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ashleyeila's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is filled with emotions of a preteen boy going through his parents’ divorce and remarriages. It is a unique way of showing how things you don’t appreciate may be important to you. It does include a lot about lgbq in it (two mothers, encouraging gayness) so be aware of this especially if you are having your child read it.
charireads's review
5.0
Mickey is mad because his parents are getting a divorce and for a lot of other reasons. One day he sees an advertisement in a pack of gum that promises if he buys the AntiBook that he can make people go away. Mickey writes the names of all of his family, teachers, friends etc and suddenly he's transported to a fictional world where none of these people exist. When Mickey tries to undo it, he's sent on a fun journey. Absolutely loved this book. It is darling!
the_fabric_of_words's review
5.0
This was a middle grade exploration of a What if? speculation, specifically: What if you could write out of your life anything you wanted to? Who and what would you write out? And would you ever want to write them back in?
That's exactly what 12-year-old Mickey does. He gets a coupon for a journal in a package of bubble gum, just about the only thing he enjoys any more. He hates his dog, his big sister Angie, her bullying 17-year-old boyfriend, his parents, and pretty much everyone at school.
The Anti-Book promises to erase everything he writes down.
Boy, does he write. And he keeps writing.
When he next wakes up, very little is left. Some desert cactus where his house once stood, which he promptly writes out.
But as you may guess, Mickey wants everyone to disappear precisely because he does care about them -- what they think of him, how they treat him. And when his house reappears as an annoying-but-talking fly, and his sister in super-small MCU Ant-Man form, he begins to realize he wants them back. All of them.
A shadow -- non-corporeal, but confident, witty, everything Mickey has ever wanted to be -- appears and makes friends with Mickey. It promises the King, the bubble gum King, will grant Mickey whatever he wants. Mickey just has to navigate the anti-world to get there.
But the shadow, despite his cool veneer, shouldn't be trusted and has a nefarious plan in mind for Mickey -- one very close to Mickey's heart.
The book was kinda hard to get into. It has a rocky start, as Mickey's not an altogether likeable or even relatable character. But kids get angry at those they love, for lots of reasons, and they all handle it in different ways. I really felt like as the book progressed it got much better. Mickey becomes a more relatable character, and this was a fantastic exploration of what happens when you write out -- or push away -- everyone in your life. Both the anger and the urge were feelings I felt many young readers may connect with.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
That's exactly what 12-year-old Mickey does. He gets a coupon for a journal in a package of bubble gum, just about the only thing he enjoys any more. He hates his dog, his big sister Angie, her bullying 17-year-old boyfriend, his parents, and pretty much everyone at school.
The Anti-Book promises to erase everything he writes down.
Boy, does he write. And he keeps writing.
When he next wakes up, very little is left. Some desert cactus where his house once stood, which he promptly writes out.
But as you may guess, Mickey wants everyone to disappear precisely because he does care about them -- what they think of him, how they treat him. And when his house reappears as an annoying-but-talking fly, and his sister in super-small MCU Ant-Man form, he begins to realize he wants them back. All of them.
A shadow -- non-corporeal, but confident, witty, everything Mickey has ever wanted to be -- appears and makes friends with Mickey. It promises the King, the bubble gum King, will grant Mickey whatever he wants. Mickey just has to navigate the anti-world to get there.
But the shadow, despite his cool veneer, shouldn't be trusted and has a nefarious plan in mind for Mickey -- one very close to Mickey's heart.
The book was kinda hard to get into. It has a rocky start, as Mickey's not an altogether likeable or even relatable character. But kids get angry at those they love, for lots of reasons, and they all handle it in different ways. I really felt like as the book progressed it got much better. Mickey becomes a more relatable character, and this was a fantastic exploration of what happens when you write out -- or push away -- everyone in your life. Both the anger and the urge were feelings I felt many young readers may connect with.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
arrr's review
4.0
Kids dealing with divorce and feelings. Queer topics. Fantasy world. There is one very loud and annoying part in the audiobook towards the beginning. Just skip ahead a couple times.
arachkiid's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosemaryandrue's review
5.0
Guest Review!
"The Anti-book is a really good book that takes place in the real world and the Anti-world. It's full of cool abstract things such as a dog who is a god, a water-up, a housefly and a bubblegum kingdom. The main character Mickey is complicated but has a very good imagination. People who like books with fantasy and creative concepts will like this book.
I think this book was really good and would like to read more books like this one. I would rate this book 9/10."
Disclaimer: This ARC was won in a Goodreads giveaway. This is the recipient's honest and voluntary review.
"The Anti-book is a really good book that takes place in the real world and the Anti-world. It's full of cool abstract things such as a dog who is a god, a water-up, a housefly and a bubblegum kingdom. The main character Mickey is complicated but has a very good imagination. People who like books with fantasy and creative concepts will like this book.
I think this book was really good and would like to read more books like this one. I would rate this book 9/10."
Disclaimer: This ARC was won in a Goodreads giveaway. This is the recipient's honest and voluntary review.
techielibgrl's review
5.0
This book definitely gives me Death Note vibes except at the middle grade level. Our main character is pretty much mad all the time and sends away for this book called the Anti-book. If you write things in the Anti-book they disappear. So similar - except in Death Note someone dies. So this is a bit less gruesome. Our main character is dealing with a lot (divorce, bullying, and more things that frustrate him about life). He goes on a journey a la Wizard of Oz to fix the mess that he has made of the world. Mikey is not careful with what he wishes for....
Trigger: Divorce, Bullying
Trigger: Divorce, Bullying
mgleeson's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn't. The concept of the book was great, but I don't know why this book written for elementary aged kids would have topics and language that the targeted audience possibly haven't been exposed to yet. Like referring to the word ass but making the words ***wipe, ***head, ect. Also, the use of the word "hella" in several instances, and the mentioning of sexual orientation. I liked how Mickey reflected on the choices he made and felt guilty for things he'd done, but I just felt like some topics should be for older kids and I don't think older kids will gravitate to this book.
electricvaps's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cjeziorski's review
3.0
I listened to the free ALC from Libro.fm while I ran for five hours today. It was an enjoyable story, and I think kids would relate to Mickey’s feelings about his family and life. I enjoyed the narrator’s voice in the audio version. Fine story to pass the time, but it’s not one that’s going to stick with me for the long run.