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The Awesome Almost 100% True Adventures of Matt & Craz
A magical pen causes creative chaos in this quirky, comic-style story from the author of Milo.
Best friends Matt and Larry “Craz” Crazinski couldn’t be more different. Matt loves order, while Craz lives on the edge. The boys share a passion for cartooning, but thanks to the school paper gatekeeper (and kind-of bully), Skip Turkle, it seems their cartoons will never be published.
But then the boys discover a pen that promises to help them DRAW BETTER NOW!—and quickly realize it’s no ordinary pen: Whatever they draw comes to life!
They start small with their drawings—bags of cash, cool gadgets. Next, they get their pesky English teacher to take a unique and extended vacation. But when the boys get a little bolder in their magical drawings, they realize that things don’t always end up as perfect as the art they create....
In this funny, slightly zany, and ultimately heartwarming story, Sid Fleischman Award–winner Alan Silberberg demonstrates the power of friendship—and that the best life is not always sketched out in advance.
Best friends Matt and Larry “Craz” Crazinski couldn’t be more different. Matt loves order, while Craz lives on the edge. The boys share a passion for cartooning, but thanks to the school paper gatekeeper (and kind-of bully), Skip Turkle, it seems their cartoons will never be published.
But then the boys discover a pen that promises to help them DRAW BETTER NOW!—and quickly realize it’s no ordinary pen: Whatever they draw comes to life!
They start small with their drawings—bags of cash, cool gadgets. Next, they get their pesky English teacher to take a unique and extended vacation. But when the boys get a little bolder in their magical drawings, they realize that things don’t always end up as perfect as the art they create....
In this funny, slightly zany, and ultimately heartwarming story, Sid Fleischman Award–winner Alan Silberberg demonstrates the power of friendship—and that the best life is not always sketched out in advance.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2013
9 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 29, 2015
**Spoiler alert**(Contains minor spoilers)
Do you like drawing? Do you like Witty comics? Do you like fun, comical action? If you answered yes to any of these, then this book is for you! The genre of this book is action/adventure, as its packed with action and adventure. My overall opinion on the book would be pretty good. The is book really caught my eye, as the cover showed a pretty interesting scene. As I read the book, I got more and more interested. This was the perfect book for me! It had everything I liked in a book: Action, comedy, wits, and adventure.
Okay, the book starts off with two unlikely best friends, Matt, a neat and socially awkward drawer, and Craz, A crazy and imaginative writer. As the duo are surfing the web one boring Monday afternoon, they come across a interesting ad, curious and bored, they decide to click on the ad. They find its an ad selling very fine looking pens. They then buy a "special" pen. After the long anticipated following week, Matt and Crazy find a package at Matt's door. They instantly rush over to the package, and find a very simple and unique looking pen inside. They then find out that their pen really is special! It turns ordinary drawings into real life things. Matt and Crazy spend the week drawing up things they could only dream of. The following day they accidentally bump into two other comic writers, and drop the pen. The other comic drawers accidentally take the special pen, and draw a comic of the student council becoming vicious monsters. Soon the comicers are zapped by one of the monsters and encased in green too. It just so happens that Craz walks in the room at that time, get s the pen, and draws up a new comic. The new comic comes to life, and soon the monsters are being attacked by killer bees! The monsters run off in the distance, never to be seen again. The setting takes place at Matt's middle school.
The authors word choice affects the story be giving it the feel as if real kids are actually telling the story. The 1st person point of view affects the story by making you feel how Matt feels towards different people, as well as showing you his emotions. The theme of the book would probably be some thing along the lines of :"Never give up, even when all hope is lost." I think this is the theme because Matt thinks that all hope is lost when the monsters attack and he can't find the special pen.
I was surprised how the end of the book left off. After the killer bees left the school, everything just went back to normal? I feel like that would be very unrealistic. Although its clearly a fictional story, I feel that's a really unrealistic story element. The title of the book really fits the wacky story by being very long and accurately showing how the book is.
I would rate this book a 4/5 as it is very enjoyable yet pretty straightforward and unique. I would recommend this book to anyone craving a short, yet creative and jam packed with action. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the ending leaves you off with a cliffhanger, yet their is no sequel yet. You can thank me later.
Do you like drawing? Do you like Witty comics? Do you like fun, comical action? If you answered yes to any of these, then this book is for you! The genre of this book is action/adventure, as its packed with action and adventure. My overall opinion on the book would be pretty good. The is book really caught my eye, as the cover showed a pretty interesting scene. As I read the book, I got more and more interested. This was the perfect book for me! It had everything I liked in a book: Action, comedy, wits, and adventure.
