Reviews

Best Nerds Forever by Chris Grabenstein, James Patterson

estevens08's review

emotional inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

0livia_h's review

emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.0

andeez's review

3.0

Finn is dead. It's not really a spoiler...it happens in the first chapter. But why is he still around? He needs to find out why someone killed him.

Finn grew up in a house full of apprehension and fear. He'd never do anything to put himself at risk. But now his friends and family think he made a daredevil decision and it went wrong. But he was killed! How can he prove this?

Through his ghostly life and ghostly partnerships, Finn accepts what it means to truly be alive. Can your own fear of the world be the death of you?

I like the message in the book. There were a few parts in the story to make me think "huh?" which is why it didn't get the 4 stars from me. I honestly thought the epilogue was unnecessary and a little confusing.

Middle graders will love it and hopefully the message to make the most of life will be the takeaway. Recommended for grades 5 and up.

prairiemountaingirl's review

4.0

I listened to this book with our son because it seemed like it would be a fun mystery. I kept waiting on the "hilarious" moments, but mostly found it sad. There were some great themes about fear, enjoying life, and friendship, but most of the book revolves around Finn's remorse that he did not do more in life and how quickly everyone moves on after he is gone. The ending is very sweet though.

signediza's review

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

3.0

evamadera1's review

lighthearted slow-paced

1.75

This book lived up to my rather low expectations. I knew when I picked it up that it would likely take the bottom ranking, at least in my opinion, of the books on the long list. Although I have not read five of the books on the list, at this time, I stand by that expectation. Also, just before I started reading this book, I watched a video that described some of the facts surrounding Patterson's dissolution of his eponymous imprint which paint him in a not so positive light. This did not raise my expectations.
Patterson created absolutely nothing original here. Finn, the primary character, has no dimensionality which means that all of the secondary characters have even less depth. On top of that, the "rules" surrounding Finn's ghosthood seem as made up as a 12 year old boy could make it up. Finn thought of something that he might be able to do and then he could do it. Then you finish the book and get that epilogue. SMH. No. Just no. 

mimistromauthor's review

4.0

I thought I would sad reading this book since it is about a dead boy, but instead it made me feel grateful. This book talks a lot about the beauty of life but not in a preachy way.

I must admit that I didn't really connect with Finn until halfway through. When I did however, I felt for him hard.

I also found the epilogue confusing. Is there going to be a second book after this one?

bookish_4life's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

4.5

mrsheidrich's review

4.0

3.5 rounded up to 4

luizylou's review

3.0

CAWPILE: 5.0

Not a very big fan of the end. It was a bit of a let down if I'm being honest.
Overall a fine story, but not a new favorite..