My name is Pavel, and Cam is the Leonardo DaVinci of slackers. The guy is an artist and created a fake club at school to give himself more video game time. Of course, he wouldn't need the P.A.G. if he hadn't almost burned down his house. Word of the club is slowly spreading around school, and kids think it's real. Over half the students have joined the club, and that's creating a new problem for Cam. Everyone wants to know about the next big project, but he doesn't want to have anything to do with it. It's cutting into his Rule the World practice. The P.A.G. is doing great things around our town, but there are some complications we can't solve. Someone is trying to ruin the club by undermining its efforts, and the freeway exit ramp is going to be demolished. Destroying the ramp will destroy the whole town.
I actually read the second book in the series before reading this one, and I wish I'd read them in order. The essence of this book boils down to Cam's obsession with playing video games. He will go to any lengths to protect his time on the couch. He's self-centered and lazy and has little tolerance for people and events that upset his routines. However, the plot slowly demonstrates Cam's evolution as a person. Having already read this book's sequel, I know the changes are still a work-in-progress, but it's still nice to feel some positive vibes about his character. Much of the book's humor, an expectation in Korman's novels, comes from misunderstandings. Cam doesn't want to get involved and is reluctant to say anything to other students and the teachers. This behavior opens the door for other characters to make assumptions, often far from the truth. Cam's strategies for avoiding attention add to the humor. Overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend you give it a shot. If you like this one, you'll love its sequel.
My name is Magpie, and I can't let the Montgolfier family discover who I really am. They don't know I'm the one who broke into their home and stole the secrets for a flying prototype. Through a twist of fate, I'm now living under their roof with my rooster Coco, but I know an English spy is watching my every move. I won't break the Montgolfiers' trust, but the spy is threatening to reveal the truth about me. It feels good to do honest chores around the estate, and I'm very interested in helping with the flying project. I'm good at noticing things, and I've made a couple of helpful suggestions. The race with England is heating up, and France's King Louis is pressuring the Montgolfier brothers to finish first. I know it's dangerous to stay, but I feel like I need to see this project to the end.
The book was historical fiction, as it chronicled the history of the first balloon flight. I read a short summary about the event and discovered this book included many of the actual facts. The locations, discovery of hot air, and the animals used were true. Fictional liberties included Magpie's contributions and her role on the day of the flight. It was interesting to see the inventors' struggles to find the right designs and materials to create something capable of remaining off the ground. As 21st century readers, it might be hard to appreciate concepts the characters had not yet discovered, like hot air rising being an important factor. Some ideas seemed silly, like putting fire under paper, but Magpie's observations of her surroundings were ingenious. The author created a plot by using Magpie's past as a thief to maintain a constant threat to her character. The woman threatening Magpie created a bit of a mystery, since her motives were unknown. If she was a spy, why didn't she seem more interested in the stolen plans? I don't often read historical fiction, but I enjoyed this book. If you're into that genre, give it a shot.
My name is Cam Boxer, and video games are my life. I'm going to get thousands of people to watch me play online, and then I'll have a job that I love! The only problem is this club I kind of started at school. I wasn't serious about it, but now hundreds of classmates have joined and want to help me perform community service. I don't have time for that! It's really interfering with my gaming. One good thing that's happened is Elvis. I've discovered this local beaver loves to watch me play video games, and my viewers like to watch him watch me. The rodent stinks and leaves a mess, but I know he's going to help me get fifty thousand subscribers. The recalled, controversial video game I found won't hurt either. I'm going to have the best career ever!
I had already started the book before discovering it's the second one in a series. It has Korman's usual style and tone with normal kid topics mixed with humorous dialogue and situations. Elvis provides an extra touch of wackiness. Cam has an amazing knack for being lazy but somehow always comes out smelling like roses. It drives his sister crazy, and I tend to agree with her. Korman includes concepts of friendship, public service, environmental conservation, and family. One of Cam's buddies gets his first girlfriend, and it helps to complicate the plot. She also provides some relief for Cam, as he allows a misunderstanding to get blown way out of control. He has mixed emotions about the situation, and it becomes very important in the plot's climax and resolution. As expected, Cam emerges from a horrendous, embarrassing problem into the revered hero of the school. How does he do it? You'll love the book if you like to laugh and you like video games. I recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Mia, and my parents were hired by Mr. Yao to manage his motel. It seemed like a great deal, and my parents were desperate, but Mr. Yao is a penny-pinching, vile, bigoted miser. I know those are big words for a recent Chinese immigrant, but I love English and I've recently discovered Roget's thesaurus. I hate how unfairly Hank, one of our weeklies, has been treated by Mr. Yao and the police, and I want to help. While my parents believe in fate, I'm going to do something to get off our roller coaster life. I'm writing more letters and notes now, but I'm not sure if I'll write the most important one. It could change my family's lives, but I probably don't stand a chance. Then there's the $300 I need to do it.
This book told an intriguing story of immigrants trying to live the American Dream. Mia's family learned that reality often differs from perceptions. They felt like slaves, since their lack of options led to Mr. Yao taking advantage of them. The big issue underlying many of the problems was prejudice and bigotry. The main targets were black citizens and Chinese immigrants. Mia's parents secretly assisted struggling friends, while Mia had her own obstacles in school. She had great compassion for others and wasn't content to sit back and ignore injustices. That was refreshing to see, as she experienced her own hardships. The topic of writing was also refreshing, as electronics weren't part of the story. They weren't prevalent in the 1990's, and the characters couldn't afford them anyhow. Mia actually wrote with paper and pencil and used stamps to mail letters! While the results of some letters were unrealistic, the plot demonstrates the potential positive consequences of people taking action. Don't expect good things to happen if you don't do something first. Overall, the book is inspirational for people who feel like they don't have a chance to succeed, and I recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Tessa, and my life entering high school is getting complicated. Caleb and I have done things together for years, but he's now my boyfriend. He knows I'm a great cross-country runner, but he admits I also have the skills to play football. However, I don't think he wants me to play on the high school team next year. I really want to try out. I need to make up for my dropped touchdown pass in the flag football title game, plus my mom is against me playing football. She's running for mayor and wants to control my life, but she can't stop me now. Voters know about me. I wish everyone would stop worrying about me getting hurt, and I wish Caleb would be more supportive. This is something I need to do. I need a victory.
The summary above tells you all you need to know about the book. I never had a concern with girls wanting to play for our school football team, but it's been an issue in public schools for many years. Tessa's mom is a big problem, as her parents are often too busy to show interest in her. Tessa feels a little isolated, since no one is openly supportive. The conflict is a common one, as she wants to make her own choices, not necessarily the ones others want. Caleb's brother doesn't want to become part of the family business, and Caleb realizes he may be headed toward similar decisions. Dealing with parental expectations is hard. The book is told alternately through the eyes of Tessa and Caleb, so readers can understand the confusing thoughts going through their minds. Caleb has the additional problem of trying to figure out how to function with his first girlfriend. Again, this is a common experience for middle grade students. Overall, the story will be relatable to most readers, and you should give it a shot.
My name is Foster, and I knew Dax was no good. He's lazy, drinks too much, and scares me whenever he comes to see my mom. I don't blame Joe for wanting to bite him, but I'm afraid Dax will kill him someday. Then, Gary showed up. He was walking all the way to Texas, but he's been staying in our barn for a couple of weeks. He said he fought in Afghanistan, and Joe and I trust him. Dax doesn't. Gary's been helping to clean things up around here, since my mom wants to sell the farm and move away. I look forward to waking up every day to help him. Mom says he's keeping secrets about his past, and she's afraid I'm getting too close. I can't help it; I feel safe when he's around. Looking back now, I should have known that danger and pain were inevitable.
This book evoked some heavy emotions. Foster was still coping with the death of his father, as more about the incident was revealed later in the story. Dax introduced a level of danger to Foster, his mom, and his dog. While Gary brought a calming effect to Foster, his presence worsened the situation with Dax. These emotional journeys were the backbone of the plot. Foster lacked motivation to behave like a normal kid, and this left him isolated and alone. His one friend was his dog. With Gary's help, he slowly transformed and learned to deal with his issues. I'll admit there was sadness, so be prepared to be affected. I won't say everyone lived happily ever after, but they got on with their stories. Overall, I can recommend this book to readers looking for an emotional drama.
