What do you think?
Rate this book
The Eyes of Kid Midas
What if a seventh grader could have everything he wanted? He'd make ice-cream cones materialize out of nowhere and zap up every video game he'd ever wanted, right? But what if he was also tired of being bullied and all it took to change that was to put on a pair of sunglasses? Kevin Midas's new look is more than just for style -- he's out for revenge!
182 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
26 people are currently reading
833 people want to read
About the author
Neal Shusterman
90 books29.9k followersAward-winning author Neal Shusterman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he began writing at an early age. After spending his junior and senior years of high school at the American School of Mexico City, Neal went on to UC Irvine, where he made his mark on the UCI swim team, and wrote a successful humor column. Within a year of graduating, he had his first book deal, and was hired to write a movie script.
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal's talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently playing in Boston. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful "How to Host a Mystery" game for teens, as well as seven "How to Host a Murder" games.
As a screen and TV writer, Neal has written for the "Goosebumps" and “Animorphs” TV series, and wrote the Disney Channel Original Movie “Pixel Perfect”. Currently Neal is adapting his novel Everlost as a feature film for Universal Studios.
Wherever Neal goes, he quickly earns a reputation as a storyteller and dynamic speaker. Much of his fiction is traceable back to stories he tells to large audiences of children and teenagers -- such as his novel The Eyes of Kid Midas. As a speaker, Neal is in constant demand at schools and conferences. Degrees in both psychology and drama give Neal a unique approach to writing. Neal's novels always deal with topics that appeal to adults as well as teens, weaving true-to-life characters into sensitive and riveting issues, and binding it all together with a unique and entertaining sense of humor.
Of Everlost, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman has reimagined what happens after death and questions power and the meaning of charity. While all this is going on, he has also managed to write a rip-roaring adventure…”
Of What Daddy Did, Voice of Youth Advocates wrote; "This is a compelling, spell-binding story... A stunning novel, impossible to put down once begun.
Of The Schwa Was Here, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.
Of Scorpion Shards, Publisher's Weekly wrote: "Shusterman takes an outlandish comic-book concept, and, through the sheer audacity and breadth of his imagination makes it stunningly believable. A spellbinder."
And of The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Midwest Book Review wrote "This wins our vote as one of the best young-adult titles of the year" and was called "Inspired and hypnotically readable" by School Library Journal.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal's talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently playing in Boston. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful "How to Host a Mystery" game for teens, as well as seven "How to Host a Murder" games.
As a screen and TV writer, Neal has written for the "Goosebumps" and “Animorphs” TV series, and wrote the Disney Channel Original Movie “Pixel Perfect”. Currently Neal is adapting his novel Everlost as a feature film for Universal Studios.
Wherever Neal goes, he quickly earns a reputation as a storyteller and dynamic speaker. Much of his fiction is traceable back to stories he tells to large audiences of children and teenagers -- such as his novel The Eyes of Kid Midas. As a speaker, Neal is in constant demand at schools and conferences. Degrees in both psychology and drama give Neal a unique approach to writing. Neal's novels always deal with topics that appeal to adults as well as teens, weaving true-to-life characters into sensitive and riveting issues, and binding it all together with a unique and entertaining sense of humor.
Of Everlost, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman has reimagined what happens after death and questions power and the meaning of charity. While all this is going on, he has also managed to write a rip-roaring adventure…”
Of What Daddy Did, Voice of Youth Advocates wrote; "This is a compelling, spell-binding story... A stunning novel, impossible to put down once begun.
Of The Schwa Was Here, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.
Of Scorpion Shards, Publisher's Weekly wrote: "Shusterman takes an outlandish comic-book concept, and, through the sheer audacity and breadth of his imagination makes it stunningly believable. A spellbinder."
