Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this book has all the typical middle school angst with some bad behavior, including teen drinking and unlicensed driving. The behavior is clearly dealt with and characters are shown having remorse for their actions. A girl starts a romance with a boy and shares a first kiss.
Families can talk about how middle school can be a tough time emotionally and physically. Can you identify with Ginny? Have you ever had a series of disappointments? How do you handle stressful times? What other books and movies about middle school do you relate to? Which books and movies have it all wrong?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Terreece Clarke
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF is a very fun book about a year in the life of 12-year-old Ginny Davis.
This journal of sorts has an innovative twist: It's told through Ginny's stuff. Report cards, assignments, notes to friends, instant messages, receipts -- they're all there. And incredibly all this stuff melds into something much more telling and heartwarming to read through than a straight-forward middle school diary.
Instantly engaging, Ginny's life is as real as you can get with the hopes, highs, and lows that are middle school. There are plenty of light, humorous moments and plenty of poignant, moving moments, too.
Visually exciting, this book is a great idea for reluctant readers.
From The Book
Three Meatloaf Haikus
Oh yucky meatloaf
sitting under the hot lights
so gray and gristly.
Nothing tastes worse than
you, not cauliflower or
even lima beans.
And what is that weird
thing sticking out -- a whisker?
hair? a rubber band?
Plot Summary:
Ginny Davis has a dream to-do list for the 7th grade. When her life turns upside down and a bunch of mini-disasters strike, her goals appear to be beyond reach. Will she ever just make it through 7th grade?
Related Books:
Other Books by the Author:
Our Only May Amelia
Penny From Heaven
More Minor School Mischief:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
No Talking by Andrew Clements
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Sexual ContentA girl shares her first and second kiss with her date. Adults get married. |
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ViolenceA girl slaps another and is given detention. A father is killed by a drunk driver that is a repeat offender. A young teen crashes a car twice, once while drunk. |
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Social BehaviorThere is some naughty behavior including stealing of garden gnomes, toilet papering a house and teenage drinking, however all bad deeds are punished. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoA teen gets drunk and crashes a car. A man is killed by a drunk driver. |
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