How to Survive Middle School
By Terreece Clarke,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Funny middle school survival story for boys and hamsters.
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What's the Story?
David Greenberg has a lot going on. His mom took off a few years ago to live on a farm somewhere, his dad is distant, his best friend has suddenly turned into an enemy, and he's found a great friend in a...girl! Other things on David's top 6 1/2 list: survive middle school and become famous like his idol Jon Stewart. When David's new friend Sophie tells her homeschool network about his videos Talk Time, which also star his pet hamster, the videos go viral and a few people he never thought would see his videos are now watching them on YouTube. Can he survive middle school and local stardom?
Is It Any Good?
This is a delightful, funny, and insightful book. Main character David is a middle school boy who is completely endearing, and readers will easily identify with him and his middle school anxiety. Gephart's book continues a great trend in children's literature, looking at a boy's view of middle school and the issues that boys face. There are great spots of laugh-out-loud humor, including tidbits on smelly armpits, zit forecasts, and top 6 1/2 lists.
One thing kids can take away from the novel is David's commitment to his passion. The other thing: be careful what you put online. Kids will really enjoy David's ups and downs, and the novel is wonderful for reluctant readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about books for middle grade boys. How is this book similar to or different from Wimpy Kid books? Do you think the success of Wimpy Kid proves that there's a need for more books for middle school boys?
Parents might want to discuss the YouTube videos that David creates -- and check in with their own kids about their behavior. Do you watch YouTube or make your own videos? What's fun about them -- and how can they be dangerous? Common Sense Media has some tips for good ground-rules.
Book Details
- Author: Donna Gephart
- Genre: School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: April 13, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 256
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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