 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
- By Lincoln Peirce
- Genre: Humor
Common Sense Media says
Milder than Wimpy Kid, and a sure hit with boys.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this humorous book is based on the comic strip Big Nate. Illustrated in the same cartoon style as the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, it is a little milder and sweeter than that series. Although the characters are sixth-graders, the humor will appeal to younger readers and especially to boys. Nate faces challenges universal to 12-year-old boys: a test at school, the desire to be liked by his peers, and dealing with simple plans that go awry. The humor mostly comes at the expense of Nate himself, particularly when he is trying to impress someone and fails. Nate lives in a single parent household with no mention of his mother.
What's the story?
Sixth-grader Nate heads for school dreading a social studies test. If he fails, it could mean summer school. When his best friend gives him a fortune cookie before school and the fortune says "You will surpass all others" Nate is inspired; will he surpass everyone in soccer, or cartooning, or table football? But the cookie leads to his first detention slip of the day for eating in class, and by lunchtime he is desperate to make his fortune come true -- by setting a world record for eating the most green beans. That earns him another detention slip, but Nate can't seem to stop himself from goofing around, trying to impress the girl he likes, and the endlessly grouchy teachers are happy to keep handing him more detentions. Readers may figure out what record Nate manages to break before he reaches detention at the end of one very long school day.
Is it any good?
The cartoon style will entertain any reader who enjoys comic books, and the slapstick humor will appeal to many boys. The core of the story is the friendship between Nate and his best friends Teddy and Francis, and the way they help each other survive the perils of middle school. Nate is a very high-energy kid with overflowing self-esteem and his ability to maintain his sense of humor may encourage kids who find the trials of adolescence something they'd like to keep laughing about for a while longer. Unrequited crushes, grouchy teachers, and feeling misunderstood is tough even for kids who still want books with a few booger jokes.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Nate's day at school. What was your worst day ever like? Do you rate your days?
Nate has high hopes for future greatness. He lists four areas of possible greatness ahead. What areas do you think you will excel at?
Nate is the class clown. Do you have any extra-funny kids in your class? Are they well-liked? What kind of humor is not popular?
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AGE
funny read
I love the fact that it makes my son want to read.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 23, 2011
AGE
funnehhh
Cool,funny, & everything like that its like diary of a wimpy kid but a lil better 2ed book rocks also
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AGE
Cute with no positive messages
It is a bit funny, but very negative. Nate believes he is destined for greatness and everyone around him is an idiot - including his family, teachers and friends.
About his father: "...Way to break it to me gently. Nice parenting. "..he's pretty harmless... It's just that Dad's kinda clueless. He has no idea what it's like to be me." Everyone around him gets the same treatment.
Nate denigrates the smart, artistic, hard-working people around him. He has terrific self-esteem but always under achieves. He marvels at his good fortune - School Record Holder for Most Detentions. A happy ending.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 31, 2011
AGE
Beast
Funniest book. Even better than Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The second one is also pretty good.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 16, 2010
AGE
BIG NATE IS FUNNY,BIG TIME (jeff kinney review about big nate)
BIG NATE IS SUPER-ULTRA-MEGA-DELUXE-ASIA SIZED(fact:asia is the largest contenit in the world)-EPIRE STATE BUILDING SIZED-BIGFOOT SIZED-XTRA XTRA XTRA XTRA LARGE SIZED-BIG TIME-LARGE-THRILLING-CHILLING-SIZE OF PACIFIC OCEAN COOL!
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Kid, 10 years old
May 1, 2011
AGE
big nate
first of all, i am sorry of what i said about brainsurge.anyway, i have all the big nate books and all the wimpy kid books.the story starts as nate,gets a fortune cookie, and it says something great! it happens, but in a bad way.Nate gets 7 slips,and THAT means that he stays at school 7 hours a bunch of mis-happs happen, and it's funny. good humor, frindship,and a little crush,one kiss(not by jenny & nate!)!!mild name calling like"geek & dork & as strong as it gets,butthead.what do i think! what do i think! move over wimpy kid!Nate is comen' to town!he sees you when your sleepn' he knows when your awake!
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Kid, 11 years old
December 23, 2010
AGE
best book ever
i think a 6 or 7 year old can read it because it is so easy but just don't act like nate. it was funny. :D ($~$) like the
diary of the wimpy kid
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Kid, 12 years old
July 27, 2010
AGE
Big Nate review
If your kid[s] liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid then they will love Big Nate. Big Nate is a funny smart book with a good plot and a funny ending.
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| Author: | Lincoln Peirce |
| Illustrator: | Lincoln Peirce |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Humor |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | March 23, 2010 |
| Number of pages: | 224 |
| Hardcover price: | $12.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 9 |
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