Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Scrapbook-style sequel tells girl's heartfelt story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
EIGHTH GRADE IS MAKING ME SICK: GINNY DAVIS'S YEAR IN STUFF, by three-time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm, author of Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf, portrays several months in the life of eighth grader Ginny Davis. In the same scrapbook-style, pages show possessions, Post-It notes, text and email messages, online chat screens, poems, to-do lists, family financial documents, and more. Combined, these photo collages (by illustrator Elicia Castaldi) convey Ginny's wishes for the school year ("try out for cheer," "convince Mom to let me bike to school," "work on art"). Not all of Ginny's wishes come true, but her flawed, loving family and friends anchor her. The writing, usually from Ginny's point of view, is often humorous, but addresses some serious family issues as well as less weighty eighth-grade-type concerns.
Is It Any Good?
In a sense, with its snapshot, graphics-centric approach, Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick presumes a short attention span on the part of young readers, which can be disheartening. However, it's also quite impressive in the extent to which it conveys real emotion and depicts a believable, imperfect family. The novel is undeniably engaging, funny and moving. It's a quick, entertaining read that will resonate with young readers, though it's worth noting that the target audience is definitely younger than eighth grade. Ginny's "voice" is much more like that of an 11-yea- old than a 13-year-old.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ginny's interest in the fictional TV show Vampire Vixens. Why do you think teens are so interested in stories about vampires?
Does Ginny seem like a realistic eighth-grader to you? What about her seems believable, and what doesn't?
Why does Ginny become sick?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Elicia Castaldi
- Genre : Family Life
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Children's Books
- Publication date : August 7, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 128
- Available on : Hardback
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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