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ehgold23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cassf's review against another edition
4.0
Classic Jack Gantos. I didn't like it as well as hole in my life or the Joey Pigza books but it was good.
mikkelsonch's review against another edition
2.0
In the middle of action scenes the author goes back in time to reflect. It's annoying and would be confusing for readers who are not strong. Also, what happened to the dog? He makes it seem like he saved its life when the reality is probably much more grim. He should have taken responsibility for that and all the other stupid things he did.
apotts's review
4.0
I picked this book up thrilled that there was an entire book about Scary Gary, a character from a much-loved short story we use in my classroom ("The Follower"). I was not disappointed. Delving into the psyche of a teen looking for a role model, Jack Gantos finds the worst role model out there, and effectively tells the tale of how he began to let himself be led astray. While I use the short story "The Follower" in my 6th grade classroom, The Trouble in Me is not entirely appropriate for eleven and twelve year-olds. There are sections that would be great companions to "The Follower" but the book as a whole is more for high school.
lorimanning's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really funny, easy-to-read novel about young Jack Gantos and his need to impress the neighborhood bad boy.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love this book, but I thought it was an interesting look at what happened when you're young and all you want is to belong, and you wind up following a shady path to get that. I heard Gantos speak at YALSA 2015 about this story and I think the theme also bears more weight considering it is based on his life.
lifeoflorac's review against another edition
4.0
I started off shook because I did not realize the book was based on a true story, and on involving the author at that! I feel it kind of took forever to get a point across at first. I felt like everything was a rambling speech. About halfway through the book I got the feeling and the concurrence that Jack was not just simply wanting to be like Gary, but had developed an almost obsessive like attitude to become Gary. The probation officer was not what I expected. I was taken back by his attitude and lack of professionalism during my reading encounter with him. One thing I didn't like was how an entire side story seemed to start near the end of the book. I was wanting to know more but at the same time annoyed that it started in the first place. All in all the book was alright, but I feel it was a gateway to attempt to get readers to read another book, which was clever don't get me wrong. I just feel this story was a compilation of side stories bunched together.
msseviereads's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking. Reading this with a teacher/ mom lens made me cry.
caroparr's review against another edition
4.0
Fourteen-year-old Jack doesn't like himself much, so he is easy prey for bad-boy Gary Pagoda. This can be read as a cautionary tale, but it's really a well-told story of how and why Jack succumbed to the dark side, as readers of [b:Hole in My Life|842087|Hole in My Life|Jack Gantos|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316130742s/842087.jpg|80002] will understand. The hot, dry, glaring Florida setting adds to the feeling that Jack can't escape from his own life.
dawnoftheread's review against another edition
4.0
http://www.unshelved.com/bookclub/2016-6-10#B013VMIJFG