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3.08 AVERAGE
3.08 AVERAGE
When I gave a book talk, reading a few of the "unexceptional" kids' quotes, one of my students said, "It sounds kind of insulting." I have to agree. My hope for this book is that kids who DO fly under the radar, are passed by in the hallways, not recognized, or ever missed when absent see that they DO have skills, and CAN be seen. Not for me. I had to force myself to hurry up and finish.
Decent premise, good treatment of situations where people must work with people they don't like and who don't like them, but all the female characters are annoying. I understand character flaws, but the peccadilloes were bothersome enough to disengage my interest several times or, at best, root for the villains.
A decent premise...but all the characters were obnoxious and the plot was lacking.
I wasn't expecting to like The League of Unexceptional Children. The premise seemed rather...well...unexceptional, but Gitty Daneshvari weaves together a remarkably hilarious tale of what happens when unexceptional children actually are capable of exceptional things.
I think the plot could have used more complexity, however, it is a middle grade read and the colorful characters make up for anything the plot lacks in ingenuity.
Overall, I think kids will enjoy the title and I look forward to continuing with the series.
I think the plot could have used more complexity, however, it is a middle grade read and the colorful characters make up for anything the plot lacks in ingenuity.
Overall, I think kids will enjoy the title and I look forward to continuing with the series.
As unlikely as it is fun, this mystery spy adventure sure makes being uninteresting....interesting. A great read for kids in grades 3-6.
The wacky sense of humor of this story will surely appeal to middle school kids! A funny spy story that will appeal to readers who love [b:Spy School|11750648|Spy School (Spy School, #1)|Stuart Gibbs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1321499016l/11750648._SY75_.jpg|16700581], [b:City Spies|51341533|City Spies (City Spies, #1)|James Ponti|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581854381l/51341533._SY75_.jpg|71431282] and [b:Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls|31374648|Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls (Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls, #1)|Beth McMullen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476202476l/31374648._SY75_.jpg|52063941].
Grades 4 and up.
Grades 4 and up.
It has several cute/endearing moments and I loved the "quotes" from unexceptional children around the country, but it constantly felt like Daneshvari was trying too hard to be funny.
The concept is fantastic; an organization takes unexceptional (forgettable, average) children and turns them into the perfect spies no one will notice.
It's just too bad that the execution didn't live up to what the concept promised.
The concept is fantastic; an organization takes unexceptional (forgettable, average) children and turns them into the perfect spies no one will notice.
It's just too bad that the execution didn't live up to what the concept promised.
Originally posted here
The League of Unexceptional Children is the story of two unrememberable children, Jonathan and Shelley. Two kids from Washington D.C., who are meant to save the world. The thing is Johnathan and Shelley really don’t want to save the world. That’s meant for people who are meant to save the world and that’s not them. They’re unexceptional. They’re middle of the road. They don’t understand why they’re being recruited except, that’s exactly why they’re being recruited. They’re wanted because people don’t remember them.
With the use of humor and an excellent plot Daneshvari takes the reader on an interesting story. Unfortunately the characters were a little too unexceptional and I couldn’t wait for the story to end.
My friend Jen and I are obsessed with middle grade obsessed. So this book was a pleasant surprise at the Little Brown booth during this year’s ALA. However, sadly, this book was a bit of a let down. It just moved too slowly for me to get involved in the story.
The League of Unexceptional Children is the story of two unrememberable children, Jonathan and Shelley. Two kids from Washington D.C., who are meant to save the world. The thing is Johnathan and Shelley really don’t want to save the world. That’s meant for people who are meant to save the world and that’s not them. They’re unexceptional. They’re middle of the road. They don’t understand why they’re being recruited except, that’s exactly why they’re being recruited. They’re wanted because people don’t remember them.
With the use of humor and an excellent plot Daneshvari takes the reader on an interesting story. Unfortunately the characters were a little too unexceptional and I couldn’t wait for the story to end.
My friend Jen and I are obsessed with middle grade obsessed. So this book was a pleasant surprise at the Little Brown booth during this year’s ALA. However, sadly, this book was a bit of a let down. It just moved too slowly for me to get involved in the story.
I’m an elementary library tech. I read a lot of books geared toward this age group in order to offer recommendations as well as to help determine what I will use as a read aloud. This was okay, but I’m not going to use it as a read aloud and it wasn’t interesting enough to continue reading. The humor was degrading and while it’s possible that they will shine as the heroes of the story later it was insulting. Some children are average and enjoy average things. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Also there were a few jokes about being tested for mental illness and a reference to being an aspiring sociopath. Didn’t hit the mark as far as a book I would recommend.