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The Last Boy at St. Edith's
Seventh grader Jeremy Miner has a girl problem. Or, more accurately, a girls problem. Four hundred and seventy-five of them. That's how many girls attend his school, St. Edith's Academy.
Jeremy is the only boy left after the school's brief experiment in coeducation. And he needs to get out. His mom won't let him transfer, so Jeremy takes matters into his own hands: He's going to get expelled.
Together with his best friend, Claudia, Jeremy unleashes a series of hilarious pranks in hopes that he'll get kicked out with minimum damage to his permanent record. But when his stunts start to backfire, Jeremy has to decide whom he's willing to knock down on his way out the door.
Jeremy is the only boy left after the school's brief experiment in coeducation. And he needs to get out. His mom won't let him transfer, so Jeremy takes matters into his own hands: He's going to get expelled.
Together with his best friend, Claudia, Jeremy unleashes a series of hilarious pranks in hopes that he'll get kicked out with minimum damage to his permanent record. But when his stunts start to backfire, Jeremy has to decide whom he's willing to knock down on his way out the door.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
October 22, 2015
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Last Boy at St. Edith's is incredibly fun and funny, and full of heart. Through genuine and very relatable characters, the story raises questions about gender roles, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of authentic friendship.
I laughed out loud throughout the book. The plot, which involves a series of hilarious pranks, is funny on its own. But add in the main character Jeremy's insecurities and cluelessness, and this is a book kids won't be able to resist!
The Last Boy at St. Edith's is incredibly fun and funny, and full of heart. Through genuine and very relatable characters, the story raises questions about gender roles, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of authentic friendship.
I laughed out loud throughout the book. The plot, which involves a series of hilarious pranks, is funny on its own. But add in the main character Jeremy's insecurities and cluelessness, and this is a book kids won't be able to resist!
October 16, 2015
Girls, girls, girls. No matter where he turns, Jeremy Miner is surrounded by them. At home, it’s mom and his two sisters. And then all day at school it’s . . . well, everyone. St. Edith’s Academy, a former all-girls school, made an effort to go co-ed, but there’s been a lot of attrition among their boy population and before Jeremy knows it, he’s the last one. The absolute last male student at St. Edith’s Academy. Yikes. Jeremy’s determined to do something about this situation, and he finds his solution in an unlikely place: a series of escalating pranks that he commits along with one of his best female (well, duh) friends at St. Edith’s, the spunky filmmaker Claudia. But as he seemingly gets closer to earning an expulsion from his school, Jeremy starts to second-guess his plan. Is the problem really St. Edith’s? Or could this place be where he really belongs?
As the survivor of an all-girls education (okay, just high school, but still, that was intense!), I totally related to Jeremy. Being immersed in a sea of girls is not always easy. Sometimes, you just miss having close friends of both genders!
Debut author Lee Gjertsen Malone’s novel is just plain fun. Jeremy is such a winsome protagonist, and I totally fell for his group of girl friends at St. Edith’s. Jeremy’s cluelessness about his friend/neighbor Emily’s crush on him was entirely realistic, and will especially ring true to middle school readers. (It was also heartbreakingly real for all us girls out there that totally found ourselves in Emily’s shoes at that age. ::Raises hand.::) There’s so much that Malone gets right about this fraught age, where the last thing you want is to be the one kid who stands out.
As the survivor of an all-girls education (okay, just high school, but still, that was intense!), I totally related to Jeremy. Being immersed in a sea of girls is not always easy. Sometimes, you just miss having close friends of both genders!
Debut author Lee Gjertsen Malone’s novel is just plain fun. Jeremy is such a winsome protagonist, and I totally fell for his group of girl friends at St. Edith’s. Jeremy’s cluelessness about his friend/neighbor Emily’s crush on him was entirely realistic, and will especially ring true to middle school readers. (It was also heartbreakingly real for all us girls out there that totally found ourselves in Emily’s shoes at that age. ::Raises hand.::) There’s so much that Malone gets right about this fraught age, where the last thing you want is to be the one kid who stands out.
December 8, 2015
It's not often that you find a middle grade with heart that also has real, honest-to-goodness, laugh out loud humor, but THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S is just that.
This is the story of seventh grader Jeremy Miner, who has a girl problem: namely, he is the last boy at an all-girls school. St. Edith's is a great school, offering a top-notch education that might set Jeremy up for scholarships in the future...but being surrounded by girls all day is just too much. When the only other boy at St. Edith's transfers out, Jeremy becomes determined to get out too, even if that means getting kicked out.
And the key to getting kicked out is getting in trouble--which Jeremy tries to do ever so hilariously through a series of pranks. Along the way, he learns more about his friends Claudia and Emily, and makes a few surprising discoveries about what it truly means to belong.
THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S is an excellent choice for young readers who like humor and a quick pace, and for fans of Andrew Smith's WINGER.
This is the story of seventh grader Jeremy Miner, who has a girl problem: namely, he is the last boy at an all-girls school. St. Edith's is a great school, offering a top-notch education that might set Jeremy up for scholarships in the future...but being surrounded by girls all day is just too much. When the only other boy at St. Edith's transfers out, Jeremy becomes determined to get out too, even if that means getting kicked out.
And the key to getting kicked out is getting in trouble--which Jeremy tries to do ever so hilariously through a series of pranks. Along the way, he learns more about his friends Claudia and Emily, and makes a few surprising discoveries about what it truly means to belong.
THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S is an excellent choice for young readers who like humor and a quick pace, and for fans of Andrew Smith's WINGER.
November 24, 2015
I was fortunate to read an advance reviewer copy of The Last Boy at St. Edith's. After a failed attempt to go co-ed, St. Edith's School has only one boy left, and that's our hero, Jeremy. Not thrilled to be the last boy standing, Jeremy is on a mission to get kicked out by executing outrageous pranks. This book is impeccably executed, engaging, funny, and smart. The middle school characters, particularly Jeremy, Claudia, and Emily, come alive on the page. The relationships between the characters are pitch perfect and entirely believable. The author has thought through every detail of these characters and their lives, and it's all there on the page, making the reading experience immersive, almost tangible. This is a fun, fast, thought-provoking read that I will definitely recommend to both kids and adults.
January 3, 2016
Please pull up a chair and let me tell you all about how much I loved The Last Boy at St. Edith's!
First of all, the plot was totally fun and original. Jeremy Miner is the last boy left at an all-girls school (for reasons) and he's determined to get himself kicked out by unleashing a series of pranks. Hilariousness ensues...as well as a number of unexpected side effects.
Lee Malone has crafted a great group of believable and relatable characters. I loved the relationships between Jeremy and his two best friends, Claudia and Emily. I also quite enjoyed the dynamic between him and his older sister, Rachel.
It was funny, too, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. (I want to see Claudia's movie in real life!)
The Last Boy at St. Edith's is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was right there with Jeremy through all of his escapades - cringing when things went south and grinning over a satisfying end.
I give it 5 out of 5 garden gnomes. (Now you have to read it in order to get that joke.)
First of all, the plot was totally fun and original. Jeremy Miner is the last boy left at an all-girls school (for reasons) and he's determined to get himself kicked out by unleashing a series of pranks. Hilariousness ensues...as well as a number of unexpected side effects.
Lee Malone has crafted a great group of believable and relatable characters. I loved the relationships between Jeremy and his two best friends, Claudia and Emily. I also quite enjoyed the dynamic between him and his older sister, Rachel.
It was funny, too, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. (I want to see Claudia's movie in real life!)
The Last Boy at St. Edith's is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was right there with Jeremy through all of his escapades - cringing when things went south and grinning over a satisfying end.
I give it 5 out of 5 garden gnomes. (Now you have to read it in order to get that joke.)
November 16, 2015
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this 2016 gem. Want some fun? This is the book for you. The Last Boy at St. Edith's is clever and funny and full of heart. The characters were so real they walked off the page and made you root for them, even when they were doing things you knew they shouldn't. In addition, Malone provides us with lots of food for thought about gender roles and friendship. Loved the fictional western Massachusetts towns.
September 29, 2015
I was lucky to read an advanced copy of THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S.
After a failed experiment to turn St. Edith's all-girls school co-ed, Jeremy Miner is the last boy left. He has friends, but being surrounded by girls, he wants a more normal life. He hatches a plan to get himself kicked out of school so that his mom will be forced to let him enroll at a different school.
I enjoyed this book, and I particularly appreciated Jeremy's character arc. Over the course of the story he learns that what he thinks he wants might not be what he needs.
After a failed experiment to turn St. Edith's all-girls school co-ed, Jeremy Miner is the last boy left. He has friends, but being surrounded by girls, he wants a more normal life. He hatches a plan to get himself kicked out of school so that his mom will be forced to let him enroll at a different school.
I enjoyed this book, and I particularly appreciated Jeremy's character arc. Over the course of the story he learns that what he thinks he wants might not be what he needs.
December 19, 2015
No wonder Jeremy wants out of his school. He’s the last remaining boy. He’s literally surrounded by girls—at school, and at home. And what better way to get kicked out of school than pull some major pranks? The premise of this book is spectacular and the hijinks too adorable. Malone’s dialogue made me legit laugh out loud and her characters were so special and fully formed (even when they were being totally clueless). This MG debut flawlessly deals with issues of identity, first crushes, friendship, family and loyalty. Plus, it’s hilarious.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for and honest review, and I’m so glad I did!
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for and honest review, and I’m so glad I did!
November 6, 2015
I had the chance to read an ARC of The Last Boy at St. Edith's.
This book is so many wonderful things rolled into one. Jeremy is the last boy at a school full of girls. The story is about him dealing with all the challenges this unique situation brings and exploring his friendships- the ones he has, the ones he's avoided, and the ones he's wishing for. I loved the interactions between the characters and the humor that's infused throughout the book.
We get to go along with a character who is so sure of what he wants, but we also see the struggle as he tries to sort through what he's feeling. I loved the events that happen along the way, and how each one forces him to look at things a little bit differently.
This is so well-written, heartwarming, fun, engaging, and funny. Kids (and adults) will relate to the characters and will want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next!
This book is so many wonderful things rolled into one. Jeremy is the last boy at a school full of girls. The story is about him dealing with all the challenges this unique situation brings and exploring his friendships- the ones he has, the ones he's avoided, and the ones he's wishing for. I loved the interactions between the characters and the humor that's infused throughout the book.
We get to go along with a character who is so sure of what he wants, but we also see the struggle as he tries to sort through what he's feeling. I loved the events that happen along the way, and how each one forces him to look at things a little bit differently.
This is so well-written, heartwarming, fun, engaging, and funny. Kids (and adults) will relate to the characters and will want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next!
February 5, 2016
I was lucky to receive THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S as part of an ARC tour... that was the easy part. The hard part was getting a chance to read it. My grade-schooler at home kept stealing this book!
Not only did he devour the book in one sitting, he returned to reread it slowly, and then persisted in reading over my shoulder. Finally, I was able to finish while he was in school.
I was drawn to Malone's exploration of middle school friendships and her portrayal of a boy coming to see more clearly what is around him. My son was drawn to the pranks and the premise. We had the funnest discussion about what he would do if he were the only boy in a school of girls. All thumbs are up!
Not only did he devour the book in one sitting, he returned to reread it slowly, and then persisted in reading over my shoulder. Finally, I was able to finish while he was in school.
I was drawn to Malone's exploration of middle school friendships and her portrayal of a boy coming to see more clearly what is around him. My son was drawn to the pranks and the premise. We had the funnest discussion about what he would do if he were the only boy in a school of girls. All thumbs are up!
February 29, 2016
What a fun, unique, well-written book! Fast-paced THE LAST BOY OF ST. EDITH'S really hooked me and didn't let go until the end. It truly flowed from first page to last. I was really impressed with the writing style and can't wait for more from Malone!
Jeremy, the main character, is incredibly relatable. He struggles with decisions, makes mistakes, and tries to navigate challenging situations with family, friends, and school the best he knows how. He doesn't always handle things perfectly, but who does? I think kids will root for Jeremy as though he's one of their friends. I know I did. A great read!
Jeremy, the main character, is incredibly relatable. He struggles with decisions, makes mistakes, and tries to navigate challenging situations with family, friends, and school the best he knows how. He doesn't always handle things perfectly, but who does? I think kids will root for Jeremy as though he's one of their friends. I know I did. A great read!
January 5, 2016
I received an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I have to say that I had to battle my ten-year-old son for this ARC. He'd seen a blurb about the book months ago, and had been asking weekly when we would get it. So once that ARC came into the house, he grabbed it and wouldn't let go until he was done. He loved the pranks, the characters, and pretty much everything about it.
So did I. Seventh-grader Jeremy finds himself in the unfortunate position of being the only male remains of a failed attempt by St. Edith's to go coed - and his mom won't let him transfer, because the only reason they can afford the school is the scholarship money she receives as am employee of St. Edith's. So Jeremy is determined to get himself expelled. And he knows just who to ask for help: his wild friend Claudia, mastermind of the school's Film Club and violator of every point of the school's dress code. Jeremy sets some guidelines for the pranks, though: no one can get hurt, and they can't steal or damage anything. (The image of Jeremy assiduously labeling each of the garden gnomes he steals with the addresses of their owners cracks me up.) But soon the pranks get out of hand, as pranks often do, and not only do property and people get hurt, but Jeremy's sister and her friends are blamed for his actions. When the big decisions have to be made, Jeremy starts to realize that maybe being the only boy in a sea of girls isn't so bad after all.
Jeremy is a likeable, believable character. He's one of those boys who isn't particularly bothered to be surrounded by girls - but who feels like he ought to be. His friends are equally well-drawn, particularly Claudia, the bold prankster with a heart of gold, and Emily, the literal girl next door who's just waiting for Jeremy to notice how compatible they are. THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S is a middle grade read with lots of fun and lots of heart.
First off, I have to say that I had to battle my ten-year-old son for this ARC. He'd seen a blurb about the book months ago, and had been asking weekly when we would get it. So once that ARC came into the house, he grabbed it and wouldn't let go until he was done. He loved the pranks, the characters, and pretty much everything about it.
So did I. Seventh-grader Jeremy finds himself in the unfortunate position of being the only male remains of a failed attempt by St. Edith's to go coed - and his mom won't let him transfer, because the only reason they can afford the school is the scholarship money she receives as am employee of St. Edith's. So Jeremy is determined to get himself expelled. And he knows just who to ask for help: his wild friend Claudia, mastermind of the school's Film Club and violator of every point of the school's dress code. Jeremy sets some guidelines for the pranks, though: no one can get hurt, and they can't steal or damage anything. (The image of Jeremy assiduously labeling each of the garden gnomes he steals with the addresses of their owners cracks me up.) But soon the pranks get out of hand, as pranks often do, and not only do property and people get hurt, but Jeremy's sister and her friends are blamed for his actions. When the big decisions have to be made, Jeremy starts to realize that maybe being the only boy in a sea of girls isn't so bad after all.
Jeremy is a likeable, believable character. He's one of those boys who isn't particularly bothered to be surrounded by girls - but who feels like he ought to be. His friends are equally well-drawn, particularly Claudia, the bold prankster with a heart of gold, and Emily, the literal girl next door who's just waiting for Jeremy to notice how compatible they are. THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S is a middle grade read with lots of fun and lots of heart.
November 27, 2015
I had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Last Boy at St. Edith's.
Jeremy Miner is surrounded by girls. Girls at home, girls at school, girls everywhere. As the very last boy at St. Edith's, he is sick of girls. His mom is somewhat sympathetic but St. Edith's is a great school, and Jeremy gets to go there for free. So Jeremy decides to get kicked out with the help of his good friend Claudia. How? Pranks. The most epic pranks that St. Edith's has ever seen.
This book was so fun and thought-provoking and great. I loved the inventive pranks (and kids are going to have such a fun time reading about them). What I loved most of all were the characters - especially Emily and Claudia, two of Jeremy's friends. What awesome girls! And that's what Jeremy doesn't realize - there are all these amazing young women around him.
This novel is smart and would be great to use in a class for a novel study or lit group. So much great discussion could be had. I highly recommend you pick up The Last Boy at St. Edith's by Lee Gjertsen Malone! I loved it!
Jeremy Miner is surrounded by girls. Girls at home, girls at school, girls everywhere. As the very last boy at St. Edith's, he is sick of girls. His mom is somewhat sympathetic but St. Edith's is a great school, and Jeremy gets to go there for free. So Jeremy decides to get kicked out with the help of his good friend Claudia. How? Pranks. The most epic pranks that St. Edith's has ever seen.
This book was so fun and thought-provoking and great. I loved the inventive pranks (and kids are going to have such a fun time reading about them). What I loved most of all were the characters - especially Emily and Claudia, two of Jeremy's friends. What awesome girls! And that's what Jeremy doesn't realize - there are all these amazing young women around him.
This novel is smart and would be great to use in a class for a novel study or lit group. So much great discussion could be had. I highly recommend you pick up The Last Boy at St. Edith's by Lee Gjertsen Malone! I loved it!
February 15, 2016
The Last Boy at St. Edith’s is peopled with a rich, fabulously flawed, and funny cast of middle school characters. Jeremy, the LAST boy at a now all girls’ school, is surrounded by kids who seem to know exactly who they are. His friend Claudia is brash, passionate about film, and fearless. Emily is studious, quietly territorial, and whatever she’s afraid of, she keeps carefully hidden. But Jeremy flounders in St. Edith’s sea of baby blue plaid, struggling to know how he can learn to be a young man… when he’s surrounded by hundreds of girls.
When Jeremy embarks on a crusade to get kicked out of St. Edith’s by pulling an escalating series of pranks, everything he cares about is put into peril. His friendships. His family. His integrity.
The Last Boy at St. Edith’s delivers an entertaining prank driven plot while touching on issues of gender, fitting in, and messing up with deft and deadpan humor.
When Jeremy embarks on a crusade to get kicked out of St. Edith’s by pulling an escalating series of pranks, everything he cares about is put into peril. His friendships. His family. His integrity.
The Last Boy at St. Edith’s delivers an entertaining prank driven plot while touching on issues of gender, fitting in, and messing up with deft and deadpan humor.
January 9, 2016
This book was too much fun to put down. Great writing, great characters, tons of heart. Malone has captured the ethos of middle school, and delivered a funny, unpredictable plot in the process. The interactions between Jeremy, Claudia, Anna, and Emily were completely believable and enthralling. The characters were likable and flawed and I was rooting for all of them. If there are more adventures ahead for Jeremy and Co., sign me up.
December 2, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so much fun! When Jeremy becomes the last boy at St. Edith's, he and his friend Claudia decide to pull a bunch of pranks to get him kicked out. Of course things don't go as planned. Duh, duh, duh . . .
The characters really made this book. They are so spot on for middle graders. I loved the friendship between Jeremy and Claudia. I loved the awkwardness between Jeremy and Anna. The horrors of a parent dating your teacher! The pranks.
I cringed at Jeremy's cluelessness and his mis-steps. Not to mention Claudia's movie script. Oy! The author did such a great job at capturing the whole middle grade experience and all the justifications used when you feel life has dealt with you unfairly. This is definitely a book you don't want to miss!
This book was so much fun! When Jeremy becomes the last boy at St. Edith's, he and his friend Claudia decide to pull a bunch of pranks to get him kicked out. Of course things don't go as planned. Duh, duh, duh . . .
The characters really made this book. They are so spot on for middle graders. I loved the friendship between Jeremy and Claudia. I loved the awkwardness between Jeremy and Anna. The horrors of a parent dating your teacher! The pranks.
I cringed at Jeremy's cluelessness and his mis-steps. Not to mention Claudia's movie script. Oy! The author did such a great job at capturing the whole middle grade experience and all the justifications used when you feel life has dealt with you unfairly. This is definitely a book you don't want to miss!
November 30, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lee Gjertsen Malone has written a funny and engaging book for MG readers. We follow Jeremy on his mission to get kicked out of school - the results of which eventually force him realize just what he's got.
The author captures a cluelessness that can be a little cringe-worthy for an adult reader, but for Middle School kids, I think it's probably right on the money :)
The value of a true friendship comes shining through in the end.
Lee Gjertsen Malone has written a funny and engaging book for MG readers. We follow Jeremy on his mission to get kicked out of school - the results of which eventually force him realize just what he's got.
The author captures a cluelessness that can be a little cringe-worthy for an adult reader, but for Middle School kids, I think it's probably right on the money :)
The value of a true friendship comes shining through in the end.
March 11, 2016
THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S is a funny, poignant tale that entertains at the same time as it gently leads us to think about issues like class, economic privilege, alienation, trust, and empathy.
As the very last boy in a school full of girls, Jeremy feels both painfully conspicuous (when the volleyball team keeps laughing at him, or boys from other schools bully him) and somehow, at the exact same time...invisible. He doesn't yet have the maturity to realize, however, that these feelings are not due solely to the gender imbalace at St. Edith's.
He and his best friend Claudia decide to pull epic pranks that will get Jeremy expelled, so he can go someplace else...maybe somewhere that Jeremy can finally feel normal.
But in the course of carrying out the pranks, which make his life even more complicated than it already is, Jeremy's about to learn that "normal" is an opinion, not a state of being.
His single mother works constantly, and has done a wonderful job bringing up her children since their dad walked out to pursue semi-academic peregrinations around the globe (a hilariously infuriating character portrayal). Suddenly, Mom seems to be brightening up a bit, laughing, and acting younger. Is it because of the new man she's dating? A new man who's...Jeremy's teacher? Argh! Not another complication!
Once the pranks ramp up and begin to take on a momentum of their own, Jeremy starts to realize the vital importance of how his actions affect the people in his life. Maybe it's time to abandon the magical thinking that, if only he can get out of St. Edith's, he will "fit in" and be happy at last.
But has his realization come too late?
A wonderfully perceptive, amusing, engaging Middle-Grade read you'll tear through as fast as possible!
As the very last boy in a school full of girls, Jeremy feels both painfully conspicuous (when the volleyball team keeps laughing at him, or boys from other schools bully him) and somehow, at the exact same time...invisible. He doesn't yet have the maturity to realize, however, that these feelings are not due solely to the gender imbalace at St. Edith's.
He and his best friend Claudia decide to pull epic pranks that will get Jeremy expelled, so he can go someplace else...maybe somewhere that Jeremy can finally feel normal.
But in the course of carrying out the pranks, which make his life even more complicated than it already is, Jeremy's about to learn that "normal" is an opinion, not a state of being.
His single mother works constantly, and has done a wonderful job bringing up her children since their dad walked out to pursue semi-academic peregrinations around the globe (a hilariously infuriating character portrayal). Suddenly, Mom seems to be brightening up a bit, laughing, and acting younger. Is it because of the new man she's dating? A new man who's...Jeremy's teacher? Argh! Not another complication!
Once the pranks ramp up and begin to take on a momentum of their own, Jeremy starts to realize the vital importance of how his actions affect the people in his life. Maybe it's time to abandon the magical thinking that, if only he can get out of St. Edith's, he will "fit in" and be happy at last.
But has his realization come too late?
A wonderfully perceptive, amusing, engaging Middle-Grade read you'll tear through as fast as possible!
March 7, 2016
1 star. I'd give it zero stars if I could.
I wrote this really long review on why I hated this book but now I can't be fucked writing it again so here's the summary:
Boy hates being in a girls school so he attempts to get himself expelled by doing some lame ass pranks.
For the life of me, I could not understand why he was so desperate to get expelled.
He had friends, a best friend, none of the girls bullied him - in fact, it was one the BOY from the very school he was desperate to go to that ever said any teasing remarks.
I couldn't stand the main character.
It's like the author tried so hard to make him witty and interesting, and she even made him take a shot at feminism but it falls flat. He's very wimpy, which doesn't give him any brownie points, and barely sticks up for his friend Emily when his other friends call her names. (Yea, giving your friends *angry looks* doesn't count).
His inner monologue is so tedious to read!
His best friend is complete brat. It seemed like everyone thought she was all that and sooo *different*, but I got that SNLMG syndrome every time I read her part.
Btw, SNLMG stands for "She's Not Like Most Girls".
and I didn't like any of the charaters, except for Emily, his sister and his mother.
So anyway him and his awful best friend statts doing the pranks. At first, when he was anonymous he loved doing the pranks, like stealing dozens of gnomes from dozens of different houses and planting them on the school lawn... *yawn* come on, if your gonna start some shit at least make it interesting!
Oh, but then 3 quarters into the book he decides he doesn't want to prank anymore after his second prank went horribly wrong and flooded the school basement.
He only realised the damage of his shitty prank after his sister and her hockey team get blamed for it. (The dumbass left his mitten at the scene of the crime which was what was used as "evidence" against his sister because the principal assumed it was hers).
Then, instead of fessing up because he's a huge wimp, he keeps quiet because he wants to save his own ass and let's his sister take the blame.
I officially disliked him after that. But he get even WORSE. When one of his friends pulls a nasty prank on HIM he goes apeshit on his best friend even though it wasn't her who did it.
Yep, he can dish it but he can't take it.
And his best friend takes the blame for the WHOLE pranks, even though Jeremy was just as much a part of it as she was... I'm just rolling my eyes at this point.
Oh and Public schools according to this book are baaaad.
If he confessed to the pranks, there was no way he could go anywhere but the horribly bad local public school, where boys like him got beaten up every day and barely anybody graduated.
I couldn't relate to this at all. I went to both public and private school and the public school was WAY fucking better.
Ohh but he's just a tween boy... nope. Don't give a fuck. This tween was the most annoying piece of shit I've read in a while.
The author doesn't write boys well at all - and I'm not trying to be sexist by determining how males or females are supposed to behave btw - I mean he reads as what a grown up would *think* tween boys act. Like, "oh let's him all guy's guy and be all eww, girls".
The writing wasn't bad, but the dude rambles way too much!
One minute he's talking about meeting his crush for the first time and then suddenly he's rambling about all the different types girls in his school!
Nobody cares, yo. Just get on with the fucking story!
Speaking of story, aside from the lame pranks, there wasn't really much of an interesting plot.
His father left their family to go on some dream journey on a boat... he has a crush on some new chick named Anna... there's a play..or was it a movie? (which btw was boring as hell to read)... what else??? Hmm can't remember because I don't care.
I wrote this really long review on why I hated this book but now I can't be fucked writing it again so here's the summary:
Boy hates being in a girls school so he attempts to get himself expelled by doing some lame ass pranks.
For the life of me, I could not understand why he was so desperate to get expelled.
He had friends, a best friend, none of the girls bullied him - in fact, it was one the BOY from the very school he was desperate to go to that ever said any teasing remarks.
I couldn't stand the main character.
It's like the author tried so hard to make him witty and interesting, and she even made him take a shot at feminism but it falls flat. He's very wimpy, which doesn't give him any brownie points, and barely sticks up for his friend Emily when his other friends call her names. (Yea, giving your friends *angry looks* doesn't count).
His inner monologue is so tedious to read!
His best friend is complete brat. It seemed like everyone thought she was all that and sooo *different*, but I got that SNLMG syndrome every time I read her part.
Btw, SNLMG stands for "She's Not Like Most Girls".
and I didn't like any of the charaters, except for Emily, his sister and his mother.
So anyway him and his awful best friend statts doing the pranks. At first, when he was anonymous he loved doing the pranks, like stealing dozens of gnomes from dozens of different houses and planting them on the school lawn... *yawn* come on, if your gonna start some shit at least make it interesting!
Oh, but then 3 quarters into the book he decides he doesn't want to prank anymore after his second prank went horribly wrong and flooded the school basement.
He only realised the damage of his shitty prank after his sister and her hockey team get blamed for it. (The dumbass left his mitten at the scene of the crime which was what was used as "evidence" against his sister because the principal assumed it was hers).
Then, instead of fessing up because he's a huge wimp, he keeps quiet because he wants to save his own ass and let's his sister take the blame.
I officially disliked him after that. But he get even WORSE. When one of his friends pulls a nasty prank on HIM he goes apeshit on his best friend even though it wasn't her who did it.
Yep, he can dish it but he can't take it.
And his best friend takes the blame for the WHOLE pranks, even though Jeremy was just as much a part of it as she was... I'm just rolling my eyes at this point.
Oh and Public schools according to this book are baaaad.
If he confessed to the pranks, there was no way he could go anywhere but the horribly bad local public school, where boys like him got beaten up every day and barely anybody graduated.
I couldn't relate to this at all. I went to both public and private school and the public school was WAY fucking better.
Ohh but he's just a tween boy... nope. Don't give a fuck. This tween was the most annoying piece of shit I've read in a while.
The author doesn't write boys well at all - and I'm not trying to be sexist by determining how males or females are supposed to behave btw - I mean he reads as what a grown up would *think* tween boys act. Like, "oh let's him all guy's guy and be all eww, girls".
The writing wasn't bad, but the dude rambles way too much!
One minute he's talking about meeting his crush for the first time and then suddenly he's rambling about all the different types girls in his school!
Nobody cares, yo. Just get on with the fucking story!
Speaking of story, aside from the lame pranks, there wasn't really much of an interesting plot.
His father left their family to go on some dream journey on a boat... he has a crush on some new chick named Anna... there's a play..or was it a movie? (which btw was boring as hell to read)... what else??? Hmm can't remember because I don't care.
June 11, 2015
Funny, thoughtful, and full of surprising depth, THE LAST BOY AT ST EDITH'S addresses the difficulties of standing out and the awkwardness of boy-girl friendships - all while breaking down the stark line of gender expectations.
Jeremy is stuck as the last boy at St. Edith's Academy since its failed experiment in co-education, and he hates it. But because he gets free tuition, his mother won't let him leave. So he - along with his best friend Claudia - decides his only recourse is a series of epic pranks that will get him expelled. As you can imagine, this does not go quite the way he anticipated.
I love Jeremy's very understandable frustration at being the only boy in his world, and I love how none of the girls around him will stand for it. Claudia is a glorious badass, and girl-next-door Emily was instantly recognizable to me. Their struggles with friendship - and with the barriers that arise between girls and boys when adolescence looms - are by turns funny, painful, and completely realistic. This is a book that should appeal equally well to girls and boys.
Disclaimer: Lee is my client & I sold this book. (But all the reasons above are why I signed it!)
Jeremy is stuck as the last boy at St. Edith's Academy since its failed experiment in co-education, and he hates it. But because he gets free tuition, his mother won't let him leave. So he - along with his best friend Claudia - decides his only recourse is a series of epic pranks that will get him expelled. As you can imagine, this does not go quite the way he anticipated.
I love Jeremy's very understandable frustration at being the only boy in his world, and I love how none of the girls around him will stand for it. Claudia is a glorious badass, and girl-next-door Emily was instantly recognizable to me. Their struggles with friendship - and with the barriers that arise between girls and boys when adolescence looms - are by turns funny, painful, and completely realistic. This is a book that should appeal equally well to girls and boys.
Disclaimer: Lee is my client & I sold this book. (But all the reasons above are why I signed it!)
February 26, 2016
I had high hopes for this novel based on the cover-copy, but I have to say it exceeded my expectations in all areas.
There are so many things I loved about this book – but above all I just adored Jeremy. As a main character, I found him to be completely genuine and relatable, and I loved seeing how he grows throughout the course of the story.
Equal parts humorous and heartfelt, I laughed out loud numerous times while reading (there is one scene where Jeremy and his pals are holding auditions for a film that literally had me rolling on the floor), but there is also a great deal of depth to the storyline, and I think many kids will see a little of themselves in Jeremy.
This novel is also extremely well executed, and the author really nails the middle-grade voice. The dialogue especially was spot-on and completely natural.
I would recommend The Last Boy at St. Edith’s to anyone, kid or adult, looking to lose themselves in a great story.
Note: I was lucky enough to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many things I loved about this book – but above all I just adored Jeremy. As a main character, I found him to be completely genuine and relatable, and I loved seeing how he grows throughout the course of the story.
Equal parts humorous and heartfelt, I laughed out loud numerous times while reading (there is one scene where Jeremy and his pals are holding auditions for a film that literally had me rolling on the floor), but there is also a great deal of depth to the storyline, and I think many kids will see a little of themselves in Jeremy.
This novel is also extremely well executed, and the author really nails the middle-grade voice. The dialogue especially was spot-on and completely natural.
I would recommend The Last Boy at St. Edith’s to anyone, kid or adult, looking to lose themselves in a great story.
Note: I was lucky enough to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2015
What a refreshing, fun tale for middle grade readers (and parents!). My daughter and I both read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. We loved that the main characters were both male and female, that the humor was so so great, that the author was able to portray in her writing the anxiety building as the story progressed and that this book was just good, respectable, engaging and fun to read. I will recommend this books to many, many kids and would not hesitate to pick up another book by Lee Malone in the future (there will be more, right?!?).
It should be noted that I reserve 5 star reviews for the likes of Harry Potter and the Book Thief.
It should be noted that I reserve 5 star reviews for the likes of Harry Potter and the Book Thief.
February 28, 2016
This book reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books, Harriet the Spy. That's a good thing.
The author did a great job capturing the inner workings of Jr High students. I found myself caring a great deal for each of the kids and about their relationships. It hurt to see fighting and heartbreak, especially when it was result of not thinking about how actions might affect others, typical of that age.
I'm trying hard to write this without saying too much. Just read the book.
The author did a great job capturing the inner workings of Jr High students. I found myself caring a great deal for each of the kids and about their relationships. It hurt to see fighting and heartbreak, especially when it was result of not thinking about how actions might affect others, typical of that age.
I'm trying hard to write this without saying too much. Just read the book.
June 23, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The cool thing about being a teacher and a reader is that when you get a book, you get to look at it from two totally perspectives. And as much as the two are linked, it's pretty easy to separate them when the story is set against the backdrop of school. As I began this book, my reader brain couldn't get enough of the voice. Jeremy rings so true and authentic. And his friends are equally realistic. I loved their friendship and how different each of them was, how fun they were together, and how every character had his or her own story to tell. As for my teacher brain, it completely sympathized with Jeremy's plight. Seeing him worry that he'll be stuck being the only boy in his school may not be something I've ever witnessed a student experience, but observing the worry on their faces as friends move to other schools is a very real problem they have.
So, my brains adored this book. For the story. For the characters. For the way that Jeremy tackles his problems with all the tenacity and ingenuity of a real and quite desperate seventh grader.
The cool thing about being a teacher and a reader is that when you get a book, you get to look at it from two totally perspectives. And as much as the two are linked, it's pretty easy to separate them when the story is set against the backdrop of school. As I began this book, my reader brain couldn't get enough of the voice. Jeremy rings so true and authentic. And his friends are equally realistic. I loved their friendship and how different each of them was, how fun they were together, and how every character had his or her own story to tell. As for my teacher brain, it completely sympathized with Jeremy's plight. Seeing him worry that he'll be stuck being the only boy in his school may not be something I've ever witnessed a student experience, but observing the worry on their faces as friends move to other schools is a very real problem they have.
So, my brains adored this book. For the story. For the characters. For the way that Jeremy tackles his problems with all the tenacity and ingenuity of a real and quite desperate seventh grader.
March 19, 2016
Add this to the growing book list of prank stories. In this middle grade novel, the reluctant prankster is 8th grader Jeremy. Poor Jeremy's nightmare has come true: he is now the last boy enrolled at St Edith's, the private school his mother works for, and Jeremy is desperate to leave, even if he has to be kicked out. Unlike other more recent prank novels, like Varian Johnson's The Great Green Heist or Mac Barnett's The Terrible Two, the pacing is slower, and more believable -- more angst, less humor. A gentle story about friendship and appreciating what you have before it's gone.
June 16, 2016
I don't review books, but I do blog about them. Read my post about THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH'S here:
http://laurashovan.com/2016/06/lauras...
http://laurashovan.com/2016/06/lauras...
June 27, 2023
So amazing what happens at the end=-O BONKERS =-O toatally a recommendation
August 15, 2016
I remember years ago, Lee saying to a group we were both a part of, that she was going to write a book. Life got busy and we all moved apart. Fast forward oh maybe 8 or 9 years. I find myself browsing a Boston book store when an author name pops out at me. Not only was I surprised but I was very happy to see that she did write a book, so of course I snatched it right up. And I'm so glad I did! After having this book stolen from me by my 11 year old, I got my turn to read it. What an excellent first novel.
Jeremy, an adolescent boy at St. Edith's school for mostly girls, is hyper focused on being the last boy in the school. Lee really excels at getting the tone of a pre-teen Jeremy to read true. He is so worried of what he may be missing out on by not attending a school with other boys that he doesn't see the value of his life at St. Edith's. Jeremy, with the help of his best friend Claudia, sets out to get expelled by pranking the school. It was a truly enjoyable journey to see the realisation dawn in Jeremy with each successive prank that maybe being the last boy at St. Edith's is actually not so bad after all.
I would definitely love to read further stories of Jeremy, Claudia, Emily, and Whitey.
Jeremy, an adolescent boy at St. Edith's school for mostly girls, is hyper focused on being the last boy in the school. Lee really excels at getting the tone of a pre-teen Jeremy to read true. He is so worried of what he may be missing out on by not attending a school with other boys that he doesn't see the value of his life at St. Edith's. Jeremy, with the help of his best friend Claudia, sets out to get expelled by pranking the school. It was a truly enjoyable journey to see the realisation dawn in Jeremy with each successive prank that maybe being the last boy at St. Edith's is actually not so bad after all.
I would definitely love to read further stories of Jeremy, Claudia, Emily, and Whitey.
March 22, 2016
Reading this book made me think again and again of Sport by Louise Fitzhugh (who also wrote Harriet the Spy). Both Sport and Jeremy from The Last Boy At St. Edith's are trying to cope with difficult experiences with their parents while also figuring out what kind of identity they are growing into. Jeremy's challenges with his father were the most touching part of this book, to me, and I found myself really appreciating how the family dynamics were written.
Jeremy's problems also focus a lot on his frustration with being the only boy at school, and he decides to carry out a string of pranks that will get him kicked out. His two best friends (who are pretty much polar opposites) really steal the story--they're so well-drawn and have such hilarious advice for Jeremy.
I predict middle schoolers (and older grade schoolers) will find a lot to relate to here, and a lot to laugh about.
Jeremy's problems also focus a lot on his frustration with being the only boy at school, and he decides to carry out a string of pranks that will get him kicked out. His two best friends (who are pretty much polar opposites) really steal the story--they're so well-drawn and have such hilarious advice for Jeremy.
I predict middle schoolers (and older grade schoolers) will find a lot to relate to here, and a lot to laugh about.
May 19, 2017
This is a funny, realistic story about a boy who attends a school that has gone from all girl, to co ed , then back to all girl. Instead of kicking out the boys, they let them finish through 8th grade. But the boys keep dropping out... until Jeremy finds himself the last boy left. He decides to see if he can get kicked out by pulling pranks... as a way to change his own destiny.
It's an honest portrayal of friendship troubles in middle school, when personalities and interest change and sometimes friendships kind of fade away. The author could have turned the story sentimental or over dramatic and she never does, which I really appreciated.
It's an honest portrayal of friendship troubles in middle school, when personalities and interest change and sometimes friendships kind of fade away. The author could have turned the story sentimental or over dramatic and she never does, which I really appreciated.
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