Parents' Guide to Big Nate Out Loud

Book Lincoln Peirce Humor 2011
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Common Sense Media Review

Kristen Breck By Kristen Breck , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 9+

Will appeal to Wimpy Kid fans and reluctant readers.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 9+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 12+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 7+

Based on 11 kid reviews

Kids say that while the book is humorous and enjoyable, it contains some mature content, including inappropriate language and themes that may not be suitable for younger readers. Many believe it’s best for kids aged nine and up, highlighting both the comedic aspects and the debate about its appropriateness as a children's book.

  • humor
  • mature content
  • age recommendations
  • role models
  • good for fans
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

In this collection of Big Nate comic strips, sixth grader Nate has a series of adventures: Among them, he gets hypnotized, tries to make his science teacher laugh, helps his dad train for a 10K race, starts a band, devises pranks for the last day of school -- and lands in detention. Things might not always work out the way Nate expects, but he has an unshakable belief in his own ideas.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 3 ):
Kids say ( 11 ):

Nate's adventures will remind readers of those of Diary of Wimpy Kid's pubescent protagonist, with plenty of middle school humor and antics to thrill teens. Of course, this installment, like the other books in the series, is also sure to appeal to younger readers. And that's OK: While there is some edgy humor and iffy behavior, BIG NATE OUT LOUD is mostly an innocent, fun comic romp. Nate has a good dad, steady friends, and mostly good intentions -- despite the fact that he does not excel in school and often lands in detention. In the end, this is a good choice for comic book and graphic novel fans as well as reluctant readers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about reading cartoons as "books." How is the reading experience different with comics than it is with text? How would this book have been different if it were written like a regular novel?

  • Families can talk about the Big Nate website, which offers games, videos, publicity, and a links to Comics.com. What it the purpose of sites like this one?

Book Details

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