Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
This reminds me of a reverse Stargirl. The "normal" girl goes the the school where everyone can act like they want without any unwritten rules. Add a touch of reality tv and some tough topics, and you have The Next Great Paulie Fink.
This book would be best read with support to kids due to the topics discussed. There's a lot to unpack (maybe too much) so it could be easy for a kid to miss out on something important.
This book would be best read with support to kids due to the topics discussed. There's a lot to unpack (maybe too much) so it could be easy for a kid to miss out on something important.
Though it takes a while to get to the SEARCH for the next great Paulie Fink, Benjamin does such a wonderful job capturing the fleeting moments of 7th grade (good and bad) that I didn't even mind.
What this book did really well--character growth and development and insight into the fact that people are so much more than we can see from the outside. Things that may be barriers for kids--it takes about half the book to really gain momentum and the premise of finding the next Paulie Fink, as well as some of his hijinks, just didn't ring true. Overall, though, this was an insightful and enjoyable read.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An unlikable protagonist reigns over the first half of the book. I like the growth in the main character and the spirit and moral of the story. The characters were unique. I would have preferred a more definite ending. If you have kids interested in mythology, this would be a great selection.
8/10
Super cute read! I wish all middle schools could be this carefree and non-judgmental.
Being surrounded by good people often makes you a better person.
And I’d like to think it helps to keep you a better person.
Anyhow, this was fun, and I loved the way Greek mythology was seamlessly mixed in to contemporary.
Super cute read! I wish all middle schools could be this carefree and non-judgmental.
Being surrounded by good people often makes you a better person.
And I’d like to think it helps to keep you a better person.
Anyhow, this was fun, and I loved the way Greek mythology was seamlessly mixed in to contemporary.
3.5 stars. Pretty wacky and unlikely, but a fun read nonetheless. I wish the ending would have been a little more decisive, but still pretty sellable to 5th and maybe 6th graders.
a solid middle-grade book exploring self-image, the ancient greek concept of kleos, and the ramifications of elevating a real person to mythical status. you can tell this book is set in vermont.
normally books that remind me of middle school are... touchy, because middle school sucked. but this one made me feel like a preteen again in a good way. in a warm and comforting and... dare i say... tender way. also just... very well-written. the mockumentary narrative technique? [chef's kiss]