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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
To be fair, this should maybe be a 3 1/2...
Gabe, an only child, is really excited to have the chance to meet his new stepbrother and have the sibling he's always wanted. The only trouble is they seem to have nothing in common. Gabe is so anxious to be seen as "cool" to his new sibling, he squashes down all of his nerdy tendencies, his math club membership, his reading habits, and most importantly--he conceals the truth about being admitted to a very selective science camp over the summer.
This is one of those stories that hinge on a very common device that I think of as "The Big Deception." The protagonist carries out a charade which becomes too big and goes on so long that it runs away from them. In every Big Deception story, a reckoning is always inevitable, it's only a matter of when and how. In this story, the lie doesn't feel so very big. He covers his science camp by pretending it's a normal sleepaway camp, and since he barely has a chance to get to know his stepbrother very well before embarking on his journey, there's hardly much of a reputation to lose. With these deceptions, the stakes have to be high for it to really count, and it just doesn't feel that way.
On the plus side, most of the book is spent at "nerd camp" and that part is really fun. For all the hemming and hawing motions Gabe goes through, the story is really about letting your nerd flag fly, and it does THAT well.
Gabe, an only child, is really excited to have the chance to meet his new stepbrother and have the sibling he's always wanted. The only trouble is they seem to have nothing in common. Gabe is so anxious to be seen as "cool" to his new sibling, he squashes down all of his nerdy tendencies, his math club membership, his reading habits, and most importantly--he conceals the truth about being admitted to a very selective science camp over the summer.
This is one of those stories that hinge on a very common device that I think of as "The Big Deception." The protagonist carries out a charade which becomes too big and goes on so long that it runs away from them. In every Big Deception story, a reckoning is always inevitable, it's only a matter of when and how. In this story, the lie doesn't feel so very big. He covers his science camp by pretending it's a normal sleepaway camp, and since he barely has a chance to get to know his stepbrother very well before embarking on his journey, there's hardly much of a reputation to lose. With these deceptions, the stakes have to be high for it to really count, and it just doesn't feel that way.
On the plus side, most of the book is spent at "nerd camp" and that part is really fun. For all the hemming and hawing motions Gabe goes through, the story is really about letting your nerd flag fly, and it does THAT well.
Ten year old Gabe has always dreamed of having a sibling. Now that his father is getting remarried, he is certain that he and his new step-brother Zack will become great friends.
Gage is an exceptionally intelligent boy who loves school and learning. He loves learning so much that he applied to a summer enrichment camp for "gifted" students. When Gabe meets Zack he thinks he is just about the coolest kid he has ever met. He oozes coolness with his middle school attitude and cool clothes. So when Gage discovers that Zack makes fun of brainy "nerds", he decides to try to conceal any of his "geeky" tendencies. These scenes are very funny.
When Gabe shares that he is going to sleep-away summer camp, Zack is very impressed and even envious. Gabe, however, does not share that at this camp the campers will write poetry, do science experiments and memorize digits of pi just for fun.
Gabe has an absolute blast at camp. He is in his element with his fellow nerds and makes some great friends. He has promised to write letters to Zack telling him everything. But, in his letters he gives Zack the impression that the camp is a typical summer camp with swimming, arts and crafts, and campfires each night. Zack writes back with such messy handwriting and atrocious spelling that Gabe is embarrassed to show his friends.
This is a wonderful story of self-acceptance. Throughout the book Gabe starts to look at himself through Zack's eyes. The reader will wonder if Gabe is going to learn to accept his nerdy self and show Zack who he really is.
You don't have to be a nerd to enjoy reading Nerd Camp. Although there is a bit of a summer romance subplot, I would recommend it for grades 3-6. It would also make a great read aloud.
So pack your sleeping bags, grab your pocket protectors and head to Nerd Camp!
Gage is an exceptionally intelligent boy who loves school and learning. He loves learning so much that he applied to a summer enrichment camp for "gifted" students. When Gabe meets Zack he thinks he is just about the coolest kid he has ever met. He oozes coolness with his middle school attitude and cool clothes. So when Gage discovers that Zack makes fun of brainy "nerds", he decides to try to conceal any of his "geeky" tendencies. These scenes are very funny.
When Gabe shares that he is going to sleep-away summer camp, Zack is very impressed and even envious. Gabe, however, does not share that at this camp the campers will write poetry, do science experiments and memorize digits of pi just for fun.
Gabe has an absolute blast at camp. He is in his element with his fellow nerds and makes some great friends. He has promised to write letters to Zack telling him everything. But, in his letters he gives Zack the impression that the camp is a typical summer camp with swimming, arts and crafts, and campfires each night. Zack writes back with such messy handwriting and atrocious spelling that Gabe is embarrassed to show his friends.
This is a wonderful story of self-acceptance. Throughout the book Gabe starts to look at himself through Zack's eyes. The reader will wonder if Gabe is going to learn to accept his nerdy self and show Zack who he really is.
You don't have to be a nerd to enjoy reading Nerd Camp. Although there is a bit of a summer romance subplot, I would recommend it for grades 3-6. It would also make a great read aloud.
So pack your sleeping bags, grab your pocket protectors and head to Nerd Camp!
Really cute and self-affirming. I wish I had gone to Nerd Camp...
This was a good story of how being yourself is what makes you cool.
Thanks to my buddy, Ann, who suggested this awesome book to me!
This is the story of ten-year-old Gabe. He's super smart -- so smart that he was just accepted to a special summer camp for smart kids -- and he's such an infectiously thoughtful and enthusiastic character, that you can't help but love him from page one.
When Gabe finds out his dad is getting remarried, and he'll have a stepbrother, he's overjoyed and plans out everything he wants to share with his new bro on their first meeting. When they finally meet, Gabe is a little stunned to discover that his brother-to-be is not a nerd like him, but instead is a super cool boy with gelled hair and his own cell phone. Gabe, not wanting to risk a chance at friendship with his new brother, tries to play it cool, hiding his nerdiness as much as he can.
Leaving for camp is a great opportunity for him to figure out how to solve his problem. He even creates a logic proof to test the theory that he might be a nerd who only has nerdy adventures.
I don't want to give too much of the story away because it's such a great journey, and you get to follow thoughtful Gabe on his summer adventure at Nerd Camp while he learns some great things about himself, about his new brother, and about being a nerd.
It's not a saccharine sweet tale, there's some nicely nuanced handling of kids coping with peer criticism, and the vehicle for the resolution is unexpected but satisfying (even if it does strain credulity a bit to make it happen so quickly -- your readers won't care, I certainly didn't!).
Great for boys and girls around the age of ten, especially those who might need some help gaining perspective on how awesome nerdiness can really be.
And now, I really wish I'd gone to Nerd Camp as a kid!
This is the story of ten-year-old Gabe. He's super smart -- so smart that he was just accepted to a special summer camp for smart kids -- and he's such an infectiously thoughtful and enthusiastic character, that you can't help but love him from page one.
When Gabe finds out his dad is getting remarried, and he'll have a stepbrother, he's overjoyed and plans out everything he wants to share with his new bro on their first meeting. When they finally meet, Gabe is a little stunned to discover that his brother-to-be is not a nerd like him, but instead is a super cool boy with gelled hair and his own cell phone. Gabe, not wanting to risk a chance at friendship with his new brother, tries to play it cool, hiding his nerdiness as much as he can.
Leaving for camp is a great opportunity for him to figure out how to solve his problem. He even creates a logic proof to test the theory that he might be a nerd who only has nerdy adventures.
I don't want to give too much of the story away because it's such a great journey, and you get to follow thoughtful Gabe on his summer adventure at Nerd Camp while he learns some great things about himself, about his new brother, and about being a nerd.
It's not a saccharine sweet tale, there's some nicely nuanced handling of kids coping with peer criticism, and the vehicle for the resolution is unexpected but satisfying (even if it does strain credulity a bit to make it happen so quickly -- your readers won't care, I certainly didn't!).
Great for boys and girls around the age of ten, especially those who might need some help gaining perspective on how awesome nerdiness can really be.
And now, I really wish I'd gone to Nerd Camp as a kid!
Sweet book for 3rd/4th grade about a nerd, his new cool step brother and his 6weeks at nerd camp. Message on being yourself and accepting who you are.
