Reviews

Slugfest by Gordon Korman

craftymxlibrarian's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a cute and sometimes funny sports story in the same genre as the movies Mighty Ducks and Sandlot. It was enjoyable, but did fall into the tropes of the genre in the way that it stereotyped all the characters in a way that made them feel very one-dimensional. That said, it's also a good reminder that strong friendships can be found even with people who seem very different from us if we just take the time to aside our snap judgements and get to know people.

rossjenc's review

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

ethan_bluestone's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

eleek0609's review

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

neffcannon's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

thenextgenlibrarian's review

4.0

“There’s a big difference between an underdog and an underslug.”

treylaura's review

funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

Another hit from Gordon Korman! Imagine being moved up from the middle school to play JV sports for the high school only to find out that means you did not earn your middle school PE credit. NOw you will be stuck in summer school taking PE with a bunch of kids labeled slugs because they spent three years avoiding PE. While you are stuck in Slugfest, a new kid has come along threatening to take your place on the HS sports team that you have been banned from practicing with.

Our characters grow and mature together over the summer as these opposite types of students learn to appreciate and support each other. 

readforever8's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

sarahvlovestoread's review

funny inspiring lighthearted 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

4.75

courtnayy_j's review

5.0

Slugfest is about Yash, an 8th-grade athlete extraordinaire who has been moved up to JV-level sports in lieu of attending his middle-school PE class. As a result, he is informed at the end of the year that he is missing his gym credit and won't be able to attend high school next year unless he attends summer school to earn his credit. Yash begrudgingly attends gym with the other "slugs" who all failed gym for various reasons. Over the course of the summer, this rag-tag group bands together to train and in the end might gain more than just a class credit.

This story is one of perseverance and community. The characters show tremendous growth personally throughout the book and demonstrate great models of what sportsmanship and character should look like to middle-level readers. This story is wholesome, enjoyable, and a great addition to any classroom library.