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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Per my granddaughter (age 11)- I often read the books she's reading (if she wants me to
Great book! The main character represented many of the kids in schools today. Heartwarming. Subtly addressed social issues.
I absolutely loved it. Albie, the main character, was lovable and sweet... And his real-life struggles just hit home with some of my kiddos. Loved it!
Oh, Albie. You just can't help but feel sorry for him in this book.
Albie (short for Albin, not Albert) is a fifth grader that lives in New York City. Albie constantly feels like he is not quite good enough- a feeling that is worsened by the fact that he had to switch schools after getting a letter from the private school he used to attend. He's been too scared to read it, but he knows it wasn't good. Though he can't seem to get more than 4 of the 10 words on his weekly spelling test correct and needs extra help in math and reads books that his mom thinks are "for babies," there just might be some people that come along and show Albie that sometimes "almost" is just a place you have to hang out until you can get where you're going.
Albie (short for Albin, not Albert) is a fifth grader that lives in New York City. Albie constantly feels like he is not quite good enough- a feeling that is worsened by the fact that he had to switch schools after getting a letter from the private school he used to attend. He's been too scared to read it, but he knows it wasn't good. Though he can't seem to get more than 4 of the 10 words on his weekly spelling test correct and needs extra help in math and reads books that his mom thinks are "for babies," there just might be some people that come along and show Albie that sometimes "almost" is just a place you have to hang out until you can get where you're going.
Absolutely loved Albie & Calista - such great character development. Loved this novel so much!
I was only halfway through the book when I texted a friend stating that I was prepare to declare this book better than Graff's The Thing About Georgie. Having finished the book, I stand by that claim.
Albie struggles at school-so much so, that he is kicked out of a prestigious private school. Albie struggles with numbers and has to join "math club" (read: math intervention). Albie struggles with pleasing his parents-especially his father, who thinks Albie just needs to try harder.
This book follows the highs and lows of a kid who wants his parents to love him and be proud of him, but doesn't know how to be more than "almost" good enough.
*This would make a great read-aloud for 5th grade. Full of diverse characters, and situations that all kids can identify with.
Albie struggles at school-so much so, that he is kicked out of a prestigious private school. Albie struggles with numbers and has to join "math club" (read: math intervention). Albie struggles with pleasing his parents-especially his father, who thinks Albie just needs to try harder.
This book follows the highs and lows of a kid who wants his parents to love him and be proud of him, but doesn't know how to be more than "almost" good enough.
*This would make a great read-aloud for 5th grade. Full of diverse characters, and situations that all kids can identify with.
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a very interesting book about a 5th grader who struggles in school and other things and is trying to figure out things to his best abilities
An overall feel-good story that reminded a lot of Wonder by R. J. Palacio. I recommended it to a few of my students who loved Wonder and they ate it up too.
Albie touches my heart. Graff's story of an underachiever struggling with a new school, his best friend's sudden fame, and his parents' high expectations makes for a memorable read.
Albie is a pretty normal kid who doesn't quite understand why his parents often seem frustrated with him. He's actually adjusting well to his public school, learning multiplication by accident in math club, making friends and sharing gummy bears with fellow outsider Betsy, and still managing to squeeze in board game sessions with best friend Erlan in spite of his family's new reality TV show. He even has a new babysitter who helps him sneak Captain Underpants books past his mom and works with him on drawing comic book superheroes. But his grades are still poor, and his parents are disappointed. Then even his friendships start to unravel.
Albie is the rare protagonist of kid lit who is not the chosen one - he's just an average kid. But Graff does an admirable job of carefully showing readers that despite everything that the world keeps telling Albie he doesn't have or isn't capable of, there's so much that Albie can do. He's a loving, patient son, a good friend, a diligent student who wants to do better, and an earnest, kind human being. In the end, his problems don't magically disappear, he doesn't ace any exams, and the people who have left him don't return. But through the understanding of his teachers and his own quiet strength and honesty, he does move forward in his relationships and in his own acceptance of himself.
I had a few minor quibbles about the fairly one-note and rather absent parents, and the borderline stereotypical Asian grandfather, but no book is perfect, and this is really Albie's story. Those kids who often feel unexceptional (and who doesn't at some point?) will finally see themselves in a world of books that is so often focused on the extraordinary and the quirky kids, and all children will relate to Albie's hopes and fears. In some ways, a quiet book, but with broad appeal and plenty of humor and affection to keep things light. Don't miss this one.
Albie is a pretty normal kid who doesn't quite understand why his parents often seem frustrated with him. He's actually adjusting well to his public school, learning multiplication by accident in math club, making friends and sharing gummy bears with fellow outsider Betsy, and still managing to squeeze in board game sessions with best friend Erlan in spite of his family's new reality TV show. He even has a new babysitter who helps him sneak Captain Underpants books past his mom and works with him on drawing comic book superheroes. But his grades are still poor, and his parents are disappointed. Then even his friendships start to unravel.
Albie is the rare protagonist of kid lit who is not the chosen one - he's just an average kid. But Graff does an admirable job of carefully showing readers that despite everything that the world keeps telling Albie he doesn't have or isn't capable of, there's so much that Albie can do. He's a loving, patient son, a good friend, a diligent student who wants to do better, and an earnest, kind human being. In the end, his problems don't magically disappear, he doesn't ace any exams, and the people who have left him don't return. But through the understanding of his teachers and his own quiet strength and honesty, he does move forward in his relationships and in his own acceptance of himself.
I had a few minor quibbles about the fairly one-note and rather absent parents, and the borderline stereotypical Asian grandfather, but no book is perfect, and this is really Albie's story. Those kids who often feel unexceptional (and who doesn't at some point?) will finally see themselves in a world of books that is so often focused on the extraordinary and the quirky kids, and all children will relate to Albie's hopes and fears. In some ways, a quiet book, but with broad appeal and plenty of humor and affection to keep things light. Don't miss this one.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes