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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I could barely finish this book, and the only reason I did was because I was in the car and had nothing else to read.
I always find it difficult to enjoy a book where I don't like the protagonist, and Norris was genuinely unlikable. He was just downright rude and whiny, to the point where his friends turned against him because of something he did, I felt like they were in the right. If your reader can't force themselves to be on your protagonist's side, then I think you've done something wrong. Also, the end is completely unsatisfying and made me like Norris even less.
Maybe it's just personal preference, but this book was just annoying to read.
I always find it difficult to enjoy a book where I don't like the protagonist, and Norris was genuinely unlikable. He was just downright rude and whiny, to the point where his friends turned against him because of something he did, I felt like they were in the right. If your reader can't force themselves to be on your protagonist's side, then I think you've done something wrong. Also, the end is completely unsatisfying and made me like Norris even less.
Maybe it's just personal preference, but this book was just annoying to read.
A snarky, quirky, smart, nervous black male teen protagonist with an honest voice? Sign me up! I loved Norris's narration and his slow character development. Other characters, too, - like Liam, Maddie, his mom & even his dad - developed as Norris began to look past his initial judgments. Of all things, his romantic relationship with Aarti annoyed me most, but it also felt painfully real - I remember being interested in people I could barely talk to - and while I wished for a fairy tale ending, I was ok with what we got (ok, I would have liked a slower moment, maybe). One niggle - and maybe I'm wrong - but I was a little surprised that no one brought up any concerns about interracial relationships. Has the South changed that much since I lived there? Or maybe it's just Austin? Interesting & I can't wait to get it into my classroom library.
Reviewed on Women Write About Comics
Norris Kaplan is about to enter his worst nightmare. He’s moving from his home in Montreal, Quebec to Austin, Texas. He’s leaving behind his best friend and his favourite sport (hockey, of course) and entering the land of heatwaves and Longhorns. But this move is an important opportunity for his mom (who is amazing by the way) and he promised her he would genuinely try to make it work. So despite all his reservations, he finds himself in a new, gigantic high school full of every teenage stereotype you can think of — Cheerleaders, Jocks, and even a mysterious girl he’s desperate to get to know.
It’s great to see a voice like Norris’s join the landscape of YA contemporary fiction. He isn’t like the typical male characters you find in the genre and doesn’t fit neatly into any one category. In fact, in many ways, he’s a walking contradiction. He’s funny but can be hurtful. He’s lonely but he pushes people away. He’s clever but constantly puts his foot in his mouth. I appreciate that Philippe didn’t try and sugarcoat Norris’s flaws. His less charitable characteristics are just as much a part of him as everything else, and the result is a well rounded and nuanced character that you can’t help but like. He may be bitter and angry but at his core, he still has a good heart (although I admit I may be a bit biased here as a fellow Habs fan).
Despite his best efforts and some fabulous sass, Norris does eventually make some friends in Austin and each of these characters are nuanced in their own way. Madison isn’t just a cheerleader, Aarti isn’t just a manic pixie dream girl. And as Norris learns that people aren’t walking stereotypes the reader gets to know them as well. Even the parents get some fair representation in Field Guide. They’re not conveniently pushed out of the picture. All their parents are quite different but they are all present and have a significant impact on their children’s lives.
There’s no cut and dry ending in this book, no happily ever after, but there is something more realistic. Norris manages to find pieces of home in a place that was originally so foreign to him. He finds friends (despite his best efforts) and even a hockey team to play with. And part of what made that discovery ring true was the real sense of place Field Guide has. I’ve been to Austin before as a tourist, but it really came to life in a new way while reading this novel. It wasn’t just the highlights, the broad strokes of a town. There were so many little details that made it feel like a real, lived-in community. Like the Bone Yard, the family restaurant Norris works at, which reminded me of the family-run pizzeria I worked at in my hometown when I was younger.
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager was an enjoyable read from beginning to end. It is a book about not judging a person or a place by its cover or giving into your first impression. It’s nice to find a book that not only has such a positive, heartwarming message but can also make you snort with laughter along the way.
Norris Kaplan is about to enter his worst nightmare. He’s moving from his home in Montreal, Quebec to Austin, Texas. He’s leaving behind his best friend and his favourite sport (hockey, of course) and entering the land of heatwaves and Longhorns. But this move is an important opportunity for his mom (who is amazing by the way) and he promised her he would genuinely try to make it work. So despite all his reservations, he finds himself in a new, gigantic high school full of every teenage stereotype you can think of — Cheerleaders, Jocks, and even a mysterious girl he’s desperate to get to know.
It’s great to see a voice like Norris’s join the landscape of YA contemporary fiction. He isn’t like the typical male characters you find in the genre and doesn’t fit neatly into any one category. In fact, in many ways, he’s a walking contradiction. He’s funny but can be hurtful. He’s lonely but he pushes people away. He’s clever but constantly puts his foot in his mouth. I appreciate that Philippe didn’t try and sugarcoat Norris’s flaws. His less charitable characteristics are just as much a part of him as everything else, and the result is a well rounded and nuanced character that you can’t help but like. He may be bitter and angry but at his core, he still has a good heart (although I admit I may be a bit biased here as a fellow Habs fan).
Despite his best efforts and some fabulous sass, Norris does eventually make some friends in Austin and each of these characters are nuanced in their own way. Madison isn’t just a cheerleader, Aarti isn’t just a manic pixie dream girl. And as Norris learns that people aren’t walking stereotypes the reader gets to know them as well. Even the parents get some fair representation in Field Guide. They’re not conveniently pushed out of the picture. All their parents are quite different but they are all present and have a significant impact on their children’s lives.
There’s no cut and dry ending in this book, no happily ever after, but there is something more realistic. Norris manages to find pieces of home in a place that was originally so foreign to him. He finds friends (despite his best efforts) and even a hockey team to play with. And part of what made that discovery ring true was the real sense of place Field Guide has. I’ve been to Austin before as a tourist, but it really came to life in a new way while reading this novel. It wasn’t just the highlights, the broad strokes of a town. There were so many little details that made it feel like a real, lived-in community. Like the Bone Yard, the family restaurant Norris works at, which reminded me of the family-run pizzeria I worked at in my hometown when I was younger.
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager was an enjoyable read from beginning to end. It is a book about not judging a person or a place by its cover or giving into your first impression. It’s nice to find a book that not only has such a positive, heartwarming message but can also make you snort with laughter along the way.
Norris’ life takes a turn, for the worst in his opinion, when his mom accepts a job in Austin, Texas, forcing him to uproot his life in Montreal and replant it in unbearable heat. He’s not the best with first impressions and has Anderson High School talking about the new, black, French Canadian kid on the first day. As soon as Norris begins getting comfortable and lands himself some friends, a job, and even a possible girlfriend, he obviously screws it up. Norris is new to this American high school stuff and is trying his best to navigate his way through it all.
Based on some reviews I read, those who didn’t like this book thought Norris was annoying, but I found him wildly witty and entertaining. Even though the book covered a lot of typical teenager problems, it also touched on some more serious topics as well. I liked Norris’ quirkiness and blunt honesty, even though it’s what got him in trouble throughout the novel. I think high school students in particular would relate to this one. A great debut novel from Ben Philippe!
Based on some reviews I read, those who didn’t like this book thought Norris was annoying, but I found him wildly witty and entertaining. Even though the book covered a lot of typical teenager problems, it also touched on some more serious topics as well. I liked Norris’ quirkiness and blunt honesty, even though it’s what got him in trouble throughout the novel. I think high school students in particular would relate to this one. A great debut novel from Ben Philippe!
I enjoyed this. I went in wanting a high school, witty drama and got it. The fact that your narrator is a selfish boar who gets a dose of reality was a pleasant surprise. Wouldn’t recommend to just anybody. But it was a good option amidst other heavier books.
3.5 stars (Give us half stars already goodreads!)
what is it about ben philippe’s books that always have name screaming NO NO NOOOOOO at the 3/4 mark? i root for his main characters SO HARD. anyways this was my exact sense of humour, hip hip for funny books with heart!