Random Acts

by Valerie Sherrard

In the haze of a food-induced stupor, Zoey Dalton and her best friends, Bean and Jenna, make a pledge to begin performing random acts of kindness—anonymously. Their previous track record for altruism is pretty much a flat line, so anything they do to help others is bound to be an improvement.

Or is it?

What if the random acts of kindness are unwanted and misunderstood? What if, instead of spreading joy and good will, the trio’s actions stir up trouble, wreak havoc, and maybe even cause bodily harm?

That, of course, would be a different story. This story, in fact.

Genres: Canada, Young Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2015

About the author

I was born in 1957 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and grew up in various parts of Canada. My dad was in the Air Force so the family moved often, and was sent to live in Lahr, West Germany, when I was eleven. It was there that a teacher encouraged me toward writing. I didn't rush into it, though. It wasn't until 2002 that my first book was released, but since then I've had several dozen books for young people published.

One reason I chose to write for children and teens was my experience in working with them. Over the years I fostered about 70 teens in my home, and I also worked as the Director of a group home for teens in my community for more than a decade.

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a kick out of this novel about three young teens who try for random acts of kindness but end up giving random acts of mayhem. How can such good intentions go so hilariously wrong? Well-written and tremendously entertaining.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun and fairly believable adventures of 3 young people for whom the road to heck is very much paved with good intentions.

[Jim Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story concerns three 'quintessential almost thirteen year olds' Zoey, Jenna and Bean who, after scarfing down a huge meal of pizza, garlic cheese fingers, Caesar salad, a dozen buffalo wings (which eventually get the blame), two litres of Pepsi and a tub of ice cream decide to do anonymous random acts of kindness to others after learning about a similar club being started by a rival schoolmate. They even sign a contract to make it all the more real and official. However, their simple, well-intentioned random acts result in a lot of unforeseen problems. One random act may caused the death of a well-liked History teacher!

This is really a comedy of errors, although at the time, none of this is funny to the three participants. The police are even called by a neighbour of Zoey's because she (along with Bean) decided to rake up their leaves under the cover of night (because these acts are to be anonymous, remember) to surprise them in the morning. However, these particular neighbours wanted their leaves to remain on the lawn until spring. So they accused Zoey (once she confessed) of stealing their leaves! So you get an idea of how things are going with their 'random acts'.
Please read the rest of my review at MiramichiReader.ca

[Class 601 · Rating 5 out of 5]

very funny book! It is perfect for the description of the life of a middle school girl. Crushes, clubs and even broken family. There is something for everyone in this laugh out loud book. Read this book and I guarantee you won`t regret it! Happy reading!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and entertaining youth chick lit. Thank you Goodreads First Reads for my free copy.

[Janice Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and humorous look at four teens who decide to do random acts of kindness.

[Ellie Robison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't horrible... Just not well written. I understand that it's middle grade, but I felt like the writing style was filled with details a tween wouldn't include. The ending was also too quick and I felt like more could've been included for a neater wrap up. However, I can see the appeal of the book from the plot itself.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think a lot of middle schoolers will relate to good intentions gone wrong!

[Sylvia McNicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky characters on a worthwhile quest that always seems to go horribly wrong. Hilarious! Didn't know Valerie Sherrard could be this funny

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bizarre comedy of good intentions gone wrong.

[Kayel · Rating 1 out of 5]

1) I thought, cute title; 2) I found this in the kids' section and decided to screen it for my daughter. OK: this is DEF NOT a kids chapter book but a stupid ya teeny bopper book. The only reasons I finished this book are it's short, and I have an overactive compulsion to finish every book I start (that one is thankfully fading away) This book was so painfully stupid I think I could feel myself getting dumber as I read. The author did such a fantastic job chanelling the selfishness and self centeredness and sheer stupidity of a teenager it is hard to believe she is actually a grandmother (to teens, no doubt)

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kids doing random acts of kindness that go terribly wrong because they are so entitled that they never stop to think about the acts themselves - they do them to feel good about themselves rather than out of any sense of social responsibility - didn't particularly like the characters and the whole notion of these random acts rubbed me the wrong way

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy to read fun teen book - will definitely keep it in mind for when the kids are a bit older.

[Stacks & Snacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read for tweens... even your most reluctant reader will en joy this.