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I came across this book when I was helping my husband search for possible read-aloud books for his 4th grade class. After seeing this book on so many lists for "best read-aloud chapter books," and thinking that the premise sounded so creative and intriguing, I thought for sure it was going to be a wonderful and funny story. Unfortunately, it was a let down.
I'm surprised that this book is recommended to read aloud to students. What teacher wants to encourage kids to pull jokes and pranks and to disrupt class? The main character, Nick, does all of those things. He pours dirt all over the floor, makes peeping noises, asks distracting questions right before the end of class, ruins a class picture, purposefully wastes time during an oral report, disrupts class by "acting" like he forgot his pen/frindle... and more. He's not a bad kid. He is never malicious and he is never intentionally mean. He's actually quite nice. He just likes to disrupt class to get out of doing work. Many kids feel this way I'm sure, but this book makes his antics appear funny and fun - so I would think kids would want to try to replicate his disruptions. ?? (Maybe I should find a teacher who has read this book to their class to see how their students respond.) I feel like there are many other books, some even more funny and fun, that could be read aloud to a class, without picking one that shows students disrupting class as a good thing.
I really liked the idea of a boy deciding to come up with a new word, and then see what happens. Of course the teacher over-reacting was odd and confusing, until the end; but even after the explanation, I still felt something was missing from this book.
There were a few moments I chuckled, but more moments where I was confused by the actions taken by the characters (mostly the adults), and actually many times I was bored. Thankfully this book is so light and short, I read it in an hour and didn't have to suffer too long.
I feel like it was an ok book... cute, a tad funny, but too light and happy - but then if you consider who the intended audience is maybe it's fine that it's that way. Maybe if I had read this in 4th grade I would have enjoyed it a lot more. As an adult though, I am disappointed (especially considering all the rave reviews it has). It did not live up to the hype.
GR Rating: 2 Stars - OK, eh, fine, so-so.
I'm surprised that this book is recommended to read aloud to students. What teacher wants to encourage kids to pull jokes and pranks and to disrupt class? The main character, Nick, does all of those things. He pours dirt all over the floor, makes peeping noises, asks distracting questions right before the end of class, ruins a class picture, purposefully wastes time during an oral report, disrupts class by "acting" like he forgot his pen/frindle... and more. He's not a bad kid. He is never malicious and he is never intentionally mean. He's actually quite nice. He just likes to disrupt class to get out of doing work. Many kids feel this way I'm sure, but this book makes his antics appear funny and fun - so I would think kids would want to try to replicate his disruptions. ?? (Maybe I should find a teacher who has read this book to their class to see how their students respond.) I feel like there are many other books, some even more funny and fun, that could be read aloud to a class, without picking one that shows students disrupting class as a good thing.
I really liked the idea of a boy deciding to come up with a new word, and then see what happens. Of course the teacher over-reacting was odd and confusing, until the end; but even after the explanation, I still felt something was missing from this book.
There were a few moments I chuckled, but more moments where I was confused by the actions taken by the characters (mostly the adults), and actually many times I was bored. Thankfully this book is so light and short, I read it in an hour and didn't have to suffer too long.
I feel like it was an ok book... cute, a tad funny, but too light and happy - but then if you consider who the intended audience is maybe it's fine that it's that way. Maybe if I had read this in 4th grade I would have enjoyed it a lot more. As an adult though, I am disappointed (especially considering all the rave reviews it has). It did not live up to the hype.
GR Rating: 2 Stars - OK, eh, fine, so-so.