A story of my people. I would have LOVED this in middle school, if only to know I was not alone. Perfect for precocious middle school readers.
Oh, how do I describe my love for this book? I'll do my absolute best to touch on all the parts that really made me fall in love, but I can promise you now you'll need to go and pick up a copy of Nerd Camp. The dialogue and adventures are laugh out loud funny, and it's just such a fun read! Where else are you going to find a karaoke battle featuring the countries of the world in alphabetical order? Did I peak your interest? Good, read on!
As young characters go, Gabe and his posse of camp buddies are hilariously believable. Weissman gives the readers a camp full of unique and fun personalities. Gabe Gabe loves to make lists. They are a way for him to figure out problems that are bugging him. In fact, he ends up making a list during the book to help with his Zack problem. He lists out "Reasons I Am a Nerd" and "Reasons I Am Not a Nerd" at the beginning of every chapter. What's hilarious, and evident to an older reader, is that every single thing he does during his time at camp falls under both categories! Is there a lesson to be learned here? I think so! Wesley can solve all sorts of problems in his sleep, if you're awake long enough to hear him talk about them. Nikhil was my favorite because he was the character of the bunch who was afraid of everything. Germs, consequences, he reminded me so much of me when I was little!
Lest you think that the reader will be bogged down with lesson though, let me tell you that they are blended seamlessly into this overall story. The humor takes the edge off of Gabe's learning, but he really does figure out a lot. As Gabe goes through his summer time fun, he learns a lot about himself and those around him. He learns to fit in, he learns that he can be pretty "cool" in his own way, and most of all he learns that sometimes those kids out there who think they are cool are really just insecure. Yup. Deep right? Look at all the lessons you can get from one fun and extremely well written book! Did I mention every kid should read this?
Where was this book when I was an elementary aged kid? Really, Nerd Camp is a book that every young kid should give a read. If they happen to be in Gabe's situation, on the line between "cool" and being themselves, they will connect with the book. Yet if they are in Zack's situation, which I can't describe too much without giving away the story, they'll understand that there are varying shades of "cool" out there. Perfect book for any kid! The message is clear, be yourself. If you are a lover of MG writing, or even if you're just looking for something that will make you giggle, give this one a try! The antics of Gabe, Wesley, and Nikhil are something you won't regret taking part in.
As young characters go, Gabe and his posse of camp buddies are hilariously believable. Weissman gives the readers a camp full of unique and fun personalities. Gabe Gabe loves to make lists. They are a way for him to figure out problems that are bugging him. In fact, he ends up making a list during the book to help with his Zack problem. He lists out "Reasons I Am a Nerd" and "Reasons I Am Not a Nerd" at the beginning of every chapter. What's hilarious, and evident to an older reader, is that every single thing he does during his time at camp falls under both categories! Is there a lesson to be learned here? I think so! Wesley can solve all sorts of problems in his sleep, if you're awake long enough to hear him talk about them. Nikhil was my favorite because he was the character of the bunch who was afraid of everything. Germs, consequences, he reminded me so much of me when I was little!
Lest you think that the reader will be bogged down with lesson though, let me tell you that they are blended seamlessly into this overall story. The humor takes the edge off of Gabe's learning, but he really does figure out a lot. As Gabe goes through his summer time fun, he learns a lot about himself and those around him. He learns to fit in, he learns that he can be pretty "cool" in his own way, and most of all he learns that sometimes those kids out there who think they are cool are really just insecure. Yup. Deep right? Look at all the lessons you can get from one fun and extremely well written book! Did I mention every kid should read this?
Where was this book when I was an elementary aged kid? Really, Nerd Camp is a book that every young kid should give a read. If they happen to be in Gabe's situation, on the line between "cool" and being themselves, they will connect with the book. Yet if they are in Zack's situation, which I can't describe too much without giving away the story, they'll understand that there are varying shades of "cool" out there. Perfect book for any kid! The message is clear, be yourself. If you are a lover of MG writing, or even if you're just looking for something that will make you giggle, give this one a try! The antics of Gabe, Wesley, and Nikhil are something you won't regret taking part in.
Cute story about believing in yourself and not changing for others. Also to add that I got this book for free from Goodreads first reads.