Okay, the book starts off with two unlikely best friends, Matt, a neat and socially awkward drawer, and Craz, A crazy and imaginative writer. As the duo are surfing the web one boring Monday afternoon, they come across a interesting ad, curious and bored, they decide to click on the ad. They find its an ad selling very fine looking pens. They then buy a "special" pen. After the long anticipated following week, Matt and Crazy find a package at Matt's door. They instantly rush over to the package, and find a very simple and unique looking pen inside. They then find out that their pen really is special! It turns ordinary drawings into real life things. Matt and Crazy spend the week drawing up things they could only dream of. The following day they accidentally bump into two other comic writers, and drop the pen. The other comic drawers accidentally take the special pen, and draw a comic of the student council becoming vicious monsters. Soon the comicers are zapped by one of the monsters and encased in green too. It just so happens that Craz walks in the room at that time, get s the pen, and draws up a new comic. The new comic comes to life, and soon the monsters are being attacked by killer bees! The monsters run off in the distance, never to be seen again. The setting takes place at Matt's middle school.
The authors word choice affects the story be giving it the feel as if real kids are actually telling the story. The 1st person point of view affects the story by making you feel how Matt feels towards different people, as well as showing you his emotions. The theme of the book would probably be some thing along the lines of :"Never give up, even when all hope is lost." I think this is the theme because Matt thinks that all hope is lost when the monsters attack and he can't find the special pen.
I was surprised how the end of the book left off. After the killer bees left the school, everything just went back to normal? I feel like that would be very unrealistic. Although its clearly a fictional story, I feel that's a really unrealistic story element. The title of the book really fits the wacky story by being very long and accurately showing how the book is.
I would rate this book a 4/5 as it is very enjoyable yet pretty straightforward and unique. I would recommend this book to anyone craving a short, yet creative and jam packed with action. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the ending leaves you off with a cliffhanger, yet their is no sequel yet. You can thank me later.
April 26, 2013
Love! Love! Love!
I read Milo Sticky Notes and Brain freeze and knew I'd enjoy this author's new book. Matt and Craz were great best friends and characters. They both had their faults and their strengths. They keep trying to get the school newspaper to accept their comic strip, and they fail. Until they have a magical pen, which makes what they draw come true. Except, sometimes, their drawings are misinterpreted. And then they're in deep trouble.
Alan Silberberg does an incredible job of sneaking in meaningful life while writing a humorous story. All of a sudden i find myself laughing and crying with these characters in the end when the story appears to be just humorous! A great balance.
My son has already it three times within the week of receiving it.
I read Milo Sticky Notes and Brain freeze and knew I'd enjoy this author's new book. Matt and Craz were great best friends and characters. They both had their faults and their strengths. They keep trying to get the school newspaper to accept their comic strip, and they fail. Until they have a magical pen, which makes what they draw come true. Except, sometimes, their drawings are misinterpreted. And then they're in deep trouble.
Alan Silberberg does an incredible job of sneaking in meaningful life while writing a humorous story. All of a sudden i find myself laughing and crying with these characters in the end when the story appears to be just humorous! A great balance.
My son has already it three times within the week of receiving it.
January 5, 2018
Have you ever had thoughts of creating things by just drawing them? In the book "The Awesome Almost 100% True Adventure of Matt & craz", two young boys have a dream of being in the school paper but they have to make an awesome cartoon. After Matt gets an awesome pen some crazy things start to kick off. Through out the book Matt and Craz have to try and figure out how to fix what they messed up.
The things I liked the Most in this book are the characters and all the action that happens. I can't even think of a single bad moment in this book. If it was up to me I would recommend this book to anyone that likes imagination and making them come true. This is my review on one of the best books I've read.
The things I liked the Most in this book are the characters and all the action that happens. I can't even think of a single bad moment in this book. If it was up to me I would recommend this book to anyone that likes imagination and making them come true. This is my review on one of the best books I've read.
September 18, 2018
It was kind of like Captain Underpants, except not as funny. The ending wasn't very satisfying, and it felt a bit moralizing. Now, I'm also not a 10-year-old boy, so maybe the target audience would feel differently! :)
March 1, 2018
It was an amazing book I couldn't stop reading it!
