I Almost Died. Again.

My Near-Death Adventures #2

by Alison DeCamp

Fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and humorous historical fiction will embrace this follow-up to My Near-Death Adventures (99% True!), which Publishers Weekly called an “exuberant first novel.”
 
It is 1895 Michigan. But now, instead of helping out rough-and-tumble lumberjacks, Stanley Slater (aka Stan the Man) must go to school. And on top of that, he has to look after Cuddy, a younger boy, before and after school.
 
When his ne’er-do-well father shows up in town, Stan finally has a chance to meet the man he’s dreamed about for so long. Plus, it will give Stan a chance to impress the infamous Captain Slater. (Stan is a whiz at impressing people, he doesn’t mind saying.) But Captain Slater isn’t quite what Stan expected. In fact, Stan isn’t so sure he wants to be like his dad— Captain Slater—at all.
 
Praise for My Near-Death Adventures (99% True!)
“A knee-slapper of a debut. . . . 100 percent engaging.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Hilarious and heartbreaking. . . . 99–100% fantastic.” —Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal

An “exuberant first novel.” —Publishers Weekly

“Stan’s story is full of his hilarious misunderstandings and overactive imagination. Interspersed throughout are pictures and news clippings embellished with wisecrack remarks, speech bubbles, and the occasional mustache.” —Booklist

“The humor and accessible format may make this a diverting quick pick for historical fiction fans.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Genres: Middle Grade, Humor, History

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2016

Reviews

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Almost Died. Again. just might be better than book #1. At least my mother-in-law thinks so.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

DeCamp, Alison I Almost Died. Again. (My Near-Death Adventures #2), 269 pages. Crown Books for Young Readers (Random), 2016. $17. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G. 9780385390507

This is a follow up book to My Near-Death Adventures (99% True!). In this 1890’s period piece, Stanley Slater is back with his unique voice and scrapbook. Stanley uses his scrapbook to further his story with advertisements and clippings. We find Stanley in the city, away from the lumber camp, but still finding near death experiences, even though his feared cousin Geri is too sick to be much of a threat. Whereas Stanley spent the last book wondering about his father, he meets up with him in this book. Stanley has to determine if dear old dad is a hero or a villain while also coming up with get rich quick schemes to help his mother.

Stanley’s adventures are a fun window into the past, especially with the addition of his scrapbook. I like the humor in this book and the characters are a lot of fun, though I miss Geri’s feisty character that is largely absent. It is sometimes confusing when Stanley’s thoughts seem to always be said out loud unbeknownst to him. The story seems to drag in the middle just a bit.

EL, MS - OPTIONAL. Michelle in the Middle
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Betsey Brannen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually did not finish this one. I didn't realize it was part of a series and mistakenly bought this one first. The call-out pictures from the Victorian era are quite funny and make the story enjoyable. The sad part is, it is the only part of the story that is enjoyable (for me).

I stopped reading 100 pages in, too bad.

[Sheila Grau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like the first, had me laughing out loud more times than I can count. Great characters, great story, and I love the visuals.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stanley Slater is an over-active, over-dramatic, imaginative 11 year old boy. Stan lives with his mother and grandmother in the boardinghouse they are trying to get up and running. Stan is constantly being harassed by bossy women. The worst of the lot is his cousin Geri, who thinks she is a doctor, and his classmate, Mad Madge, who thinks she is a journalist. Stan finds himself in a desperate situation when he learns his mother might marry namby-pamby Archibald Crutchley in order to have money to save the boardinghouse. He's got to find some way to get some cash fast! A way presents itself when Stan's long-lost father, Capt'n Slater, shows up. The Capt'n's rumored to be a nasty type, but could he be that bad when he has people giving him crates of food for free, and has the ladies blushing and giggling when he walks by? DeCamp has an enjoyable writing style and the old-fashioned pictures with clever annotations are a delight. The downside to the book is the sad undertone surrounding Stan and his father. Stan has been dreaming and yearning of the day when he can finally meet his amazing father. The only reason the Capt'n could possibly have for leaving him is because he was off doing heroic and grand deeds. In the story, no one considers Stan's needs and feelings. Capt'n Slater is a bad man, so it is bad for Stan to know him. None of the "good" adults in Stan's life ever talk to him about the situation or about his feelings. Some even accuse Stan of being selfish and thinking only of himself - because if he spends time with his dad, he'll become a bad sort, and that just won't do. Having an adoptive son of my own, the message portrayed here was disappointing, not to mention wrong. There is a "happy" ending and a special moment when Stan receives a message from a true friend, but it fell a little flat. Still, most readers will find it enjoyable. (This was an ARC.)

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book jacket for this humorous historical fiction novel suggests that fans of Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago will enjoy this book, and I wholeheartedly agree. It does bring to mind that particular book with its unforgettable grandmother. This one, too, has a Granny that keeps her grandson in line and rules the roost with an iron fist, but she's nowhere near as over-the-top--except perhaps in the narrator's oh, so fertile mind--as Grandma Dowdel is. Still, she does figure in some important scenes. The story itself revolves around Stanley Slater who is living with his mother and grandmother in 1895 Michigan. Because of some earlier mistakes, he's spending some of his free time minding Cuddy Carlisle, and avoiding his cousin Geri. He also maintains a scrapbook of his would-be adventures and enjoys hanging out with Stinky Pete, a guy he met in the lumber industry in the previous book. When he happens to see his long-lost father, a ship captain with an unsavory reputation, Stan is desperate to impress the man. But sadly, he turns out not to be worth impressing, and Stan just missed setting out to sea with his father. While the story itself is filled with humor, partly in the form of his unspoken thoughts that are actually spoken aloud, as well as some pathos, one of the best parts of this book would have to be the amazing images from magazine articles and advertisements that have been embellished by Stan and fill the book on several pages. I also loved how the author has woven in actual feminist groundbreakers such as Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Blackwell as well as the fictional character of Geri who is always studying medical books. Clearly, this author wants her readers to aim high. I'm glad I decided to read this book since it made me smile when Stan finally realizes the truth about himself, about how much Cuddy admires him, and about his father. It's so disappointing when someone we idolize lets us down.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stanley Slater is back for an all new adventure. This time he is trying to help his mother by taking odd jobs as she struggles to run her boarding house. He thinks everything will be different if he can get the attention of his father the notorious Cap’n Slater.

This historical novel set in the 1890’s, is told in first person narrative. Stanley’s amusing adventures may capture the attention of fans of books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Along with Stanley’s story are visual snippets from his much loved scrapbook. The author’s notes at the end offers a kid friendly look at the author’s research and bibliographic references for more information on the historical facts the book is based upon. I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing the first book I was lucky enough to get an ARC of I Almost Died Again. Ms. DeCamp has a unique and enjoyable style that you cannot find anywhere else. It is a great continuation of Stan Slater's story with the all the characters you loved from the first book. The book is well researched, well written, well illustrated and funny.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan and his scrapbook are the 1890s equivalent of the Wimpy Kid and his diary. This sequel is just as hilarious as the first!