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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 for The Field Guide to the North American Teenager. When Norris is forced to move from Montreal to Austin, TX, he is understandably upset. He’s used to being one of only a few black kids in school, but why does Austin have to be so HOT? And, given his lack of social skills, fitting in at a new high school will not come easily. He finds some unlikely allies, some very likely enemies, and I really enjoyed this save for one huge cliche (that I will not spoil). Overall, an entertaining (and very funny) choice for high school readers. Recommended for grades 9+.
I liked this even better than I thought I would! I like how Philippe wrote the moving to a new school narrative. Things happen so slowly that one day you look up and realize you made a life for yourself somewhere and I think he really drew that idea well. I really liked these characters and for the most part they felt real (if not a little too well adjusted in how they deal with break ups). Ben Philippe is definitely a writer to watch!
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager is a laugh-out-loud emotional roller coaster of a story.
Norris is my favorite type of protagonist, aka unlikable and realistic. Yes, he has a bad attitude, but he's also quick and oh so clever.
We've seen the notebook full of opinions that will end up biting him in the butt trope before— but Ben Philippe writes it in a way that is fresh and fun.
Norris is my favorite type of protagonist, aka unlikable and realistic. Yes, he has a bad attitude, but he's also quick and oh so clever.
We've seen the notebook full of opinions that will end up biting him in the butt trope before— but Ben Philippe writes it in a way that is fresh and fun.
I really enjoyed jumping into this high school drama. Norris Kaplan had an interesting voice and some of the lessons he learned were good ones. I liked the ending that wasn't exactly an ending.
There were some definite Mean Girls influences and a lot of typical high school antics, but I cared about the characters and wanted to keep reading.
There were some definite Mean Girls influences and a lot of typical high school antics, but I cared about the characters and wanted to keep reading.
A raw experience of an unlikable character in this Harriet the Spy meets the Burn Book from Mean Girls journey in highschool.
Norris has moved from Quebec, Canada to Austin, Texas and things are not easy for him. Norris is his own worst enemy and tends to only see the worst in his peers. He jots harsh first impressions in a notebook and throughout the story does what he can to maintain their first impression. The romance was predictable but had a very realistic ending, which I could appreciate. Some characters highlighted current important conflicts in high school and other topics that we completely avoided.
Philippe also touches on the immigrant experience of being black in America. Norris makes a series of mistakes that fortunately have better outcomes than are typical. Part of what I enjoyed so much is the identity crisis Philippe highlights so well for a young black man in a predominantly white community trying to survive in high school.
An enjoyable cringe-worthy story of how to get things wrong!
Norris has moved from Quebec, Canada to Austin, Texas and things are not easy for him. Norris is his own worst enemy and tends to only see the worst in his peers. He jots harsh first impressions in a notebook and throughout the story does what he can to maintain their first impression. The romance was predictable but had a very realistic ending, which I could appreciate. Some characters highlighted current important conflicts in high school and other topics that we completely avoided.
Philippe also touches on the immigrant experience of being black in America. Norris makes a series of mistakes that fortunately have better outcomes than are typical. Part of what I enjoyed so much is the identity crisis Philippe highlights so well for a young black man in a predominantly white community trying to survive in high school.
An enjoyable cringe-worthy story of how to get things wrong!
Some parts were pretty predictable, but the end was refreshing. Nice to hear a male perspective where he learns to start overcoming his limitations and handling his feelings. Clever and heartwarming.
Loved it but HATED the ending! Actually, the ending fit the story so well that it ... works. I will begrudgingly admit that. 100% on my top favorite reads for the year.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A funny, relatable high school story told from the perspective of a colored immigrant moving to the American heartland. It could have been horribly clichéd and boring as all typical high school dramas can be, but the author made it engaging & snappy in all the right places. Heavier things hover at the edge of the protag's life (LGBTQ equality, suicide & depression, classism, racism, police violence) but as typical of teenagers, these things are filtered through the lenses of immediate concerns such as girlfriends, proms, and fitting in. I think that was actually a fair & realistic way of portraying teenage life, instead of making everything super heavy to the point of drowning the teenage spirit in the narrative (case in point "The Hate U Give" which i enjoyed significantly less). But honestly the best part of this book is the protag (or should I say the author's) crackling wit & sensitive humor. Worth a quick, fun read.
More like 2 1/2 but honestly overall the book was pretty meh