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When Good Geeks Go Bad
When Ella’s dad refuses to let her have cool school shoes or stay up later than 9:30, Ella decides to take things into her own hands. Being good hasn’t got her anywhere, so why not try being bad for a while? It certainly looks a lot more fun and what’s a few detentions here and there? But going bad is a slippery slope and soon things are starting to spiral out of control. Can Ella get things back on track? Or is she going to end up with egg on her face?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2019
22 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Wilkins
25 books22 followersI grew up in Hertfordshire, with one younger brother, two dogs and one cat. And some parents.
I always loved stories and jokes. Even though I was absolutely terrible at spelling and grammar, I wanted to be a writer. I didn't know how to do that though, so I did a degree in Sociology and then worked lots of random jobs, while telling people that I wanted to be a writer.
I have been a pizza deliverer, insurance broker, shelf stacker, litter picker, photo-developer, receptionist, HR recruiter, admin assistant, office temp, cashier, waitress, customer service rep, barmaid, stand up comedian and a writer. I love being a writer the best.
I also love travelling, and am very lucky that I have been to lots of different places, including America, Africa, India, Thailand, France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Cuba.
I now live in London with my husband and our two rescued cats (Smithers and Liono) and I hope that I get to write many more books and visit many more places.
- from her website
I always loved stories and jokes. Even though I was absolutely terrible at spelling and grammar, I wanted to be a writer. I didn't know how to do that though, so I did a degree in Sociology and then worked lots of random jobs, while telling people that I wanted to be a writer.
I have been a pizza deliverer, insurance broker, shelf stacker, litter picker, photo-developer, receptionist, HR recruiter, admin assistant, office temp, cashier, waitress, customer service rep, barmaid, stand up comedian and a writer. I love being a writer the best.
I also love travelling, and am very lucky that I have been to lots of different places, including America, Africa, India, Thailand, France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Cuba.
I now live in London with my husband and our two rescued cats (Smithers and Liono) and I hope that I get to write many more books and visit many more places.
- from her website
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 19, 2020
Amüsante Geschichte über das schwierige Leben mit 13
13, ein schwieriges Alter - so auch für Ella, die eigentlich ein braves nettes Mädchen ist. Doch wenn man sich unverstanden fühlt, muss man ja etwas dagegen unternehmen. Deshalb beschließt sie mit anderen Kindern gegen die Erwachsenen zu rebellieren. Ob das so eine gute Idee ist?
Ein sehr unterhaltsames Buch für jüngere Leser, welche sich sicherlich hier und da selber wieder finden werden. Der Schreibstil ist rasant, unterhaltsam und leicht verständlich. Kurze Kapitel animieren auch ungeübte Leser zum dranbleiben und man hat einfach Spaß and er Geschichte. Das Leben ist wie es ist und man muss sich auch ausprobieren und Dinge austesten und alles nicht ganz so kritisch sehen. Diese Grundaussage kam sehr gut rüber und genau dafür ist das Leben auch da in dem Alter. Zudem gab es zahlreiche Überraschungen und Wendungen in der Geschichte, welche die Handlung einfach bis zuletzt spannend und fesselnd gehalten haben.
Eine tolle lustige Geschichte mit schöner Botschaft, die beim Zielpublikum genau richtig platziert ist. Denn die Kindheit ist dafür da, Dinge auszuprobieren, zu lernen und Erkenntnisse zu haben, die einen später weiter bringen. Amüsant und leicht lesbar geschrieben, wird dieses Buch sicherlich viele junge Leser begeistern.
13, ein schwieriges Alter - so auch für Ella, die eigentlich ein braves nettes Mädchen ist. Doch wenn man sich unverstanden fühlt, muss man ja etwas dagegen unternehmen. Deshalb beschließt sie mit anderen Kindern gegen die Erwachsenen zu rebellieren. Ob das so eine gute Idee ist?
Ein sehr unterhaltsames Buch für jüngere Leser, welche sich sicherlich hier und da selber wieder finden werden. Der Schreibstil ist rasant, unterhaltsam und leicht verständlich. Kurze Kapitel animieren auch ungeübte Leser zum dranbleiben und man hat einfach Spaß and er Geschichte. Das Leben ist wie es ist und man muss sich auch ausprobieren und Dinge austesten und alles nicht ganz so kritisch sehen. Diese Grundaussage kam sehr gut rüber und genau dafür ist das Leben auch da in dem Alter. Zudem gab es zahlreiche Überraschungen und Wendungen in der Geschichte, welche die Handlung einfach bis zuletzt spannend und fesselnd gehalten haben.
Eine tolle lustige Geschichte mit schöner Botschaft, die beim Zielpublikum genau richtig platziert ist. Denn die Kindheit ist dafür da, Dinge auszuprobieren, zu lernen und Erkenntnisse zu haben, die einen später weiter bringen. Amüsant und leicht lesbar geschrieben, wird dieses Buch sicherlich viele junge Leser begeistern.
February 7, 2022
It was....fine. The plot was about a geek trying to fit in with others- I'm not a geek but I could relate. Deducting one star for no one really being likable and save from Ella, the characters were bland. Deducting another star for not being as long as I'd hoped, leaving questions unanswered (What happened after the time she got grounded? Did she make up with Olivia (I mean is she Ella's friend? What happened?)), swearing as fillers (the h-word), and overly 'meh' plot.
I'll probably read another Catherine Wilkins book, but I won't be ecstatic.
3/5 stars.
I'll probably read another Catherine Wilkins book, but I won't be ecstatic.
3/5 stars.
May 22, 2019
When Ella gets bullies at school by Olivia she is used to putting up with it until one day she decides being good gets you nowhere but being bad will perhaps get her noticed more!
The Butts are a group known who cause trouble and also get into detention all the time and through them Ella becomes a friend to them leaving best friend Jas out a bit.
After her mum moved out she hasn't bothered with her much and so subconsciously she starts acting out wanting her parents to notice her and pay her attention and love she feels lacking and so she begins behaving badly to get attention from her parents.
This was a great book and a bit like the humour and tone of the Geek Girl series by Holly Smale. Ella is a girl people can relate to for an array of reasons from the ones mentioned above. It was a realistic telling of life as a teenager in the modern world especially when you forget your phone!
The Butts are a group known who cause trouble and also get into detention all the time and through them Ella becomes a friend to them leaving best friend Jas out a bit.
After her mum moved out she hasn't bothered with her much and so subconsciously she starts acting out wanting her parents to notice her and pay her attention and love she feels lacking and so she begins behaving badly to get attention from her parents.
This was a great book and a bit like the humour and tone of the Geek Girl series by Holly Smale. Ella is a girl people can relate to for an array of reasons from the ones mentioned above. It was a realistic telling of life as a teenager in the modern world especially when you forget your phone!
February 16, 2019
My daughter thought it was ok just not funny
September 28, 2020
This is so inspiring!
February 15, 2023
It was a good book, just a bit young for me but still really great
December 18, 2023
I Love this book!! it is definitely a favorite! I absolutely recommend it. It is the kind of book that makes you keep reading, wanting to know what comes next!!
June 26, 2025
This book is great
October 25, 2025
Not very interesting but I wasn't the worst ive read
March 5, 2024
I can read this book over and over again and never get tired!!
the book basically follows ella, a girl who is basically a nerd. she never breaks the rules, always complains about the 'bad kids' and what they're doing.
ella hates getting bullied at school and decides to take matters into her own hands, keeping it a secret from her strict dad and wild mom. she decides to get in with the bad kids. jas, her best friend, gets annoyed about this whole change in ella and starts to not hang out with her anymore. ella becomes desperate and starts getting worse, up until the point of crazy.
the book is absolutely hilarious and filled with love. =)
the book basically follows ella, a girl who is basically a nerd. she never breaks the rules, always complains about the 'bad kids' and what they're doing.
ella hates getting bullied at school and decides to take matters into her own hands, keeping it a secret from her strict dad and wild mom. she decides to get in with the bad kids. jas, her best friend, gets annoyed about this whole change in ella and starts to not hang out with her anymore. ella becomes desperate and starts getting worse, up until the point of crazy.
the book is absolutely hilarious and filled with love. =)
April 11, 2020
Well this was a book that I would never think about reading, but as I got it for Christmas I've read it and quite enjoyed it.
June 8, 2021
Hands down, this is one of the best reads I have read this year. It was so funny and refreshing. I think it captured the inner dialogue of teenagers perfectly. This is the first book I have read by this author and I devoured it. Can't wait to get the rest of the collection.
February 10, 2024
hilarious self-conscious humor, and it has teenage rebellion so why not?
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews