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kcwreads's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jamestoread's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mouseczko's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
tanyaprax's review against another edition
5.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and the kids are going to love it!
rknuttel's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for a review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
This book comes out 9/22/20. YOU SHOULD GET IT! Here's why.
1. K.A. Holt is apparently a genius and can only write amazing books. I have yet to be proved wrong on this account.
2. It's told in a super fun format. Our 4 main characters each have their own style of story telling, and the format shifts as the perspective does. Two characters speak in verse, one in extreme run-on sentence/stream of conscious style, and one through drawings. The switch ups work so well with each character and really help you to get into their head. I'm picky about verse because I like detail, but I can't imagine this book written any other way.
3. As a teacher, I'm a sucker for any story about a "special" teacher. And by special I mean builds relationships with kids so the kids actually know that they care. And this story has a great teacher story. Ms. J (no relation) makes some mistakes but has a really kind heart and truly works WITH her kids to help them succeed. Strong Mr. Terupt-esque vibes here.
4. The kids. The kids! I love them all! I cried several times while reading this book because despite the sometimes sparse words, they really connected with me. These characters feel SO. REAL. I see so many students in these characters. Students who for one reason or another do not have an easy time at school. Students who feel like their differences make them stupid. Students who feel like there is no way they will ever be successful. And on top of all of that, they have other stuff going on too, because that's life. All kids, but especially reluctant readers or divergent thinkers will see themselves in this story.
5. Lots of other topics are woven intricately into the story, not the center, but still important. This is beautifully done.
6. Sandbox (aka basically Minecraft). So fun!!
7. I'm pretty sure there are going to be more of these books and that is excellent news. YAY!
8. There are so many other great things about this book but I will keep you here forever if I list them all.
Honestly my only critique is the title, because I think it might confuse/distract people and lead to them not picking up the book to find out how awesome it is. But that's just my opinion and I certainly hope I'm proven wrong!
Please please please go meet BenBee and OhBenY and JORDANJMAGEDDON and jajajavier and JJ11347 and watch them battle game ghosts, glitches, bad luck, and bad books to be the best versions of themselves.
This book comes out 9/22/20. YOU SHOULD GET IT! Here's why.
1. K.A. Holt is apparently a genius and can only write amazing books. I have yet to be proved wrong on this account.
2. It's told in a super fun format. Our 4 main characters each have their own style of story telling, and the format shifts as the perspective does. Two characters speak in verse, one in extreme run-on sentence/stream of conscious style, and one through drawings. The switch ups work so well with each character and really help you to get into their head. I'm picky about verse because I like detail, but I can't imagine this book written any other way.
3. As a teacher, I'm a sucker for any story about a "special" teacher. And by special I mean builds relationships with kids so the kids actually know that they care. And this story has a great teacher story. Ms. J (no relation) makes some mistakes but has a really kind heart and truly works WITH her kids to help them succeed. Strong Mr. Terupt-esque vibes here.
4. The kids. The kids! I love them all! I cried several times while reading this book because despite the sometimes sparse words, they really connected with me. These characters feel SO. REAL. I see so many students in these characters. Students who for one reason or another do not have an easy time at school. Students who feel like their differences make them stupid. Students who feel like there is no way they will ever be successful. And on top of all of that, they have other stuff going on too, because that's life. All kids, but especially reluctant readers or divergent thinkers will see themselves in this story.
5. Lots of other topics are woven intricately into the story, not the center, but still important. This is beautifully done.
6. Sandbox (aka basically Minecraft). So fun!!
7. I'm pretty sure there are going to be more of these books and that is excellent news. YAY!
8. There are so many other great things about this book but I will keep you here forever if I list them all.
Honestly my only critique is the title, because I think it might confuse/distract people and lead to them not picking up the book to find out how awesome it is. But that's just my opinion and I certainly hope I'm proven wrong!
Please please please go meet BenBee and OhBenY and JORDANJMAGEDDON and jajajavier and JJ11347 and watch them battle game ghosts, glitches, bad luck, and bad books to be the best versions of themselves.
bookishbiggie's review against another edition
5.0
This is the perfect book for any child who feels like they don't fit the "mold" as a student, who has experienced loss in life, who is struggling to understand their gender identity, or honestly just any student. And, every educator needs to read this book! The group of kids in this book are thrown together in summer school due to failing the state test, but they learn so much more then how to pass a test during their time together. Their teacher, Ms. J, is the perfect leader for this group of kids since she also understands not fitting in and seeming to fit the expectations of others.
ashleyeila's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It gives perspective on the value of video games (which I was so against at a kid). It has great personification as each character has their own style of writing (or drawing) their portion of the book. So many great things to say about this book as a mom, teacher, and book lover.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those gaming books, that isn't really about gaming, but the gaming forms the framework for the story, which is told in two-column poetry (thank you!) and texting and some prose, depending on the character's point-of-view, and it's an awesome funny ugly-cry story all wrapped into one.
The kids -- BenBee, Jordan J, Javier -- are all in summer school after 6th grade because they failed the FART: the Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test. (No, this doesn't spell FART. No, they don't pick up on that until near the end, but it's hilarious in the beginning.) Now, my mother taught the equivalent class for high school for many years in Florida, only the stakes were much higher -- graduation, and all the societal / employment / college benefits that implies. The middle school setting allows the author a bit more leeway in how both the teacher and the students tackle retaking the test.
Because while the kids are on their second and third chances as "divergent learners" in summer school, so is their teacher, Ms. J, who's not really a classroom teacher (yes, there's a difference, and yes, many librarians can be and do both, but it takes a special person to teach middle school), she's a librarian also on her second chance -- a professional second chance.
So when BenBee's assigned reading book ends up in the toilet, and Ms. J takes a chance on allowing ever-silent Javier to pick the book they'll read (Save UR Server, a bit like a choose your own adventure book, but for a Minecraft-type game the kids all play), she's taking a potentially career-ending chance on her students.
They broker a deal with her: they'll read the book, if she plays the game with them in the last 10 minutes of each class. Really, plays the game. And she takes the deal, even goes so far as to suggest playing the game is "Typing practice." The kids are in heaven, although they think the book is kinda stupid because it offers "choices" that you wouldn't actually do in the game, but they're discovering what it feels like to finish a book, and they're not going to give up.
Until there's a disastrous observation by the school principal. I won't say what happens, just know, Ms. J's career is on the line and the kids come through for her -- while she comes through for them, in a big way you don't see coming (and had me in tears!).
I will say, I really appreciated the layout of the free verse poetry -- it's in two-columns, which prevents the book from being near 400 pages, which it would, otherwise. I really wish other verse books would adopt this text layout and decrease page counts, which can be daunting for middle schoolers otherwise.
Enjoy this wonderful read!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The kids -- BenBee, Jordan J, Javier -- are all in summer school after 6th grade because they failed the FART: the Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test. (No, this doesn't spell FART. No, they don't pick up on that until near the end, but it's hilarious in the beginning.) Now, my mother taught the equivalent class for high school for many years in Florida, only the stakes were much higher -- graduation, and all the societal / employment / college benefits that implies. The middle school setting allows the author a bit more leeway in how both the teacher and the students tackle retaking the test.
Because while the kids are on their second and third chances as "divergent learners" in summer school, so is their teacher, Ms. J, who's not really a classroom teacher (yes, there's a difference, and yes, many librarians can be and do both, but it takes a special person to teach middle school), she's a librarian also on her second chance -- a professional second chance.
So when BenBee's assigned reading book ends up in the toilet, and Ms. J takes a chance on allowing ever-silent Javier to pick the book they'll read (Save UR Server, a bit like a choose your own adventure book, but for a Minecraft-type game the kids all play), she's taking a potentially career-ending chance on her students.
They broker a deal with her: they'll read the book, if she plays the game with them in the last 10 minutes of each class. Really, plays the game. And she takes the deal, even goes so far as to suggest playing the game is "Typing practice." The kids are in heaven, although they think the book is kinda stupid because it offers "choices" that you wouldn't actually do in the game, but they're discovering what it feels like to finish a book, and they're not going to give up.
Until there's a disastrous observation by the school principal. I won't say what happens, just know, Ms. J's career is on the line and the kids come through for her -- while she comes through for them, in a big way you don't see coming (and had me in tears!).
I will say, I really appreciated the layout of the free verse poetry -- it's in two-columns, which prevents the book from being near 400 pages, which it would, otherwise. I really wish other verse books would adopt this text layout and decrease page counts, which can be daunting for middle schoolers otherwise.
Enjoy this wonderful read!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
jengennari's review against another edition
5.0
What fun! A super creative mix of gaming and chatting story about four students and their amazing teacher during summer school. I loved the mix of verse, prose, drawings and evaluation forms. A must for all readers who are divergent*! Holt has written a hopeful, heart-full story and an homage to extraordinary teachers.
*read this book to learn how Jordan, Javier, Ben Y, and Ben B give this word new meaning.
*read this book to learn how Jordan, Javier, Ben Y, and Ben B give this word new meaning.
bgstrong's review against another edition
4.0
My boss received an Advanced Readers Copy and let me borrow it to read so I just went into it not expecting to really enjoy it (I’m not the target audience) but that it might still be a great middle grade book to add to our library collection.
But I loved this book. I saw myself a little in this book. A lot of people think that all librarians are vast readers and spend their existences loving books and reading. And for me - that’s not entirely true.
I failed Advanced English (the prerequisite to get into AP English) and even had to take summer school. In college, I was pressed to drop out of certain lit classes because I wasn’t a “deep enough reader”.
I’m not a very fast reader, and am not usually the first one to “get” deeper meanings and metaphors.
But I love reading. And I think reading is fun and I hope in my own way that I can be someone’s Ms. J.
But I loved this book. I saw myself a little in this book. A lot of people think that all librarians are vast readers and spend their existences loving books and reading. And for me - that’s not entirely true.
I failed Advanced English (the prerequisite to get into AP English) and even had to take summer school. In college, I was pressed to drop out of certain lit classes because I wasn’t a “deep enough reader”.
I’m not a very fast reader, and am not usually the first one to “get” deeper meanings and metaphors.
But I love reading. And I think reading is fun and I hope in my own way that I can be someone’s Ms. J.