Awesome Reads:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff
Kinney
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its
way to print as a laugh-out-loud "novel in cartoons," adapted
from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through
an academic year's worth of drama. Greg's mother forces him to keep a
diary ("I know what it says on the cover, but when Mom went out to
buy this thing I specifically told her to get one that didn't say
'diary' on it"), and in it he loosely recounts each day's events,
interspersed with his comic illustrations. Kinney has a gift for
believable preteen dialogue and narration (e.g., "Don't expect me to
be all 'Dear Diary' this and 'Dear Diary' that"), and the
illustrations serve as a hilarious counterpoint to Greg's often deadpan
voice. The hero's utter obliviousness to his friends and family becomes a
running joke. For instance, on Halloween, Greg and his best friend,
Rowley, take refuge from some high school boys at Greg's grandmother's
house; they taunt the bullies, who then T.P. her house. Greg's journal
entry reads, "I do feel a little bad, because it looked like it was
gonna take a long time to clean up. But on the bright side, Gramma is
retired, so she probably didn't have anything planned for today
anyway." Kinney ably skewers familiar aspects of junior high life,
from dealing with the mysteries of what makes someone popular to the
trauma of a "wrestling unit" in gym class. His print debut
should keep readers in stitches, eagerly anticipating Greg's further
adventures. Ages 8-13. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5–8—Greg Heffley has actually been on the scene for more than
two years. Created by an online game developer, he has starred in a Web
book of the same name on www.funbrain.com since May 2004. This print
version is just as engaging. Kinney does a masterful job of making the
mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious. Greg is a
conflicted soul: he wants to do the right thing, but the constant quest
for status and girls seems to undermine his every effort. His attempts to
prove his worthiness in the popularity race (he estimates he's currently
ranked 52nd or 53rd) are constantly foiled by well-meaning parents, a
younger and older brother, and nerdy friends. While Greg is not the most
principled protagonist, it is his very obliviousness to his faults that
makes him such an appealing hero. Kinney's background as a cartoonist is
apparent in this hybrid book that falls somewhere between traditional
prose and graphic novel. It offers some of the same adventures as the Web
book, but there are enough new subplots to entertain Funbrain followers.
This version is more pared down, and the pace moves quickly. The first of
three installments, it is an excellent choice for reluctant readers, but
more experienced readers will also find much to enjoy and relate to in one
seventh grader's view of the everyday trials and tribulations of middle
school.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Rodrick Rules by
Jeff Kinney
Product Description
The highly anticipated sequel to the #1 NEW YORK
TIMES bestselling book!
Secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved.
Whatever you do, don’t ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer
vacation, because he definitely doesn’t want to talk about it.
As Greg enters the new school year, he’s eager to put the past three
months behind him . . . and one event in particular.
Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the
incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. But secrets have a way of
getting out . . . especially when a diary is involved.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules chronicles Greg’s attempts
to navigate the hazards of middle school, impress the girls, steer clear
of the school talent show, and most important, keep his secret safe.
Beige by Cecil Castellucci
While her mother is off on an archaeological dig, Katy is forced to
leave Montreal and go to Los Angeles to visit her long-lost father. Her
father, The Rat, is a drummer for the punk band Suck, and his apartment
is a mess—even the soap is dirty. When he asks what Katy might like to
do in L.A., she thinks, There is nothing I want to do in L.A. Not one
thing. Except leave. Castellucci gives a fresh spin to the familiar
exiled-teen plot by mixing details of the L.A. punk scene with memorable
characters and witty dialogue. Nicknamed Beige for her bland personality
by Lake (a girl bribed to befriend her), Katy becomes the merch girl,
selling T-shirts for Lake's band, even though she hates its music. But
by the end of the story, Katy has lost some of her Beige ways, and the
lessons she has learned will help her deal with a sudden change in her
mother's plans. Chapter titles of punk songs and band names will give
readers a starting point for learning more about the music. Consider
this pure Nirvana. Dobrez, Cindy
Product Description
Dad’s an aging L.A. punk rocker known as the Rat. Daughter’s a
buttoned-up neat freak who’d rather be anywhere else. Can this summer
be saved?
Now that she’s exiled from Canada to sunny Los Angeles, Katy figures
she’ll bury her nose in a book and ignore the fact that she’s
spending two weeks with her father — punk name: the Rat — a
recovered addict and drummer for the famously infamous band Suck. Even
though Katy doesn’t want to be there, even though she feels abandoned
by her mom, even though the Rat’s place is a mess and he’s not like
anything she’d call a father, Katy won’t make a fuss. After all, she
is a nice girl, a girl who is quiet and polite, a girl who smiles, a
girl who is, well, beige. Or is she? From the author of BOY PROOF and
THE QUEEN OF COOL comes an edgy new L.A. novel full of humor, heart, and
music.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by
Brian Selznick
Book Description:
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris
train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But
when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a
bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover
life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic
drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a
hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this
intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.
Betrayed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Product Description
Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to
settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with
the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is
getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best
of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits
in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the
unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all
the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks
the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the
very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she
loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes
the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a
betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the
very fabric of her world.
Swindled by Gordon Korman
Product Description
After a mean collector named Swindle cons him out of his most
valuable baseball card, Griffin Bing must put together a band of
misfits to break into Swindle's compound and recapture the card.
There are many things standing in their way -- a menacing guard
dog, a high-tech security system, a very secret hiding place, and
their general inability to drive -- but Griffin and his team are
going to get back what's rightfully his . . . even if hijinks
ensue.
This is Gordon Korman at his crowd-pleasing best, perfect for
readers who like to hoot, howl, and heist.
Waiting for Normal by Leslie
Connor
Kirkus Reviews (pointer)
"A heroine with spunk and spirit offers an inspiring lesson
in perseverance and hope. First-rate."
School Library Journal (starred review)
"Connor has created a winning and positive
father-figure/daughter relationship."
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