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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Jeeves is in the house!
Only this time he's slightly (only slightly) less snarky and a little more lovable. And I'm here for it.
Only this time he's slightly (only slightly) less snarky and a little more lovable. And I'm here for it.
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really cute, overall pretty enjoyable and short. But there was a lot of talk about the game Cricket and that just isn't really my jam.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
As part of my book club (membership of two persons - including myself) we are tasked with reading 3 books by the same author. I chose Gary D. Schmidt because he is brilliant and sneaky at making you become emotionally invested in his characters and I love how people just help others. Unfortunately, his latest book was just okay (and by that I don't mean Okay for Now - Ha!). There were true elements of Gary D. Schmidt that made me really like the book - but the whole premise of a butler just showing up to live with a family, unbeknownst to the family was just kind of weird. And then I had to learn all about cricket to follow along - and that was just kind of annoying. Don't get me wrong - I don't mind learning new things (that's the whole point of reading) but the interjection of the cricket matches didn't do much to help me become more emotionally invested in the characters or the story. So - I guess the bails fell on this one. See, I did kind of learn something.
Also - I think I am a harsh critic for Schmidt because really I love just about everything he writes.
Also - I think I am a harsh critic for Schmidt because really I love just about everything he writes.
I laughed, I cried, I thought about who I was and who loved me.
Darling book with big Harriet the Spy vibes. Fun for everyone!
Darling book with big Harriet the Spy vibes. Fun for everyone!
So this book actually made me want to watch a cricket match, "the most lovely and sportsmanly game that mankind has yet conceived - or ever will conceive." This book was sweet without being soppy and heartwarming without being trite. I read it because my 5th grade son had to read it, and I can tell he is enjoying it too, even though he originally professed that he was sure it would be "boring." Carter is a likable hero, and the Butler is a wonderfully eccentric modern-day Mary Poppins. And the barfing dog who would only poop in one neighbor's yard was obviously the creme de la creme for my scatology-loving tween.
I was so disappointed in this book. Yes, of course I teared up at parts, and yes, I love the way Schmidt doesn't write down to kids. But there were so many holes for me. Carter and his dad can afford an Australian camping trip, but back home, his mother can't replace her car? His dad is British but he enlisted in the US Army? A 12 year old drives a Bentley around town and no one notices? And least believable for me: an entire American middle school loses its collective mind for cricket? Even if we slap a magical realism label on this, the realistic part is supposed to be realistic, right? I'm curious to see if I can find the right kid for this book. It might do well in upper elementary, but I can't see a student who loved The Wednesday Wars wanting to read this.