 | 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. |
I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President
Common Sense Media says
Daily Show producer delivers pranks and yuks.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that they'll find lots of pranks against students and teachers in this book, as well as plenty of sarcastic quips and negative words for others. But that's the brand of humor in this first kids book by one of the Daily Show executive producers, and in the end the book and the evil genius-main character show some heart.
What's the story?
Oliver is a 12-year-old genius and one of the richest people in the world. He lives undercover as a below-average student with his air-headed, coddling mother and self-involved father. When he's still a baby, Oliver sees that his father will only love him
if he's intelligent. He doesn't want his intellect to be the feather in his father's filial cap, so he pretends to be dim and ridiculous. When his father fondly reminisces about his own election to the office of class president, Oliver decides to rob his father of his good memories by showing him that any idiot can become class president. Oliver proceeds to use intimidation, money, and blackmail in order to try to win the election.
Is it any good?
I AM A GENIUS OF UNSPEAKABLE EVIL AND I WANT TO BE YOUR CLASS PRESIDENT is funny and outlandish. Kids will love the dynamics of Oliver's double life as a tough, successful billionaire and a chubby, hapless dimwit. At the heart of it, Oliver just wants his father's love, but on his own terms, not as a reward for his supreme intelligence.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about father/son relationships. Oliver could have anything he wanted, but why was this election so important to him?
Why do you think Oliver didn't want "Daddy" to know the truth about his life as an evil genius?
Do you think Oliver hated "Daddy" as much as he said he did?
What was Oliver's motivation for trying to win the election?
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AGE
Not worth anyone's time when there are so many great books on the shelves!
Story about an awful child without a moral conscience. Our entire family was listening to this book on tape and after listening to more than 2/3's everyone from the 13 year old to the 9 year, felt compelled to turn it off. Evil is really not attractive.
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AGE
not believable enough
I have no problem reading books geared to ten year olds, but I found that the huge suspension of disbelief required for this one distracted me from the story. The fact that Oliver is a billionaire is barely explained, and not at all convincingly. Artemis Fowl comes to mind as an example of the opposite end of the spectrum. Eoin Colfer pulled off the twelve-year-old-millionaire-genius thing very well. Josh Lieb, not so much.
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AGE
It is a great book, can't figure out how it ends, though
Liked it. I read it when i was 11 and for some reason,even though i read the end =ing, i have no idea what happens. I have tried reading it over again, but for some reason, my head doesn't register what I'm reading.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 20, 2010
AGE
It is a really great book about a boy with a cover.
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AGE
probably a tweens book any older than 14 should probably be reading something a little bit mor mature
Its an okay book but not a noticeable favorite.
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AGE
NOTE:
Borrow it. Do not buy it. I read it in two days.
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AGE
Laughable, Teen-Oriented Fun!
A great book for tweens and teens with very crude tween-oriented humor. Mild language, but nothing too bad. Not good role models, but a great (and fun) read. Pictures are hilarious! The third richest man on earth is... a twelve year old boy! He is a genius who humors himsef by acting flat out stupid. He hires a man to be his cover, and has his own empire. He can get anything he wants... but how about a school election?
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AGE
I think boys of this age will find it quite humorous. It reminds me of a non-fantasy Artemis Fowl. The ending was a bit disappointing in how blunt it was. Wish the language wasn't there. There are better out there, but there are also worse if you're trying to engage a reluctant reader.
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| Author: | Josh Lieb |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Humor |
| Publisher: | Penguin Group |
| Publication date: | October 13, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 304 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 10 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
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