Reviews

The Greatest Kid in the World by John David Anderson

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allicatca's review

4.0

I thought the story was quite original and the characters were well-developed. Sure, it's a bit odd to hear of a contest for Greatest Kid in the World, but even the main character and his family were skeptical.

The schemes and pranks performed in the book were comical. I haven't read the book to my kids yet, but I think both my son (age 11) and daughter (age 9) would enjoy this book. I would recommend the book for ages 11+.

shirleytupperfreeman's review

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Twelve year old Zeke is pretty much a screw-up. He's smart enough so he gets decent grades but he's always getting into misadventures. His teachers, mom and older sister Jackie are frustrated with his exploits, but younger brother Nate reveres him. Postcards from Dad are included in the story but clearly Dad is no longer around. The family seems to be barely functioning when Zeke is invited to be a candidate for a Greatest Kid in the World show vying for prize money the family desperately needs. Zeke's antics are beyond goofy and he's clearly not a great candidate for the show, but the week of filming provides the catalyst for the Sthal's to move from a traumatized, dysfuctional family to a loving group ready to move forward as a team. A cute read with an unrealistic, whacky set-up; coming in May.

blogginboutbooks's review

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5.0

THE GREATEST KID IN THE WORLD is a hilarious book that literally had me laughing out loud. Zeke's natural creativity and curiosity, combined with a 12-year-old boy's mischievousness, make him a fun train wreck of a character from whom you never know quite what to expect. The thing that keeps him likable is his fierce devotion to his little brother and his desire to help his mother (thoughtfulness is a trait he develops as the story goes on, but he's concerned for her from the beginning). Zeke's yearning to make life better for his family, no matter what crazy antics he has to undertake, make him sympathetic, relatable, and root-worthy.

While the novel has an upbeat, humorous tone, it's not without depth. Quietly poignant, it ruminates on family relationships, the loss of a parent, and what it really means to be a good person, even a great one. Does it only count if you do noble deeds to get likes on social media or votes in an online contest? Is anyone really great ALL the time? Are there people in your life who exhibit greatness every day on the down low simply by being there for you? The story brings up discussion-worthy questions like these in a way that is subtle, entertaining, and fun. While there are plenty of serious, heavy middle-grade books out there about how the absence of a parent affects children, THE GREATEST KID IN THE WORLD stands out because of its lighter, more balanced approach to the subject. While it doesn't dismiss the Stahles' pain, it doesn't dwell on it either; it uses humor to explore grief in a healthy, humorous way that strikes exactly the right chord for a middle-grade audience. I'm hardly its target reader, but I adore this book and highly recommend it to anyone craving an enjoyable read with poignant undertones.

ellbo_oks333's review

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4.0

this was a good read with major kid appeal, it dragged on at some points

kelleemoye's review

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4.0

There is more than one way to be great. This is a concept that kids have a hard time seeing (and adults!). For example, the kid who gets the highest grades may be great, but a kid who watches his siblings and takes care of his house while his adult works is also great. But what makes THE greatest? That is the question within John David Anderson’s newest book. Zeke knows he is not the greatest, but maybe he doesn’t know him self too well since he is chosen to be a finalist in the World’s Greatest Kid competition. Can a kid who causes trouble, does pranks, gets sent to the principals office, and torments his oldest sister be a great kid?

Just like every other Anderson book I’ve ever read (which is most of his!), I found the story to be unique, well written, and engaging. He always surprises me because his books differ so tremendously from each other! This time, what made the story for me was the characters. Everyone had flaws but everyone was loveable: Zeke reminds me of so many kids I know and have taught–wonderful and exhausting; his sister, Jasmine, was dealing with her own transitions much like most teenagers; Logan, the cameraman, was the surprise favorite character (read & you’ll see why!); Nate, Zeke’s brother, is just a ball of joy; and Zeke’s mom is one that any adult with empathize with, and I want to give her a hug! The story itself is quiet, but these characters are loud and will fill your heart as you read.

Full review with teaching tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/25660

tishreads's review

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5.0

Dave does it again!!! This book had me laughing out loud and also reaching for my box of tissues. Zeke isn't the world's greatest kid. Sometimes he struggles just to be slightly-good, preferring to pull pranks and perform experiments on his little brother. So he's more shocked than anyone when a letter arrives in the mail informing him that he's in the running for the title of The Greatest Kid in the World, which comes with a $10,000 prize. Knowing how his mom is struggling to keep the family afloat financially since his dad's been gone, he decides to play the part and hope for the best.

There is so much heart in this book. It's highly readable for a wide-range of kids and packs an emotional punch without being preachy or cliche. John David Anderson is one of those rare authors who just intrinsically gets middle-school boys and you'll want to hand this book to all of them.