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Peeves
Steven (Slim) Pickings is on the edge of a breakdown—but then, it always feels like Slim is teetering on the edge of something. The difference this time is that something’s caused Slim’s worries to come alive!
He’s set loose a bunch of annoying, pesky, outrageously contagious creatures—and they’re infecting everyone they meet and massing to take over the town!
Slim’s problems began when he and his sister, Lucy, visited their dad's work and Slim was hit in in the face with an experimental medicine, a previously not-yet-human-tested anti-anxiety spray called Personal Vexation Zoners, PVZ. No one knew the side effects before, but certainly none of the experts imagined that the spray would cause anyone infected to literally sneeze out their biggest peeves.
Now Slim and the rest of the town are trailed by the things that annoy them most. Noisy Peeve, Lazy Peeve, Asking Peeve—they all stick with Slim at all times and left untreated, they’re quickly getting worse and way, way more destructive.
To stop them, Slim will have to do more than just team up with his family and friends—he’ll have to face his fears, literally
Debut author award-winning screenwriter Mike Van Waes brings original intelligence and wit to a magical coming-of-age story in Peeves, where you have to face your feelings before your feelings have faces.
He’s set loose a bunch of annoying, pesky, outrageously contagious creatures—and they’re infecting everyone they meet and massing to take over the town!
Slim’s problems began when he and his sister, Lucy, visited their dad's work and Slim was hit in in the face with an experimental medicine, a previously not-yet-human-tested anti-anxiety spray called Personal Vexation Zoners, PVZ. No one knew the side effects before, but certainly none of the experts imagined that the spray would cause anyone infected to literally sneeze out their biggest peeves.
Now Slim and the rest of the town are trailed by the things that annoy them most. Noisy Peeve, Lazy Peeve, Asking Peeve—they all stick with Slim at all times and left untreated, they’re quickly getting worse and way, way more destructive.
To stop them, Slim will have to do more than just team up with his family and friends—he’ll have to face his fears, literally
Debut author award-winning screenwriter Mike Van Waes brings original intelligence and wit to a magical coming-of-age story in Peeves, where you have to face your feelings before your feelings have faces.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2018
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1613 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 21, 2018
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is one of the best books I have read this year. It was such a fun book to read. Steven is a young boy who has panic attacks. His parents have tried just about everything to help him. His parents have divorced and Steven who is nicknamed Slim is now at a new school. He discovers that the kid who bullied him at his old school is now at this school. When this former bully hits Steven in the back of the head. He has a major panic attack. Both parents are called to the school. They argue about who has to take Steven and his sister. When Steven's former bully flings something that hits Steven in the back of the head with something Steven has a panic attack. Both parents are called to the school. They argue about who has to take Steven and his sister. They find themselves at their father's job. Their father works in a lab. While waiting for their father, Steven's sister, managed to steal her father's security card. This leads to the disaster that sets things in motion. They hear his fathers boss talking with a scientist about the new medicine. It hasn't been tested on humans yet. When Steven accidentally bumps into the scientist spilling the contents of a beaker all over himself, he sets things into motion. Unfortunately the PVC drug has a nasty side effect Every time Steven sneezes he lets loose a creature he calls a peeve. Now they have learned what it is. No one else can see them. Is the whole town going crazy? Can Steven find a solution before it is too late? I read this in class one day since we had sustained silent reading. I talked about it to my students the day after I had read it. It has been checked out ever since. The students are standing in line to check it out the day it comes in. I can't wait to buy a few copies for my students and a copy for my granddaughter. This is a perfect book for those reluctant readers in your class.
This is one of the best books I have read this year. It was such a fun book to read. Steven is a young boy who has panic attacks. His parents have tried just about everything to help him. His parents have divorced and Steven who is nicknamed Slim is now at a new school. He discovers that the kid who bullied him at his old school is now at this school. When this former bully hits Steven in the back of the head. He has a major panic attack. Both parents are called to the school. They argue about who has to take Steven and his sister. When Steven's former bully flings something that hits Steven in the back of the head with something Steven has a panic attack. Both parents are called to the school. They argue about who has to take Steven and his sister. They find themselves at their father's job. Their father works in a lab. While waiting for their father, Steven's sister, managed to steal her father's security card. This leads to the disaster that sets things in motion. They hear his fathers boss talking with a scientist about the new medicine. It hasn't been tested on humans yet. When Steven accidentally bumps into the scientist spilling the contents of a beaker all over himself, he sets things into motion. Unfortunately the PVC drug has a nasty side effect Every time Steven sneezes he lets loose a creature he calls a peeve. Now they have learned what it is. No one else can see them. Is the whole town going crazy? Can Steven find a solution before it is too late? I read this in class one day since we had sustained silent reading. I talked about it to my students the day after I had read it. It has been checked out ever since. The students are standing in line to check it out the day it comes in. I can't wait to buy a few copies for my students and a copy for my granddaughter. This is a perfect book for those reluctant readers in your class.
February 12, 2018
I have to give the publisher and Edelweiss a big thank you for allowing me to read an ARC of this book!
First of all, the cover is adorable!!! Hopefully they will update this soon and you can see it. I really enjoyed this book. At one point, I was laughing so hard, and I could not stop. This book is cute, funny, smart, and leaves the reader with a great message! My only dilemma is where to place it in my public library. It has some curse words (not the biggies, but some minor ones) and is written more for middle school teens. That would make me hesitant to place it in my junior fiction. The cover, even though I totally love it, makes the book seem younger, so I don't think my teens would check it out in my YA section. It is a true middle grade book. When I told some of my teens about it, they would love to read it. I guess I have some thinking to do, because I am definitely going to purchase this one! If you have a middle school library, I highly recommend this book.
First of all, the cover is adorable!!! Hopefully they will update this soon and you can see it. I really enjoyed this book. At one point, I was laughing so hard, and I could not stop. This book is cute, funny, smart, and leaves the reader with a great message! My only dilemma is where to place it in my public library. It has some curse words (not the biggies, but some minor ones) and is written more for middle school teens. That would make me hesitant to place it in my junior fiction. The cover, even though I totally love it, makes the book seem younger, so I don't think my teens would check it out in my YA section. It is a true middle grade book. When I told some of my teens about it, they would love to read it. I guess I have some thinking to do, because I am definitely going to purchase this one! If you have a middle school library, I highly recommend this book.
May 4, 2018
I do my reviews in the form of questions
To see more reviews visit my blog at jennreneeread.blogspot.com
What made me pick this book up:
The cover most definitely did. I was exploring books on Netgalley and this one had such a cute and unique cover, paired with an interesting name, I instantly wanted to read it.
What did I like about the cover:
It's so cute! I love seeing all the cute little peeves on the cover, the colors are bright and cute, and I think it's perfect.
What made me read this book:
The cover! I swear I read this purely for the cover. I mean the synopsis was really interesting too, but really. The cover is adorable.
What did I like the most:
I think this book has such an important story. It teaches about coping, and anxiety. I loved reading about how all of the characters "peeves", whatever made them mad, upset, angry, frustrated, gave them anxiety, came to real life.
The characters had to not only recognize what was bothering them but learn how to deal with them.
It also taught that not everything is going to be all honky dory all the time, and it's okay to feel negative emotions and to be sad or upset, as long as you don't let it run your life.
With that being said, this book is about a 12-year-old boy who has anxiety, he has panic attacks almost constantly. He takes a lot of meds for it, and they decide to put him on a medication vacation and see how he copes.
He doesn't cope well, and his parents don't even try to understand what's going on with him. They act like they can just give him medicine and he'll be fine.
But going through everything together, they learn that they can't just push the feelings down, and they get to live how he lives every day, and they really realize how much it sucks.
The characters are great. Slim is adorable, and honestly, it was so refreshing to read a book that actually shows how hard it is and terrifying it is to live with anxiety. I think it really shows that off well.
Slim's little sister is always looking for attention because all the attention is always focused on Slim, which is one of her peeves. So it also brings to light how other people also have to live with the anxiety, even when they aren't the ones who actually have the anxiety.
It was interesting reading about all the things that bother people, and the peeves it turns into.
Also let me just tell you, Asking Peeves is adorable. So adorable.
For a book written for MG I feel like this book just packs so much in, and it's written perfect for young readers, and it might actually help them understand what's happening if they do have anxiety.
What didn't I like:
I don't think there was anything I didn't really like to be honest. I rated it 4 stars, just because it was a little young for me.
Would I read the rest of the series/more from this author?
I think I would!
This was an absolutely adorable book with a great story to it!
To see more reviews visit my blog at jennreneeread.blogspot.com
What made me pick this book up:
The cover most definitely did. I was exploring books on Netgalley and this one had such a cute and unique cover, paired with an interesting name, I instantly wanted to read it.
What did I like about the cover:
It's so cute! I love seeing all the cute little peeves on the cover, the colors are bright and cute, and I think it's perfect.
What made me read this book:
The cover! I swear I read this purely for the cover. I mean the synopsis was really interesting too, but really. The cover is adorable.
What did I like the most:
I think this book has such an important story. It teaches about coping, and anxiety. I loved reading about how all of the characters "peeves", whatever made them mad, upset, angry, frustrated, gave them anxiety, came to real life.
The characters had to not only recognize what was bothering them but learn how to deal with them.
It also taught that not everything is going to be all honky dory all the time, and it's okay to feel negative emotions and to be sad or upset, as long as you don't let it run your life.
With that being said, this book is about a 12-year-old boy who has anxiety, he has panic attacks almost constantly. He takes a lot of meds for it, and they decide to put him on a medication vacation and see how he copes.
He doesn't cope well, and his parents don't even try to understand what's going on with him. They act like they can just give him medicine and he'll be fine.
But going through everything together, they learn that they can't just push the feelings down, and they get to live how he lives every day, and they really realize how much it sucks.
The characters are great. Slim is adorable, and honestly, it was so refreshing to read a book that actually shows how hard it is and terrifying it is to live with anxiety. I think it really shows that off well.
Slim's little sister is always looking for attention because all the attention is always focused on Slim, which is one of her peeves. So it also brings to light how other people also have to live with the anxiety, even when they aren't the ones who actually have the anxiety.
It was interesting reading about all the things that bother people, and the peeves it turns into.
Also let me just tell you, Asking Peeves is adorable. So adorable.
For a book written for MG I feel like this book just packs so much in, and it's written perfect for young readers, and it might actually help them understand what's happening if they do have anxiety.
What didn't I like:
I don't think there was anything I didn't really like to be honest. I rated it 4 stars, just because it was a little young for me.
Would I read the rest of the series/more from this author?
I think I would!
This was an absolutely adorable book with a great story to it!
May 5, 2018
@kitlitexchange #partner
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange
program- for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Peeves by Mike Van Waes
Such a cute and fun book to read. Steven 'Slim' Pickings has panic attacks, when it happens on his first day of school his father takes him and his sister Lucy to work with him. While his dad goes to a meeting Slim is in charge of keeping an eye on his sister, till she runs off. Slim runs after her and they come across a room where they see lab rats acting strange. When Lucy shoves Slim out of the room he crashes into Dr. Zanker causing the nasal spray bottle the Doctor was holding to fall on the floor as Slim did and him inhaling the contents of the bottle. Which is (Personal Vexation Zoners (PVZ) and this is where everything starts to go down hill. Everytime he sneezes one of his peeves comes to life in a form of a furry potato sack looking creature. And only those infected can see the peeves, yes its airborne so those coming in contact with the PVZ get a peeve or two of their own. But when the whole town gets infected, Slim and his family must stop it before it becomes a bigger monster. Will Slim be able to overcome his peeves or his fears to save the town? You should definitely read it to find out. 😆
''..If you let your peeves loose, they could evolve into bigger, badder monsters that will literally eat you alive...or maybe just figuratively...but either way, if you're dealing with peeves or anxieties or fears or any overwhelming feelings of your own, I want you to know that you're not alone.''-Slim
July 22, 2018
What a pleasantly surprising positive take on anxiety.
Alrighty, let's get in on this review! A positive one this time, yay!
This book gives a great view of anxiety and panic attacks. And from a boy's perspective too. Boys, in general are under-diagnosed so having a boy with anxiety is awesome.
The book itself, through the use of peeves, portrays anxiety, questioning self-worth among other concepts. It also portrays divorce and does not go the route of, "the family will get back together".
Basically the book does a lot well.
The only part I did not like was the ending, which was pretty much something out of a kids movie. Also the "wrap up" in the end where Slim does a whole, "this is the morale of the story." Kids are smart, kids will get it without you spelling it out for them but it was a good idea to lay it all out I guess. I just know I didn't like it.
Like I said though, despite my gripes, I actually enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it to kids that have anxiety.
Alrighty, let's get in on this review! A positive one this time, yay!
This book gives a great view of anxiety and panic attacks. And from a boy's perspective too. Boys, in general are under-diagnosed so having a boy with anxiety is awesome.
The book itself, through the use of peeves, portrays anxiety, questioning self-worth among other concepts. It also portrays divorce and does not go the route of, "the family will get back together".
Basically the book does a lot well.
The only part I did not like was the ending, which was pretty much something out of a kids movie. Also the "wrap up" in the end where Slim does a whole, "this is the morale of the story." Kids are smart, kids will get it without you spelling it out for them but it was a good idea to lay it all out I guess. I just know I didn't like it.
Like I said though, despite my gripes, I actually enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it to kids that have anxiety.
July 27, 2018
Sigh! Mine is a paperback version - ISBN: 9780008249120 - I have never read/listened to a Kindle edition.
Now before I embark on a seemingly "Narky Peeve" review, it must be clearly understood that in the main, this book is quite entertaining. Actually, it reminds me of an out-of-print book called "Jenna and the Troublemaker" which is quite endearing.
Problem is: Divorced parents, gay parents, hints at vulgar language other than "poop" and slight toilet talk which is entirely unnecessary - The book would still be great without all that.
It is very imaginative - I don't think I'd like to have my annoyances become physical beings harassing me! I also didn't like the cliffhanger at the end. Very few people can write a decent one. R.L. Stine does it a lot and mostly, they are a flop except for "Goosebumps: Let's Get Invisible" which is what I call the perfect standard of cliffhangers.
But I would say that Mike van Waes has created a "new" class of oeuvre.
Now before I embark on a seemingly "Narky Peeve" review, it must be clearly understood that in the main, this book is quite entertaining. Actually, it reminds me of an out-of-print book called "Jenna and the Troublemaker" which is quite endearing.
Problem is: Divorced parents, gay parents, hints at vulgar language other than "poop" and slight toilet talk which is entirely unnecessary - The book would still be great without all that.
It is very imaginative - I don't think I'd like to have my annoyances become physical beings harassing me! I also didn't like the cliffhanger at the end. Very few people can write a decent one. R.L. Stine does it a lot and mostly, they are a flop except for "Goosebumps: Let's Get Invisible" which is what I call the perfect standard of cliffhangers.
But I would say that Mike van Waes has created a "new" class of oeuvre.
January 16, 2019
Lets be honest with our reviews, even if they are novels for children. I would recommend this book for 9 year olds that are a little bit odd, may have anxiety or other mental illnesses, don’t often read, AND enjoy annoying things. Nobody else who’s actually read books or even watched similar films should waste their time reading it. The creatures are so incredibly annoying and repetitive in this book that it feels like the story is going nowhere. 300 pages could have been told in about 50. Ernest Cline (whom I respect), suggest that you will love this book because it is similar to Gremlins and Inside Out...but to me that’s just called unoriginal. Not to mention it is nowhere NEAR as entertaining as those two great films. It also reminds me of a story by Roman Dirge that I own written a long time ago called “Monsters in My Tummy” which is infinitely better, and done poetically, and in a minimal amount of pages.
October 25, 2018
Won this book on Goodreads. This middle school books touches on a wide variety of issues but the main focus is on a young teen boy with severe anxiety that accidentally inhales a trial medication that has not been tested on humans for anxiety. Each time he sneezes a new "peeve" arrives in the form of a little monster but when others become infected and more stages happen to his "peeves" his life is turned upside down and inside out. There is a great supporting message at the end of the story and a little bit of a cliff hanger..
April 5, 2022
I'm halfway through reading this out loud to my 5th graders. I am amazed at the parallels with the pandemic and also with this particular class which seems to be made up of my very own group of peeves. I brought it home to finish it, just because I don't usually read a book aloud that I haven't read once (there is one paragraph l had to mark not to read--not with this group). Anyway, this is a good story for kids. Lots of action, lots of layered meaning. Lots of guffaws.
October 4, 2018
Steven "Slim" Pickings' life changed due to a freak accident at the lab where father works. Slim sneezes out his "pet peeves" and it is contagious. Can Slim and his family overcome their differences and save the town? Great story for kids that sometimes have difficulty dealing with their own anxieties.
July 2, 2019
This was a clever story to help children (and adults!) better understand the feeling and effects of anxiety. It was an engaging story with lots of action and suspense and drama and humor. Totally entertaining, even as an adult reading juvenile fiction. It was a great blend of real life situations and fantastically imaginative fiction, as well.
December 8, 2020
Esta novela para los más pequeños es sumamente divertida. Con monstruos que atacan un pequeño pueblo, pero que en su forma esconden algo mucho más atroz. De lectura rápida, emocionante, constante en su acción, te enfrentarás a los peores miedos, enfermedades y terrores que nos puede dar una ciudad descuidada.
August 31, 2024
Me gustó, más no es de los mejores libros que haya leído, sobretodo por el final, tenían todo para poder haberte contado un poco más de lo que pasó luego de los acontecimientos en Plum Island, no solo hablarte un poco de cuando se levanta y ya; que de verdad se notara un cambio significativo sabiendo lo que vive Slim. También me hubiera gustado saber que pasaría con él y Suzie
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2018
Thanks to Edelweiss plus for an ARC of this book.
After reading a couple serious, sad books, Peeves was a breath of fresh air (until I was introduced to Farting Peeve). I laughed (a lot) while reading this. I think kids will get a kick out of this book. Very unique.
After reading a couple serious, sad books, Peeves was a breath of fresh air (until I was introduced to Farting Peeve). I laughed (a lot) while reading this. I think kids will get a kick out of this book. Very unique.
May 18, 2019
This book could have been a lot shorter. I did enjoy Telling Peeve telling everyone that Slim pees in the shower. But don't we all? No? Just me? And Asking Peeve: "What's a spaz? Am I a spaz?" The epilogue confused me. Is it setting up a sequel?
April 7, 2022
Definitely a fantasy style with some Science fiction too. All about a science experiment. Slim, the main character, has to deal with his emotions to figure out how to stop said experiment. So good 4/5. Definitely not my kids cup of tea but I sure enjoyed it.
December 30, 2023
loved this book. despite it being so far from what i usually am into reading, and how its a "kids novel", i appreciated the way in which this silly book about pet peeves (literally) turns out to be a heartfelt little book about self control, mental health, etcetera.
i definitely recommend it.
i definitely recommend it.
March 2, 2018
I eagerly read the ARC I'd received. This book was cute. I think my tweens will enjoy it.
October 23, 2018
A fun book.
February 12, 2019
Funny book that touches on some tough topics, like anxiety, depression, family dynamics.
June 15, 2019
This is an excellent book. It helps to realize what other people are going thru when you can see them!!
April 29, 2020
I love the message of teaching empathy and understanding towards others in this book. It is funny and creative. Awesome book!
August 3, 2020
2'5 ⭐
November 12, 2020
Important. Putting it in all classrooms forever.
June 21, 2021
I read this to my kid and we both really enjoyed it.
April 19, 2022
Still have 100 pages to go...we read a chapter a night a couple nights a week.
My 13 yr old with Anxiety just mentioned "this is REALLY dragging on..." referring to the whole chase by the "bugbears". The whole middle of the book seems unnecessary. The beginning started out good in reference to Slim's anxiety and the formation of the Peeves.
The INSTANT naming of the Peeves and the commentary on EVERY move or sound every Peeve makes is tedious and not needed.
What would be more effective would be an examination of WHY these Peeves appear for their person. There is NO introspection about WHY each person gets their Peeve.
My son wants to know, where are the police and doctors and National Guard? Why isn't there any authority helping this town?
Another thing that bothers ME-the language is inappropriate in my view and unnecessary. The MC says "pissed" several times when it would be just as effective to say angry or furious. Kind of ruins this book as a read a loud. Also the MC's dad is VIOLENT and scary. He seems to enjoy beating up the peeves or anything that gets in his way. At one point he is violently choking a bugbear and it is praised? Not impressed. The MC parents seem completely unaware of how their actions affect their children. I was SO hoping this would help take the stigma of anxiety off my son, but the whole focus on anxiety has been completely lost before you get to page 100...
We are losing interest at page 221, but feel like we have to finish and that MAYBE there is a moral that will stick at the end in terms of how to deal with Anxiety and how other people can become more empathic to those with anxiety...We'll try anther chapter tonight and hope that we can keep slogging though...
My 13 yr old with Anxiety just mentioned "this is REALLY dragging on..." referring to the whole chase by the "bugbears". The whole middle of the book seems unnecessary. The beginning started out good in reference to Slim's anxiety and the formation of the Peeves.
The INSTANT naming of the Peeves and the commentary on EVERY move or sound every Peeve makes is tedious and not needed.
What would be more effective would be an examination of WHY these Peeves appear for their person. There is NO introspection about WHY each person gets their Peeve.
My son wants to know, where are the police and doctors and National Guard? Why isn't there any authority helping this town?
Another thing that bothers ME-the language is inappropriate in my view and unnecessary. The MC says "pissed" several times when it would be just as effective to say angry or furious. Kind of ruins this book as a read a loud. Also the MC's dad is VIOLENT and scary. He seems to enjoy beating up the peeves or anything that gets in his way. At one point he is violently choking a bugbear and it is praised? Not impressed. The MC parents seem completely unaware of how their actions affect their children. I was SO hoping this would help take the stigma of anxiety off my son, but the whole focus on anxiety has been completely lost before you get to page 100...
We are losing interest at page 221, but feel like we have to finish and that MAYBE there is a moral that will stick at the end in terms of how to deal with Anxiety and how other people can become more empathic to those with anxiety...We'll try anther chapter tonight and hope that we can keep slogging though...
May 21, 2024
Very cool concept! The middle got a bit dry, but it was a good concept.
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June 8, 2018Young Adult Book/Children's book
This book is sold as a children's book. It has a story line that is hilarious and would definitely appeal to elementary aged kids. However, the language and content make it impossible to be put on an elementary classroom or library shelf. There are several inappropriate suggestive remarks.
This is disappointing because I think the plot and theme of the story is too young for middle school/high school kids. However, younger kids would love it.
This book is sold as a children's book. It has a story line that is hilarious and would definitely appeal to elementary aged kids. However, the language and content make it impossible to be put on an elementary classroom or library shelf. There are several inappropriate suggestive remarks.
This is disappointing because I think the plot and theme of the story is too young for middle school/high school kids. However, younger kids would love it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews