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bibliophile80's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook with the kids. There were some slurs against homosexual people that we had to talk about (and they always came from characters who were clearly not respected), but it was a good opportunity. The voice of the main character was an absolute delight. Anyone into theatre or musicals should enjoy it.
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
Audio was great. I liked the story but I didn’t love it, it’s hard to explain.
odurant8's review against another edition
Listened to the audio, read by the author. Fun!
katdfleming's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to this on cd. The author read it and was brilliant. Hysterical and very well-told story. Can hardly wait to read the sequel!
audragio's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD read by the author
3.5***
Thirteen-year-old Nate Foster doesn’t seem to fit into his family. His big brother is a star athlete and gets all the attention from his parents. While Nate just wants to sing and dance and be a Broadway star. Thank heavens for his best friend, Libby. And it’s Libby who notices that there will be auditions for a brand-new musical adaptation of E.T. and helps Nate concoct a scheme so that he can go to New York for the audition.
This was a wonderful coming-of-age story with a great big heart. Nate is a great kid – funny, intelligent, resourceful, brave. He has a chance at his dream, and he is going to go after it with all he’s got. Of course, he also gets a little help from his Aunt Heidi, his mother’s estranged sister, who happens to live in Manhattan, and her roommate “Freckles” who also works in the same restaurant as she does. They know a thing or two about dreams, and about acting.
Nate’s road to stardom is not without roadblocks, starting with the downpour that drenches the only clothes he has. He’s pretty naïve and spends what little money he has on the wrong things; he has no way to call anyone as his cell phone battery has died; more than one kid (and his/her parent) also vying for a role are quite mean to Nate, cutting what little confidence he has. But he has dealt with bullies before and he will not to be denied his chance. He might not have a headshot, or have attended special dance classes, but he’s here, isn’t he?
The scenes are sometimes tender and sometimes a bit frightening, but there is also plenty of humor, and a sense of hope. Nate is so easy to cheer for. The book ends on a cliffhanger, setting up a sequel. Normally, I hate this device, but it was really the perfect ending for the book.
Tim Federle narrates the audiobook himself. I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job of it.
3.5***
Thirteen-year-old Nate Foster doesn’t seem to fit into his family. His big brother is a star athlete and gets all the attention from his parents. While Nate just wants to sing and dance and be a Broadway star. Thank heavens for his best friend, Libby. And it’s Libby who notices that there will be auditions for a brand-new musical adaptation of E.T. and helps Nate concoct a scheme so that he can go to New York for the audition.
This was a wonderful coming-of-age story with a great big heart. Nate is a great kid – funny, intelligent, resourceful, brave. He has a chance at his dream, and he is going to go after it with all he’s got. Of course, he also gets a little help from his Aunt Heidi, his mother’s estranged sister, who happens to live in Manhattan, and her roommate “Freckles” who also works in the same restaurant as she does. They know a thing or two about dreams, and about acting.
Nate’s road to stardom is not without roadblocks, starting with the downpour that drenches the only clothes he has. He’s pretty naïve and spends what little money he has on the wrong things; he has no way to call anyone as his cell phone battery has died; more than one kid (and his/her parent) also vying for a role are quite mean to Nate, cutting what little confidence he has. But he has dealt with bullies before and he will not to be denied his chance. He might not have a headshot, or have attended special dance classes, but he’s here, isn’t he?
The scenes are sometimes tender and sometimes a bit frightening, but there is also plenty of humor, and a sense of hope. Nate is so easy to cheer for. The book ends on a cliffhanger, setting up a sequel. Normally, I hate this device, but it was really the perfect ending for the book.
Tim Federle narrates the audiobook himself. I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job of it.
charlotteg's review against another edition
4.0
Better Nate Than Ever is about Nate’s journey to New York. The book was fast-paced and very funny.
bickie's review against another edition
3.0
Nate, from a small town outside of Pittsburgh who lives under the shadow of his athletic, popular brother (who calls him “homo”), hatches a plan with his fellow Broadway musical fan, Libby, to take a bus to New York City for an open casting call for E.T. Nate is not sure why everyone seems to think he is gay - as the narrator, he matter-of-factly tells everyone to chill out, since he’s only 13 and not sure what kind of person he loves yet. The story is more about complicated family relationships and being true to yourself. Best for ages 10-13.
Spoiler
(Includes some epithets others use to describe Nate such as "homo" and "fag"; his aunt lives with a gay man as a roommate; mother has an alcohol problem; Nate runs away intending to stay for only 24 hours and steals his mother's ATM card as well as a jacket out of a homeless donation bin.)emerygirl's review against another edition
5.0
I think I liked this book so mug because Nate reminded me of my own cute, imaginative, singing through life little man.