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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
I'd like to give it more because it is a very quick and easy read so perhaps appropriate for reluctant readers. However, the main character was 12 who seemed so much younger it was a little annoying. It was almost as if the author wanted to pound it into your head that he (the character) has learning disabilities. He was like Joey Pigza on speed. He felt more like a stereotype than a real person.
Great book for boys, especially ones who do not want to read. I think my favorite thing in the book was the illustrated vocabulary words, and it's an idea I'm going to steal as my kids get older. I was a little annoyed that in the end it was acceptable to his teacher that he didn't do all of his work, but at the same time appreciate the message that he put in extra work on the one book (so quality over quantity). I think most boys would enjoy it.
My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian reminded me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries where it includes pictures to reinforce the ideas of the book. In this case, the pictures are drawings that Derek makes for his vocabulary lessons. Derek is a "reluctant reader" or at least that's what he's been told. He'll admit that he doesn't like to read but he doesn't see why it's such a big deal. He is given a summer reading list by his teacher and decides that summers are for water balloons and popsicles instead. When he begins to get into mischief though, his mom decides to send him to "learning camp" and he realizes his summer is ruined! This book has a surprising twist for a children's humor book which was the death of his babysitter from when he was young. Derek finds a newspaper article in the attic about a teenager that drowned in Martha's Vineyard and after he bothers his mom about it relentlessly, he finds out that it was his babysitter who ran into the water to save him when he was 2 years old. This leads Derek to try to find out more about his old babysitter and what exactly happened. This book is funny! I think that children would enjoy this book a lot and may make some boys not so "reluctant" readers. Derek as the main character has a lot to say about how he doesn't like reading or learning but by the end of the book, he realizes that it's not so bad. I think that boys would enjoy it because the main character is a protagonist and understands "boy" things like wanting to have a monkey ride on the back of his dog. The pictures are good throughout the story and would definitely help with children understanding the vocabulary and what it means. I would recommend this book for children in grades 3-7.
This was a quick read--finished in less than 24 hours! I'm doing this as a Book 'n Breakfast book over summer break (at lunch time, so it's been renamed Chew 'n Chat!) and I wanted to make sure I had a chance to read it beforehand. I'm very glad I did. Students will definitely recognize the character of Derek, whether in themselves or in friends/classmates (I've taught a few "Dereks" over the years!) and will definitely be able to connect with him.
While the illustrations were a bit distracting for me, I can absolutely see how young readers would both enjoy and appreciate them...and I love that the book is a collaboration between author mother and teenage-son illustrator. :)
This book has become very popular with students at my school and I'm glad I now know what the buzz is about--would enjoy giving the other "My Life as..." books a go, and would definitely recommend this book to student readers.
While the illustrations were a bit distracting for me, I can absolutely see how young readers would both enjoy and appreciate them...and I love that the book is a collaboration between author mother and teenage-son illustrator. :)
This book has become very popular with students at my school and I'm glad I now know what the buzz is about--would enjoy giving the other "My Life as..." books a go, and would definitely recommend this book to student readers.
Good read-alike for Wimpy Kid fans. Illustrations are done by the author's son. She wrote the book specifically for her son, who did not like to read when he was young.
I started reading this and then my 10 year-old son stole it. I haven't been able to get it back...he won't put it down.
Well, he read well into the night the second day he had it and finished it. I'm trying to convince him he should write a review for me.
Well, he read well into the night the second day he had it and finished it. I'm trying to convince him he should write a review for me.
I saw this in the bookstore and thought it looked similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It’s so much better. While the kid makes some bad choices and is kind of a handful, he isn’t mean or doesn’t blame other people for his pranks like the kid in Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I recommend this book over Wimpy Kid any day.
Rather meandering but charming story about a reluctant 12 y.o. reader who gets into trouble a lot, a mystery in his past, summer vacation, and "Learning Camp".