Humorous
N.E.R.D.S: M Is For Mama’s Boy by Michael Buckley
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.01, 2015, under Detective/Spy, Humorous, Student Reviews
Review by Maylie N.
Who would like this book? I think both genders of ages 8 and up will enjoy this thrilling, creative, and action- packed book. Adults or older teens may not like it as much, but it will still be enjoyable to them. Fans of spies and superheroes will like this book as well.
The goods on this book: This story takes place in the present (or maybe a little into the future) times in America. The N.E.R.D.S (National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society), a group of spy elementary schoolers, are at it again, this time facing an old enemy. This enemy has a dastardly plan and people (and animals) to help with it. Duncan, A.K.A Gluestick, a member of the N.E.R.D.S, joins up with his teammates to stop him. But oh no! The villain has concocted a device that deprives them of their powers! Duncan is devastated. He relies on his powers, along with technology, to be a good spy, and now he can only rely on tech. But what will happen when technology is taken from him too? I really like this book series and plan on reading more of it. The story is very clear and easy to follow, and Buckley throws in some clever humor to lighten the mood. This is a great book to read when you feel like having an adventure!
The details: 246 pages; 2010 Review by Maylie N.
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.03, 2015, under Adventure, Humorous, Mystery, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers looking for a funny book that has something for everyone will find it in Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman with illustrations by Skottie Young.
The goods on this book: Narrated by the serious brother, the wacky plot starts out with a common family dilemma: they are out of milk. Unfortunately for this particular family, their highly capable mother has left, so their father must now take on the responsibility of going to the shop on the corner to pick up some milk.
The brother and sister wait and wait for “Ages and ages” for their father to return with the milk. When he arrives back home with the milk (fortunately), he must explain what took him so long. His explanation catapults the book into a convoluted, fantastical adventure in which the hapless father saves the world.
It turns out that their father, after purchasing the milk, was whisked up into the spaceship of globby green aliens bent on redecorating the Earth with plastic flamingoes. He escapes their threats and falls through the space-time continuum into a pirate ship, where he stands up to the Queen of Pirates, insisting that he must help his children with their breakfast instead of joining her. He demands to walk the plank, from which he is rescued by the time-traveling stegosaurus Professor Steg in the “Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier.”
At this point in the book, the father’s wild ride has just begun. As he and Professor Steg try to return him to his children and their breakfast, they encounter a parade of preposterous characters that will delight any reader with a silly bone. The added complexity of Professor Steg’s Time Machine will captivate the reader who prefers to figure out puzzling plot twists that offer simple amusement on the surface but carry social commentary for those inclined to notice.
The imaginative pen-and-ink illustrations by Skottie Young also work on two levels, both as wonderful illustrations that complement the text and also as part of the story itself. One wonders about whether the text motivated the illustrations or vice versa.
It’s tempting to read this book quickly and be entertained by its hilarity, but rewards await those who take the time to savor the book’s language and consider its careful construction. Many satisfying discoveries hide in the humor of both text and illustrations in Fortunately, the Milk!
The details: 101 pages, 2013 Review by Samrarian
Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.30, 2014, under Humorous, Science Fiction, Student Reviews, Uncategorized
Review by Nick H.
Who would like this book? People who like a darker book with criminals would like this book.
The goods on this book: Cadel lives in Australia. He is a super genius. His main category is computers and electronics programming. Hacking into the school is toooo easy for him, so he hacks the military and government systems. He leaves no trace nor harm. This is him at 7 years old. He only got caught hacking once. His punishment was he could not go anywhere near any computer. He got taken to a psychologist named Thaddus Roth. That is where we start. During their first meeting Thaddus Roth let him go on his computer. He had him meet his real dad and he allowed him to do even more. If you want to hear what all happens to Cadel, read this page turner. By the end, you will feel like it was the last book in the series, but no, this is only the first one.
The details: 486 pages; 2005 Review by Nick H.
I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.15, 2014, under Bullying, Humorous, Student Reviews
Review by Nick H.
Who would like this book? Both boys and girls, grades 6 and up, would like this book.
The goods on this book: The main character is named Oliver. He is a genius, and he is 12. He is the third richest person in the world and not many people know that, not even his family. In school everybody thinks he’s idiotic. He has bodyguards at school that protect him from boys. He loves his mom but despises his dad. His dad doesn’t like him very much because he thinks he’s idiotic. Oliver wants to be the class president because his dad was the class president when he was a kid. His dad was talking about how much it meant to him. Oliver wants to do it because it would mess up his dad’s entire childhood. I really love this book because it’s hilarious but has a bit of a serious side to it. It has a bit of bad language but besides that it’s all okay.
The details: 302 pages; 2009 Review by Nick H.
Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Aug.31, 2014, under Humorous, Real life, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? If you like musical theatre and/or funny books written in the first person, then grab this book!
The goods on this book: Nate Foster, 13, has been obsessed with musical theater (along with his best friend Libby) for years. He is stuck in a small town in Pennsylvania with parents who have no interest in helping him pursue his dream of landing a part in the upcoming Broadway production of ET: The Musical. He just knows that if he can only get to New York City for an audition, the part of Elliott would be his. It’s not giving too much away to let you know that Libby provides an alibi so that Nate can catch a Greyhound to the Big Apple. His secret adventure is hilarious, frustrating, and enlightening, especially because the point of view and voice of Nate is funny, honest, and insightful. The character of Nate is nonstop entertainment; the other kids who are auditioning, their parents, the director and staff at the audition, random New Yorkers, and Nate’s family members add a lot to his story. I got to read this book while I was in New York City, so I really loved it!
This book is an ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2014 nominee.
The details: 275 pages; 2013 Review by Samrarian
Ungifted by Gordan Korman
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.28, 2014, under Battle of the Books 2014-2015, Humorous, Real life, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? Guys and girls, grades 5 through 8, looking for a funny and meaningful book from multiple points of view.
The goods on this book: In Ungifted, Gordan Korman shows with humor and insight that labels can become self-fulfilling prophecies and that sometimes administrators and teachers have more to learn than their students.
Donovan Curtis, supreme prankster of Hardcastle Middle School, does not control his impulses. When the school’s statue of Atlas catches his attention, he does not hesitate before grabbing a fallen tree branch and whacking the statue hard on the posterior. Just as Donovan is enjoying the payoff of the “g-o-o-ng” sound from the vibration of the hollow metal body, the bolt holding the globe on the shoulders of Atlas snaps. The giant globe, out of Donovan’s control, rolls downhill and crashes into the glass doors of the gymnasium, bringing an important basketball game to a loud, chaotic end.
Unfortunately for Donovan, the superintendent of the school district was attending the game and catches Donovan in the full flush of his guilt. Donovan braces for expulsion. Instead, his family is ecstatically proud when he receives an invitation, signed by the superintendent, for Donovan to attend the Academy of Scholastic Distinction, the district’s elite school for gifted students.
At first, Donovan’s motivation to blend in with the smart kids is to take advantage of the lucky bureaucratic mix-up and hide out from the superintendent. This motivation slowly changes as Donovan gets to know the individual students and inadvertently earns their appreciation when his talents help in the robotics contest and his resourcefulness saves them in their Human Growth and Development class.
Korman effectively uses seven first person narrators to move the story forward in a way that undercuts stereotypes with clever and satisfying surprises. Though Ungifted is mainly Donovan’s story, the other narrators also make significant realizations amidst the hilarious plot twists.
For readers looking for a fun book with good potential as a read-aloud, Ungifted is a good bet.
The details: 280 pages, 2012 Review by Samrarian
I Even Funnier by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.14, 2014, under Bullying, Humorous, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Spencer D.
Who would like this book? Anyone who read the first book, who likes jokes, and who loves to read about crazy stories about adventures, and find out what happened after the first book. (I Funny)
The goods on this book: In the second book, Jamie Grimm, a kid who is in a wheel chair because of an automobile accident, goes to a regular middle school, where you have the regular bullies, Stevie Kosgrov, Useless, and Zits. Stevie named his two “pals,” and apparently, they don’t care. Anyway, Stevie is, you guessed it, Jamie’s cousin! Jamie lives with him and his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Smiley! (…Or Kosgrov) Jamie calls them the Smiley family, because they don’t really smile. Or laugh. Or do anything FUN. Whoopie. Jamie lives in the garage because there was not any room anywhere else in the house. So… Jamie has some alone time, in what some call it: Garage Life. (More like what I call it.) Anyway, Jamie tries to become the World’s Funniest Kid Comic, and something comes up… Very serious. Uncle Frank has a… problem. (sorry, NO spoilers! :D) Anyway, read on to find out what happens to Jamie Grimm! 😀
The details: 344 pages; 2013 Review by Spencer D.
Ungifted by Gordan Korman
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.28, 2014, under Battle of the Books 2014-2015, Humorous, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Spencer D.
Who would like this book? Anyone who likes robotics, smart people, babies, and… trouble. It can be for anyone, and it has craziness in all the pages where you just can’t stop reading.
The goods on this book: The book’s main character is Donovan Curtis, and his best friends are Daniel and Daniel, or the Daniels. Due to an administrative mix-up, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction, a gifted school for brainiacs! All because of a major prank! Donovan goes into hiding at the academy and helps save all the brainiacs from summer school! What the gifted kids lack, Donovan has in a level that overflows! He invites these brainiacs to Youtube, WWE wrestling, and helps them in a robotics match against the dreaded winners two years in a row! Read more to find out what happens to Donovan, and find out if he really is Ungifted!
The details: 280 pages; 2012 Review by Spencer D.
Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.22, 2014, under Humorous, Student Reviews
Review by Spencer D.
Who would like this book? Anyone who likes a little mystery, and anyone who would love to read about fake mustaches, sticky hands, and crazy murderers who want their mustaches back! All should read this interesting, but also confusing story, and read until the end!
The goods on this book: This story is in the city of Hairsprinkle, and the main character is Lenny Flem, Jr. His friend buys a $129.99 mustache which belonged to a psycho killer who got away with lots of money, and over 100 assassinations! This causes Lenny’s friend to go crazy, where he robs a few banks, becomes rich, and then tries to take over the world!What else will happen to Lenny’s friend, and why is a cowgirl named Jodie O’ Rodeo in this book? Find out more when you read Fake Mustache! I think this book deserves two thumbs up, and maybe a few pats on the back! It really is a crazy, but interesting story!
The details: 196 pages; 2012 Review by Spencer D.
Middle School: How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill by James Patterson
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.21, 2014, under Humorous, Student Reviews
Review by Spencer D.
Who would like this book? Anyone who read the first three books and want more Rafe action! Everyone will scream (and even break a few rules) to see some more jokes, humor, and all that good stuff from your good pal, Rafe Khatchadorian.
The goods on this book: This book takes Rafe to Summer Camp (more like Summer Prison) and one he won’t forget! Rafe is put in a cabin with what seems to be some cool kids. But all that changes when everyone meets the Camp Jerks of Bobcat Alley! Prank after prank, the war seems over and kind of one sided, but Rafe and friends chug on! They pull a few of their own puns, and it gets them in some deep trouble. One camper goes home! All the campers can see what the Bobcats are thinking: One down, too many left! Who wins in this one-sided prank war at what seems to be the most “common” camp ever?
The details: 309 pages; 2013 Review by Spencer D.