And of The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Midwest Book Review wrote "This wins our vote as one of the best young-adult titles of the year" and was called "Inspired and hypnotically readable" by School Library Journal.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 10, 2011
I read this book when I was around nine to eleven, and I remember it floored me then, and it has stayed with me ever since. Scenes here and there, mostly, nothing definite anymore, but the whole FEEL of the book stays with me, and the knowledge that reading it was a great time. It was fun, and I think this was one of those books that taught me how fun and exciting reading could be.
December 13, 2025
"On its worst days, the world still made some sort of sense, and that was a good thing."
―The Eyes of Kids Midas, P. 148
"There was a moment―just an instant in time―when reality and dreams met each other before switching places. It was a moment of absolute insanity..."
―The Eyes of Kid Midas, P. 145
Neal Shusterman is good with big ideas. It's hard for me to think of another author who really even compares to him in the dreaming up and management of big ideas, who can match his skill in creating a concept that seems to loom up and off the page as if it's more than just an idea in a story. Robert Cormier, perhaps, does this as well as Neal Shusterman, but I can't think of anyone who does it any better. The Eyes of Kid Midas is a big idea kind of book, the sort of metaphysically challenging read that one simply did not come across in the young-adult section of a bookstore before Neal Shusterman turned the genre on its head and became arguably the greatest writer of his day. Fear lurks within these pages, but it's not fear of a monster or a deadly paranormal force; it's not even fear of the glasses that Kevin Midas finds at the top of a mountain during a school camping trip, glasses that hold the power to destroy Kevin and everything he knows. It's the fear of our own cognition, of perceiving that all knowledge is illusory and the mainstays of reality seen as most unchangeable of all can be altered with but a single thought. It's the fear of not knowing what has changed when the world all of the sudden become a fundamentally different place; or worse, seeing the change but being the only one capable of recognizing what has happened. Crack the binding on The Eyes of Kid Midas if you dare, but be forewarned that what follows will be an intense and personally challenging experience, perhaps like nothing else you've ever read. Be prepared to stretch the limits of your consciousness as far as they can possibly go, and don't be shocked if something rips in the process.
Why is there a pair of glasses at the top of mystical Divine Watch mountain―where few (if any) humans are believed to have ever climbed―sitting like a prize waiting to be claimed at a spot where legend suggests that the sun's rays enter a perfect alignment like no other place on earth? Kevin Midas doesn't care much that the prize at the mountain's peak is only a pair of glasses; to him, beating relentless bullies Bertram and Hal to the top of the mountain is a big deal, and he wants to commemorate his victory with a souvenir. So he swipes the glasses from where they sit and slides them onto his face to replace the ones that Bertram had broken earlier, and is surprised that they fit him so well. Even the prescription is suited to his needs, but what else the glasses provide is beyond Kevin's wildest expectations.
When it becomes apparent that the glasses from Divine Watch are charged with the mysterious power to give Kevin anything for which he asks, the balance of authority in Kevin's life suddenly tilts drastically in his favor. He has power over everyone, now, should he choose to exercise it: other students, teachers, his parents, sister, friends, even complete strangers. With these glasses, the entire world is at Kevin's mercy, and it's up to him to choose what happens next. While there are definite penalties for using the power of the glasses too much, there really are no limits to what Kevin can do with them. He faces the ultimate question, then, that ever confronts anyone possessed of enough power to permanently change the world: will he use it for good, or evil?
The insights that Neal Shusterman has, both philosophical and practical, into the scenario presented in The Eyes of Kid Midas are staggering. The brilliance of thought that permeates his later novels is in fine form here, hitting the outer walls that we think can restrict how far the plot of a story reaches and blowing right through them like they don't even exist, because they don't. Nothing exists for sure in Kevin Midas's world once he crosses paths with these powerful glasses that open up every possibility imaginable, and ones that aren't, for his personal selection. We don't even know for sure that Kevin exists, or that this book exists. All we know is that the world seemed to be a much less complicated place before we began reading this story, but maybe that's just because Neal Shusterman has opened our minds to potentials and realities that we'd never considered. After all, he has always been good with big ideas.
Despite the transcendental nature of The Eyes of Kid Midas, there's plenty of solid wisdom to be taken from it. The presentation of the dilemma of great power requiring great responsibility is as forceful as in pretty much any other story I've ever read, bringing it home in a way that won't quickly be forgotten. In fact, I think I can safely say that readers aren't likely to forget much of anything about this book, and I don't give that compliment lightly. As "out there" as anything ever published by Neal Shusterman, The Eyes of Kid Midas fits in well with the rest of his body of writing work, and I'm sure that it will be read and talked about among readers of all ages and backgrounds for a long time. I would give it two and a half stars.
"It seemed the more he had, the more he felt was missing, and now that he had everything, he felt as if he had nothing. An overwhelming sense of emptiness cried out from inside him. I need...I need..., but he didn't know what he needed anymore."
―The Eyes of Kid Midas, PP. 136-137
―The Eyes of Kids Midas, P. 148
"There was a moment―just an instant in time―when reality and dreams met each other before switching places. It was a moment of absolute insanity..."
―The Eyes of Kid Midas, P. 145
Neal Shusterman is good with big ideas. It's hard for me to think of another author who really even compares to him in the dreaming up and management of big ideas, who can match his skill in creating a concept that seems to loom up and off the page as if it's more than just an idea in a story. Robert Cormier, perhaps, does this as well as Neal Shusterman, but I can't think of anyone who does it any better. The Eyes of Kid Midas is a big idea kind of book, the sort of metaphysically challenging read that one simply did not come across in the young-adult section of a bookstore before Neal Shusterman turned the genre on its head and became arguably the greatest writer of his day. Fear lurks within these pages, but it's not fear of a monster or a deadly paranormal force; it's not even fear of the glasses that Kevin Midas finds at the top of a mountain during a school camping trip, glasses that hold the power to destroy Kevin and everything he knows. It's the fear of our own cognition, of perceiving that all knowledge is illusory and the mainstays of reality seen as most unchangeable of all can be altered with but a single thought. It's the fear of not knowing what has changed when the world all of the sudden become a fundamentally different place; or worse, seeing the change but being the only one capable of recognizing what has happened. Crack the binding on The Eyes of Kid Midas if you dare, but be forewarned that what follows will be an intense and personally challenging experience, perhaps like nothing else you've ever read. Be prepared to stretch the limits of your consciousness as far as they can possibly go, and don't be shocked if something rips in the process.
Why is there a pair of glasses at the top of mystical Divine Watch mountain―where few (if any) humans are believed to have ever climbed―sitting like a prize waiting to be claimed at a spot where legend suggests that the sun's rays enter a perfect alignment like no other place on earth? Kevin Midas doesn't care much that the prize at the mountain's peak is only a pair of glasses; to him, beating relentless bullies Bertram and Hal to the top of the mountain is a big deal, and he wants to commemorate his victory with a souvenir. So he swipes the glasses from where they sit and slides them onto his face to replace the ones that Bertram had broken earlier, and is surprised that they fit him so well. Even the prescription is suited to his needs, but what else the glasses provide is beyond Kevin's wildest expectations.
When it becomes apparent that the glasses from Divine Watch are charged with the mysterious power to give Kevin anything for which he asks, the balance of authority in Kevin's life suddenly tilts drastically in his favor. He has power over everyone, now, should he choose to exercise it: other students, teachers, his parents, sister, friends, even complete strangers. With these glasses, the entire world is at Kevin's mercy, and it's up to him to choose what happens next. While there are definite penalties for using the power of the glasses too much, there really are no limits to what Kevin can do with them. He faces the ultimate question, then, that ever confronts anyone possessed of enough power to permanently change the world: will he use it for good, or evil?
The insights that Neal Shusterman has, both philosophical and practical, into the scenario presented in The Eyes of Kid Midas are staggering. The brilliance of thought that permeates his later novels is in fine form here, hitting the outer walls that we think can restrict how far the plot of a story reaches and blowing right through them like they don't even exist, because they don't. Nothing exists for sure in Kevin Midas's world once he crosses paths with these powerful glasses that open up every possibility imaginable, and ones that aren't, for his personal selection. We don't even know for sure that Kevin exists, or that this book exists. All we know is that the world seemed to be a much less complicated place before we began reading this story, but maybe that's just because Neal Shusterman has opened our minds to potentials and realities that we'd never considered. After all, he has always been good with big ideas.
Despite the transcendental nature of The Eyes of Kid Midas, there's plenty of solid wisdom to be taken from it. The presentation of the dilemma of great power requiring great responsibility is as forceful as in pretty much any other story I've ever read, bringing it home in a way that won't quickly be forgotten. In fact, I think I can safely say that readers aren't likely to forget much of anything about this book, and I don't give that compliment lightly. As "out there" as anything ever published by Neal Shusterman, The Eyes of Kid Midas fits in well with the rest of his body of writing work, and I'm sure that it will be read and talked about among readers of all ages and backgrounds for a long time. I would give it two and a half stars.
"It seemed the more he had, the more he felt was missing, and now that he had everything, he felt as if he had nothing. An overwhelming sense of emptiness cried out from inside him. I need...I need..., but he didn't know what he needed anymore."
―The Eyes of Kid Midas, PP. 136-137
May 14, 2020
I hadn't read this book in many many many years. It's a book I read many times in my youth and loved. It's the first real book I ever read to myself as a kid. I realized that this would be the absolute best first real book to read to my 5yr old son. And I was totally right. He loved it. We read 1 chapter a night (on nights we had time to read) and he was so excited about the story that he wanted to watch the movie. He was sad when I told him there wasn't one... But then realized he would have totally missed out on the story had we not read it. That's an important lesson because he now knows that books are as entertaining as other forms of media, if you put in the time and effort. He was so interested in the process that we immediately began reading a new book after this one was over. I'm so happy that he knows the story that I've loved for so long. It's a really cool thing to share with my son. ❤️
Orig.review:
I read this book long ago when I was in jr.high. (first read in like- 1994 when the author came to our school.) I realize it is strange to write a review soo long after reading, but i must.
This book is the reason I like to read today. I was not into reading -at all- as a kid and actually wasn't a big reader after -but for laziness alone. I always wanted to read more- because of my enjoying this book so much.
I love the impossible-brought-to-life type of story, and this one certainly qualifies. The main character Kevin Midas is a loser with a capital L and by chance finds a pair of magical sunglasses that allow all of his dreams to come true. It is a very cute adventure story with a moral. I loved it as a kid and read it many times over the years (as you would re-watch old childhood movies later in life). I still own a copy and flip through it once in a while.
If you have kids who don't seem into reading, this is a great introduction to literature! I speak from experience.
(Reviewed in 2007-ish?)
______________
Orig.review:
I read this book long ago when I was in jr.high. (first read in like- 1994 when the author came to our school.) I realize it is strange to write a review soo long after reading, but i must.
This book is the reason I like to read today. I was not into reading -at all- as a kid and actually wasn't a big reader after -but for laziness alone. I always wanted to read more- because of my enjoying this book so much.
I love the impossible-brought-to-life type of story, and this one certainly qualifies. The main character Kevin Midas is a loser with a capital L and by chance finds a pair of magical sunglasses that allow all of his dreams to come true. It is a very cute adventure story with a moral. I loved it as a kid and read it many times over the years (as you would re-watch old childhood movies later in life). I still own a copy and flip through it once in a while.
If you have kids who don't seem into reading, this is a great introduction to literature! I speak from experience.
(Reviewed in 2007-ish?)
______________
November 8, 2022
My husband bought this book for me because he loved it as a child. He use to read it over and over again. I can see why.
This is the perfect book for young preteen boys. It has everything you could ever want, never ending soda, pizza whenever you think it, Lamborghini's, and magical glasses that make it all possible.
It has a cute moral of the story as well, careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
I liked this book, it was cute and fun and if I ever have a son, I would absolutely give it to him as a gift.
The ending is a bit lazy, however; if I were a preteen boy I would be obsessed and reread this over and over and over.
This is the perfect book for young preteen boys. It has everything you could ever want, never ending soda, pizza whenever you think it, Lamborghini's, and magical glasses that make it all possible.
It has a cute moral of the story as well, careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
I liked this book, it was cute and fun and if I ever have a son, I would absolutely give it to him as a gift.
The ending is a bit lazy, however; if I were a preteen boy I would be obsessed and reread this over and over and over.
October 19, 2019
The Eyes of Kid Midas is similar to the books I've read and shows I've watched about abusing a magical item, and everything will/can go wrong after.
However, this book is kinda different to others because of a plot twist that was unbelievable in a good way. And the characters were witty and snarky in their own ways.
Anyway, it raises all sorts about bullying, friendship, family, reality, selfishness, revenge that left a lesson-mark in my heart.
I had fun.
However, this book is kinda different to others because of a plot twist that was unbelievable in a good way. And the characters were witty and snarky in their own ways.
Anyway, it raises all sorts about bullying, friendship, family, reality, selfishness, revenge that left a lesson-mark in my heart.
I had fun.
December 28, 2024
I like the ideas Shusterman tackles in this book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea and is far from his best work (and his best work is incredible - I'm a huge fan). I can see where younger readers would really enjoy it, though.
June 14, 2025
This was an interesting concept, played out well in some parts, but with very cheesy moments in others. Probably a book I would have enjoyed more when I was a kid—although I felt like it had too much language for the middle grade audience it seems to be written for.
January 24, 2010
A typical Shusterman, fun and easy to read but bringing up issues teens should face and discuss; aimed at junior high, but gripping for older teens, too. What if you could access something that would give you the power to do ANYTHING, to change reality to punish bullies, reward friends, conjure up any food, video game, nice clothing item, to have power over anything you want or don't want? The reason the kid's last name is Midas becomes apparent pretty quickly.
September 18, 2017
"It's not like it was just yesterday."
-Taken from the song, Just Yesterday by This Wild Life
This is my 6th Shusterman book read. Hence, I would not question the universe about the sense of clichés but Shusterman inputted a twist from the movie, Zathura. It was like watching a classic children Sci-Fi movie and I'm adherent that I cannot distinguished Shusterman's specialty to shock the readers from the reality that I'm also impressed with an ordinary form of clichéd adventure.
It's very quick and catchy as to whereas I am expecting to land on reading. Overall, Shusterman is well-enhanced with the Children books genre while still employing out characters that have a very keen role and matured attitude towards the situation of the plot.
That, I'd say, might be a relevant upside of his books such as this one. If I were to have that kind of glasses, I'd bother to wish that people should stop complaining about the morals of their own radicals in life and be a face-forward kind of person. So there shall be equality in the parallel universe of their lives.
Heavenly bodies attracts this book with a 4.00 stars of 5. Well, this book is amazing with its own terms of science fiction.
Just... be careful what you wish for if you ever get to have one wish or you may be doped. Happy that I read another of Shusterman's work!
-Taken from the song, Just Yesterday by This Wild Life
This is my 6th Shusterman book read. Hence, I would not question the universe about the sense of clichés but Shusterman inputted a twist from the movie, Zathura. It was like watching a classic children Sci-Fi movie and I'm adherent that I cannot distinguished Shusterman's specialty to shock the readers from the reality that I'm also impressed with an ordinary form of clichéd adventure.
It's very quick and catchy as to whereas I am expecting to land on reading. Overall, Shusterman is well-enhanced with the Children books genre while still employing out characters that have a very keen role and matured attitude towards the situation of the plot.
That, I'd say, might be a relevant upside of his books such as this one. If I were to have that kind of glasses, I'd bother to wish that people should stop complaining about the morals of their own radicals in life and be a face-forward kind of person. So there shall be equality in the parallel universe of their lives.
Heavenly bodies attracts this book with a 4.00 stars of 5. Well, this book is amazing with its own terms of science fiction.
Just... be careful what you wish for if you ever get to have one wish or you may be doped. Happy that I read another of Shusterman's work!
July 26, 2017
I have yet to actually read a Neal Shusterman book and think, "Nope, didn't like that." This book gets really wonky, but in that awesome way towards the end. And I love how the book is a lot about control and the control that Kevin has over his life. This is the first time that he can actually control what is happening to him.
I also like the relationships in the book. His parents aren't really perfect. In fact, they kind of ignore him. But his sister, though she can be mean at times, doesn't. She listens to him, loves him, supports him when its really important.
Really, the glasses show how easily his life can spiral out of control, even without the glasses.
It's fun and well written and I finished it in a day, so that should be a good indication of how much I liked it.
I also like the relationships in the book. His parents aren't really perfect. In fact, they kind of ignore him. But his sister, though she can be mean at times, doesn't. She listens to him, loves him, supports him when its really important.
Really, the glasses show how easily his life can spiral out of control, even without the glasses.
It's fun and well written and I finished it in a day, so that should be a good indication of how much I liked it.
July 15, 2018
Well this book was good and a quick read of only 146 pages. I love Neal Shusterman and in his style the book was interesting. Some of the fantasy elements were a bit much for me, but overall I would recommend this book. I also think it's a great book for some reluctant readers especially since it's such a quick read.
August 5, 2018
I loved the book until the last third. It seemed to become a little "too much" and then ended without a strong conclusion—the perennial "then he woke up from a dream" kind of ending. Shusterman, though, is a great storyteller and I was eager to continue reading until the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2017
A very great book for kids, recommended age is 8 onwards. It will teach kids about what would happen when you abuse something, value of friendship, and many more.
August 11, 2020
Super tense and horror-ish in places, but the ending let the rest of the book down IMO. Would make an awesome movie though!
November 28, 2021
3.5 stars
April 7, 2022
This is an existential dream world of a book. Really enjoyed this. Gave me ‘the scream’ painting vibes.
May 9, 2022
This book is very weird. The beginning was slow but the ending was satisfying.
January 5, 2023
Buddy read with H.
Wow, did this get dark! I absolutely loved it, though, and had a great discussion afterwards with my nephew about it.
Wow, did this get dark! I absolutely loved it, though, and had a great discussion afterwards with my nephew about it.
April 30, 2023
A brilliant moral tale from the house of schusterman. Short without losing much detail and packed with action.
July 8, 2025
I read almost all these books in highschool and I still find myself thinking of them daily! The style of writing is easy to understand and the story flows so easily.
November 4, 2025
I liked the concept but the story seemed underdeveloped and unfinished.
June 27, 2012
Seventh grader Kevin is a short scrawny kid with only one friend, Josh. On a camping trip, they climb to the top of Divine Mountain and find a pair of sunglasses. Kevin puts the glasses on and quickly discovers that they are magic, capable of granting his every wish.
The story proceeds as expected; Kevin wishes for (and gets) cool clothes, candy, stereo sets, video games, lambourginis.... But then the glasses begin to steal power from wall sockets, becoming stronger and stronger. Soon the glasses grant Kevin's wishes, even when he doesn't speak them. Kevin becomes physically addicted to the glasses and cannot stop using them. Terrible things happen because of his wishes, but he cannot undo anything. The plot intensifies and things get quickly out of control.
I read this book thinking of my 9 year old grandson, and found myself swept up in the drama. He has the book now, and is totally entranced as well. This is one of the most exciting fantasy books I have ever read (I haven't read many). In addition to being exciting, the book raises all sorts of deep questions about desire, selfishness, revenge and addiction. A recommended book for middle and high schoolers that should spark deep thoughtful discussions about some important issues.
On the negative side, the writing was not exceptional and the ending was disappointing, but the excitement level and big ideas made up for those lacks.
The story proceeds as expected; Kevin wishes for (and gets) cool clothes, candy, stereo sets, video games, lambourginis.... But then the glasses begin to steal power from wall sockets, becoming stronger and stronger. Soon the glasses grant Kevin's wishes, even when he doesn't speak them. Kevin becomes physically addicted to the glasses and cannot stop using them. Terrible things happen because of his wishes, but he cannot undo anything. The plot intensifies and things get quickly out of control.
I read this book thinking of my 9 year old grandson, and found myself swept up in the drama. He has the book now, and is totally entranced as well. This is one of the most exciting fantasy books I have ever read (I haven't read many). In addition to being exciting, the book raises all sorts of deep questions about desire, selfishness, revenge and addiction. A recommended book for middle and high schoolers that should spark deep thoughtful discussions about some important issues.
On the negative side, the writing was not exceptional and the ending was disappointing, but the excitement level and big ideas made up for those lacks.
April 19, 2012
For 13 year old Kevin Midas life sucks. Bullied and a social loser only his friend Josh could make things better, until Kevin finds a pair of sunglasses on top of a mountain. Then everything c hanges as Kevin wears the glasses, things he thinks and things he wants start appearing but not everything comes out for the better. It’s a classic case of ‘Be careful what you wish for’ and shows how someone can be so corrupted by Greed that a simple answer is often the farthest from your mind.
The eyes of kid midas was.. just okay. Really, it could not compare to Shustermans other books like Dread locks and The Shadow Club. It has its moments, Kevin is convincing and his friend Josh is as well, The bully is predictably mean and nasty and his older sister is in his eyes predictably annoying. The real meat of the story is the though process behind the story, what if everything were a dream? What if you could create your own dreamworld? What would happen and would you like it? Could you change it if you could, or would you want to?. These are the question I was asking myself when I was done reading this book and I think that is what the author wanted to happen.
While it may not be as good as some of the authors other stuff, this was a fun, easy and short read and im never entirely disappointed with Shustermans work.
The eyes of kid midas was.. just okay. Really, it could not compare to Shustermans other books like Dread locks and The Shadow Club. It has its moments, Kevin is convincing and his friend Josh is as well, The bully is predictably mean and nasty and his older sister is in his eyes predictably annoying. The real meat of the story is the though process behind the story, what if everything were a dream? What if you could create your own dreamworld? What would happen and would you like it? Could you change it if you could, or would you want to?. These are the question I was asking myself when I was done reading this book and I think that is what the author wanted to happen.
While it may not be as good as some of the authors other stuff, this was a fun, easy and short read and im never entirely disappointed with Shustermans work.
August 11, 2016
3.5
I have enjoyed reading Neal Shusterman's books before. So when I came across this book at a library book sale, I quickly snatched it up. This was a quick and easy read meant for middle schoolers, but even the older folks could enjoy this one.
This story was about the consequences of power hunger and greed. I liked how Shusterman was able to create a character who was desperate to be liked by his peers but in doing so, he ended up creating chaos to his world. The tumultuous affects to all of Kevin's wishes and decisions were perfect reminders as to why we must come to love ourselves. Yes, our life might suck, but it doesn't mean that we are not already blessed.
Though this book did not have me at the edge of my seat like the other Shusterman books that I've read, I was still able to enjoy it. I liked the plot and I was satisfied with the resolution. This would be a fun book to share with preteens.
I have enjoyed reading Neal Shusterman's books before. So when I came across this book at a library book sale, I quickly snatched it up. This was a quick and easy read meant for middle schoolers, but even the older folks could enjoy this one.
This story was about the consequences of power hunger and greed. I liked how Shusterman was able to create a character who was desperate to be liked by his peers but in doing so, he ended up creating chaos to his world. The tumultuous affects to all of Kevin's wishes and decisions were perfect reminders as to why we must come to love ourselves. Yes, our life might suck, but it doesn't mean that we are not already blessed.
Though this book did not have me at the edge of my seat like the other Shusterman books that I've read, I was still able to enjoy it. I liked the plot and I was satisfied with the resolution. This would be a fun book to share with preteens.
