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bethmitcham's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
mehsi's review
5.0
What happens when a little boy takes a fortune cookie’s fortune a bit too serious and drags everyone in it? Pure and fun chaos!
I have had my eyes on this book for a while but I was a bit hesitant. This blurb could go two ways. Me being annoyed at the MC because of how he is overreacting or me laughing at all the silliness. In the end I decided to just give it a shot. I am so glad I did because I can tell you that I absolutely LOVED it.
Meet Ben, a boy with an even more literal mind than mine, he opens a fortune cookie and finds this fortune inside: “Live each day as if it were your last.” Now most of us would just shrug it off, but oh no not Ben. This fortune is sticking in his mind and so begins a wild and fun day of him trying to make the most of it because OMG THIS COULD BE MY LAST. Yep, this kid is going for it. He makes a bucketlist (featuring eating a whole cake which I approved of to making a Taj Mahal of 1000 pieces to helping out a friend and much more). Along the way in doing his bucket list, helping his best friend, learning scooter tricks to another friend, he gets in tons of trouble and I was just laughing my butt off seeing him get in trouble at the weirdest ways (like the time when he tried to jump that prize-winning fence… and well you have to read the book to find out).
I loved that Ben wasn’t the only one who got the fortune cookie virus. For some magical reason he managed to infect quite a few people with the “Live each day as if it were your last-fortune”. Which resulted in some hilarious scenarios. Like his dad who got some weird idea to celebrate his 10-year wedding anniversary NOW (though I cannot imagine the cake tasting good after that long, I mean, I ate my wedding cake after a year as is tradition and while it was yummy you could taste that it was frozen/defrosted).
The illustrations? TOTALLY Awesome. I love the facial expressions on the characters, I love how the story comes even more alive due to the illustrations (and also becomes even funnier). I really need to see what else the illustrator has done as I want to check out more of their work now.
I so loved Mrs. Ezra. She was definitely one big surprise. Given what the kids say about her and what she has been doing I was worried she may be a grumpy/mean old lady but actually she became one of my favourite characters.
Mona was such a fun character though I did feel sorry for her that her mom was so overprotective (or is it more like almost Munchausen by proxy?). I get that you don’t want your kids to be hurt, but this was just too creepy and you saw that it also affected Mona. She was doing the same thing as the mom. But thankfully, also trying to break out and just have fun.
All in all, I had tons and tons of fun and I definitely want more! But I will have to wait for a bit as I want to get the next book for my vacation in August. I hope I can wait that long, haha. I would highly recommend this terrific book to all~
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have had my eyes on this book for a while but I was a bit hesitant. This blurb could go two ways. Me being annoyed at the MC because of how he is overreacting or me laughing at all the silliness. In the end I decided to just give it a shot. I am so glad I did because I can tell you that I absolutely LOVED it.
Meet Ben, a boy with an even more literal mind than mine, he opens a fortune cookie and finds this fortune inside: “Live each day as if it were your last.” Now most of us would just shrug it off, but oh no not Ben. This fortune is sticking in his mind and so begins a wild and fun day of him trying to make the most of it because OMG THIS COULD BE MY LAST. Yep, this kid is going for it. He makes a bucketlist (featuring eating a whole cake which I approved of to making a Taj Mahal of 1000 pieces to helping out a friend and much more). Along the way in doing his bucket list, helping his best friend, learning scooter tricks to another friend, he gets in tons of trouble and I was just laughing my butt off seeing him get in trouble at the weirdest ways (like the time when he tried to jump that prize-winning fence… and well you have to read the book to find out).
I loved that Ben wasn’t the only one who got the fortune cookie virus. For some magical reason he managed to infect quite a few people with the “Live each day as if it were your last-fortune”. Which resulted in some hilarious scenarios. Like his dad who got some weird idea to celebrate his 10-year wedding anniversary NOW (though I cannot imagine the cake tasting good after that long, I mean, I ate my wedding cake after a year as is tradition and while it was yummy you could taste that it was frozen/defrosted).
The illustrations? TOTALLY Awesome. I love the facial expressions on the characters, I love how the story comes even more alive due to the illustrations (and also becomes even funnier). I really need to see what else the illustrator has done as I want to check out more of their work now.
I so loved Mrs. Ezra. She was definitely one big surprise. Given what the kids say about her and what she has been doing I was worried she may be a grumpy/mean old lady but actually she became one of my favourite characters.
Mona was such a fun character though I did feel sorry for her that her mom was so overprotective (or is it more like almost Munchausen by proxy?). I get that you don’t want your kids to be hurt, but this was just too creepy and you saw that it also affected Mona. She was doing the same thing as the mom. But thankfully, also trying to break out and just have fun.
All in all, I had tons and tons of fun and I definitely want more! But I will have to wait for a bit as I want to get the next book for my vacation in August. I hope I can wait that long, haha. I would highly recommend this terrific book to all~
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
worldsloudestlibrarian's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
luckytoad23's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
yapha's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This illustrated novel is both hilarious and poignant as Ben tries to figure out what are the most important things to do if this was to be his last day. Highly recommended for grades 2 & up.
abanas's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ironspinesally's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
beastreader's review
4.0
This is the first book I have read from this author. After reading this book, I want to read more, especially involving Ben. He is an interesting and engaging character. I know that my nephews and niece will enjoy this book as well.
Ben living our his last day as if it really was his "last day" was so much fun. Him and his friend, Janet are great. I kept thinking what I would do, eat, and whom I would share my adventures with if it was my last day. It encouraged me to actually go out and do a few more things.
This book may be geared to the younger readers but adults a like will enjoy this book as well. In fact, this book could be a family affair. I will be picking up the next Ben book.
Ben living our his last day as if it really was his "last day" was so much fun. Him and his friend, Janet are great. I kept thinking what I would do, eat, and whom I would share my adventures with if it was my last day. It encouraged me to actually go out and do a few more things.
This book may be geared to the younger readers but adults a like will enjoy this book as well. In fact, this book could be a family affair. I will be picking up the next Ben book.
shree_reads's review
5.0
Imagine, I repeat IMAGINE, that today is the last day of your life. What are the things would you love to accomplish before you breathe your last? I am pretty sure that the list will be long and never ending.
Ben Yokoyama is facing a similar problem - today might be the last day of his life. How did he know? Well, a fortune cookie told him so!
(I have a soft corner for fortune cookies.)
Ben doesn't waste a minute and gets started on his bucket list. He wants to eat a whole cake (that is on my bucket list)- build a 1000-piece model of Taj Mahal and so many more things get a spot on his list. Get ready for a fun and thrilling adventure! This book will not only entertain but also will teach you valuable lessons.
The simple language is perfect for all age groups and the illustrations added a flair to an already great book. Though written for middle grade readers,I enjoyed this book to the fullest. I laughed and cried at the same time. This book was so relatable. The author has beautifully uplifted the innocence, creativity and wild imaginations of a child. Recommended to everyone who loves/loved/will love The Diary of the Wimpy Kid.
//Favourite Quotes//
“live each day as if it were your last.”
“Different. Sometimes different is good. Often it is.”
“….the point is that you figure out the things you really want to do and then just do them as well as you possibly can. So at least you know you tried”
“Everything was different now. Suddenly a lifetime had become a single day.”
"..... because it helps me remember to spend every day doing the things that are most important to me."
“The search for happiness begins with a single step”
“It is literally impossible to save the day while lying on the ground feeling sorry for myself.”
“It’s so wonderful I want to cry”
“I am a successful and self-confident person, but the idea of baking a cake makes me want to scream.”
Ben Yokoyama is facing a similar problem - today might be the last day of his life. How did he know? Well, a fortune cookie told him so!
(I have a soft corner for fortune cookies.)
Ben doesn't waste a minute and gets started on his bucket list. He wants to eat a whole cake (that is on my bucket list)- build a 1000-piece model of Taj Mahal and so many more things get a spot on his list. Get ready for a fun and thrilling adventure! This book will not only entertain but also will teach you valuable lessons.
The simple language is perfect for all age groups and the illustrations added a flair to an already great book. Though written for middle grade readers,I enjoyed this book to the fullest. I laughed and cried at the same time. This book was so relatable. The author has beautifully uplifted the innocence, creativity and wild imaginations of a child. Recommended to everyone who loves/loved/will love The Diary of the Wimpy Kid.
//Favourite Quotes//
“live each day as if it were your last.”
“Different. Sometimes different is good. Often it is.”
“….the point is that you figure out the things you really want to do and then just do them as well as you possibly can. So at least you know you tried”
“Everything was different now. Suddenly a lifetime had become a single day.”
"..... because it helps me remember to spend every day doing the things that are most important to me."
“The search for happiness begins with a single step”
“It is literally impossible to save the day while lying on the ground feeling sorry for myself.”
“It’s so wonderful I want to cry”
“I am a successful and self-confident person, but the idea of baking a cake makes me want to scream.”
rebeshelton's review
It's hard to rate a book that wasn't meant for you, you know? That being said, I'm not sure that I would have particularly enjoyed this book when I was the age it's targeted towards.
While there were moments of clarity and life lessons, the plot felt like one disaster after another. One aspect of children's media that I don't enjoy (and have never enjoyed even as a child) is the portrayal of adults as bumbling idiots who make decisions that aren't realistic.
Another aspect of this book that was extremely annoying was the overuse of similes. Some made sense, but most of them felt like the author grabbed a few words out of a hat and jumbled them together into something that was not even intelligible.
I know my son read and enjoyed this book and I think that's what matters. However, I won't be suggesting it as a first choice for kids that need to read a book award nominee this year.
While there were moments of clarity and life lessons, the plot felt like one disaster after another. One aspect of children's media that I don't enjoy (and have never enjoyed even as a child) is the portrayal of adults as bumbling idiots who make decisions that aren't realistic.
Another aspect of this book that was extremely annoying was the overuse of similes. Some made sense, but most of them felt like the author grabbed a few words out of a hat and jumbled them together into something that was not even intelligible.
I know my son read and enjoyed this book and I think that's what matters. However, I won't be suggesting it as a first choice for kids that need to read a book award nominee this year.