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Miracle Wimp
Certain to appeal to boys, Miracle Wimp takes readers on an episodic journey that is sure to keep them laughing. The story follows Tom Mayo as he navigates his way through wood shop, dating, driving, and the meat-headed Donkeys, bullies who are determined to make his life miserable. Filled with humorous details and sardonic wit, Erik Kraft deftly portrays high school through the eyes of a wise-cracking misfit.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 25, 2009
Miracle Wimp, by Erik P. Kraft
Summary:
This story is a teen(juvenile) fiction story of Tom Mayo. He classifies himself as a geek, mostly because he doesn't relate to any of the Donkeys(popular croud who tend to be bullies) or Heads(smokers). Tom gets the nickname of "miracle wimp" from his last name Mayo, which the Donkeys relate to "Miracle Whip". Tom's main challenges are escaping wedgies, dating, driving. Along with these, Tom gets put in Wood Shop(full of Donkeys) because of a computer error. This makes Tom think that there's a super computer that determines everything that happens to him. Throughout the story Tom depicts events in his life in little, funny cartoons that always keep you laughing. I found it easy to relate with him when he is being labeled as a geek, where though it wasn't as extreme I believe people tend to think of me sort of as a nerd.
Explanation of Review:
I gave this book 3 stars because although it is very funny, it lacks a good plot. The book moves forward in bullet-point format, meaning little relation between events, leaving you sort of confused. Also, the ending comes so quickly it leaves you dumbfounded and wondering "this is the end?!?". Even so, this book kept me laughing the whole way through. I would recommend this to any high-school guy who wants a straight forward book and a few laughs.
A favorite quote:"He was fast, buy I was faster," Mr.Boort mumbled...(the author also drew the picture below)
________________
| Race Results |
|----------------|
|1.Mr.Boort |
|2.Guy with hat |
|3.Someone slow |
|4.Legless Willy |
|________________|
Summary:
This story is a teen(juvenile) fiction story of Tom Mayo. He classifies himself as a geek, mostly because he doesn't relate to any of the Donkeys(popular croud who tend to be bullies) or Heads(smokers). Tom gets the nickname of "miracle wimp" from his last name Mayo, which the Donkeys relate to "Miracle Whip". Tom's main challenges are escaping wedgies, dating, driving. Along with these, Tom gets put in Wood Shop(full of Donkeys) because of a computer error. This makes Tom think that there's a super computer that determines everything that happens to him. Throughout the story Tom depicts events in his life in little, funny cartoons that always keep you laughing. I found it easy to relate with him when he is being labeled as a geek, where though it wasn't as extreme I believe people tend to think of me sort of as a nerd.
Explanation of Review:
I gave this book 3 stars because although it is very funny, it lacks a good plot. The book moves forward in bullet-point format, meaning little relation between events, leaving you sort of confused. Also, the ending comes so quickly it leaves you dumbfounded and wondering "this is the end?!?". Even so, this book kept me laughing the whole way through. I would recommend this to any high-school guy who wants a straight forward book and a few laughs.
A favorite quote:"He was fast, buy I was faster," Mr.Boort mumbled...(the author also drew the picture below)
________________
| Race Results |
|----------------|
|1.Mr.Boort |
|2.Guy with hat |
|3.Someone slow |
|4.Legless Willy |
|________________|
April 28, 2014
This book has its place in a library. Just not my library. My son found it in a used bookstore, and I read it to make sure it was appropriate for him. It was, almost too appropriate. Meaning, sixteen year olds (as the narrator) are not that clean. The main character could have done with a little more roughness around the edges. As such, the voice was rather uneven. Tom, the main character, seemed to be on the same social and intellectual level as my middle schooler, and so I would forget how old he was supposed to be and would have a mild surprise when he did something like drive.
Certain major plot developments were kind of brushed off with minimal introspection, and some obvious conclusions weren't obvious to the characters.
I tend to like young adult books. I find the plots and emotional and intellectual journeys of the characters to be more creative and insightful than in a lot of books written for adults. This was a book that might work for young teens, but doesn't translate to adults.
That said, this is probably a good book to give to a 7th or 8th grader who doesn't like to read. Something good for a teacher to keep on her shelf in the classroom. The chapters are short -- usually only a page or two -- and there are entertaining 'doodles' supposedly drawn by Tom -- that would appeal to boys who are intimidated by books with lines and lines or text with no white space.
Certain major plot developments were kind of brushed off with minimal introspection, and some obvious conclusions weren't obvious to the characters.
I tend to like young adult books. I find the plots and emotional and intellectual journeys of the characters to be more creative and insightful than in a lot of books written for adults. This was a book that might work for young teens, but doesn't translate to adults.
That said, this is probably a good book to give to a 7th or 8th grader who doesn't like to read. Something good for a teacher to keep on her shelf in the classroom. The chapters are short -- usually only a page or two -- and there are entertaining 'doodles' supposedly drawn by Tom -- that would appeal to boys who are intimidated by books with lines and lines or text with no white space.
July 14, 2009
Love it!!! This is a perfect book for the reluctant reader. It has short, humorous chapters that are accompanied by sketches that are equally as funny. Although it's geared more towards boys, there's actually a love story tucked away in it. It doesn't start until the middle, so boys will be hooked already.
This would be a great boys' book club choice for reluctant readers. One thought though, because of some of the content (boners to name one) the facilitator might want to be a male teacher. Just a thought.
This would be a great boys' book club choice for reluctant readers. One thought though, because of some of the content (boners to name one) the facilitator might want to be a male teacher. Just a thought.
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March 8, 2022this was a really good book i enjoyed it because its about a highschool boy who doesn't get very much attention because he was kind of the weird kid that is really quiet and doesn't talk a lot and one day him and his one friend find a book about being cool and one of the things that stuck out to them were
throwing a big party at there house and your clothing so one day they throw a big party at his house when his parents leave for their anniversary and the kids throw the biggest party ever and it went really out of hand there were only supposed to be like 50 people there and 800 + people showed up to the party and a little but before the party they went and talked to this guy to be a bodyguard for the party and they stole a nome from his house and later that night in the party the guy that the stole the nome from tries to kill them. And my favorite person in the book is tom mayo because he is the one that sets up the whole party for every one and when he goes back to school he is like the coolest dude cause he threw that party.
throwing a big party at there house and your clothing so one day they throw a big party at his house when his parents leave for their anniversary and the kids throw the biggest party ever and it went really out of hand there were only supposed to be like 50 people there and 800 + people showed up to the party and a little but before the party they went and talked to this guy to be a bodyguard for the party and they stole a nome from his house and later that night in the party the guy that the stole the nome from tries to kill them. And my favorite person in the book is tom mayo because he is the one that sets up the whole party for every one and when he goes back to school he is like the coolest dude cause he threw that party.
April 7, 2019
the book miracle whip was good in my opinion because it really tried to make the main character tom mayo really likeable and funny. I think it would most appeal to middle school kids because it would help show what high school is like. Trying to get a girlfriend is tough and so is passing all of the classes.this book tries to help people what to expect when high school rolls around.
when kids start to get older this book tries to describe how getting older feels and with the drawings all throughout the book it helps visualize how he sees the world through his eyes . the drawings also help people see how groups of people in high school would act to each other .
I think these are the best reasons on how this book was well written.I also think that the drawings also helped emphasize the "high school kid" vibe.
when kids start to get older this book tries to describe how getting older feels and with the drawings all throughout the book it helps visualize how he sees the world through his eyes . the drawings also help people see how groups of people in high school would act to each other .
I think these are the best reasons on how this book was well written.I also think that the drawings also helped emphasize the "high school kid" vibe.
December 8, 2017
this book is a very inertaining book. and if you like to be a trouble maker this is a book that will show you ways you can do it. it basically tells how this kid is very mischievous. and also how the teacher think he is a good kid. so he can get away with a lot. he is very smart. if i go any father it will spoil it
December 3, 2017
I read this in high school and loved it. I thought it was funny, sometimes insightful and overall a great, quick read - especially for those who are reluctant to read or have minimal reading time. I don't know if I would still enjoy it now as an adult but it holds a spot in my top 100 books from my youth.
July 4, 2019
A little undercooked, but pretty entertaining and a speedy read.
August 19, 2015
There is a continuous book sale at my library. Today I picked up this book because I like bright fun looking spines and I'll usually pick up the book to see what it's about if I like the spine. I flipped through and I liked the format, too - short, almost journal entries not longer than a couple pages, most less than one - and it had pictures. I was sold. I bought it and took it home. I figured it wouldn't take me long at all so I started it and finished it.
It's a teenage boy's journey through high school. There are a lot of standard subjects - bullying (getting bullied and bullying others), girlfriends, driver's licenses, feelings about teachers and classes, etc. It was well told from a teenage boy's view. For that reason it would appeal much more to boys, not really to me.
With the format it was in we didn't really get to know any of the secondary characters a whole lot, but there were some good ones out of the ones we did meet. I wish the relationship with Mr. would've been expanded on. I really liked him and wanted to learn more about him.
This reminded me a little of Catcher in the Rye, mostly because it's a lot of just pondering about life and it has a lot of the inner thoughts from both male leads. Tom is much more of a good boy - he didn't go to parties or hit on girls or smoke or do drugs, etc. There are a couple of places that have bad language, though.
Decent book about high school boys and their thoughts and actions. Nothing spectacular, but not bad.
*Has bad language in a few spots, talks about smoking, drugs, and sex but nothing in detail.
It's a teenage boy's journey through high school. There are a lot of standard subjects - bullying (getting bullied and bullying others), girlfriends, driver's licenses, feelings about teachers and classes, etc. It was well told from a teenage boy's view. For that reason it would appeal much more to boys, not really to me.
With the format it was in we didn't really get to know any of the secondary characters a whole lot, but there were some good ones out of the ones we did meet. I wish the relationship with Mr. would've been expanded on. I really liked him and wanted to learn more about him.
This reminded me a little of Catcher in the Rye, mostly because it's a lot of just pondering about life and it has a lot of the inner thoughts from both male leads. Tom is much more of a good boy - he didn't go to parties or hit on girls or smoke or do drugs, etc. There are a couple of places that have bad language, though.
Decent book about high school boys and their thoughts and actions. Nothing spectacular, but not bad.
*Has bad language in a few spots, talks about smoking, drugs, and sex but nothing in detail.
June 21, 2023
This is a book that a grabbed from the library - like cheesy 80s/90s teen horror, books definitely geared toward 8th grade boys are kind of my guilty pleasures. And it looked like it had basically everything that I would secretly love in a book, all of those fun tropes.
But it sort of came off as a less effective Winger.
I mean, I know that this book came out a few years before Winger, so I'm not saying it's a copy. I'm just saying that you've got a main character who's got some problems with bullies and stuff, said main character likes to draw, there's a tragedy featuring a side character. But while Winger was effective, both for me and a lot of other people, this one just sort of... fell flat.
The story is told in one-or-two-page chapters - they're almost vignettes, the way they're written, and because of this, there's such a disconnect. You do get to know the main character, but all of the side characters are fairly flat, the plot is nonexistent, and it just sort of... doesn't do much more than kill time for an hour or so. So it's interesting. I didn't dislike it. But it was just sort of... fine.
November 15, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
MIRACLE WIMP by Erik P. Kraft is the account of life as a high school nerd. Tom Mayo, yes Mayo, hence the nickname Miracle Wimp, tells his story.
Early on, Tom attempts to explain how he tried to tell his tormentors the Donkeys (jock-types) that mayonnaise and Miracle Whip were not the same, but no one ever said the Donkeys were very bright.
As many will remember, high school can be filled with "painful" moments, and Tom describes them well. Constructed in one to two page snippets, MIRACLE WIMP is one high school torture after another. There are wedgie victims, a terrifying shop teacher with pointless shop class projects, gym class tortures like group showers, "flag" football, and wrestling, not to mention first dates and the nerve-racking fear of driver's ed.
Anyone with high school experience can relate to Tom's stories. Spend two hours at a local diner drinking coffee and eating pickle spears? According to Tom Mayo, that's a pretty cool thing to do when you are a high school kid with very little money, especially if the coffee is 50 cents and the pickles are free.
MIRACLE WIMP is a fast read with its short chapters and plentiful chuckles. It should be a success with both current and up-and-coming high schoolers as well as a few adults who want to remember the "good old days."
MIRACLE WIMP by Erik P. Kraft is the account of life as a high school nerd. Tom Mayo, yes Mayo, hence the nickname Miracle Wimp, tells his story.
Early on, Tom attempts to explain how he tried to tell his tormentors the Donkeys (jock-types) that mayonnaise and Miracle Whip were not the same, but no one ever said the Donkeys were very bright.
As many will remember, high school can be filled with "painful" moments, and Tom describes them well. Constructed in one to two page snippets, MIRACLE WIMP is one high school torture after another. There are wedgie victims, a terrifying shop teacher with pointless shop class projects, gym class tortures like group showers, "flag" football, and wrestling, not to mention first dates and the nerve-racking fear of driver's ed.
Anyone with high school experience can relate to Tom's stories. Spend two hours at a local diner drinking coffee and eating pickle spears? According to Tom Mayo, that's a pretty cool thing to do when you are a high school kid with very little money, especially if the coffee is 50 cents and the pickles are free.
MIRACLE WIMP is a fast read with its short chapters and plentiful chuckles. It should be a success with both current and up-and-coming high schoolers as well as a few adults who want to remember the "good old days."
March 1, 2015
Dear Diary of a Fairy Godmother, this is how you write a book that feels like it's excerpts from a diary.
I really liked the format of this book. It seemed to be perfect for the story it told. I really liked Tom's voice - we was witty and had some good thoughts in his head. I even liked how he realized that sometime he wasn't any better than the people he was complaining about, and I was REALLY happy with how his having a girlfriend played out. Because that's life. So well done Erik P. Kraft.
All together, it was a decent book, and I enjoyed reading it. It kind of felt like you were just listening to the musings of a friend. And that was cool.
I really liked the format of this book. It seemed to be perfect for the story it told. I really liked Tom's voice - we was witty and had some good thoughts in his head. I even liked how he realized that sometime he wasn't any better than the people he was complaining about, and I was REALLY happy with how his having a girlfriend played out. Because that's life. So well done Erik P. Kraft.
All together, it was a decent book, and I enjoyed reading it. It kind of felt like you were just listening to the musings of a friend. And that was cool.
May 23, 2014
After finishing Miracle Wimp I instantly gained more interest in reading books by Erik P. Kraft. The book is about a teenager named Tom Mayo, which is where the name of the book comes from.. Miracle Whip (Mayonaise), Miracle Wimp. He is the average highschool kid who just wants to fit in with everyone else, although he really isn't successful with it. Through out the book he meets friends and starts talking to more and more people but he still doesn't quite fit in with the crowd he wished he could fit in with. After each page of this book I was looking forward to reading the next one because each and every page was so funny. I give the book a four only because it was a short book, if it were longer I'd of given it a five. Other than the length everything about this book was spectacular and I would recommend this to any comedy fan, even if you're just looking for a quick laugh this is the book you should read.
May 29, 2013
All around the book is pretty good. It kept you entertained and laughing throughout. The story is about a boy in high school named Tom Mayo. He calls himself a geek because he doesn't quite fit in with the Heads (smokers) or the Donkeys (bullies/jocks). The Donkeys call him Miracle Wimp because his last name is Mayo. Towards the end of the novel, he gets a girlfriend who lives in another town, so the last %0 or so pages talks about the complications of being in a relationship and what not. The ending comes rather quick and leaves you hanging, which is why I gave it a 3 star review. I would recommend it though to any guy in high school who wants to read a quick novel that will make them laugh.
May 15, 2015
I really enjoyed (Miracle Wimp) by Erik P. Kraft, because it shows how it was in school for a kid our age. The book is all about tom who is the main character who is a nerd and gets picked on by the donkeys (jocks). Threw out the book he explained how he did in school and how he got away with it.
The book was in first person view from tom. It all explains what happened to him in high school and how he reacted and handled it. He handles being picked on by the donkeys (jocks) by grouping up with other nerd so the donkeys (jocks) don't want to go against all of them.
It takes place in modern time at a high school. It is in a big city were there all a lot of kids running around.
I would recommend it to eight graders and above to explane the problems and what happens in high school.
The book was in first person view from tom. It all explains what happened to him in high school and how he reacted and handled it. He handles being picked on by the donkeys (jocks) by grouping up with other nerd so the donkeys (jocks) don't want to go against all of them.
It takes place in modern time at a high school. It is in a big city were there all a lot of kids running around.
I would recommend it to eight graders and above to explane the problems and what happens in high school.
October 6, 2008
A kid named Tom Mayo is just trying to survive high school, shop class, and awkward first dates. He's been nicknamed "Miracle Wimp" by what he calls the Donkeys, though he's tried to explain "that Miracle Whip is not technically mayonnaise, it's actually "salad dressing" (read the label), but all I get is, "Yeah, whatever, Miracle Wimp," so I've given up trying."
Tom tries to be cool, and fails, then he tries to be dorky, and somehow ends up being kinda cool. Illustrated with cartoon line drawings, and with short chapters, the story doesn't really go anywhere in particular, just like real life. This is a very funny, sarcastic book. I liked it!
Tom tries to be cool, and fails, then he tries to be dorky, and somehow ends up being kinda cool. Illustrated with cartoon line drawings, and with short chapters, the story doesn't really go anywhere in particular, just like real life. This is a very funny, sarcastic book. I liked it!
April 1, 2012
On my quest to read more “boy books” I came across Miracle Wimp by Erik P. Kraft, and immediately was drawn to the cover. I love this cover! The bright yellow and blue with hand drawn title is amazingly eye-catching, but not in a retina burning way! Anyway, back to my quest to find more books that will appeal to boys, I’m pretty sure this one is mission accomplished!
To view the complete review go here: http://booktasty.wordpress.com/2012/0...
To view the complete review go here: http://booktasty.wordpress.com/2012/0...
May 20, 2009
I'm not sure if it's because I just finished reading Carter Finally Gets It or if this book truly bores me, but I struggled to push my way through the last half of it. The book is a fast read, but it just didn't grab me like I thought it would. I can't even remember laughing at pieces of this book. If you read Carter Finally Gets It, this book is extremely disappointing.
You could read it to your kids, but why? There are better books that would hook your kids into reading.
You could read it to your kids, but why? There are better books that would hook your kids into reading.
July 13, 2010
I am surprised that the overall rating for this book isn't higher because I really liked it. The short-entry format is great and definately would be appealing to young male readers. The cartoon drawings are great, too. The message in the book is great - adolescent males need fun books that come from the point-of-view of someone struggling to find his way. There is some mature content and language, so, as an educator, I would probably recommend for 9th or 10th grade readers.
January 26, 2012
It was kind of cute... I found this book in the 'e-library', & this was my 3rd book read as an e-book, checked out from the library. It relates back to those old days of 9th-12th grades...where alot of 'learning' takes place! I guess those experiences in those grades keep repeating, still today! Kind of funny to be reminded of those days in a book, but I sure wouldn't want to go back & relive them!
January 21, 2016
0.5/4 F
I was really close to giving this book 0 stars. A few things save it, but pretty much all of these things, including the ones that give this half a star, are unnecessary, unfunny, unimaginative, and unexciting. What was Erik P. Kraft thinking, dismissing so many opportunities, including a moral-worthy death?
You can read my full review at http://weldonwitness.weebly.com/books...
I was really close to giving this book 0 stars. A few things save it, but pretty much all of these things, including the ones that give this half a star, are unnecessary, unfunny, unimaginative, and unexciting. What was Erik P. Kraft thinking, dismissing so many opportunities, including a moral-worthy death?
You can read my full review at http://weldonwitness.weebly.com/books...
April 13, 2012
tom mayo, aka "miracle wimp" shares his thoughts on life, love, high school, and his shop teacher's pants in these short vignettes illustrated with goofy comics. this book totally cracked me up. i think reluctant readers would like it because the chapters are only a page or two, but kraft manages to sum up high school perfectly and hilariously.
August 17, 2008
Amusing teen read and PG coming of age story of Tom Mayo, aka "Miracle Wimp," who manages to be an angst-filled teen while maintaining a sense of humor and engaging his values. The ending could have used some work but the book was funny and moved along at a good clip, in part because half of it was filled with goofy notebook doodles.
November 28, 2011
Tom Mayo is a funny guy and a sophomore in high school. This book is told like a journal of entries, his thoughts and feelings and a few instances at school that stand out his memory. Each chapter is peppered with doodles as well. Fast, easy read. Tom doesn't really read like a high school student so much to me, there is not a lot about girls, so the book reads very young.
October 11, 2007
Weak. Short segments but reading this book really dragged out for me. "Illustrated" throughout but the term "illustrated" is generous to the sketches.
The cover recalls Napolean Dynamite, and this book is sort of a poor imitation of that aesthetic with less humor, heart and plot.
The cover recalls Napolean Dynamite, and this book is sort of a poor imitation of that aesthetic with less humor, heart and plot.
July 28, 2008
Fun and relatable. The book's narrator is an Everyman high school student, not part of the popular crowd but also not the bottom of the barrel. Tom Mayo's experiences with friends (and ex-friends), driving, girlfriends, and Boogietown Dance Party will appeal to even the most reluctant readers.
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October 18, 2009I thought this book was HILARIOUS! It did say some bad words so you should ask your parents before you read it. This book actually seemed like an exaggerated version of high school. I would recommend Miracle Wimp for both boys and girls.
November 7, 2011
Miracle Wimp cracked me up. The drawings are fun and Tom's comments seem to nail high school hierarchy.
I agree with Kara though - great for reluctant readers but not Thumbs Up top 20. (KDL)
http://thumbsupaward.blogspot.com/sea...
I agree with Kara though - great for reluctant readers but not Thumbs Up top 20. (KDL)
http://thumbsupaward.blogspot.com/sea...
June 23, 2015
Great book for boys. Main character is a boy desperate to be cool, try hard funny and hanging on the fringes of the cool crowd. I liked the style, short passages and almost journal style. Lovely cast of characters.
December 26, 2007
This book was very original and it was a quick read! I especially liked the narrator's sense of humor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews