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A review by iceangel32
Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd by Cecil Castellucci, Holly Black
4.0
I enjoyed this book. Being a science geek and not a role playing or trekie geek some of the stories were a little much for me but I enjoyed them none the less. I loved the comics in between every story. Some of them I loved. I will not be reviewing the comics but I will review the stories. ***WARNING: THERE MAY BE SOME SPOLERS***
“Once You’re a Jedi, You’re a Jedi All the Way” by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci: ****
A cute little story of what might happen if a Jedi met a Klingon. Having a Star Wars fanatic in my house growing up I liked this story, even though I felt there could have been a little more to it.
“One of Us” by Tracy Lynn: ****
A great short story of a cheerleader who wants to impress her quarterback, closet geek boyfriend….but in the process gains friends, loses said boyfriend and learns geek 101.
“Definitional Chaos” by Scott Westerfield: ****
I liked this story about an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend with different personalities teamed together to bring money to a hotel owner. I liked how Lexia seemed to have accomplished her goal in the end without T Moon knowing she did. Although sometimes in the stories I was not sure if things they were discussing happened in the real world or not.
“I Never” by Cassandra Clare: *****
I really liked this story. The idea of creating a world with any character from literature or TV was a really cool one. There is also a story of let downs and realizations that people are not who they seem to be.
“The King of Plinesse” by M.T. Anderson: I ***
A cute story of a boy who had a favorite author that happen to go to school with his mother. He goes to meet him after a fight he has with his mother thinking that she had an affair with him. During his trip he learns a little more than he bargained for and learns that the author is probably the geek everyone fears to become.
“The Wrath of Dawn” by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith:***
I liked this story about two step-sisters, a geeky one and a popular one. The two girls finally connect at a Buffy sing along where Dawn sands up for not only herself but her namesake.
“Quiz Bowl Antichrist” by David Levithan:*****
One of my favorites from the moment I read the title. Not only did Alec find his place on the team quiz bowl team, he learned more about himself. I like the way sexuality was address in this story. After reading this story Will Grayson, Will Grayson has definitely move significantly up my to-read list.
“The Quiet Knight” by Garth Nix:***
Nice little story. Nothing special, however enjoyable. Good ending.
“Everyone but You” by Lisa Yee:***
A baton twirling peppy girl goes to a new school and becomes not popular. Then finds her place in her new environment. Not a bad story but where is the geekiness?
“Secret Identity” by Kelly Link:**
I was not a huge fan of this story. The sotoy was about a 15 year old who runs to NY to meet a 30 year old she met online (oh did I mention he thought she was 30 too). Things are bad at home so she explains that no one will miss her for a few days. She ultimately does not know if they met or not. This is an email to him about what did happen that weekend and how she still wants to meet him.
“Freak the Geek” by John Green:***
Not a bad short story about friendship.
“The Truth About Dino Girl” by Barry Lyga:**
I wanted to like this story. I like the idea of the dinogeek. I started to like the character and the idea of knowing everything about dinosaurs and how she could relate everything to dinosaurs. I however thing the ending was awful. To write it in a story a good way for a geek to get revenge was awful. There was so many different directions that this story could have gone in. I do not she how something like that could have got published as a positive thing.
“This is My Audition Monologue” by Sara Zarr:****
I liked this story of a girls monologue to be in the school play. She lets go of all that she has kept inside and tries to become memorable in a world she feels that she is forgettable.
“The Stars at the Finish Line” by Wendy Mass: *****
A great story of a competition, first love and a few fibs. Oh and how can I forget the stars.
“It’s Just a Jump to the Left” by Libba Bray: *****
This was a great story combining two girls growing up and finding themselves and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It also had a great theme of friendship in it even as the girls were growing up and that lead to being in slightly different worlds.
“Once You’re a Jedi, You’re a Jedi All the Way” by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci: ****
A cute little story of what might happen if a Jedi met a Klingon. Having a Star Wars fanatic in my house growing up I liked this story, even though I felt there could have been a little more to it.
“One of Us” by Tracy Lynn: ****
A great short story of a cheerleader who wants to impress her quarterback, closet geek boyfriend….but in the process gains friends, loses said boyfriend and learns geek 101.
“Definitional Chaos” by Scott Westerfield: ****
I liked this story about an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend with different personalities teamed together to bring money to a hotel owner. I liked how Lexia seemed to have accomplished her goal in the end without T Moon knowing she did. Although sometimes in the stories I was not sure if things they were discussing happened in the real world or not.
“I Never” by Cassandra Clare: *****
I really liked this story. The idea of creating a world with any character from literature or TV was a really cool one. There is also a story of let downs and realizations that people are not who they seem to be.
“The King of Plinesse” by M.T. Anderson: I ***
A cute story of a boy who had a favorite author that happen to go to school with his mother. He goes to meet him after a fight he has with his mother thinking that she had an affair with him. During his trip he learns a little more than he bargained for and learns that the author is probably the geek everyone fears to become.
“The Wrath of Dawn” by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith:***
I liked this story about two step-sisters, a geeky one and a popular one. The two girls finally connect at a Buffy sing along where Dawn sands up for not only herself but her namesake.
“Quiz Bowl Antichrist” by David Levithan:*****
One of my favorites from the moment I read the title. Not only did Alec find his place on the team quiz bowl team, he learned more about himself. I like the way sexuality was address in this story. After reading this story Will Grayson, Will Grayson has definitely move significantly up my to-read list.
“The Quiet Knight” by Garth Nix:***
Nice little story. Nothing special, however enjoyable. Good ending.
“Everyone but You” by Lisa Yee:***
A baton twirling peppy girl goes to a new school and becomes not popular. Then finds her place in her new environment. Not a bad story but where is the geekiness?
“Secret Identity” by Kelly Link:**
I was not a huge fan of this story. The sotoy was about a 15 year old who runs to NY to meet a 30 year old she met online (oh did I mention he thought she was 30 too). Things are bad at home so she explains that no one will miss her for a few days. She ultimately does not know if they met or not. This is an email to him about what did happen that weekend and how she still wants to meet him.
“Freak the Geek” by John Green:***
Not a bad short story about friendship.
“The Truth About Dino Girl” by Barry Lyga:**
I wanted to like this story. I like the idea of the dinogeek. I started to like the character and the idea of knowing everything about dinosaurs and how she could relate everything to dinosaurs. I however thing the ending was awful. To write it in a story a good way for a geek to get revenge was awful. There was so many different directions that this story could have gone in. I do not she how something like that could have got published as a positive thing.
“This is My Audition Monologue” by Sara Zarr:****
I liked this story of a girls monologue to be in the school play. She lets go of all that she has kept inside and tries to become memorable in a world she feels that she is forgettable.
“The Stars at the Finish Line” by Wendy Mass: *****
A great story of a competition, first love and a few fibs. Oh and how can I forget the stars.
“It’s Just a Jump to the Left” by Libba Bray: *****
This was a great story combining two girls growing up and finding themselves and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It also had a great theme of friendship in it even as the girls were growing up and that lead to being in slightly different worlds.