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bookishfreeman's review against another edition
5.0
This was a quick and hilarious read. I can't wait to get it into the hands of my students.
highvoltagegrrl's review against another edition
3.0
ARC reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.
James Patterson writes a lot of great books. While this one is pretty basic in both storyline and style, it still managed to put a smile on my face. The jokes within are all easy to get, nothing that would be over the top for the age of kids that would most enjoy the story. While there is one little lesson to be learned within the pages, it wasn’t heavy handed, it was actually barely noticeable and the book could have done without it.
As an adult, it was too simple for me to get much out of it. The massive amount of short chapters is ideal for reluctant readers though. There is also plenty of artwork throughout and it was my favorite bit about the book. Simply done it added a bit extra to the story being told.
Book Received: For free from publisher in exchange for an honest review
James Patterson writes a lot of great books. While this one is pretty basic in both storyline and style, it still managed to put a smile on my face. The jokes within are all easy to get, nothing that would be over the top for the age of kids that would most enjoy the story. While there is one little lesson to be learned within the pages, it wasn’t heavy handed, it was actually barely noticeable and the book could have done without it.
As an adult, it was too simple for me to get much out of it. The massive amount of short chapters is ideal for reluctant readers though. There is also plenty of artwork throughout and it was my favorite bit about the book. Simply done it added a bit extra to the story being told.
Book Received: For free from publisher in exchange for an honest review
remkosiak's review against another edition
4.0
I really rather liked this funny little book, and I really didn't think I would. It's a great read-alike for Wimpy Kid fans, with the added bonus of its' main character being in a wheelchair. The only beef I had with the book is that
**SPOILER** when Jamie realizes he was a HUGE JERK to his friends and family in his jokes, and thinks they all hate him, they aren't actually mad, but he doesn't apologize for being mean at their expense anyway! It seemed like a great set-up for a lesson about being funny, but didn't pay off. **END SPOILER**
The other lesson in the book, however, about Jamie's desire to be treated just as normal as anyone able to walk, was pretty solidly done.
I can't wait to recommend this book.
Actual review for library website:
Grades 4+
Jamie Grimm, soon to be the world's greatest stand-up (actually sit-down-in-wheelchair) comedian, lives with his aunt, uncle, and cousin - an extremely boring version of the Durlseys. He has an uncanny ability to make anyone (other than the aforementioned boring Durlsey-esque relatives) laugh. Jamie Grimm just funny!
When Uncle Frankie (not the boring one) suggests to Jamie that he compete in The Planet's Funniest Kid Comic contest, he knows he's got to try. His only problem is stage fright!
I Funny is a fabulously funny story about being brave enough to stand up for your own talents, even if you can't actually stand up. Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans are sure to love Jamie Grimm.
**SPOILER** when Jamie realizes he was a HUGE JERK to his friends and family in his jokes, and thinks they all hate him, they aren't actually mad, but he doesn't apologize for being mean at their expense anyway! It seemed like a great set-up for a lesson about being funny, but didn't pay off. **END SPOILER**
The other lesson in the book, however, about Jamie's desire to be treated just as normal as anyone able to walk, was pretty solidly done.
I can't wait to recommend this book.
Actual review for library website:
Grades 4+
Jamie Grimm, soon to be the world's greatest stand-up (actually sit-down-in-wheelchair) comedian, lives with his aunt, uncle, and cousin - an extremely boring version of the Durlseys. He has an uncanny ability to make anyone (other than the aforementioned boring Durlsey-esque relatives) laugh. Jamie Grimm just funny!
When Uncle Frankie (not the boring one) suggests to Jamie that he compete in The Planet's Funniest Kid Comic contest, he knows he's got to try. His only problem is stage fright!
I Funny is a fabulously funny story about being brave enough to stand up for your own talents, even if you can't actually stand up. Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans are sure to love Jamie Grimm.
juliec67's review against another edition
4.0
This book was better than I expected. (I should have known, given the author!)
Main character shows common middle school anxieties, but is also handed his
unfair share of unfortunate "luck" in his personal life with his living situation.
His determination to be treated "normal" despite being in a wheelchair gets him
to try things out of the box!
Main character shows common middle school anxieties, but is also handed his
unfair share of unfortunate "luck" in his personal life with his living situation.
His determination to be treated "normal" despite being in a wheelchair gets him
to try things out of the box!
jllt's review against another edition
3.0
My ten year old son appreciated this book far more than I did. I felt like there was too little character and plot development. However if it gets kids excited to read more, it's good.
arghiiiw's review against another edition
2.0
عاممم، نه.
اصلاً نتونستم دوستش داشته باشم.
ایده قشنگی داره، شخصیت‌ها اصلی دوست داشتنین ولی یجوری بود.
داستان به اندازه کافی عمق نداشت و خب اصلا کتابی نیست که شما بتونید ترجمه‌ش رو بخونید.
چون جک‌ها بک گراند خاص خودشون رو دارن و درک کردنشون توی زبان فارسی سخته. هرچند که طبق گفته مترجم، تلاش شده تاجای ممکن منظورشون رو برسونن.
پ.ن: شما وقتی می‌بینید اول کتاب نوشتن "تقدیم به رامبد جوان" ناخودآگاه نسبت به کتاب بدبین نمی‌شین؟
اصلاً نتونستم دوستش داشته باشم.
ایده قشنگی داره، شخصیت‌ها اصلی دوست داشتنین ولی یجوری بود.
داستان به اندازه کافی عمق نداشت و خب اصلا کتابی نیست که شما بتونید ترجمه‌ش رو بخونید.
چون جک‌ها بک گراند خاص خودشون رو دارن و درک کردنشون توی زبان فارسی سخته. هرچند که طبق گفته مترجم، تلاش شده تاجای ممکن منظورشون رو برسونن.
پ.ن: شما وقتی می‌بینید اول کتاب نوشتن "تقدیم به رامبد جوان" ناخودآگاه نسبت به کتاب بدبین نمی‌شین؟
jcbowr's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic book! These story does an incredible job of weaving a light hearted story with a sad understory that has a silliness. Truly a delight!!!'
mitchell_legend's review against another edition
5.0
It's a very nice series that children will enjoy and teaches them that people with disabilities are so much more than "just the disabled person."
coreenamcb's review against another edition
3.0
My Thoughts:
I am honestly torn about this book. I was so excited to receive it and read it to my kids - and I have to say that I did read it to them and they enjoyed it.
However, I do have a couple of issues. First off, Jamie Grimm was adopted by his aunt and her family after his family was killed and he was left in a wheelchair. His adoptive family doesn't treat him very well, forcing him to live in the cold garage, not engaging with him, and his older cousin bullies him terribly. I get tired of horrible adoption stories in children's book. This is a personal pet peeve of mine, but everything from fairy tales to Harry Potter have bad adoption stories. I would so love to see a good adoption story in children's books so that kids could learn about healthy, normal adoption experiences. Really? Your whole family dies and you are in a wheelchair and you have to move cities and go to a new school and your aunt and uncle put you in the garage and let your cousin torture you? I ended up having some good discussions with my kids about this and what adoption really means.
The other issue was the humour - I got all of the jokes and comedy references and many of them were funny, but there were also a good number of them that went over my kids' heads (aged 7 and 10). They just didn't get them. There were enough jokes that they did get, though, so they thought the book was funny.
The story itself, otherwise, was fine: Jamie likes to tell jokes and his uncle (a different one, not his adoptive one) encourages him to enter a Funniest Kid Comic competition, which he does. Even though he is extremely nervous, he overcomes his fears. The story also focuses on Jamie's life at school and his adjustments to moving to a new community and trying to make new friends.
The illustrations in the book were fantastic and clever. Laura Park did a great job. If you study them, you see quirky little details, like the bumper sticker on Jamie's wheelchair changing.
Overall, I think kids will enjoy this book. The humour, short chapters, and fun illustrations will have them turning the pages, and the message of following your dreams even when it's not in your comfort zone is a good one.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in a contest.
I am honestly torn about this book. I was so excited to receive it and read it to my kids - and I have to say that I did read it to them and they enjoyed it.
However, I do have a couple of issues. First off, Jamie Grimm was adopted by his aunt and her family after his family was killed and he was left in a wheelchair. His adoptive family doesn't treat him very well, forcing him to live in the cold garage, not engaging with him, and his older cousin bullies him terribly. I get tired of horrible adoption stories in children's book. This is a personal pet peeve of mine, but everything from fairy tales to Harry Potter have bad adoption stories. I would so love to see a good adoption story in children's books so that kids could learn about healthy, normal adoption experiences. Really? Your whole family dies and you are in a wheelchair and you have to move cities and go to a new school and your aunt and uncle put you in the garage and let your cousin torture you? I ended up having some good discussions with my kids about this and what adoption really means.
The other issue was the humour - I got all of the jokes and comedy references and many of them were funny, but there were also a good number of them that went over my kids' heads (aged 7 and 10). They just didn't get them. There were enough jokes that they did get, though, so they thought the book was funny.
The story itself, otherwise, was fine: Jamie likes to tell jokes and his uncle (a different one, not his adoptive one) encourages him to enter a Funniest Kid Comic competition, which he does. Even though he is extremely nervous, he overcomes his fears. The story also focuses on Jamie's life at school and his adjustments to moving to a new community and trying to make new friends.
The illustrations in the book were fantastic and clever. Laura Park did a great job. If you study them, you see quirky little details, like the bumper sticker on Jamie's wheelchair changing.
Overall, I think kids will enjoy this book. The humour, short chapters, and fun illustrations will have them turning the pages, and the message of following your dreams even when it's not in your comfort zone is a good one.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in a contest.
testevez's review against another edition
5.0
great book can't wait 2 read second book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!