck, and it has always stuck with me.

A very funny and clever book. So much humour, through all situations, and it works. I really liked the ending, especially Calma's great speech and a few more twists.

This book was recommended by goodreads author Will Kostakis and I was not disappointed. I found myself laughing out loud which is quite an achievement. I was reminded of one of my favourite books "Trouble is a Friend of Mine" as I followed the antics of the two friends and watched them constantly stuck in ridiculous predicaments. The story was told so skilfully that I could visualise the hilarious hijinks perfectly.

I was laughing from the first page, and then I was crying on the last. It’s a reflective and unique story that is written in a very engaging style. Part journal part crime-thriller (ha ha). This book offers some really interesting ideas on how kids at school are treated based on how they present themselves in terms of family history, grades, and social expectations. I think the teacher in this book had a terrible approach to her class. I think all of the adults in this story let these kids down. I was so saddened by the report on Jarryd’s English assignment at the end (fantastic narrative structure omg). It was such a impactful story for me as a teacher, and I really enjoyed reading it.

Not what I expected ... it seemed like every page I turned, someting else happened that I would not have predicted, climaxing at the end with a twist and turns of events which make you think and want to reread sections of the book.

Initially the writing style of this book bothered me, as it was sassy, and too familiar, but it had me laughing at the same time.

Hanging out now to read the sequel.

Read this like 11 years ago for school. Don’t remember anything about it but I saw it at the thrift store today and it reminded me about it. I was literally 13 when I read it. I won’t ever read it again though coz it reminds me of school

The Crimes and Punishments of Miss Payne and
The Whole Business with Kiffo and the Pitbull
are two different titles for the same story. I've combined them; please nobody separate them.

I can't decide if this is brilliant, or a brilliant hot mess. Is it a thriller? A satire? Is the narrator reliable, or not? It's definitely got that Australian vibe to it, like Getting the Girl and Have Courage, Hazel Green in which kids get involved in grown-ups' real-life issues. I found it refreshing and fun. But it's probably going to be dissed by lots of my friends. An acquired taste, if you will.

(edited four days afterwards - iow, it's a memorable book ;)

Another thought, the next day - a character mentions Marsden... now, I only read the first book, but iirc that famous series is about kids solving problems that grown-ups should have... so maybe the other Aussie MG/YA books I've read just kinda subconsciously emulate....

I REALLY liked this book although it's not the type I usually go for and the whole book was very unexpected.
The start of the book is like a comedy that quickly turns into a thriller/mystery sorta thing. I really enjoyed the characters and YAY another Aussie book but I was VERY VERY sad and VERY surprised even sh

This book is so different to any other I’ve read and it’s so creative and funny! Really well written :)

The Whole Business with Kiddo and The Pitbull is an interesting story.

It has the wackiest plotline, the most unusual plot-twists and makes my head spin around with confusion. And yet, it’s one of those stories I can remember from the start to finish because it’s so wonderfully unique. I can happily say it’s the most original book I’ve read.

And at the very end, I love how such dark subjects were approached with a thread of light. The main character is one of the best I’ve come across, and I have a feeling Calma is a repeating character in a lot of Jonsbergs’ novels. She had a certain strong personality which I notice male authors always give when their main character is female.

A strange, wacky, unusually-funny yet heartbreaking book I suggest you to read, even just once.