Scan barcode
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the text version and been immersed in the illustrations, but I don't think so. It was okay, but Rafe as a character just didn't grab me. I know middle school angst from the two angsty kids in my own household, and I enjoy books about middle school angsty kids, but Rafe's quest to break every rule in the book didn't ring true and the secondary characters were so cliche. Perhaps the big reveal at the end-- that his imaginary friend Leo is actually his twin brother who died as an infant-- is supposed to make us more sympathetic toward his inner turmoil, but it's too late in the book to really do much of anything. It all comes across as sort of "eh."
acertaineh's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
francijo's review against another edition
4.0
Many adults disliked this book, saying the main character has "mental problems" or that the author tried to hard. Seriously. That's a middle school kid: unbalanced and trying way too hard! I think that's why it rings true to so many kids. Middle school is a time when things are bigger than life and every problem seems like the end of the world. I think it was a fine book, and one that will appeal to the kids who are its target audience. Parents should read it as a reminder of how life felt at that age!
julianina16's review against another edition
5.0
I read it when I was the targeted demographic which puts me in a position to say that I enjoyed it a lot (and whizzed through the entire series)-unlike the adults reviewing a book for children....
I empathised with Rafe as I saw myself similar in ways to him- he was an artist, struggled in school etc. I found the books funny when I read them and they still sit in on my bookshelf proudly among the more mature YA fiction that I then started reading along with my classics.
I was never much of a reader necessarily around the age of 11 and ended up stumbling into The series accidentally- it might be partly responsible for the reason that reading is such a large part of me now, and possibly without the series there wouldn’t be any books surrounding it on my now overflowing bookshelf.
I empathised with Rafe as I saw myself similar in ways to him- he was an artist, struggled in school etc. I found the books funny when I read them and they still sit in on my bookshelf proudly among the more mature YA fiction that I then started reading along with my classics.
I was never much of a reader necessarily around the age of 11 and ended up stumbling into The series accidentally- it might be partly responsible for the reason that reading is such a large part of me now, and possibly without the series there wouldn’t be any books surrounding it on my now overflowing bookshelf.
krytygr's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I liked it. It was entertaining. I felt for Rafe having to deal with his moms' crappy boyfriend, but he held his own when the time came for it. He also stood up to his school bully. Rafe was dealing with so much. It just goes to show that not everyone's life (at school or home) is perfect. That people struggle.. that KIDS struggle. I think sometimes, as adults, we forget that. This is a wonderful reminder that we can change things, even if it doesn't seem like it.