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jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this book -- not being a middle school boy, with a middle school boy's sense of humor, I was dubious. However, not only is this book full of jokes, it's full of heart as well.
sue_from_stack_those_books's review against another edition
3.0
Read this with my son. He absolutely loves James Patterson books.
tmaluck's review against another edition
2.0
Some 95% of this book is fine by me and reads as a tweaked version of the first couple Middle School books. Insecurity + humor + family intrigue + being subject to then overcoming a harmful influence or presence = a pleasant formula. I like Jamie and his outlook on life throughout the book. He's going through a lot and uses humor to brighten others' spirits as well as his own. However, there are four elements that knocked this down a peg...
1) He reconciles with his bully too easily/quickly, considering how he was treated. At one point Jamie's adoptive brother and his buddies dump him out of his wheelchair and toss him over a railing onto a beach at night, alone, taking his chair with them. Jamie is intimidated out of identifying his attackers. He is constantly worried about being beaten, but by the end, this family abuser admits Jamie's got good jokes and they shake hands. That's a little too neat of a resolution, even if it ends up getting addressed in sequels.
2) The lists of comedians Jamie researches, and what that consists of. Jamie studies a lot of comedians, and he does make use of some of them, such as when he quotes George Carlin, Steven Wright, and Groucho Marx. However, based on his stand-up material, I don't see a whole lot of his other favorites, like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Louis CK... Jamie's material is mostly stuff you would find in a joke book, with no style or flair behind it. Contrast those influences and delivery with the kid at the comedy contest who gets jeers for reciting basic jokes. We do see Jamie somewhat "level up" into making observations about his friends and family, and using his jokes to tell a story (that he refers to his effective "bits" is charming), but I also had trouble picturing an auditorium cracking up at his material. I say all this as someone who grew up watching Comedy Central, so there's just a certain expectation that comes with rolling off a list of comedians and then making jokes about crossing a parrot with a shark.
3) Are Jamie's personal jokes hurtful, or not? When he goes personal with his jokes, the book makes sure to highlight how wrong it is to use people as targets for cheap laughs. That's an important element of comedy! Then the message turns around and everyone was actually fine with the treatment. Just seemed like a free pass.
4) I appreciated the book's portrayal of Jamie's mobility and sensitivity to how people treat him in his wheelchair. He wants to be treated as ordinary, not a pity case. He doesn't want special treatment, just fairness. He enjoys moving around NYC because nobody pays him any mind. Cool! Then the book uses its final act to unload the loss that explains Jamie's circumstances, including his road to recovery. The arc itself is compelling and lends depth to Jamie on paper, but its placement felt shallow. I'm an adult reading a MG book, though, so I might be too harsh on this point.
Spoiler
1) He reconciles with his bully too easily/quickly, considering how he was treated. At one point Jamie's adoptive brother and his buddies dump him out of his wheelchair and toss him over a railing onto a beach at night, alone, taking his chair with them. Jamie is intimidated out of identifying his attackers. He is constantly worried about being beaten, but by the end, this family abuser admits Jamie's got good jokes and they shake hands. That's a little too neat of a resolution, even if it ends up getting addressed in sequels.
2) The lists of comedians Jamie researches, and what that consists of. Jamie studies a lot of comedians, and he does make use of some of them, such as when he quotes George Carlin, Steven Wright, and Groucho Marx. However, based on his stand-up material, I don't see a whole lot of his other favorites, like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Louis CK... Jamie's material is mostly stuff you would find in a joke book, with no style or flair behind it. Contrast those influences and delivery with the kid at the comedy contest who gets jeers for reciting basic jokes. We do see Jamie somewhat "level up" into making observations about his friends and family, and using his jokes to tell a story (that he refers to his effective "bits" is charming), but I also had trouble picturing an auditorium cracking up at his material. I say all this as someone who grew up watching Comedy Central, so there's just a certain expectation that comes with rolling off a list of comedians and then making jokes about crossing a parrot with a shark.
3) Are Jamie's personal jokes hurtful, or not? When he goes personal with his jokes, the book makes sure to highlight how wrong it is to use people as targets for cheap laughs. That's an important element of comedy! Then the message turns around and everyone was actually fine with the treatment. Just seemed like a free pass.
4) I appreciated the book's portrayal of Jamie's mobility and sensitivity to how people treat him in his wheelchair. He wants to be treated as ordinary, not a pity case. He doesn't want special treatment, just fairness. He enjoys moving around NYC because nobody pays him any mind. Cool! Then the book uses its final act to unload the loss that explains Jamie's circumstances, including his road to recovery. The arc itself is compelling and lends depth to Jamie on paper, but its placement felt shallow. I'm an adult reading a MG book, though, so I might be too harsh on this point.
titokla5's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
this book is about a kid that goes to school and has a bully he is handycaped and has a bully in his school. since he is handycaps he has to find a way to leave his bully. what he did will shock you!
sullyoli's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
nataliejordin_writes's review against another edition
5.0
So I grabbed this audio book from my local library for no particular reason. I was trying to see if I liked audio books, trying it out and for my first choice, I’d say I did pretty good.
It was also my first James Patterson experience. The book was hilarious and amazingly funny. I’m sure that middle grade students would really enjoy this book. It will keep you laughing the entire time.
I suggest the audio book because it is awesome. The boy reading it brings so much humor in such a “dry” voice that makes it even funnier.
It was also my first James Patterson experience. The book was hilarious and amazingly funny. I’m sure that middle grade students would really enjoy this book. It will keep you laughing the entire time.
I suggest the audio book because it is awesome. The boy reading it brings so much humor in such a “dry” voice that makes it even funnier.
charlietheninth's review against another edition
3.0
Pros: A protag in a wheelchair! Just doing kid things! His disability affects the plot but doesn't define it!
Cons: This is quite possibly the least funny book I've ever read. Never has something tried so desperately to be funny, and missed so consistently. At the end Jamie says that maybe he could write Adam Sandler movies, and I was like, "this explains so much."
Cons: This is quite possibly the least funny book I've ever read. Never has something tried so desperately to be funny, and missed so consistently. At the end Jamie says that maybe he could write Adam Sandler movies, and I was like, "this explains so much."
jesspunchy's review against another edition
4.0
Plot: 4
Character: 5
Attention Grabbing: 5
Voice: 4
Ending: 5
Total:23/25
It's more like 4.5 stars.
Just so you know, I don't think this book is funny, and I don't like it just because it cracks me up---cuz it didn't. I found the main character, Jamie Grimm, shaped really well by the author. I like it that he's trying to hide his pain and his past by telling jokes and making other people happy. But he is not insensitive, he still shows his feelings and is willing to show it to the ones he trust. At the end he smoothly gave a preview of the second book in the series :D
Character: 5
Attention Grabbing: 5
Voice: 4
Ending: 5
Total:23/25
It's more like 4.5 stars.
Just so you know, I don't think this book is funny, and I don't like it just because it cracks me up---cuz it didn't. I found the main character, Jamie Grimm, shaped really well by the author. I like it that he's trying to hide his pain and his past by telling jokes and making other people happy. But he is not insensitive, he still shows his feelings and is willing to show it to the ones he trust. At the end he smoothly gave a preview of the second book in the series :D
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
Started off a little rough, but the narrator really grew on me and I didn't want to put the book down. Definitely a hit with the middle grade crowd.
hjeter's review against another edition
4.0
One of the most likable characters I have ever read about- plus a very honest depiction of living with a disability.