My name is Kiana, and I'm in a special class for delinquents. I can't tell my dad or stepmom about it now, since I got the wrong schedule and never told them I'm not officially enrolled in school. Our "teacher", Mr. Kermit, hasn't taught us anything yet and spends his time doing crossword puzzles. The other six kids don't mind ignoring his worksheets, but I can't believe he doesn't even try to teach us. However, a new teacher is in the room next door, and she seems to know Mr. Kermit from way back. I think he may have dated her mom! He doesn't usually care about us, but I was impressed at how he fought to get Barnstorm back on the football team and how he was ticked that our room wasn't included in Spirit Week. Something happened to him a long time ago, and maybe there's more to Mr. Kermit than I thought.
A misfit teacher "leads" a misfit band of students to perform a great deed. The antics of the eighth-grade students are funny, although I wouldn't describe the book as hilarious. One student has anger issues, another is obsessed with sci-fi, and one girl is feared by everyone in school. In contrast, Kiana would be a great student if she attended a regular classroom. It creates an unusual blend. Each chapter is told through the eyes of a different person, mostly the students, and it works for this book. Each character has a unique background that affects the way they react to Mr. Kermit and school, and Mr. Kermit has his own issues. The central conflict is with the superintendent, as Mr. Kermit feels he was treated unfairly for a student's dishonesty. And he was. Mr. Kermit has mentally given up on teaching, although there are signs that deep down he still has feelings for his students. He's unmotivated to do anything constructive, but the new teacher next door becomes a catalyst for change, as does a former student. Overall, it was a wonderful book, and I recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Flint, but most kids at school call me Squint because of my bad eyes. You see, I have a disease that makes my corneas really thin. I need to wear thick glasses, but nothing looks clear to me. Anyhow, I've been creating a superhero comic book even though I probably won't win the "Find a Comic Star" contest. I call the main character Squint, and he's leading a team to rescue the Empress. I usually work alone on the comic during lunch, but today a girl named McKell sat at my table. It turns out she has a brother with a very rare disease that makes his body age faster than it should. He has a YouTube show called "Danny's Challenge" where viewers are dared to do tasks that he can't do himself. Little did I know how much his show and McKell would change my life.
Wow, this book became much more than I expected and not like most of the books I read. Flint's eye disease was a very central problem, but it seemed to be a metaphor to his life. He had trouble physically seeing things, but he discovered his opinions of others may have been distorted too. He was forced to reflect on how he treated people and tried to understand things through their eyes. In addition, his comic became a therapy to deal with his own life. He added Diamond to its plot and had her support the main character, just as McKell was doing for Flint in real life. However, it turned out McKell had some serious emotional issues of her own. They combined with Flint's medical and comic book problems to create a compelling novel. "Danny's Challenge" became the catalyst for change, as his messages were always positive and urged viewers to action. The book presented an emotional rollercoaster, as there was drama, suspense, laughter, and tears. It will cause readers to think about how they treat others and consider the power of being positive. Overall, this was an outstanding book, and I highly recommend you give it a shot.
My name is Billy, and I haven't seen my dad since I was three. He lives in Montana, and I've been told he does secret missions for the government. I flew to his home and met his new wife and daughter, and we're all upset that he's never contacted me. He had his drone watch me, but that was hardly a reunion between son and father. I finally returned home to Florida, and the next thing I knew, a drone was buzzing around my house. I decided to do something drastic, and it worked. I finally learned the truth about my father, but it's led to an unexpected adventure. I now find myself in the Florida wilderness with a shotgun and a hunting rifle on opposite sides of the law.
I've read other books by this author, Hoot and Chomp, and this one fit the same mold. You can expect to learn about endangered species along with other information about our country and nature. Billy was an expert on snakes, and his mother was obsessed with bald eagles. The beginning of many chapters started slowly due to flashbacks and facts about wildlife, but it was okay. Billy's half-sister and stepmother were members of the Crow Indians, and I learned a bit about their culture. The father's job was vague until the mid-point of the book, so it became a mystery for readers to solve. Solving the mystery wasn't a real problem though, since the father eventually revealed the secret to his son. The dynamic between his two families was very unexpected. Billy's character was quite virtuous and brave. He had a reputation at school and used it for his own protection and to help a nerdy classmate. His parents raised him to respect nature, and he became an advocate for other creatures. He once trashed a motorcycle after the rider intentionally ran over a snake. Some of his decisions seemed ill-advised for a thirteen-year-old boy. Overall, I really liked this book, and nature lovers will enjoy it too.
