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Me and Miranda Mullaly
“Jake Gerhardt’s debut novel is sweet, knowing, and a super-fun read. Takes you right back to the awkwardness and earnestness of adolescence, with a lot of cringe and even more laughs .” —Patton Oswalt, New York Times bestselling author, comedian, and actor
They each have 33% chance with her, but she's 0% interested.
Meet Sam, the comedian; Duke, the intellectual; and Chollie, the athlete. Their fates converge at Penn Valley Middle as each falls desperately for the enigmatic Miranda Mullaly—the girl who smiles like she means it, the girl who makes Christmas truly magic when she sings, the girl who…barely realizes her admirers exist! Small misunderstandings lead to big laughs, and beneath the humor, every attempt to win Miranda's favor becomes a compelling look at the larger world of each guy's life.
They each have 33% chance with her, but she's 0% interested.
Meet Sam, the comedian; Duke, the intellectual; and Chollie, the athlete. Their fates converge at Penn Valley Middle as each falls desperately for the enigmatic Miranda Mullaly—the girl who smiles like she means it, the girl who makes Christmas truly magic when she sings, the girl who…barely realizes her admirers exist! Small misunderstandings lead to big laughs, and beneath the humor, every attempt to win Miranda's favor becomes a compelling look at the larger world of each guy's life.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 30, 2016
Gerhardt nails four perspectives in alternating chapters as three very different boys each try to attract the attention of a very special girl. The trouble is, they are all interested in the same girl. Great humor and great characters--even the secondary ones. I especially liked the use of the characters' responses to writing prompts in English class to help tell the story. Recommended.
Note: I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher.
Note: I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher.
December 2, 2015
Miranda Mullaly has everything going for her - she's a cheerleader, on the student council, is liked by teachers and students, makes good grades, has a loyal best friend, and has a wonderful boyfriend. But in a turn of events that quickly turns her life into something from a romcom movie, there are suddenly 3 boys in her class who all decide that they are in love with Miranda and need to win her affection.
Let's play The Dating Game. Bachelor number 1 is Sam Dolan. Sam's hobbies include pulling practical jokes, avoiding his homework, and trying to ignore his sisters. Bachelor 2 is Duke Samagura. Duke enjoys criticizing the education available at Penn Valley Middle School, making straight As, and starring in school musicals. Bachelor number 3 is Chollie Muller. (Chollie's name is actually Charlie, but he couldn't say his r sounds when he first started school and the nickname has stuck with him ever since.) Chollie likes all types of sports, hanging out with his older brother Billy, and is a generally easygoing guy.
So, what will each of the bachelors do to convince Miranda that he is the man of her dreams? Well, I can't say too much without ruining all the fun, but I can give you a few hints. Their efforts involve school musical auditions, vandalism (of sorts), snow shovels, reading Twilight, researching global warming, asking siblings for advice, and the Valentine's Dance. In a way it reminds me of a middle school version of "There's Something About Mary."
If you enjoy stories in school settings with lots of humor, pranks, and a bit of romantic interest (requited or not), then give it a try. You may just fall for Miranda Mullaly, too.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Let's play The Dating Game. Bachelor number 1 is Sam Dolan. Sam's hobbies include pulling practical jokes, avoiding his homework, and trying to ignore his sisters. Bachelor 2 is Duke Samagura. Duke enjoys criticizing the education available at Penn Valley Middle School, making straight As, and starring in school musicals. Bachelor number 3 is Chollie Muller. (Chollie's name is actually Charlie, but he couldn't say his r sounds when he first started school and the nickname has stuck with him ever since.) Chollie likes all types of sports, hanging out with his older brother Billy, and is a generally easygoing guy.
So, what will each of the bachelors do to convince Miranda that he is the man of her dreams? Well, I can't say too much without ruining all the fun, but I can give you a few hints. Their efforts involve school musical auditions, vandalism (of sorts), snow shovels, reading Twilight, researching global warming, asking siblings for advice, and the Valentine's Dance. In a way it reminds me of a middle school version of "There's Something About Mary."
If you enjoy stories in school settings with lots of humor, pranks, and a bit of romantic interest (requited or not), then give it a try. You may just fall for Miranda Mullaly, too.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
December 4, 2015
It is amazing how clear everything is when you can see all sides but in the case of the guys in love with Miranda Mullaly, nothing is clear. Take three middle school boys and the one hot girl and you have drama. Each thinks every gesture, every look she gives them means something and they will do anything to get noticed. The funny thing is that Miranda is in the middle of what she thinks of as a crisis and isn't even aware of their attempts. The story jumps between all the main characters in a variety of ways such as journal entries and school writing assignments. The result is classic middle school drama in a fun approach - as you read you will shake your head, groan and laugh because we have all been there. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
December 1, 2015
This book is perfect for that middle age kid- boy or girl- looking for an engaging read outside of school. If you're looking for a fun, age-appropriate option for a gift, this will appeal as equally to a voracious young bookworm as it would to a bored kid looking for something to do on a rainy afternoon.
March 24, 2016
DNF.
3 boys crush on 1 girl. This could have been an interesting premise... had it had more plot!
Though I did like Choilly... Chullily? Can't remember the spelling of his to be honest, but he was very sweet and the he looked up to his big bro was cute... but not cute enough for me slog through the rest of the other boring characters.
3 boys crush on 1 girl. This could have been an interesting premise... had it had more plot!
Though I did like Choilly... Chullily? Can't remember the spelling of his to be honest, but he was very sweet and the he looked up to his big bro was cute... but not cute enough for me slog through the rest of the other boring characters.
January 22, 2021
There's truly nothing like a fun, lighthearted read to finish the week, and Me and Miranda Mullaly is the perfect one to do it!
Sam, Duke and Chollie only have one thing in common- they are head over heels in love with Miranda Mullaly... and she barely knows they exist!
Narrated by the three boys, with a few parts told in Miranda's perspective, this book made laugh out loud the whole way through as the boys try their hardest to win over the girl of their dreams. Additionally, it goes deeper into the boys' lives and how they are perceived by their classmates versus who they truly are, which kept the characters from being boring and stereotypical and gave the story a depth and heart that I loved.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, easy read, perfect for ages 11+.
Sam, Duke and Chollie only have one thing in common- they are head over heels in love with Miranda Mullaly... and she barely knows they exist!
Narrated by the three boys, with a few parts told in Miranda's perspective, this book made laugh out loud the whole way through as the boys try their hardest to win over the girl of their dreams. Additionally, it goes deeper into the boys' lives and how they are perceived by their classmates versus who they truly are, which kept the characters from being boring and stereotypical and gave the story a depth and heart that I loved.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, easy read, perfect for ages 11+.
December 24, 2016
Gerhardt, Jake Me & Miranda Mullaly, 246 pgs. Penguin Random House (Viking), 2016. $16.99. Language: G ( 0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content:G ; Violence: PG (fighting) .
Sam is the class clown who promised his mom for Christmas that he was going to straighten up and stop getting in trouble, but on the first day back to school from winter break, he can’t resist putting a tack on Duke’s chair. Duke, who thinks he’s smarter than everyone at Penn Valley Middle School (including the teachers) is saved from sitting on the tack when Miranda Mullaly intervenes. Chollie, who sits behind Miranda sees it all happen and realizes he wants to be her boyfriend. But, so does Duke and Sam. These three 8th grade boys do everything they can to win her affection, including auditioning for the school play, but Miranda isn’t interested (she already has a boyfriend who goes to another school).
Told from alternating perspectives, this refreshing middle school drama is a romance novel that will be enjoyed by both boys and girls. There is little sports action, some school musical fun and best of all boy drama!
MS - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
Sam is the class clown who promised his mom for Christmas that he was going to straighten up and stop getting in trouble, but on the first day back to school from winter break, he can’t resist putting a tack on Duke’s chair. Duke, who thinks he’s smarter than everyone at Penn Valley Middle School (including the teachers) is saved from sitting on the tack when Miranda Mullaly intervenes. Chollie, who sits behind Miranda sees it all happen and realizes he wants to be her boyfriend. But, so does Duke and Sam. These three 8th grade boys do everything they can to win her affection, including auditioning for the school play, but Miranda isn’t interested (she already has a boyfriend who goes to another school).
Told from alternating perspectives, this refreshing middle school drama is a romance novel that will be enjoyed by both boys and girls. There is little sports action, some school musical fun and best of all boy drama!
MS - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
January 23, 2017
The story: Sam (the class clown), Duke (the self-appointed intellectual) and Chollie (the jock) all fall in love with the same girl (Miranda Mullaly) on the same day. Now the competition is on--who will be the one to win her heart? Everyone's plans go every which way but right, and it'll take more than just a bit of serendipity for any of them to come out on top. May the best man win!
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (disrespect to adults; plans for revenge; lying) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments - It's not very often that the story of a middle-school crush is written from the guys' point of view. This frothy, fun novel is pretty short on character development...but no boy in his right mind cares about that, anyway. I made me laugh out loud in parts, and I'm always a fan of that. Hand it to the same crowd that enjoys Tommy Greenwald's Charlie Joe Jackson books.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (disrespect to adults; plans for revenge; lying) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments - It's not very often that the story of a middle-school crush is written from the guys' point of view. This frothy, fun novel is pretty short on character development...but no boy in his right mind cares about that, anyway. I made me laugh out loud in parts, and I'm always a fan of that. Hand it to the same crowd that enjoys Tommy Greenwald's Charlie Joe Jackson books.
August 10, 2016
Three boys fall over each other to compete for the attention and affection of the one and only Miranda Mullaly.
I agree with the reviewers who feel the characterization in this book is weak: we have a jock, a goofball, a nerd, and a Manic Pixie Dream Girl. They're kind of unexciting characters. At no point was I really compelled by either Miranda or the plot.
However, I am always on the lookout for middle grades school novels that focus on male characters, and I think a book like this one will appeal to many of my readers, who sometimes benefit from reading clearly cut characters.
I agree with the reviewers who feel the characterization in this book is weak: we have a jock, a goofball, a nerd, and a Manic Pixie Dream Girl. They're kind of unexciting characters. At no point was I really compelled by either Miranda or the plot.
However, I am always on the lookout for middle grades school novels that focus on male characters, and I think a book like this one will appeal to many of my readers, who sometimes benefit from reading clearly cut characters.
April 25, 2016
Three eighth grade guys love the same amazing girl -- Miranda Mullaly. In sharing their epic love story, each guy covers the exact same events . . . though they tell vastly different stories.
set-aside
November 30, 2017I checked out My Future Ex-Girlfriend from the library because I though it looked cute, read the first two chapters, and realized it was a sequel to this. I set it aside to read this first. This one did not charm me. I was thoroughly annoyed by two of the boys. I'm happy to know the one I actually likes wins Miranda in the end. But I can't read an entire book with those other two guys voices taking up 2/3s of it. I'm sure they grow. But I don't have to be there for it. I do like knowing enough about this book to recommend it to kids who like these kind of stories. (I don't have to finish it or like it myself to do that.)
July 17, 2017
This was a fun read about three middle school guys all crushing on the same girl, Miranda Mullaly. Each of them tells his story, so you get the same event from three different points of view, and even some from Miranda's. Close enough that there's never any question about what actually happened, but each perspective comes through clearly. Light and fun, and nice to have a relationship story from the male approach. The characters are recognizable without being sterotypes, and ditto for the story line. I could recommend this to lots of kids -- not too long, moves quickly, has some funny moments. A keeper!
February 7, 2020
Three very different boys in eight grade all have a crush on the same girl. Sam is the class clown and is working on turning over a new leaf. Duke is the intellectual who'd rather be reading a book in peace in quiet. Chollie is the athlete who's got the help of his older brother billy. All three of these boys are determined to woo Miranda Mullaly.
As an adult there was a bit of cringe to this book. But it was fun, the three boys all have different personalities and ways of going about wooing Miranda. The multiple perspectives are fun. A good pick for realistic fiction readers who are looking for a light read.
As an adult there was a bit of cringe to this book. But it was fun, the three boys all have different personalities and ways of going about wooing Miranda. The multiple perspectives are fun. A good pick for realistic fiction readers who are looking for a light read.
July 5, 2017
Una historia muy divertida y tierna, donde podemos encontrar a los típicos personajes de secundaria. Mi favorito es Sam, que siento que fue el que tuvo un gran avance de cómo empezó el libro a como lo termino. Fue algo que no me gusto y es que los personajes eran algo plano, me hubiera gustado que tuvieran más matices y que no solo se quedaran en su papel de nerd, gracioso y deportista. Lo mejor fue sin duda ese final. Un libro recomendado para adolescentes.
May 2, 2020
This book was cute. I enjoyed the way it was written to showcase each character’s personality. Jake Gerhardt did an okay job capturing each child’s personality. However I could not stand the character Duke. Additionally, the chapters often seemed pretty short that it was difficult to get a full picture of each character’s perspective. Still, a cute and funny book that I would recommend to students who are asking for a funny book. Wouldn’t read again, but wouldn’t mind reading his sequel either.
May 22, 2024
One day, three different boys develop a crush on Miranda. The book rotates views of the boys as they figure out how to endear themselves to her, and it also includes Miranda's view, which is that these boys hardly register in her thoughts.
I was looking for some age-appropriate romance books for Alice and this title came up in my search. I liked the premise, so I read it because it sounded funny. It was funny from time to time and the story was ok, but not great. Maybe a 3.5 star book?
I was looking for some age-appropriate romance books for Alice and this title came up in my search. I liked the premise, so I read it because it sounded funny. It was funny from time to time and the story was ok, but not great. Maybe a 3.5 star book?
May 4, 2017
Leer esta dulce, divertida, romántica y tierna historia me ha encantado y me ha permitido recordar mi época y vivencias de la adolescencia en la secundaría.
Es un libro que me ha entretenido mucho al vivir con los personajes su lucha interna y externa por ganar la batalla del amor de Miranda Mullaly.
Es un libro que me ha entretenido mucho al vivir con los personajes su lucha interna y externa por ganar la batalla del amor de Miranda Mullaly.
June 12, 2017
This was a very funny book, I caught myself laughing and smiling many times.
To me, this book started off very slow and dragging on, however when I got about half way through the book, I couldn't put it down. The characters are very well described and I feel that I have met some of these Chollie's, Duke's, and Sam's in my life which made this book very relatable.
To me, this book started off very slow and dragging on, however when I got about half way through the book, I couldn't put it down. The characters are very well described and I feel that I have met some of these Chollie's, Duke's, and Sam's in my life which made this book very relatable.
October 23, 2020
Me and Miranda Mullaly was an amazing book that I could not put down. From tue time I got it from the library it took me an hour to finish. Not because it is short but because I was unable to stop.
My favourite character is tye self absorbed Duke Samagura who thinks he will with no doubt be the one to get the prize, Miranda Mullaly.
Full of cringy moments that you will NEVER forget!!
My favourite character is tye self absorbed Duke Samagura who thinks he will with no doubt be the one to get the prize, Miranda Mullaly.
Full of cringy moments that you will NEVER forget!!
July 6, 2023
I am reading this book for a group discussion that my granddaughter will be participating in and I can't wait to see what she thinks. I thoroughly enjoyed all the points of view-- and the writing prompts! I recognized some of the characteristics of friends from junior high years, too. I don't think we had any Duke in my class, but definitely there were a few Charlies and Sams. :-)
February 7, 2018
Ok ok ok. I have been giving this book a lot of grief but... I really like the ending. I am so glad (blank) ends up with Miranda, and (blank) ends up with Erica, and (blank) ends up with Sharon. All in all, the first part of the book was pretty terrible but the ending made up for it.
May 26, 2018
Rating: 3.5 (I rounded up).
This book was a good, easy, Summer read. I enjoyed it though it wasn't the best writing. I will say that I (correctly) guessed who would end up with who pretty early on but that being said the plot was interesting and I read the book pretty quickly.
This book was a good, easy, Summer read. I enjoyed it though it wasn't the best writing. I will say that I (correctly) guessed who would end up with who pretty early on but that being said the plot was interesting and I read the book pretty quickly.
October 18, 2019
I read this one with my daughter, age 12. We both got a kick out of it! The three different point-of-view narratives from the three boys all crushing on the same girl....awesome! A fun story all around, with lots of humorous moments.
May 16, 2017
3 very different boys vying for the attention of one girl. Cute and fun story. Multiple perspectives. Lots of great life lessons about the middle school years.
May 28, 2017
Siento que para mi llegó en el momento menos indicado, sobre todo por la edad, sin embargo, es una lectura entretenida, pero no logré conectarme.
June 23, 2017
Review by C.W.: "A romantic comedy about 3 boys in love with the same girl."
August 25, 2017
Such a fun read! My fifth grade students loved this book last year - glad I read it! Excited to read the sequel
December 12, 2017
It was cool seeing three different perspectives on a crush.
February 26, 2021
Fun & funny, wanted to keep reading to see what would happen. Loved the alternating viewpoints, so interesting & the ending.
April 30, 2021
Humorous, great use of voice, loved these guys - her not so much :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews