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Just One Thing!
Every child about to enter middle school will be able to relate to this heart-warming, funny story. Anthony Pantaloni needs to figure out one thing he does well—one thing that will replace the Antsy Pants nickname he got tagged with on the first day of fifth grade, one good thing he can “own” before moving up to middle school next year. It seems that every kid at Carpenter Elementary has a claim to Marcus is Mr. Athletic, Alexis is Smart Aleck, Bethany has her horse obsession, and even Cory is known as the toughest kid in the school. Ant tries lots of things, but nothing sticks! It doesn’t help that there are obstacles along the way—a baton-twirling teacher, an annoying cousin, and Dad's new girlfriend, to name a few. Just One Thing! is chock full of hilarious adventures that will keep young readers cheering until the very end. For ages 8–12.
- GenresMiddle Grade
144 pages, Hardcover
Published September 28, 2016
267 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Viau
17 books29 followersNancy Viau is the author of the picture books PRUETT AND SOO, TODAY IS A BEACH DAY!, FIRST SNOW, STORM SONG, CITY STREET BEAT, and LOOK WHAT I CAN DO! Her middle-grade novels include BEAUTY AND BERNICE, JUST ONE THING!, SAMANTHA HANSEN HAS ROCKS IN HER HEAD (updated & reissued in 2019) and SOMETHING IS BUGGING SAMANTHA HANSEN. She is the founder of the KidLit Authors Club, a group of 22 children’s book authors who sign and present at bookstores, libraries, festivals, schools, and conferences. In her interactive, energetic story hours, assembly programs, and workshops, Viau gets young readers writing on the spot. She’s a Jersey girl with ties to the seashore and finds inspiration in nature and travel. www.nancyviau.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 18, 2016
Read thanks to NetGalley <3
A nice story. I think a lot of people (and maybe people a little older than the target audience for this book) may relate to the main character.. For me, it was fun to read, and I didn't want it to end. It was a fast, cool read. I'm definitely going back to more from this author.
A nice story. I think a lot of people (and maybe people a little older than the target audience for this book) may relate to the main character.. For me, it was fun to read, and I didn't want it to end. It was a fast, cool read. I'm definitely going back to more from this author.
August 10, 2016
Decent enough middle-school book.
A bit heavy handled on the "moral", though.
Anthony, know as Ant, loves to doodle. The book is filled with his doodles. He doodles in class, he doodles in his room, he doodles wherever and whenever he can.
And all he wants in life, when he enters middle-school next year, is to have a thing he is good at. He just can't find what that thing is.
Very natural voice, very boy-like, if not a little on the annoying side. Kids might like the drawings, and the blank pages where you are encouraged to do your own doodle if you own the book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
A bit heavy handled on the "moral", though.
Anthony, know as Ant, loves to doodle. The book is filled with his doodles. He doodles in class, he doodles in his room, he doodles wherever and whenever he can.
And all he wants in life, when he enters middle-school next year, is to have a thing he is good at. He just can't find what that thing is.
Very natural voice, very boy-like, if not a little on the annoying side. Kids might like the drawings, and the blank pages where you are encouraged to do your own doodle if you own the book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
March 16, 2018
I absolutely loved the marriage of story and illustrations in this middle grade novel. JUST ONE THING! reminds us how easy it is to overlook our own strengths and specialties when we use those around us as a measuring stick. Viau also expands that same concept of self worth through out the book. She shows the reader that what a person does, isn't always WHO they really are. Often those who challenge us the most are searching just as frantically to feel like they matter and fit in. JUST ONE THING! will leave readers with much more than just one thing after they close the cover.
December 6, 2017
Before entering middle school Anthony Pantaloni -AKA Antsy Pants - wants to ditch his nickname and find one thing he can do well. One think that will stick to him. One thing he can be known for. Sports? No. Brains? No. Class Clown? Not that either. This funny and endearing tale of Ant's adventures searching for his one thing will have you cheering. Bonus: Kids can doodle on pages in the book as they contemplate finding their own thing.
December 17, 2017
In Just One Thing, N. Viau has created a story about self-discovery and identity. Both poignant and humorous, Just One Thing! features "Ant," who struggles with finding his talents and adjusting to changes at home and at school. Timothy Young's creative drawings bring Ant's doodles to life, adding another level of fun to the story.
December 4, 2017
We've all been there- wanting to make a name for ourselves. But middle school is hard when you're fighting against a nick name that you hate. Anthony just needs to find out that one thing that he can do best...
December 17, 2020
A humour book
Want to read
May 29, 2017I received a copy of this book from Schiffer Publishing via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2017
With tons of humor and lots of heart, this story jabs into the core of middle grade insanity and the question of whether or not a kid can ever make it out with even a little bit of self-esteem intact.
Ant, otherwise known as Anthoni Pantaloni, has managed to maneuver his way from being stuck underneath a dark cloud. . .until he hits the fifth grade. Thrust into the new nick-name 'Antsy Pantsy', Ant struggles to find his identity while dealing with a frustrating cousin, his father's new romance and a mom who appears to be fading out of existence in some far away place named Paris, France.
This book had me and my son smiling and giggling the entire way through. Ant is an average boy stuck in an unfortunate situation, but not one that surpasses reality. His problems are fairly normal, but mount from one moment to the next. Most of it isn't his fault but still, he has to deal with the fall out. It's easy to feel for him and understand the problems he's going through. Although many situations are giggle worthy, the meaning and reality behind them still hit home. Life isn't easy and problems aren't always simple to solve. Still, there's a lovely dosage of hope and the encouragement that help sometimes comes from the most unexpected places. It's these moments which bring forth those fuzzy warm feelings and make it a read to enjoy.
One of the best things about this book are the illustrations/doodles. Simple sketches decorate every few pages, illustrating what Ant is doodling himself. They're funny and chucked full of imagination. As an extra bonus, there's a blank page at the end of some of the chapters, which invites kids to leave their own doodles.
The messages in this book are clear (learning to love yourself, friendship, understanding, never giving up, etc) but they are weaved masterfully into the story insuring that they never feel preachy.
Summed up, this is a fun read for kids ages 8 to 12 with tons of good things. The illustrations and invitation to add own doodles catches the attention and draws in. And the short length of 144 pages is just right to catch the eye of reluctant readers too.
Ant, otherwise known as Anthoni Pantaloni, has managed to maneuver his way from being stuck underneath a dark cloud. . .until he hits the fifth grade. Thrust into the new nick-name 'Antsy Pantsy', Ant struggles to find his identity while dealing with a frustrating cousin, his father's new romance and a mom who appears to be fading out of existence in some far away place named Paris, France.
This book had me and my son smiling and giggling the entire way through. Ant is an average boy stuck in an unfortunate situation, but not one that surpasses reality. His problems are fairly normal, but mount from one moment to the next. Most of it isn't his fault but still, he has to deal with the fall out. It's easy to feel for him and understand the problems he's going through. Although many situations are giggle worthy, the meaning and reality behind them still hit home. Life isn't easy and problems aren't always simple to solve. Still, there's a lovely dosage of hope and the encouragement that help sometimes comes from the most unexpected places. It's these moments which bring forth those fuzzy warm feelings and make it a read to enjoy.
One of the best things about this book are the illustrations/doodles. Simple sketches decorate every few pages, illustrating what Ant is doodling himself. They're funny and chucked full of imagination. As an extra bonus, there's a blank page at the end of some of the chapters, which invites kids to leave their own doodles.
The messages in this book are clear (learning to love yourself, friendship, understanding, never giving up, etc) but they are weaved masterfully into the story insuring that they never feel preachy.
Summed up, this is a fun read for kids ages 8 to 12 with tons of good things. The illustrations and invitation to add own doodles catches the attention and draws in. And the short length of 144 pages is just right to catch the eye of reluctant readers too.
October 25, 2016
Anthony Pantaloni has been nicknamed Ansty Pants by his fifth grade comrades and he hates it! He needs to think of a way to get rid of that name and quickly before middle school starts! Can you imagine being stuck with that name forever? Anthony sets out to discover just one thing that he is good at, one thing that will define who he is and what he is made of.
All his friends are known for something, whether it be: a great athlete, having the cranial smarts, being horse obsessed or even, yes, bullying... but for the life of him he can't find his own thing. He really puts an effort into the search and tries to discover his hidden talent but it has never surfaced.... not yet.
He not only has that worry to contend with but his outgoing cousin who is living with him because her parents are deployed drives him nuts at home and his dad is dating his teacher.... Oh my! How much can one kid take? He just can't seem to get a break in life.
This book is perfect for that targeted age group. At this stage in life kids are trying to figure out who they are, what they have a bend towards, and where they want to go in life. The book talks about the frustrations and challenges that life unleashes and how with perserverance and a little help from friends and family you can make it through successfully. Will Anthony be successful and become all he is created to be?
There are pages at the end of each chapter which enable the reader to journal, doodle and respond to the storyline. The entire book is narrated through the eyes of Anthony and his doodles comprise the illustrations making this a fun twist on traditional picture books. This unique feature expresses and augments the "one thing" of the character and brings Anthony alive. Very, very cool idea indeed. I highly recommend this book.
All his friends are known for something, whether it be: a great athlete, having the cranial smarts, being horse obsessed or even, yes, bullying... but for the life of him he can't find his own thing. He really puts an effort into the search and tries to discover his hidden talent but it has never surfaced.... not yet.
He not only has that worry to contend with but his outgoing cousin who is living with him because her parents are deployed drives him nuts at home and his dad is dating his teacher.... Oh my! How much can one kid take? He just can't seem to get a break in life.
This book is perfect for that targeted age group. At this stage in life kids are trying to figure out who they are, what they have a bend towards, and where they want to go in life. The book talks about the frustrations and challenges that life unleashes and how with perserverance and a little help from friends and family you can make it through successfully. Will Anthony be successful and become all he is created to be?
There are pages at the end of each chapter which enable the reader to journal, doodle and respond to the storyline. The entire book is narrated through the eyes of Anthony and his doodles comprise the illustrations making this a fun twist on traditional picture books. This unique feature expresses and augments the "one thing" of the character and brings Anthony alive. Very, very cool idea indeed. I highly recommend this book.
November 3, 2016
The style of the book -- told from a 5th grade boy's POV and filled with his imaginative doodles -- rides the current wave of tween books and the story line is familiar... a bullied kid, dealing with life changes of parents' divorce and move to a new town tries to figure out what his unique talent is. Hence, he needs Just One Thing to help him stand out and find pride in himself.
February 7, 2017
Very cute and creative. The story kept me turning pages and laughing. Loved the humor. The doodles aren't bad either. LOL
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews