Scan barcode
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
4.0
The premise of this book is very interesting: 12-year-old Oliver plays dumb but is secretly a rich, scheming genius who not only controls almost everything in his own environment but also influences global economics and politics. Nearly every page made me laugh! I love the photos and the footnotes. Underneath the humor there's a more serious issue that adds some substance to the story. My only complaint is that the ending was sort of unsatisfying. I didn't feel like anything got resolved beyond the surface level. Other than that, a terrific read.
protoman21's review against another edition
3.0
This was a curious book. A boy who is a super genius, but pretends to be a simpleton decides to run for class president to impress his father. The plot was definitely amusing and I was never bored reading the book, but I had a hard time rooting for Oliver, so everything that happened didn't really mean anything in the long run. Oliver is too smart for his own good and although he does enjoy some simple pleasure, you feel like he is missing out on the true meaning of life, so the book has a sad undertone that changes the entire feel of the novel and makes it hard to take it at its face value of a funny story.
abaugher's review against another edition
3.0
For some stupid reason, when i started this book, i thought "what if he really is a total loser? what if he isn't a genius, but he makes up this fantasy world in his head to keep from feeling terrible about his life?"
so, then i had to spend the whole book trying to convince myself that he really was that smart. it was tough. i mostly felt so very very bad for this kid.
but i did like some of the jokes and pranks.
so, then i had to spend the whole book trying to convince myself that he really was that smart. it was tough. i mostly felt so very very bad for this kid.
but i did like some of the jokes and pranks.
gmamartha's review against another edition
2.0
When kid and genius meet - with a deep lack of parental pride - look what it produces!
labunnywtf's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know if I would've liked this nearly as much not in audio book format. Don't get me wrong, the story itself is really quite clever. But the narrator of this is positively BRILLIANT. If I didn't know better, I would think it was being read by several different people. Amazing skills, that one.
I liked this story. It's every nerdy kid's wet dream. Oh, sure. Pick on me alllll you want. But guess what? I'm actually an uber rich supergenius who can KILL YOU WITH MY BRAIN!
I loved that aspect. The story itself is hilariously funny, and there were a few scenes that made me nearly pee on myself from laughing.
I liked this story. It's every nerdy kid's wet dream. Oh, sure. Pick on me alllll you want. But guess what? I'm actually an uber rich supergenius who can KILL YOU WITH MY BRAIN!
I loved that aspect. The story itself is hilariously funny, and there were a few scenes that made me nearly pee on myself from laughing.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
5.0
After I reviewed the audio book, my lovely friend Darla informed me that the hardcover had illustrations.
Illustrations?!
Not only does the book have illustrations, it has the greatest thing in any book, the one thing I live for. FOOTNOTES!
I actually missed a lot not seeing the footnotes. The part about Tatianna's sunglasses? I was so confused when he said he owed her another pair, figured I missed something.
This book is definitely enjoyable in either format. I couldn't honestly tell you which is the better experience.
Illustrations?!
Not only does the book have illustrations, it has the greatest thing in any book, the one thing I live for. FOOTNOTES!
I actually missed a lot not seeing the footnotes. The part about Tatianna's sunglasses? I was so confused when he said he owed her another pair, figured I missed something.
This book is definitely enjoyable in either format. I couldn't honestly tell you which is the better experience.
hnbb's review against another edition
2.0
I am not sure what to think of this book. It was bizarre. The main character is living every kid's fantasy; fortune, getting your way all the time, people doing whatever your want, etc. It was silly but cruel. There was swearing. It also made me very aware of my weight and eating habits because his are awful.
darastar's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. tl;dr - very funny up until the last chapter or so.
It's very funny, but there are so many plot holes, and so many things that are solved by having an unreal amount of money at them that is's amusing, but not for very long. Yes - you're a bajillionaire, you solve problems that way, but why pretend to be the stupidest boy at school TOO?
And why end that way? Basically, everything climaxes in Oliver revealing that he a) isn't a giant dummy, and b) actually knows some things about the world and elections and c) could probably crush everyone there under his thumb, but then he spoils the reveal by ... peeing himself publicly? And then running away? And that's IT???
And why make the dad so unlikeable with the cheering for Randy's speech so emphatically? Why would he do that? And then to make a 180 and go comfort Oliver after his own speech and peeing and whatnot?
I mean, I realize this is a children's book and is very heightened satire, and it isn't going to be perfect, but come on. At least make me believe that the emotional beats are real.
It's very funny, but there are so many plot holes, and so many things that are solved by having an unreal amount of money at them that is's amusing, but not for very long. Yes - you're a bajillionaire, you solve problems that way, but why pretend to be the stupidest boy at school TOO?
And why end that way? Basically, everything climaxes in Oliver revealing that he a) isn't a giant dummy, and b) actually knows some things about the world and elections and c) could probably crush everyone there under his thumb, but then he spoils the reveal by ... peeing himself publicly? And then running away? And that's IT???
And why make the dad so unlikeable with the cheering for Randy's speech so emphatically? Why would he do that? And then to make a 180 and go comfort Oliver after his own speech and peeing and whatnot?
I mean, I realize this is a children's book and is very heightened satire, and it isn't going to be perfect, but come on. At least make me believe that the emotional beats are real.
jmitschke's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious. I really do love a good misanthrope. The quality of snark was delightful.
(and mega bonus points for his feminist zingers on page 83)
(and mega bonus points for his feminist zingers on page 83)