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readwithpassion's review against another edition
4.0
I was very excited to start this book, as many bloggers have referred to it. Admittedly, I was very disappointed to discover it was a middle grade book, as I expected it to be a high school urban fiction. However, unlike some other middle grade books, I didn't put it down because I was sucked into the story. Carlos is a fascinating character and the plot is very exciting. Many of the events are quite predictable, but I think middle schoolers will definitely fall in love with this book.
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
Carlos is a special needs boy who has regular meltdowns in his 7th grade classes. Instead of his classmates being compassionate about his issues, they take it upon themselves to ostracize him and plan a very elaborate trick on an upcoming overnight class trip.
The writing in this book is not brilliant, but it is indicative of a junior high first person narrator so I forgive the simplicity of the writing on that account. This book was clearly written to teach kids a lesson about treating people who are different with kindness and respect. Any teacher who has a special needs child or multiple special needs children in their classes, this would be a great read aloud or assigned class reading.
The writing in this book is not brilliant, but it is indicative of a junior high first person narrator so I forgive the simplicity of the writing on that account. This book was clearly written to teach kids a lesson about treating people who are different with kindness and respect. Any teacher who has a special needs child or multiple special needs children in their classes, this would be a great read aloud or assigned class reading.
mirimyaw's review against another edition
3.0
My friend recommend me this book. Not bad but not good. Felt really bad for Carlos. The bullies definitely need some help
dawnoftheread's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent book about tough social dynamics of middle school.
engpunk77's review
2.0
I was hooked for a few chapters by the realistic teenage voice of the narrator. The hook then became a cattle prod because the narrator, like, keeps writing like that and I was just so, like, sick of both the plot and the narrator; I almost relinquished the book to my own discard pile several times. Instead of an actual interest in how the conflict would be resolved, I was propelled through this boring book by a desire to find out if Carlos's "aliens" were actually scabies or lice. I would have given this one star, but the ending was decent and portrayed 7th-grade interpersonal relationships & social issues pretty realistically.
If I could advise the author, I'd tell him that this would have made an amazing short personal narrative rather than a long, drawn-out novel.
If I could advise the author, I'd tell him that this would have made an amazing short personal narrative rather than a long, drawn-out novel.
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