October 3, 2024
So unique and funny. A perfect companion for the Hanukkah holiday. If you adore anthropomorphized food stories, do not miss this series.
July 15, 2013
(*note: I rated this 2/5 because not because it's a badly written book, rather it's not one that I personally enjoy).
I think that the title of this book says it all--a fun, quirky and sometimes exaggerated story of best friends getting into the weirdest imaginable situations.
The storyline is pretty simple, embellished with quirky characters and imaginative "what if" possibilities. The writing style is also well suited to younger readers with its acessible, easy vocabulary and light, comedic tone. However, this doesn't mean that older readers won't enjoy the simple humour. A couple of well-crafted lines made me smile ("The school bell rang, putting an end to lunch but not their hope"). Scattered throughout the chapters are small black-and-white cartoons to supplement the text, adding to the goofiness of this grade school adventure.
Considering that the story is obviously meant to be taken lightly, there weren't too many things plot-wise with which I had issue. However, I do think that the book contains some underdeveloped life lessons. While the book does introduce some important concepts, such as bullying or talking to girls, I personally found that none of these were fully dealt with. For example, in the beginning Matt's brother is presented as a jerk and kind of a bully to his own little brother, but seems to experience a change of heart. Is that because of the cartoon, or because he's realized what he's been like (the brothers never actually talk it out)? I also think that the concept of consequences (to one's actions) could have benefited from a stronger contrast between the "before" and "after" circumstances, moreso in Craz's situation, to better show that the boys actually realize why things are better as they were/that things won't become perfect with the pen. In Craz's case, did he ever really consider what it meant to erase his family from his life, or was he just glad to not have to move to China?
In general, this is an entertaining read that is similar to (and I'd say a step above in terms of content, length, vocabulary, etc.) Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but with a bit more imagination.
I think that the title of this book says it all--a fun, quirky and sometimes exaggerated story of best friends getting into the weirdest imaginable situations.
The storyline is pretty simple, embellished with quirky characters and imaginative "what if" possibilities. The writing style is also well suited to younger readers with its acessible, easy vocabulary and light, comedic tone. However, this doesn't mean that older readers won't enjoy the simple humour. A couple of well-crafted lines made me smile ("The school bell rang, putting an end to lunch but not their hope"). Scattered throughout the chapters are small black-and-white cartoons to supplement the text, adding to the goofiness of this grade school adventure.
Considering that the story is obviously meant to be taken lightly, there weren't too many things plot-wise with which I had issue. However, I do think that the book contains some underdeveloped life lessons. While the book does introduce some important concepts, such as bullying or talking to girls, I personally found that none of these were fully dealt with. For example, in the beginning Matt's brother is presented as a jerk and kind of a bully to his own little brother, but seems to experience a change of heart. Is that because of the cartoon, or because he's realized what he's been like (the brothers never actually talk it out)? I also think that the concept of consequences (to one's actions) could have benefited from a stronger contrast between the "before" and "after" circumstances, moreso in Craz's situation, to better show that the boys actually realize why things are better as they were/that things won't become perfect with the pen. In Craz's case, did he ever really consider what it meant to erase his family from his life, or was he just glad to not have to move to China?
In general, this is an entertaining read that is similar to (and I'd say a step above in terms of content, length, vocabulary, etc.) Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but with a bit more imagination.
November 10, 2014
Hey! Have you ever just wanted to read a comic-style & funny book? But you can never seem to find one? Well this book is for you."
The setting of my book takes place in middle school. Matt and Craz wanted to share a passion for cartooning, but thanks to the school paper gatekeeper (and kind-of bully), Skip Turkle, it seems their cartoons will never be published. So the boys got a magical pen and that pen lets them draw whatever they want and they got carried away with the pen then they drew lots of stuff like money and it all came to life.
The main characters are Matt and Craz because they are mentioned the most through out the story. And they enjoy drawing cartoons. They got a pen that can draw wishes into reality. After they make a fortune by including a bag of money. Now that they discovered there new power they get revenge on there English teacher because they didn't like her so they put her in her favorite book Treasure Islands with pirates. Matt draws a cartoon that reunites his separated parents, because there separated and he wants them to get back together so they can be a family again. But Craz’s wish for more shower time is less successful, erasing his four brothers and sisters. Why did Craz erased his four brothers and sisters, maybe because he didn't like them ass much.
The main characters problem was becoming a cartoonist because they wanted to be a cartoonist but the school paper gatekeeper didn't publish they're drawings. My favorite part was when they send there nasty English teacher to hang out with the pirates in her favorite book Treasure Islands because they didn't like her. Matt and Craz can make anything happen with the pen they have.
I rate this book a four out of five stars because it's funny and full of jokes. Also they have a pen that brings anything to life if I had a pen that drew anything I would do the same as they did. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes to get a good laugh and who likes comics. You never got to seem to find a comic-style and funny book well here you go' this book is exactly for you.
The setting of my book takes place in middle school. Matt and Craz wanted to share a passion for cartooning, but thanks to the school paper gatekeeper (and kind-of bully), Skip Turkle, it seems their cartoons will never be published. So the boys got a magical pen and that pen lets them draw whatever they want and they got carried away with the pen then they drew lots of stuff like money and it all came to life.
The main characters are Matt and Craz because they are mentioned the most through out the story. And they enjoy drawing cartoons. They got a pen that can draw wishes into reality. After they make a fortune by including a bag of money. Now that they discovered there new power they get revenge on there English teacher because they didn't like her so they put her in her favorite book Treasure Islands with pirates. Matt draws a cartoon that reunites his separated parents, because there separated and he wants them to get back together so they can be a family again. But Craz’s wish for more shower time is less successful, erasing his four brothers and sisters. Why did Craz erased his four brothers and sisters, maybe because he didn't like them ass much.
The main characters problem was becoming a cartoonist because they wanted to be a cartoonist but the school paper gatekeeper didn't publish they're drawings. My favorite part was when they send there nasty English teacher to hang out with the pirates in her favorite book Treasure Islands because they didn't like her. Matt and Craz can make anything happen with the pen they have.
I rate this book a four out of five stars because it's funny and full of jokes. Also they have a pen that brings anything to life if I had a pen that drew anything I would do the same as they did. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes to get a good laugh and who likes comics. You never got to seem to find a comic-style and funny book well here you go' this book is exactly for you.
January 21, 2013
Just finished reading this title. Not sure why goodreads doesn't have the title up yet. I predict this book will be a hit among upper elementary and middle school readers because it is so in the vein of the Whimpy Kid series (Abrams, 2007-2012). Not to put any spoilers in this, but the book is filled with cartoon illustrations and turns out to be a fantasy due to a magical pen and ink that main characters Matt and Craz possess. Matt and Craz are best friends who attend Kilgore Junior High School. Matt is the organized rational one and Craz...you guessed it!...is the spastic off the collar wild and crazy opposite. Together, they team up to do whatever they can to get the staff on the school newspaper to accept their cartoon strips for publication, but it seems like nothing can sway the paper's editor to give them a chance...in fact, it seems that no one gives them a chance...their voice is not heard by anyone...they sit at the worse table in the lunch room, Craz can't get a moment to himself with his large family, and Matt can barely stand to enter his own home after his dad has left and his brother and friends have totally trashed the place...then the box of art supplies arrive on Matt's doorstep...a box last seen for purchase on a website that he and Craz were looking at, but never purchased...or did they?
July 31, 2013
Best friends Matt and Craz want nothing but to get their cartoons published in the school journal. Matt is the artist and Craz the "idea guy". Unfortunately the journal's director is a kid who hates them and he even destroys their best comic strip. The two friends come upon an amazing drawing kit that changes their lives for the better and the worst.
This book was written in such a lively manner (word choice and humor), and the voice was spot on.
It made for a great read aloud especially with the crazy adventures that the two friends experienced.
Matt was cautious while Craz was wild and it created a great combination of mayhem and near disasters. They were given a great power and I kept waiting for the first shoe to drop and then the next but was pleasantly surprised by how things turned out instead. I wish I could tell you but that would be a spoiler right?
Let's not forget about the adorable illustrations. They will make you feel as if Matt himself doodled in the book right along with the story.
I believe this book is a great choice for boys but it doesn't mean it's not an option for girls either. Especially if you like goofy characters and hilarious (imagine a teacher and a stinky fart) situations with a healthy dose of chaos.
I gave the book a 3 but it felt more like a 3.5 based on how I enjoyed it. It's a good book, but it's more boy"ish" than I expected.
This book was written in such a lively manner (word choice and humor), and the voice was spot on.
It made for a great read aloud especially with the crazy adventures that the two friends experienced.
Matt was cautious while Craz was wild and it created a great combination of mayhem and near disasters. They were given a great power and I kept waiting for the first shoe to drop and then the next but was pleasantly surprised by how things turned out instead. I wish I could tell you but that would be a spoiler right?
Let's not forget about the adorable illustrations. They will make you feel as if Matt himself doodled in the book right along with the story.
I believe this book is a great choice for boys but it doesn't mean it's not an option for girls either. Especially if you like goofy characters and hilarious (imagine a teacher and a stinky fart) situations with a healthy dose of chaos.
I gave the book a 3 but it felt more like a 3.5 based on how I enjoyed it. It's a good book, but it's more boy"ish" than I expected.
September 29, 2015
For anyone looking for a crazy adventure filled with wacky characters and funny jokes, this is the book for you! One day, two best friends with a love for cartooning, Matt and Craz are looking around the internet for new cartooning supplies when they find a strange site with an offer they can't resuse with a pen they need, from a salseman who doesn't seem right in the head. When they recive the pen, it appears to be a regular old pen, but when they write with it, the cartoons come to life! They can have anything they want whenever they want! However, when the pen falls into the wrong hands it's up to Matt and Craz to save the day. Add in a swarm of deadily killer bees, the most beatiful girl you've ever sneezed on, annoying siblings that you never want to see again, a student council full of aliens and robots and two annoying newspaper authors who are shreading their dreams, literally and you have one of my favorite books. I can easily recomend this book to anyone wanting a good laugh! 5/5 it's a great book to add to your collection.
September 2, 2013
I know kids will like this: a magic cartooning pen, two friends having fun by fixing life the way they want it to be, aliens, super-goo... For my liking, however, it was a bit too predictable. Entertaining enough though ;) Amongst others there is a nice little message hidden to be careful what you are wishing for - I really liked that part and how it shows that you can't have it all... And sometimes the things that seem to annoy us the most, can be the ones we would miss the most if they weren't there anymore. Quite sweet - and true - actually ;)
February 18, 2014
Im just gonna say matt and craz adventures because the title is way too long. But as funny as it was, there was just some things wrong with this book. Like sometimes it gets out of hand and it feels like im reading a book for 3 year-olds. But there are also some good things to. Like i said before the humour was good,and i really like how it explains how hard matt and craz's lifes are. Overall i could'nt care less if you picked it up or not.
January 27, 2014
The Awesome Almost 100% True Adventures of Matt & Craz is a very silly and entertaining book that doesn't always make alot of sense. The plot of the book is that Matt and Craz find a pen that makes any thing they draw comes to life which leads to some hilarious situations. Though not for everyone if you like comedy READ this book.
February 10, 2015
Got very confusing at times, such as
Anyway, still a good book. Took me a couple days to finish it because it was confusing.
Anyway, still a good book. Took me a couple days to finish it because it was confusing.
July 7, 2013
This was an enjoyable and entertaining read. I think students who have enjoyed Captain Underpants and NERDS will enjoy reading this book. The cartoons throughout the story are funny and pretty well done.
July 21, 2013
Matt and Craz.try to make their lives better with the help of a magical pen and ink they purchased online. Their funny cartoons show the crazy things they bring to life. Wish fulfillment doodles! What kid wouldn’t want that? (Reviewer #7)
January 23, 2014
While I thoroughly loved Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze, this book did not seem to hook me in the same way. While I agree with other reviewers that this book was not written badly, I just did not seem to get hooked into it.
August 21, 2015
It is a decently cute take on the "if you could change anything in your world" story. I was looking for something that would interest my middle school age child, and it does do a good job of that. It is a good book.
February 3, 2013
Kinda like Captain Underpants for a slightly older reader - and certainly not as well-drawn - very readable and chatty but long!!!!
June 28, 2014
We (my 10 year old and I) loved this book. I would have loved it even if I didn't have a ten year old! Great book.
October 17, 2013
i wish i had a magic pen and pencil. it would be sooooo useful
March 17, 2014
I think this is a good book for people that like CRAZY aventures. It was awesome to ride and it has afew funny parts. I really liked Matt's and Craz's cracture. I say this is a most read.
April 29, 2014
This was a good book and it had a awesome ending
July 29, 2014
My 7 year old son says, "it's an awesome book. I think Virgil is cute and my favourite part was when we saw Captain g-Force."
Read
February 5, 2016This is a really funny and good book that can keep you interested for a long time
February 18, 2016
A book about kid named Matt and Larry using something called a "magic pen."
Remember, with great power comes with great responsibility!
Remember, with great power comes with great responsibility!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews