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Whatshisface
A fun, funny ghost story about a nobody kid who becomes a somebody while helping a ghost right a wrong from the past.
Cooper Vega's family moves so often that he's practically invisible at any school he attends. Now they've relocated to the town of Stratford -- where nobody even makes an effort to learn Cooper's name. To them, he's just . . . whatshisface.
Cooper's parents feel bad about moving him around so much, so they get him a fancy new phone. Almost immediately, it starts to malfunction. First there's a buzzing. Then there's a weird glare on the screen. Then that glare starts to take on the form of . . . a person?
It's not just any person trapped inside Cooper's phone. It's a boy named Roderick, who says he lived in the time of William Shakespeare -- and had a very tangled history with the famous playwright. Cooper thinks his phone has gone haywire, but there's nothing he can do to get rid of Roderick.
Then, even stranger, Roderick starts helping him. Even though his 17th-century advice isn't always the best for a 21st century middle school.
Cooper Vega's family moves so often that he's practically invisible at any school he attends. Now they've relocated to the town of Stratford -- where nobody even makes an effort to learn Cooper's name. To them, he's just . . . whatshisface.
Cooper's parents feel bad about moving him around so much, so they get him a fancy new phone. Almost immediately, it starts to malfunction. First there's a buzzing. Then there's a weird glare on the screen. Then that glare starts to take on the form of . . . a person?
It's not just any person trapped inside Cooper's phone. It's a boy named Roderick, who says he lived in the time of William Shakespeare -- and had a very tangled history with the famous playwright. Cooper thinks his phone has gone haywire, but there's nothing he can do to get rid of Roderick.
Then, even stranger, Roderick starts helping him. Even though his 17th-century advice isn't always the best for a 21st century middle school.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2018
242 people are currently reading
1201 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Korman
249 books4,409 followersGordon Korman is a Canadian author of children's and young adult fiction books. Korman's books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide over a career spanning four decades and have appeared at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
November 11, 2020
When I signed Gordon Korman's ghost (and coming of age) middle grade novel Whatshisface out from my local library last fall, I fondly thought and hoped that I would really enjoy both the Shakespearean thematics and that main protagonist Cooper Vega's smartphone is indeed being haunted by a departed Elizabethan era spirit. However, if truth be told, I must indeed admit that I actually never did get very far at all with Whatshisface, since I really do not at all enjoy stories where things make no common sense because of basic geography gaffes and issues.
And with Whatshisface, since the action, since Gordon Korman's narrative seems to mostly take place in an American or a Canadian Stratford (and no, obviously not Stratford-upon-Avon, England), I do totally find it hard to believe that Roderick Northrope, that an Elizabethan era British ghost would be haunting Cooper Vega's smart phone in North America. For yes indeed, this just does not make any kind of sense with regard to place. And while I did in fact try to not let this geographical blunder bother me and to just enjoy Whatshisface as a story in and of itself, I just have not been able to do this and the amount of reading distraction, British phone ghost Roddy was causing me, it just became so annoying that I had to stop reading and to consider Whatshisface as abandoned (even though I do feel a trifle guilty doing this, but well, I just completely and absolutely ended up losing my patience).
Furthermore, I also really do have to wonder why Gordon Korman does not realise that realistically speaking, and yes, even with a ghost story, the ghost, the departed spirit in question (and in Whatshisface this is of course Roderick) would need to hail from a similar locality as to where the presented and featured story is in fact taking place and to have in Whatshisface, the smart phone spirit come from England, from across the Atlantic Ocean (to North America), this really is neither reasonable nor is it believable.
So yes, the above has indeed been frustrating and annoying enough for me (personally) to not want to finish Whatshisface, to abandon Whatshisface and to only consider a very grudging (and probably even overly generous) two star ranking, because I really and truly do consider the fact that Roddy is a British ghost haunting a North American smartphone quite sloppy penmanship on the part of Gordon Korman, and author sloppiness does generally rather majorly annoy and grate on me to no end.
And with Whatshisface, since the action, since Gordon Korman's narrative seems to mostly take place in an American or a Canadian Stratford (and no, obviously not Stratford-upon-Avon, England), I do totally find it hard to believe that Roderick Northrope, that an Elizabethan era British ghost would be haunting Cooper Vega's smart phone in North America. For yes indeed, this just does not make any kind of sense with regard to place. And while I did in fact try to not let this geographical blunder bother me and to just enjoy Whatshisface as a story in and of itself, I just have not been able to do this and the amount of reading distraction, British phone ghost Roddy was causing me, it just became so annoying that I had to stop reading and to consider Whatshisface as abandoned (even though I do feel a trifle guilty doing this, but well, I just completely and absolutely ended up losing my patience).
Furthermore, I also really do have to wonder why Gordon Korman does not realise that realistically speaking, and yes, even with a ghost story, the ghost, the departed spirit in question (and in Whatshisface this is of course Roderick) would need to hail from a similar locality as to where the presented and featured story is in fact taking place and to have in Whatshisface, the smart phone spirit come from England, from across the Atlantic Ocean (to North America), this really is neither reasonable nor is it believable.
So yes, the above has indeed been frustrating and annoying enough for me (personally) to not want to finish Whatshisface, to abandon Whatshisface and to only consider a very grudging (and probably even overly generous) two star ranking, because I really and truly do consider the fact that Roddy is a British ghost haunting a North American smartphone quite sloppy penmanship on the part of Gordon Korman, and author sloppiness does generally rather majorly annoy and grate on me to no end.
January 17, 2025
Four words: don't read this book!
✏️ Review ✏️
For starters, the plot is way too weird — the MC is constantly communicating with a dead person that lives in (yes, in) his phone. And as the story progresses, this ghost starts to take control of the MC's life by telling him what to do and coming out of his phone as a ghostly figure and doing a few inconsiderate things to other people so the MC can become more popular. I'm sorry (well, actually I'm not sorry!) but the whole plot just gave me the weirds. If that isn't enough, the plot feels forced and clichéd, not very enjoyable anyway.
Unlike in Korman's other books, the characters don't feature realistic dimension. Maybe it was because I didn't enjoy the plot, but I couldn't sympathize with the MC at all. He's constantly having to tell lies in order to protect his "ghost friend" even until the very end of the story. And he always has his head in his phone talking to this ghost. So ya know what? I don't feel bad one bit if he didn't make any friends at this new school! He's too absorbed with his ridiculous phone (was that too harsh? 😄).
Whatshisface is not worth your time; don't read it. Ok, I said enough.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• A few parts of the humor.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The plot — it's weird and feels clichéd.
• The MC — couldn't sympathize with him at all.
• Pretty much the whole story.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 1/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot:1/5
— 📝 Writing: 2.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 1.5/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 1/5
•One use of "j**z."
— ⚔️ Violence: 0/5
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• (None)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• (None)
✏️ Review ✏️
For starters, the plot is way too weird — the MC is constantly communicating with a dead person that lives in (yes, in) his phone. And as the story progresses, this ghost starts to take control of the MC's life by telling him what to do and coming out of his phone as a ghostly figure and doing a few inconsiderate things to other people so the MC can become more popular. I'm sorry (well, actually I'm not sorry!) but the whole plot just gave me the weirds. If that isn't enough, the plot feels forced and clichéd, not very enjoyable anyway.
Unlike in Korman's other books, the characters don't feature realistic dimension. Maybe it was because I didn't enjoy the plot, but I couldn't sympathize with the MC at all. He's constantly having to tell lies in order to protect his "ghost friend" even until the very end of the story. And he always has his head in his phone talking to this ghost. So ya know what? I don't feel bad one bit if he didn't make any friends at this new school! He's too absorbed with his ridiculous phone (was that too harsh? 😄).
Whatshisface is not worth your time; don't read it. Ok, I said enough.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• A few parts of the humor.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The plot — it's weird and feels clichéd.
• The MC — couldn't sympathize with him at all.
• Pretty much the whole story.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 1/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot:1/5
— 📝 Writing: 2.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 1.5/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 1/5
•One use of "j**z."
— ⚔️ Violence: 0/5
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• (None)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• (None)
July 13, 2018
I like a lot of Korman's books, but this one... Meh. He writes realistic fiction very well, and he tries here, but the ghost haunting the phone just doesn't work. The Shakespeare-written-by-a-lovesick-kid angle doesn't feel right. The whole thing is just off.
Minor work by a major author.
Minor work by a major author.
December 29, 2022
Whatshisface is not a realistic fiction novel with a life lesson like Restart, not a kid detective book like Korman’s Swindle series nor is it the action adventure of The Island or On the Run. It does have a few similarities to Slacker—middle grade main character with a school related problem plus a bit of humor. But that’s where the similarities end. In this book, seventh grader Cooper Vega is at yet another new school trying to fit in and find friends. Unfortunately, he is dubbed Whatshisface by an overbearing, but popular student and the name pretty much sums up how Cooper feels. Then the ghost of a young printer’s apprentice from the 1500s appears in Cooper’s snazzy cell phone and nothing will be the same. The chuckles abound and so does a bit of mystery as Cooper and ghost Roddy attempt to right wrongs and woo fair maiden. Fans of Korman’s work and others in grades 5-8 will enjoy this one and parents and librarians will appreciate the absence of profanity, violence and sexual content. Highly recommended.
May 17, 2019
I loved it! It was a page turner for sure. I read this book so fast. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes reading people speak olden.
August 14, 2024
Just imagine a person from 1582 coming to 2018 through a phone to restore his reputation
November 8, 2024
So creative I love the characters!
September 7, 2024
3.5 Stars
October 23, 2021
A quick,easy, enjoyable read that had many laugh out loud moments. Classic Gordon Korman. I loved the way the character of Roddy was written. Every word, every sentence that came out of his mouth was just priceless, and the source of all my laugh out loud moments.
November 18, 2022
This is the 20th book I have read from Gordon Korman, most of them over the last few years. Earlier this year, in the summer of 2022, he published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Having now read 20 of his books, it is hardly a drop in the buck, but with each one I read I am entertained and often challenged. If I read about a book a week in just under 2 years I will have read and reviewed all of his books. An ambitious project but it is a goal. My son often reads these books to me or with me. I picked up this to read on my own but have since recommended it to my son.
My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them. My Son and I have mostly been reading his more recent titles. This is a newer title and one that we had missed. I read this shortly after rereading Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease for the first time in over 30 years. It was really intriguing to see the difference between how Korman and Trease treated Shakespeare and his reputation. The description of this volume is:
“When 12-year-old Cooper Vega moves for the third time in five years, he receives a state-of-the-art smartphone to help him stay in touch with old friends. He's had phones before, but this one is buggy and unpredictable. When a boy named Roderick Northrop communicates with him through the phone, Cooper realizes the phone isn't buggy at all; the thing is haunted!”
The chapters in the story are:
Meet Whatshisface
Smartphone, Stupid Person
Shakespeare Town
Wrong Number?
The Ghost in the Machine
The Insult App
The Apprentice
They Call Him the Bard
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
Four Full Mississippis
Go Big or Go Home
The Loose Nuke
Alistair’s Magical Window
Wherefore Art Thou?
Hipping and Hopping
The Wolfson Collection
Public Enemy Number One
Proof Positive
The Killer Cloud
Lifesaver
The Anti-Whatshisface
Silence
Fourteen Minutes and Eleven Seconds
The Forbidden Gallery
Places, Everybody
This One’s for You
Under Arrest
A Gray Lie
Epilogue
Cooper Vega is what growing up we would have called a ‘base brat’, meaning that he was a kid of someone station at the military base in town and who knew how long he would be around. My Mother herself was one and lived all over Canada and even some postings in Europe. No he is in his third town in 5 years. He is accustomed to being the outsider, and not developing deep relationships. The only real benefit of all the moving is the ‘guilt gifts’ from his parents each time it happens. This time it is the new state of the art phone the GX-4000. Soon Cooper realizes something is up with the phone, and that it is inhabited by a ghost. The ghost of Roderick Northrop a printer’s apprentice from the 15000’s who actually wrote the first 2/3rds of Romeo and Juliette. And together they come up with a plan.
The story moves at a fast pace. There is a love interest, a bully, a ghost and a rich guy who blackmailed the town to change its name who is a huge Shakespeare buff. It was a great story especially for a fan of the Bard’s plays both in print and on stage. It was highly entertaining. A real page turner. Another excellent read from the always entertaining pen of Gordon Korman!
My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them. My Son and I have mostly been reading his more recent titles. This is a newer title and one that we had missed. I read this shortly after rereading Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease for the first time in over 30 years. It was really intriguing to see the difference between how Korman and Trease treated Shakespeare and his reputation. The description of this volume is:
“When 12-year-old Cooper Vega moves for the third time in five years, he receives a state-of-the-art smartphone to help him stay in touch with old friends. He's had phones before, but this one is buggy and unpredictable. When a boy named Roderick Northrop communicates with him through the phone, Cooper realizes the phone isn't buggy at all; the thing is haunted!”
The chapters in the story are:
Meet Whatshisface
Smartphone, Stupid Person
Shakespeare Town
Wrong Number?
The Ghost in the Machine
The Insult App
The Apprentice
They Call Him the Bard
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
Four Full Mississippis
Go Big or Go Home
The Loose Nuke
Alistair’s Magical Window
Wherefore Art Thou?
Hipping and Hopping
The Wolfson Collection
Public Enemy Number One
Proof Positive
The Killer Cloud
Lifesaver
The Anti-Whatshisface
Silence
Fourteen Minutes and Eleven Seconds
The Forbidden Gallery
Places, Everybody
This One’s for You
Under Arrest
A Gray Lie
Epilogue
Cooper Vega is what growing up we would have called a ‘base brat’, meaning that he was a kid of someone station at the military base in town and who knew how long he would be around. My Mother herself was one and lived all over Canada and even some postings in Europe. No he is in his third town in 5 years. He is accustomed to being the outsider, and not developing deep relationships. The only real benefit of all the moving is the ‘guilt gifts’ from his parents each time it happens. This time it is the new state of the art phone the GX-4000. Soon Cooper realizes something is up with the phone, and that it is inhabited by a ghost. The ghost of Roderick Northrop a printer’s apprentice from the 15000’s who actually wrote the first 2/3rds of Romeo and Juliette. And together they come up with a plan.
The story moves at a fast pace. There is a love interest, a bully, a ghost and a rich guy who blackmailed the town to change its name who is a huge Shakespeare buff. It was a great story especially for a fan of the Bard’s plays both in print and on stage. It was highly entertaining. A real page turner. Another excellent read from the always entertaining pen of Gordon Korman!
November 5, 2023
Rating: 4.3 / 5
Whenever I am in a reading slump--as I recently have been--it's always interesting to see what book will finally take me out of it.
A read by Gordon Korman ought to do it, right?
In this story (my second read by this author), we have Cooper Vega as our hero, otherwise known as "Whatshisface". He's a military kid, getting transferred to different places depending on where his army dad gets transferred, and so making friends or even getting people to remember his name is a challenge. Hence, his delegation as "Whatshisface".
Things change in the aptly-named Stratford however, when he meets Roddy Northrop, the real author of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Roddy is trapped in Cooper's new phone, and together they become friends and mutually help each other out: Roddy in helping Cooper make friends and fit in, and Cooper in helping Roddy's spirit find peace and move on.
It's a pretty cool dynamic to combine Shakespeare to a middle grade audience, and especially in making it a boys' story as well! I mean, most of the time (in the case of students I've taught), boys aren't interested in Shakespeare, and definitely not in the mush that is Romeo and Juliet. Heck, I don't even like that play, for crying out loud!
But, still, with the wit and writing of Gordon Korman behind it, we get a story that's well plotted, well written, and engaging all around! The only thing that I would really change about it is its ending, which did seem a bit abrupt and could have been drawn out a wee bit more. Otherwise though, no complaints or arguments here, bra-VA all around!
(And...SCENE. The curtain falls.)
Whenever I am in a reading slump--as I recently have been--it's always interesting to see what book will finally take me out of it.
A read by Gordon Korman ought to do it, right?
In this story (my second read by this author), we have Cooper Vega as our hero, otherwise known as "Whatshisface". He's a military kid, getting transferred to different places depending on where his army dad gets transferred, and so making friends or even getting people to remember his name is a challenge. Hence, his delegation as "Whatshisface".
Things change in the aptly-named Stratford however, when he meets Roddy Northrop, the real author of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Roddy is trapped in Cooper's new phone, and together they become friends and mutually help each other out: Roddy in helping Cooper make friends and fit in, and Cooper in helping Roddy's spirit find peace and move on.
It's a pretty cool dynamic to combine Shakespeare to a middle grade audience, and especially in making it a boys' story as well! I mean, most of the time (in the case of students I've taught), boys aren't interested in Shakespeare, and definitely not in the mush that is Romeo and Juliet. Heck, I don't even like that play, for crying out loud!
But, still, with the wit and writing of Gordon Korman behind it, we get a story that's well plotted, well written, and engaging all around! The only thing that I would really change about it is its ending, which did seem a bit abrupt and could have been drawn out a wee bit more. Otherwise though, no complaints or arguments here, bra-VA all around!
(And...SCENE. The curtain falls.)
January 16, 2020
Whatshisface is about a seventh grade kid named Cooper Vega. His father is in the military. He's known as Captain Vega. He is given orders on where to go, and is expected to go there. They most recently moved to a town called Stratford. Since they move so much, he's is basically invisible at any school. His sister is the exact opposite of him, and makes friends very easily. His parents feel bad for him, so they get him the newest released phone.
It takes a while to get used to, because it keeps glitching and making weird noises. He also notices weird looking snowflakes falling on his screen to make some sort of figure. Later in the book, he figures out it is a person. His name is Roderick, but goes by Roddy. He says he is thirteen-years-old. He talks from the phone whenever he wants, so Cooper has to wear wireless earphones. He doesn't want to get caught at school.
During a recess, someone named Brock asks him into a soccer game, because they're a player short, Cooper accepts even though they're calling him "whathisface." He fails miserably. A girl walking by named Jolie Solomon is invited into the game when they kick out Cooper. She can't replace him, because her wrist is broken. He's especially embarrassed, because he messes up in front of Jolie. She has been the only highlight of the time he has spent at school. She tries to defend Cooper, but she doesn't know his name. She apologizes for that, and tells him that she's more into extreme sports, like skiing, rock climbing, bungee jumping, and doing parkour, etc. Jolie also likes acting. She's very serious about it.
The seventh graders put on a Shakespeare play every year. They have to do a Shakespeare play, because a very rich man named Mr. Wolfson wanted to move to Stratford, which at the time was named Three Hills, he said he would pay them a lot of money, and move there, if they changed the name to Stratford. They only accepted, because the town was low on money.
During the time of the auditions, the eighth graders reflect on the past year, and the sixth graders wait excitedly for the next year.
Cooper doesn't do well in the audition, so he knows he won't get a good role. When the cast list comes out he checks the list. He is the "Second Watchman." Cooper had thought he'd at least have a role with a name. The Second Watchman only has one line, so most of rehearsal he's just waiting and listening to Roddy.
In the ending, Cooper becomes Romeo, when Brock breaks his nose. He performs it well enough to not be known as whathisface.
This is a compelling story of friendship. It's a quick and fun read. I recommend it to any kids.
It takes a while to get used to, because it keeps glitching and making weird noises. He also notices weird looking snowflakes falling on his screen to make some sort of figure. Later in the book, he figures out it is a person. His name is Roderick, but goes by Roddy. He says he is thirteen-years-old. He talks from the phone whenever he wants, so Cooper has to wear wireless earphones. He doesn't want to get caught at school.
During a recess, someone named Brock asks him into a soccer game, because they're a player short, Cooper accepts even though they're calling him "whathisface." He fails miserably. A girl walking by named Jolie Solomon is invited into the game when they kick out Cooper. She can't replace him, because her wrist is broken. He's especially embarrassed, because he messes up in front of Jolie. She has been the only highlight of the time he has spent at school. She tries to defend Cooper, but she doesn't know his name. She apologizes for that, and tells him that she's more into extreme sports, like skiing, rock climbing, bungee jumping, and doing parkour, etc. Jolie also likes acting. She's very serious about it.
The seventh graders put on a Shakespeare play every year. They have to do a Shakespeare play, because a very rich man named Mr. Wolfson wanted to move to Stratford, which at the time was named Three Hills, he said he would pay them a lot of money, and move there, if they changed the name to Stratford. They only accepted, because the town was low on money.
During the time of the auditions, the eighth graders reflect on the past year, and the sixth graders wait excitedly for the next year.
Cooper doesn't do well in the audition, so he knows he won't get a good role. When the cast list comes out he checks the list. He is the "Second Watchman." Cooper had thought he'd at least have a role with a name. The Second Watchman only has one line, so most of rehearsal he's just waiting and listening to Roddy.
In the ending, Cooper becomes Romeo, when Brock breaks his nose. He performs it well enough to not be known as whathisface.
This is a compelling story of friendship. It's a quick and fun read. I recommend it to any kids.
April 30, 2024
This was a last min choice as I needed one quick and so I chose from ones my son had checked out and not returned yet. Overall it was entertaining but totally unrealistic and very juvenile, it is written for younger audience. I was expecting that and so I tried to not think too deeply about it and I was able to mostly enjoy. The ending was a bit much for me. And the premise that Shakespeare didn't write his own stories was a bit presumptuous. Even the idea could stir up big fans. I wouldn't recommend but it's not one I would say to avoid entirely either.
September 2, 2018
Whatshisface by Gordon Korman, 231 pages, Scholastic Press (Scholastic), 2018. $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Because his dad is in the military, Cooper Vega has moved around a lot. It happens so often, he is resigned to being known as Whatshisface. To make him feel better about his last move to a Shakespeare crazed town named Stratford, his parents buy him a top of the line smart phone. His phone inadvertently picks up the ghost of a teenager from Shakespeare’s time. The ghost has some issues with Shakespeare and Cooper finds himself helping the ghost, while holding down a bit part in the annual Shakespeare play that all seventh graders are required to participate in. In return, the ghost tries to help Cooper navigate his affections for Jolie, who is playing the part of Juliet.
It is fun to see a present day middle school through the eyes of an Elizabethan teen ghost. The characters are likeable and Roddy’s ghost will have you throwing in a dash of Shakespearean methinks, forsooth, and zounds, into your speech. The plot is a bit far-fetched, but the humor makes it readable.
Michelle in the Middle, Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Because his dad is in the military, Cooper Vega has moved around a lot. It happens so often, he is resigned to being known as Whatshisface. To make him feel better about his last move to a Shakespeare crazed town named Stratford, his parents buy him a top of the line smart phone. His phone inadvertently picks up the ghost of a teenager from Shakespeare’s time. The ghost has some issues with Shakespeare and Cooper finds himself helping the ghost, while holding down a bit part in the annual Shakespeare play that all seventh graders are required to participate in. In return, the ghost tries to help Cooper navigate his affections for Jolie, who is playing the part of Juliet.
It is fun to see a present day middle school through the eyes of an Elizabethan teen ghost. The characters are likeable and Roddy’s ghost will have you throwing in a dash of Shakespearean methinks, forsooth, and zounds, into your speech. The plot is a bit far-fetched, but the humor makes it readable.
Michelle in the Middle, Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
May 29, 2018
When I first heard that Gordon Korman was writing a new book, I was very excited. At that point, I had just finished super gifted. I was also excited when I heard that the plot was about a kid that's phone is haunted. Even though I do not believe in the paranormal what so ever, I was interested. But when I began to read, I felt disappointed. When I think of Korman, I think of Son Of The Mob which is one of my favorite books of all time. I found the plot kind of uncreative. It seemed like it was more about being the new kid and no one knowing you than the phone. It was ok. I hope Korman’s next book is more like Son Of The Mob or Island.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2020
Being the daughter of a Air Force career officer, I was able to identify readily with Cooper, being the "odd" one out, made it difficult for me, many times when we were re-assigned to a new base.
Making new friends is always a difficult position to be in, especially when one knows that these friendships are likely to be upended yet again.
However, I NEVER had a buzzing phone with a body trapped inside of it, telling me that he is from the age of Shakespeare, nor have the body start appearing outside of the phone! Cooper is pretty sure that NO ONE will believe him if he were to be brave enough to even suggest that this was happening.
Making new friends is always a difficult position to be in, especially when one knows that these friendships are likely to be upended yet again.
However, I NEVER had a buzzing phone with a body trapped inside of it, telling me that he is from the age of Shakespeare, nor have the body start appearing outside of the phone! Cooper is pretty sure that NO ONE will believe him if he were to be brave enough to even suggest that this was happening.
February 4, 2019
Was hoping it would be better... but I seem to be reading SO many books centered around ”new kid” who moves often just trying to blend in, make friends , get noticed, not be ignored by parents, escape bullies... gotta get out of this formula. This one at least threw in something different with ghost appearing thru new kid’s phone??? Weird, but different.
Found it all just too weird and silly. Haven’t read a book by this author that has really grabbed me and or one that I’ve wanted to recommend to students...alas I have tired of Gordon Korman . Moving on...
Found it all just too weird and silly. Haven’t read a book by this author that has really grabbed me and or one that I’ve wanted to recommend to students...alas I have tired of Gordon Korman . Moving on...
August 2, 2018
What started out as a realistic read turned out to be a really funny twist on technology of our times. Loved it!
March 6, 2024
A ghost possesses a cell phone in this G-rated, middle-grade novel
When a Roddy, a 13-year-old ghost from 1596, possesses the brand-new, very expensive phone of a 13-year-old Army "brat" named Cooper, magical, comic mayhem ensues. Roddy was a printer's apprentice with ambitions to become a playwright, but his life was cut short when he died from the plague. Prior to his death, he was in love with his master's daughter, Ursula, who was also 13. Roddy claims that he wrote Romeo and Juliet, but his title was Barnabas and Ursula, and his version had a happy ending. The play was a kind of wish fulfillment that allowed Roddy to vicariously end up with Ursula, who was far above him in the social pecking order and, therefore, unattainable.
Cooper is a shy, socially awkward underdog MMC, which is typical for this author. He and Roddy are both adorable, each in their way, and I grew very attached to their friendship. I did have a few quibbles, however, with some parts of the plot:
1. I don't understand how his father, as an underpaid soldier in the Army, could afford to purchase both Cooper and his sister an extremely expensive, top-of-the-line cell phone, which can cost as much as $1,600.
2. I don't believe that Cooper's father would be transferred every 6 months. The range for transfers is between 18 months and 3 years.
3. In a town that is situated next to a military installation, the public schools would have lots of military kids attending them. This means that it makes no sense, as is claimed in this novel, that everyone but Cooper has attended that school system since kindergarten.
4. Cooper's romantic interest is a girl his age named Jolie. She is obsessed with extreme sports and is superbly coordinated. She also loves acting. In contrast, Cooper has two left feet and doesn't participate in any sports at all. He has nothing in common with her until he, ultimately, instantly (and completely improbably) transforms into a fabulous actor, under the fallacious premise that all it takes to be terrific at acting is the ability to memorize a script.
5. Brock, an obnoxious, crude bully who persecutes Cooper constantly, is never reprimanded by a single adult.
I obtained access to the audiobook version of this novel for free through Hoopla. The male voice actor, Jonathan Todd Ross, does an outstanding job.
I rate this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
When a Roddy, a 13-year-old ghost from 1596, possesses the brand-new, very expensive phone of a 13-year-old Army "brat" named Cooper, magical, comic mayhem ensues. Roddy was a printer's apprentice with ambitions to become a playwright, but his life was cut short when he died from the plague. Prior to his death, he was in love with his master's daughter, Ursula, who was also 13. Roddy claims that he wrote Romeo and Juliet, but his title was Barnabas and Ursula, and his version had a happy ending. The play was a kind of wish fulfillment that allowed Roddy to vicariously end up with Ursula, who was far above him in the social pecking order and, therefore, unattainable.
Cooper is a shy, socially awkward underdog MMC, which is typical for this author. He and Roddy are both adorable, each in their way, and I grew very attached to their friendship. I did have a few quibbles, however, with some parts of the plot:
1. I don't understand how his father, as an underpaid soldier in the Army, could afford to purchase both Cooper and his sister an extremely expensive, top-of-the-line cell phone, which can cost as much as $1,600.
2. I don't believe that Cooper's father would be transferred every 6 months. The range for transfers is between 18 months and 3 years.
3. In a town that is situated next to a military installation, the public schools would have lots of military kids attending them. This means that it makes no sense, as is claimed in this novel, that everyone but Cooper has attended that school system since kindergarten.
4. Cooper's romantic interest is a girl his age named Jolie. She is obsessed with extreme sports and is superbly coordinated. She also loves acting. In contrast, Cooper has two left feet and doesn't participate in any sports at all. He has nothing in common with her until he, ultimately, instantly (and completely improbably) transforms into a fabulous actor, under the fallacious premise that all it takes to be terrific at acting is the ability to memorize a script.
5. Brock, an obnoxious, crude bully who persecutes Cooper constantly, is never reprimanded by a single adult.
I obtained access to the audiobook version of this novel for free through Hoopla. The male voice actor, Jonathan Todd Ross, does an outstanding job.
I rate this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for WHATSHISFACE by @gordonkorman; thanks to @scholasticbooks for the review copy. I will be sharing my ARC with @kidlitexchange to get more reviews. This book is out May 8!
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Cooper Vega moves a lot and at his new school he's just whatshisface to his peers. His parents get him a fancy new cell phone as a bribe, but it immediately starts malfunctioning. In fact, it seems there's a person trapped in his phone...who turns out to be from the 1500s. Things only get stranger from there.
Swipe for the back!
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What a goofy, fun concept for a book! As in all of Gordon Korman's books, the plot moves swiftly and dialogue is snappy and true to life. Students will enjoy the confusion inherent in having someone from the Elizabethean era suddenly plopped into modern times. This is going to be another hit for Gordon Korman and at just over 200 pages sure to be a big draw for reluctant readers. Must-buy for all middle schools!
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#kidlitexchange #bookstagram #book #reading #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaholic #booknerd #bookgram #librarian #librariansfollowlibrarians #librariansofinstagram #booklove #booktography #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookaddict #booknerdigans #booknerd #ilovereading #instabook #futurereadylibs #ISTElibs #TLChat
_*_*_*_*_*
Cooper Vega moves a lot and at his new school he's just whatshisface to his peers. His parents get him a fancy new cell phone as a bribe, but it immediately starts malfunctioning. In fact, it seems there's a person trapped in his phone...who turns out to be from the 1500s. Things only get stranger from there.
Swipe for the back!
_*_*_*_*_*
What a goofy, fun concept for a book! As in all of Gordon Korman's books, the plot moves swiftly and dialogue is snappy and true to life. Students will enjoy the confusion inherent in having someone from the Elizabethean era suddenly plopped into modern times. This is going to be another hit for Gordon Korman and at just over 200 pages sure to be a big draw for reluctant readers. Must-buy for all middle schools!
_*_*_*_*_*
#kidlitexchange #bookstagram #book #reading #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaholic #booknerd #bookgram #librarian #librariansfollowlibrarians #librariansofinstagram #booklove #booktography #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookaddict #booknerdigans #booknerd #ilovereading #instabook #futurereadylibs #ISTElibs #TLChat
January 29, 2020
Cute & creative, this whimsical book tells the story of Cooper Vega and his unlikely friendship with Roderick Northrop (Roddy). The unfolding of this clever tale involves Shakespeare’s play Romeo & Juliet, Cooper���s brand new state-of-the-art smart phone, and the 16th century ghost who inhabits his phone (Roddy). I laughed aloud several times at Roddy’s old English .... “methinks” and “verily” etc.
If you need light-hearted comedy relief, are up for a bit of a quest for middle school popularity/romance, and a funny storyline, this book is just the ticket. It won’t rock your world, but you’ll have fun. Enjoy!
If you need light-hearted comedy relief, are up for a bit of a quest for middle school popularity/romance, and a funny storyline, this book is just the ticket. It won’t rock your world, but you’ll have fun. Enjoy!
March 1, 2019
I read this book with my 5th & 6th grade book club -- what a weird story! When Cooper Vega moves to a new school (again), his parents buy him a brand new smart phone. But the phone is haunted by the ghost of a boy who died in the 1500s. The book involves a Shakespearean mystery, a budding romance, and themes of trying desperately to fit in. It was okay, but definitely not my favorite by Gordon Korman.
March 10, 2022
OH MY GOSH I ADORED THIS BOOK!!!! It is soooooo entertaining-laugh out loud funny. I loved, loved, loved it. I buddy read with one of my 6th graders who is an extremely reluctant reader and she loved it too!!! Whatshisface validates my love of Gordon Korman books. For me, this is one of his best.
November 4, 2022
Read this with my 5th grade son because we liked another by this author. What a fun, high concept, engaging book! Completely different than the last he wrote. Sparked an interest in Shakespeare. Funny and touching story of the new kid finding his way in the new school with the help of a hapless 16th century ghost who inhabits its new phone. It sounds silly but it’s good!
September 15, 2023
I LOVED THIS BOOK. I loved how the person in the phone knew Shakespeare and never read Shakespeare, it was so fun. I remember sitting on the couch and visualizing this book. One of the better and more memorable books I read in my elementary school days.
October 16, 2018
The ending is very surprising, and the bond of a kid and his phone is almost like a great metaphor of millennials these days!
October 13, 2020
Rodrick the phone ghost was my favorite character. Hilarious! 😂😂😂😂😂...
March 5, 2025
This book was sooooo good! its about Shakespeare, Ghosts, Romeo and Juliet, and being the "new kid." Loved it.
November 13, 2018
Cooper's family moves around a lot and he is often unmemorable to his classmates. Cooper discovers that his new phone is haunted by Roderick Northrup, a ghost from the time of Shakespeare. Cooper and "Roddy" become friends. It is funny when Roddy starts using modern terms in his Shakespearean language. He finds ways to make Cooper stand out as the seventh grade rehearses for a production of Romeo and Juliet. This book would appeal to middle schoolers who enjoy humorous stories and drama.
July 24, 2018
Gordon Korman is one of my favorite authors for my own reading and to recommend to students. In Whatshisface, he deals with the issue of being someone no one really notices or when they do, it is because they need a target for teasing and bullying. The idea of the character from the time of Shakespeare trapped in his phone is a little odd, but it does give Cooper a friend and mentor when he needs it the most. I'm not sure I really liked some of the actions that Roderick convinces Cooper to do because they really were outside of the law - not something I want kids to see as cool. In this case, because of the fantasy of someone trapped in a phone and the means justifying the end it works, but I think I would talk to the readers about how these would not be things that we should really do in the "real" world. How else might Cooper have handled it? I do think though there will be many kids who enjoy reading this book as I did.
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