November 27, 2013
Kid Midas is definitely going on the shelf in my middle school classroom. I can see this becoming a favorite for a few of my more reluctant readers, and perhaps a gateway leading them to give more titles a try.
This book was just plain fun to read.
Nothing really mind bending or earth shattering, but truly enjoyable from start to finish. The characters are comfortably familiar and fill their roles as expected, the story plays out like a Nickelodeon movie, and the connection between the main character and the glasses is far too reminiscent of a certain hobbit and a ring for it to be entirely coincidental, and yet... there are enough original moments spread throughout the story to keep me turning pages. (Additionally, the science nerd in me loves that the magic of the glasses still follows the law of conservation of matter)
This book was just plain fun to read.
Nothing really mind bending or earth shattering, but truly enjoyable from start to finish. The characters are comfortably familiar and fill their roles as expected, the story plays out like a Nickelodeon movie, and the connection between the main character and the glasses is far too reminiscent of a certain hobbit and a ring for it to be entirely coincidental, and yet... there are enough original moments spread throughout the story to keep me turning pages. (Additionally, the science nerd in me loves that the magic of the glasses still follows the law of conservation of matter)
July 2, 2014
I remember reading this book in the mid-1990s, then re-reading it several times because I thought it was so good. As a nerdy kid, I could relate to the main character who was bullied and had trouble interacting successfully with his classmates. The storyline was pretty trippy too, involving a special pair of sunglasses that allowed him to wish things into and out of existence. This may have been one of my earliest introductions to psychedelic imagery and mind-bending activities, and the unintended consequences that resulted from all that power.
At one point, this was going to be made into a movie, but I never saw anything further about it. The rights were bought by "Peters Entertainment" but apparently the film never came to fruition. http://variety.com/1992/film/news/pet...
At one point, this was going to be made into a movie, but I never saw anything further about it. The rights were bought by "Peters Entertainment" but apparently the film never came to fruition. http://variety.com/1992/film/news/pet...
July 18, 2014
The Eyes of Kid Midas by Neal Shusterman was a very interesting book. It taught me a lot about how worldly things can really take over your mind. Kevin Midas was on a camp out with his class from school. His teacher tells them a story that gets Kevin thinking and makes Kevin climb this mountain. At the top of the mountain Kevin finds some glasses and falls in love with them immediately. He realizes they are magic and will give him anything he wants. The unfortunate thing is he can't reverse what he wishes for. Kevin gets addicted to the glasses and finds that he is weak unless he has them on. Things turn bad and eventually Kevin is left alone in the world and has to find a way out of it all. He figures out what to do and fixes everything. This was a good interesting book and taught me a lot.
I don't remember anything bad to warn others about.
I don't remember anything bad to warn others about.
January 7, 2011
Ahhhh, Neal Shusterman. You are so easy to read. The Eyes of Kid Midas comes in the middle of a series of books (the Dark Fusion series) about kids who have supernatural powers. Some of the kids are werewolves, others are vampires--it varies from book to book.
Seventh grader Kevin Midas is at the bottom of the food chain. Constantly picked on by other kids, he was bound to have a comeback. On a field trip he discovers a pair of magical sunglasses. Whatever he wishes comes to fruition. Quickly he learns that you have to be careful for what you wish--for you may surely get it.
Seventh grader Kevin Midas is at the bottom of the food chain. Constantly picked on by other kids, he was bound to have a comeback. On a field trip he discovers a pair of magical sunglasses. Whatever he wishes comes to fruition. Quickly he learns that you have to be careful for what you wish--for you may surely get it.
November 3, 2011
I think that in the end Bertram was not really the bad guy. I think it was Hal, because he was just as bad and caused more trouble.I think that Josh is like Kevin's conscience, the way he always tells him to do the right thing. but Kevin does not listen.There were parts that make you laugh and parts that made me think. I guess that this is what happens when you can have everything and more, but can't make it stop. When you have everything you want, except happiness, nothing ever really feels complete.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews