I can relate to a lot of the stuff in this book because I am in Middle school. I think this is a great story, if you are mature enough to handle it and don't get bored easily.
I really enjoyed this book because it is good for all ages. You can definitely relate to this book if you are in or going into seventh grade. This book had laughs at parts, and was very enjoyable. I noticed that through out the book that it had stuff have as "coincidence", but really Schmidt needed something to have an excuse for adding something else. For example, the baker says, " you never meet a boy who knows about shakespeare." "Coincidentally", the main character knows about shakespeare and goes in a play. The book would have been completely different without a play. But, if you were alive during the Vietnam war, you can definitely relate.
I think that it is a great idea but horribly written. It is interesting but it skips a lot. The rats are a bit freaky but other than that there isn't anything that scary. It has a little bit of Shakespeare in it but it mainly only focuses on the "curses" that aren't bad at all.
it is a very good book- for people SEVENTH grade and older! They do make A BUNCH of references to Shakespear while if you are reading in, like, fourth grade, you wouldn't understand. They do make references about "killing Holling if he didn't bring cream puffs", "knowing where he lived", and all about the war going on in the 70's, flower children, and hippies. So if you are 12,older, or in junior high, this is a MUST READ, but if you are 10 or under, it's best you find a new book.
I've read this book and it's really good. It has great dialogue, well-developed and relatable characters, and a great plot. It has little content inappropriate for tween readers and has a positive message about caring for friends and family. OK for kids 11+. Violence: Mentioning of the shooting deaths of Martin Luthor King, Jr. and John Kennedy. Lots of discussion of a war taking place as a backdrop to the plot. A student falls off a bus while riding it and Holling is hit by a bus, but nobody's seriously hurt. Older students are shown bullying others, and hurts Doug during a marathon. Mrs. Baker's husband is mentioned to have gone missing, but is later found unhurt. Consumerism: Mentioning of Twinkies, Coke, and a Ford Mustang. Drinking: Middle schoolers smoke in a school bathroom.
I really like this book! I tried to read it 2 or 3 times before but could never get into it. I had to read it for book club and ended up really enjoying it. It is very realistic and very funny at the same time. It is very good for people starting middle school but i think little kids would like it too.