Common Sense Reviewer

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  • Matt Berman
  • California

About Me

An elementary school teacher for more than 30 years, with degrees in education, gifted education, and Philosophy for Children, Matt has written four books on children's literature. His reviews, articles, and columns have appeared in many journals, including Kirkus, School Library Journal, and The New Orleans Times-Picayune. He has also taught Children's Literature at Tulane University and the University of New Orleans, and is a frequent speaker on the subject. Some of Matt's reviews have appeared previously in the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and are reprinted here by permission.

What My Kids Love Now

House Rules

When the Kids Are Asleep…

Titles You’ve Reviewed

  • Book: Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series

    I rate this titleonand give it4.0

    Mystery and ethics in sports journalism.

    Unlike others in this series, this isn't really about sports. There's a bit of sports action (which will be a bit hard to follow for anyone who doesn't know baseball pretty well), but it's mostly ...

  • Book: Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Gifted, Book 1

    I rate this titleonand give it3.0

    Great lit? No. Fun for reluctant readers? Yes.

    Series books often follow a different literary standard, especially those, like this one, that go straight to paperback. It reads like something written by a bright college student: a bit clunky, ...

  • Book: The Reformed Vampire Support Group

    I rate this titleonand give it3.0

    Humorous vampire story takes aim at the vampire craze.

    Had enough of vampires yet? No? Well, this book should do the trick. It doesn't just demystify them -- it makes them pathetic and revolting. These vampires have no super powers, and they certainly ...

  • Book: Marcelo in the Real World

    I rate this titleonand give it5.0

    Gorgeously moving story about autistic teen.

    This book has frequently been compared with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, but the similarities are superficial: a high-functioning autistic teen narrator and a mystery. ...

  • Book: The Call of the Wild

    I rate this titleiffyand give it4.0

    Classic animal tale painful for animal-loving kids.

    THE CALL OF THE WILD is a great work of literature; there can be no doubt. Written in a style that is at once muscular and poetic, it is both an adventure story and a meditation on civilization ...

  • Book: Saint Iggy

    I rate this titleonand give it4.0

    Gritty, powerful tale of growing up -- teens only.

    Imagine Holden Caulfield, a sweet, compassionate, heartbreakingly clueless kid, about to be kicked out of school, adrift in the city at Christmas time, and haunted by the horrors of his past. But ...

  • Book: Discordia: The Eleventh Dimension

    I rate this titleiffyand give it3.0

    Violent, occasionally exciting, gory series launch.

    This is the children's lit equivalent of a B movie. The story doesn't make much sense, the characters are cardboard, and the gore is mostly gratuitous, but it's enjoyable enough in a cheesy sort of ...

  • Book: King of the Screwups

    I rate this titleonand give it5.0

    Enchanting stereotype-bending novel; teens only.

    We've all known kids like Liam -- bright, creative, talented, lovable -- who have fallen under the sway of someone who has convinced them that they're worthless, and they can't seem to see themselves ...

  • Book: Wings

    I rate this titleonand give it4.0

    Romantic fairy fantasy, milder than Twilight.

    This is clearly aimed at the Twilight crowd: a bit of chaste romance, a bit of violence, and a supernatural gloss on the real world. Instead of ...

  • Book: Soul Enchilada

    I rate this titleonand give it4.0

    Entertaining battle with the Devil; some swearing.

    Though it goes on a bit longer than it should have, and the resolution is not entirely clear, this is mostly a joyride. Most of the pleasure comes from the often delightfully-named characters: crabby ...

  • Book: How to Train Your Dragon: The Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, Bk. 1

    I rate this titleonand give it3.0

    Decent story, potty humor, reluctant reader bait.

    Author Cressida Cowell has taken a character from one of her picture books, Hiccup, the Viking Who Was Seasick, and wrapped a novel around him -- and middle-grade boys, especially reluctant ...

  • Book: The Ring of Rocamadour: The Red Blazer Girls, Bk. 1

    I rate this titleonand give it4.0

    Delightful girl sleuth story with puzzles.

    For kids who love mysteries laden with puzzles and clues, this will be sheer delight. Those who enjoy reading, and clues from literature, art, religion, and philosophy will love it even more. And ...

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