Even Stevens: The Stevens Get Even: Junior Novel

by Scott Ciencin (Adapter)

Based on the #1-rated, Emmy-nominated Disney Channel television series, which earned a Parents Television Council Seal of Approval, The Stevens Get Even sweeps the Stevens family far from their suburban home to a dream vacation on an uncharted island. What they don't know is that they haven't "won" this fantastic trip, they've been secretly set up for a reality TV show. The unscrupulous host is not only secretly filming them, but also manipulating events to turn the family members against each other. But don't worry, the Stevens get even! When they discover the truth, they turn the tables on the show that duped them.

140 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2004

About the author

Scott Ciencin was a New York Times best-selling novelist of 90+ books. He wrote adult and children's fiction and worked in a variety of mediums including comic books. He created programs for Scholastic Books, designed trading cards, consulted on video games, directed and produced audio programs & TV commercials, and wrote in the medical field about neurosurgery and neurology. He first worked in TV production as a writer, producer and director. He lived in Sarasota, Florida with his wife (and sometimes co-author) Denise.

(Also wrote under the pseudonyms Nick Baron and L.J. Oliver)

Reviews

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book written by Scott Ciencin.

I am a big fan of the Disney TV Show, Even Stevens, so I was excited to read "Even Stevens: The Stevens Get Even." I love the twist ending! "Gotcha!" (pg. 131)

I also love the movie, "The Truman Show" starring actor Jim Carrey. This story is a spoof on that movie... with controlled weather, actors, props, hidden cameras, a fake set, security guys grabbing unwanted visitors, a 'Please Stand By' logo as programming went off-air... and all of this for a new reality show: Family Fake-Out. Viewers could vote online during the program, the insta-poll numbers displaying on the screen (pg. 91 - 92). Mootai in this book is equal to the actor playing Lauren from "The Truman Show."

"Ren murmured on the TV screen. "The only thing that I want to be real is you" (pg. 102).

I love going back to the year 2005. Tugnut brags about finding information on "these things called a Web site" (pg. 85).

I laughed so much reading this book. Just *some* of the comedy aspects include:
Hungry birds chasing Coach Tugnut who was covered in spaghetti (pg. 11).
The Lounge-O-Matic chasing Ren and Louis (pg. 24).
Louis offers Tuka Corn Snacky as a token of apology for destroying his palace (pg. 46 - 47).
Mootai explaining what 'feasting' is to Ren: "It is like eating, but with bigger plates" (pg. 58).
Donnie is excited, thinking that the decision to be 'shunned' by the islanders is a good thing (pg. 61).
"We only ate all the food so we could be forgiven by Oprah" (pg.63).
Tuka doesn't know... taps at the hidden receiver in his ear for the answer (pg. 106).

It was about half-way through the book when the readers learn that the Stevens family is being set up for a TV show. Beans is the first to get suspicious, asking inquisitive questions or observations to Miles. Tawny explains everything to the Stevens family on page 115.

"How can everything be so horrible and so wonderful at the same time?" (pg. 57).

The pineapple hats Ren and Louis are wearing on the front cover of the book are from the traditional Mandelino Hat of Friendship ceremony.

The book ends with a note written by Beans titled: "How We Spent Our Summer Vacation"

The message of the story: Loved ones argue. Challenging moments do happen... but through it all, family sticks together!

Is the Book "The Stevens Get Even" better than the Movie version?
Find out on my Blog Series titled Book Vs Movie:
👉 https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...