Big Nate: In a Class by Himself (by Lincoln Peirce)

common sense media says

Milder than Wimpy Kid, and a sure hit with boys.

parents & educators say

60% say there are positive messages
40% say there are positive role models

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.

Educational value: Not applicable.

Positive messages: Nate is having a pretty bad day, but he never loses his self-confidence or his sense of humor.

Positive role models: Nate's best friends stick with him through it all, and although Nate thinks his dad is clueless, he clearly respects him and cares about him. One of Nate's hobbies is cartooning, and the adults in ths book, mostly teachers, are pretty much all caricutures.

Violence: Not applicable.

Sex: The girl that Nate has had a crush on since first grade has been "going out" with another boy for four months; they hold hands in the halls. Another couple is seen kissing in the hallway.

Language: Some mild name calling: "butthead," "dork," and "geek."

Consumerism: Not applicable.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

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?

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.

Book themes & details

Book Details

Author: Lincoln Peirce
Illustrator: Lincoln Peirce
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication date: March 23, 2010
Number of pages: 224
Hardcover price: $12.99
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 9

This review was written by Debra Bogart

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:

60% say there are positive messages
40% say there are positive role models
40% say it's educational

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

BrettScott
parent of 10 year old

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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Big Nate: In a Class by Himself (by Lincoln Peirce)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Big Nate: In a Class by Himself

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Book themes & details

Book Details

Review It

Review Big Nate: In a Class by Himself

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Cute with no positive messages

funnehhh

funny read

Beast

good

best book ever

like wimpy kid

An Overall Good Book

Great for kids 8+

Funny!

big nate

BIG NATE IS FUNNY,BIG TIME (jeff kinney review about big nate)

Alright

Very funny

THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Nate review

Good For Older Kids-Not for Little Kids

perfect for kids

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