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One Kid's Trash
A middle grade novel about a boy who uses his unusual talent for decoding people’s trash to try to fit in at his new school.
Hugo is not happy about being dragged halfway across the state of Colorado just because his dad had a midlife crisis and decided to become a ski instructor. It’d be different if Hugo weren’t so tiny, if girls didn’t think he was adorable like a puppy in a purse and guys didn’t call him “leprechaun” and rub his head for luck. But here he is, the tiny new kid on his first day of middle school.
When his fellow students discover his remarkable talent for garbology, the science of studying trash to tell you anything you could ever want to know about a person, Hugo becomes the cool kid for the first time in his life. But what happens when it all goes to his head?
Hugo is not happy about being dragged halfway across the state of Colorado just because his dad had a midlife crisis and decided to become a ski instructor. It’d be different if Hugo weren’t so tiny, if girls didn’t think he was adorable like a puppy in a purse and guys didn’t call him “leprechaun” and rub his head for luck. But here he is, the tiny new kid on his first day of middle school.
When his fellow students discover his remarkable talent for garbology, the science of studying trash to tell you anything you could ever want to know about a person, Hugo becomes the cool kid for the first time in his life. But what happens when it all goes to his head?
226 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 2021
39 people are currently reading
3159 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Sumner
17 books340 followersJamie Sumner is the author of the critically-acclaimed middle-grade novels, Roll with It, Tune It Out, and One Kid's Trash. Her forth middle-grade novel The Summer of June hits shelves on May 31st, 2022 with Atheneum Books for Young Readers. She is also the author of the nonfiction parenting books, Eat, Sleep, Save the World and Unbound.
She has also written for the New York Times and the Washington Post as well as other publications. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. She and her family live in Nashville, Tennessee. Connect with her at Jamie-Sumner.com
She has also written for the New York Times and the Washington Post as well as other publications. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. She and her family live in Nashville, Tennessee. Connect with her at Jamie-Sumner.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 22, 2021
Want to learn about the art of garbology? Read this book and discover the clues that lurk in our garbage cans. Hugo O'Connell is the new guy and a chance remark about what would help make a strict teacher loosen up reveals his garbage-reading talents. Soon classmates are bringing him bags of garbage for him to analyze and help them solve a problem in their life. How can I get my big brother to let me ride with him to school? How can I get the soccer captain to notice me? And on and on. . . What will happen if Hugo decides to use his powers to stop a bully? I loved so many things about this book: 1) The new school growing pains for Hugo. 2) The setting in Colorado. 3) Hugo's skills at reading the clues in the bags of garbage. 4) His honesty in struggling with his parent's decisions. 5) The ending is epic! If Jamie Sumner isn't on your "Must Read" list yet, she will be after you read this one. Highly recommended!
Thank you to Atheneum and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Atheneum and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
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April 1, 2021I'm excited for this book to be out in the world on August 31st 2021! It's about what the things we leave behind say about us (and also bullying and sneaking out to ski and food fights and dodgeball and crossword puzzles and night sledding)!
August 13, 2021
One Kid’s Trash is a funny, poignant, and engaging story about adjusting to new circumstances and finding and appreciating your people. Featuring a relatable protagonist and complex friend and family dynamics, this new middle grade book makes for an enjoyable read. At under 250 pages long, it’s also a short read that readers can blow through quickly. Bonus points for snow sports lovers as this is set in a skiing town in Colorado!
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2024
What's a garbologist? In this story, it's the science of studying trash to tell you more about a person. Learning this skill from his psychologist mother, Hugo uses it to impress the students at his new school in small ski town in Colorado. Is popularity what it's cracked up to be? Will Hugo alienate those who friended him first? And what's up with his parents , is the move that was suppose to help them grow closer as a family backfire?
Fans of Gordon Korman's stories like Restart or The Unteachables will enjoy this.
Fans of Gordon Korman's stories like Restart or The Unteachables will enjoy this.
September 4, 2023
This wasn’t good. The concept is awesome but the characters were somehow very unrealistic. All the adult characters sound the same and they are very robotic in nature. Everything got too repetitive and it got too much.
October 19, 2024
One Kid’s Trash is a story of Garbology. What is it you ask? Hugo our main protagonist reads what a person is like by studying the person garbage. This makes him popular especially now since he is forced to start a new school since his Dad is in a middle of a mid life crisis and moves the family for him to become a ski instructor. But can Hugo find his way or will he always be know as a kid who reads garbage??
I really did like the book, more from the beginning, I felt the book got less interesting as the book went on. I wanted to see how Hugo and his Dad worked out their differences. I felt that relationship needed to be explored more, but still the book is a fun read and never thought I would be schooled on garbage!! I would recommend this book to all. It was fun!!
I really did like the book, more from the beginning, I felt the book got less interesting as the book went on. I wanted to see how Hugo and his Dad worked out their differences. I felt that relationship needed to be explored more, but still the book is a fun read and never thought I would be schooled on garbage!! I would recommend this book to all. It was fun!!
January 30, 2024
this book was super cute! hugo was a fun main character, and i thought the garbology thing was really cool! (my garbage is mostly lots and lots and lots of pencil shavings)
February 28, 2022
The beginning was slow but it really hit me at the end. Definitely read.
Read
August 31, 2021Want to learn about the art of garbology? Read this book and discover the clues that lurk in our garbage cans. Hugo O'Connell is the new guy and a chance remark about what would help make a strict teacher loosen up reveals his garbage-reading talents. Soon classmates are bringing him bags of garbage for him to analyze and help them solve a problem in their life. How can I get my big brother to let me ride with him to school? How can I get the soccer captain to notice me? And on and on. . . What will happen if Hugo decides to use his powers to stop a bully? I loved so many things about this book: 1) The new school growing pains for Hugo. 2) The setting in Colorado. 3) Hugo's skills at reading the clues in the bags of garbage. 4) His honesty in struggling with his parent's decisions. 5) The ending is epic! If Jamie Sumner isn't on your "Must Read" list yet, she will be after you read this one. Highly recommended! *Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge*
February 10, 2022
Good basic middle school novel with the perpetual theme of the new kid in school finding his place.
Note: the author has a sweet message for kids about bullying, but it's the last line in a three-page afterwards where she thanks everyone. Few kids are going to read that. It would have been so much better to put it at the end of the story.
Note: the author has a sweet message for kids about bullying, but it's the last line in a three-page afterwards where she thanks everyone. Few kids are going to read that. It would have been so much better to put it at the end of the story.
July 7, 2021
If you are looking for a middle grade novel about starting middle school, trying to fit in, making friends, and dealing with bullying, then One Kid’s Trash is the book for you. The inclusion of garbology as a mini superpower for our main character makes this realistic novel both unique and the perfect addition to your middle grade novel collection.
When Hugo’s parents drag him away from his school and friends so his dad can start a new career (as a ski lift operator!) it’s just one more thing Hugo has to deal with. Like being short. And the short jokes and bullying that come with being short. Not to mention his mother’s constant worrying about his health. Starting middle school is hard enough without having to start at a new school and make new friends and avoid new bullies. Hugo’s got his cousin Vij to show him around, but he knows he’s just doing it out of family obligation and when Vij reveals Hugo’s skills in garbology - the science of understanding someone from the contents of their rubbish bin - he knows it’s only a matter of time until he before he becomes the laughing stock of the school.
Starting middle school is hard. Whether that’s a new school or just moving into those middle grade year levels, it’s a common time around the world of new relationships, complicated friendships, new expectations from teachers, that awkward time of loving your parents but also being embarrassed by them and just trying to find your place in the universe. For Hugo, his main worry is dealing with all the short comments and jokes he faces from his classmates. Some are made in fun and might not mean any harm, but they still hurt. And then there are the bullies. Like Chance at his new school. Chance is big, loud and determined to let Hugo know he doesn’t fit in.
During the course of the book Hugo moves from wanting to be invisible, gaining friends and some fame among his classmates due to his garbology skills, wanting to speak up against the bullying - not just for himself but for his friend Micah and the other people Chance bullies - to retaliation and revenge, before learning the impact of his own actions.
Hugo’s skills in garbology are a great addition to this story. While Hugo has a knack for reading people’s rubbish, it remains a science and within the bounds of realism.
The other main theme of the book is Hugo’s relationship with his parents. Hugo is upset with his dad, as he waits for him to fulfil his promise of more time together and his disappointment when his dad falls through on these promises. Hugo also struggles to balance his relationship with his mother - wanting her to give him more freedom and not worry as much, but also struggles with her working and seeming to never listen to what Hugo needs or is feeling. It reflects all the complex relationships tweens and parents share at this time, through a very tween-based perspective.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
When Hugo’s parents drag him away from his school and friends so his dad can start a new career (as a ski lift operator!) it’s just one more thing Hugo has to deal with. Like being short. And the short jokes and bullying that come with being short. Not to mention his mother’s constant worrying about his health. Starting middle school is hard enough without having to start at a new school and make new friends and avoid new bullies. Hugo’s got his cousin Vij to show him around, but he knows he’s just doing it out of family obligation and when Vij reveals Hugo’s skills in garbology - the science of understanding someone from the contents of their rubbish bin - he knows it’s only a matter of time until he before he becomes the laughing stock of the school.
Starting middle school is hard. Whether that’s a new school or just moving into those middle grade year levels, it’s a common time around the world of new relationships, complicated friendships, new expectations from teachers, that awkward time of loving your parents but also being embarrassed by them and just trying to find your place in the universe. For Hugo, his main worry is dealing with all the short comments and jokes he faces from his classmates. Some are made in fun and might not mean any harm, but they still hurt. And then there are the bullies. Like Chance at his new school. Chance is big, loud and determined to let Hugo know he doesn’t fit in.
During the course of the book Hugo moves from wanting to be invisible, gaining friends and some fame among his classmates due to his garbology skills, wanting to speak up against the bullying - not just for himself but for his friend Micah and the other people Chance bullies - to retaliation and revenge, before learning the impact of his own actions.
Hugo’s skills in garbology are a great addition to this story. While Hugo has a knack for reading people’s rubbish, it remains a science and within the bounds of realism.
The other main theme of the book is Hugo’s relationship with his parents. Hugo is upset with his dad, as he waits for him to fulfil his promise of more time together and his disappointment when his dad falls through on these promises. Hugo also struggles to balance his relationship with his mother - wanting her to give him more freedom and not worry as much, but also struggles with her working and seeming to never listen to what Hugo needs or is feeling. It reflects all the complex relationships tweens and parents share at this time, through a very tween-based perspective.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
September 17, 2021
One Kid's Trash is a middle grade contemporary written by Jamie Sumner. Hugo O'Connell is an only child who has been bullied his whole life because he is small stature. However, his passion for Garbology might turn things around at his new school.
Irish American rising sixth grader Hugo O’Connell is used to being picked on and passed over, thanks to his small stature. However, when he and his parents move from Denver to Creekside, Colorado, so his ex-engineer dad can pursue his passion of ski instructing, Hugo hopes he’ll have a fresh start, despite his anguish at having to leave his only friends behind.
Starting middle school with his affable half-Indian, half-white cousin, Vijay O'Connell, whose thoughtful inclusion often leaves him feeling coddled, Hugo builds tentative friendships with Vijay's friends, who are launching a school newsletter, and begins leveraging his unusual skill at garbology – the practice of inferring information about a person from their trash, to help classmates make sports teams, finagle rides from older siblings, and more.
With his dad becoming increasingly absent and the arguments between his parents growing more frequent, Hugo leans into his growing popularity to distract himself and take on a bully
One Kid's Trash is written rather well. Sumner renders Hugo's journey toward embracing his strengths and recognizing the power of kindness painfully believable, not shying from his own hurtful and immature behavior as he learns valuable lessons about friendship and family. Sumner perfectly captures the fickle nature of middle school social status and the gnawing pain of betrayal. This is a strong work about finding your people, learning to apologize, and the rewards of self-respect.
All in all, One Kid's Trash is a wonderful narrative with a near pitch-perfect voice with everyday bravery of middle school survival that is not to be missed.
Irish American rising sixth grader Hugo O’Connell is used to being picked on and passed over, thanks to his small stature. However, when he and his parents move from Denver to Creekside, Colorado, so his ex-engineer dad can pursue his passion of ski instructing, Hugo hopes he’ll have a fresh start, despite his anguish at having to leave his only friends behind.
Starting middle school with his affable half-Indian, half-white cousin, Vijay O'Connell, whose thoughtful inclusion often leaves him feeling coddled, Hugo builds tentative friendships with Vijay's friends, who are launching a school newsletter, and begins leveraging his unusual skill at garbology – the practice of inferring information about a person from their trash, to help classmates make sports teams, finagle rides from older siblings, and more.
With his dad becoming increasingly absent and the arguments between his parents growing more frequent, Hugo leans into his growing popularity to distract himself and take on a bully
One Kid's Trash is written rather well. Sumner renders Hugo's journey toward embracing his strengths and recognizing the power of kindness painfully believable, not shying from his own hurtful and immature behavior as he learns valuable lessons about friendship and family. Sumner perfectly captures the fickle nature of middle school social status and the gnawing pain of betrayal. This is a strong work about finding your people, learning to apologize, and the rewards of self-respect.
All in all, One Kid's Trash is a wonderful narrative with a near pitch-perfect voice with everyday bravery of middle school survival that is not to be missed.
July 7, 2021
Thanks to Edelweiss Plus for an eARC of this book.
Jamie Sumner is becoming an auto-read author for me. After reading and loving couple of her other books, I jumped all over requesting this one. Great story, loved the characters, quick, easy read and very middle grade friendly. Never a dull moment in the story so I got through this one very quickly. Students in 3rd through 5th grade at my school will really enjoy this one.
Jamie Sumner is becoming an auto-read author for me. After reading and loving couple of her other books, I jumped all over requesting this one. Great story, loved the characters, quick, easy read and very middle grade friendly. Never a dull moment in the story so I got through this one very quickly. Students in 3rd through 5th grade at my school will really enjoy this one.
June 17, 2021
When Hugo's family moves, he faces his first day in a new school -- and all the insecurities and vulnerabilities that come with it. But Hugo has a secret talent: garbology. And along the way, he learns important life lessons about friendship, bullying, and being who you are.
I love how realistic this story feels. The characters spring to life. Hugo and his friends are full of wit and fun, but also the sort of real-life challenges that I think we can all relate to. The garbology theme is creative and adds a fresh spin to this middle-grade story. I look forward to sharing Jamie Sumner's stories with my kids as they grow!
I love how realistic this story feels. The characters spring to life. Hugo and his friends are full of wit and fun, but also the sort of real-life challenges that I think we can all relate to. The garbology theme is creative and adds a fresh spin to this middle-grade story. I look forward to sharing Jamie Sumner's stories with my kids as they grow!
August 9, 2021
I read Roll With It a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it. Which is why I'm so heartbroken at the fact that this was a 3 star read, really a 2.5 for me. The book just felt so all over the place for me. Hugo's family just moved from one part of Colorado to another so his dad can be a ski instructor. Hugo is very small for his age because he was born two months early, but at least his cousin is in the same town now.
This book just fell short for me. Hugo is a really unlikeable character. He never takes responsibility for his actions. Everything that happens is always someone else's fault. I am all for complex characters but Hugo was just too much. Even in the end, he doesn't really seem to care about what he did. It felt like everyone quickly forgives him when he doesn't even seem sincere in his apology.
There were plot points that just felt unneeded or that they didn't make sense. Early in the book, we see the mom of one of the friends show up to school and is clearly all over the place. I thought the book was going to go more in the direction of the mom having some sort of illness and how to support her friend but it never goes deeper. it just felt like such a weird addition to the book. There are a few other times in the book where there are plot points that again seem to just come out of nowhere.
The ending of the book as well just doesn't really match up with the rest of the book. Maybe I missed something but it just seemed so random and like it was trying to wrap up the book in a neat bow.
I did like the character of Em. Middle school me was similar to her and I think she's a great character even if she is just a side character. I also like the introduction to garbology, although again didn't feel it really had a solid point to it.
This book just fell short for me. Hugo is a really unlikeable character. He never takes responsibility for his actions. Everything that happens is always someone else's fault. I am all for complex characters but Hugo was just too much. Even in the end, he doesn't really seem to care about what he did. It felt like everyone quickly forgives him when he doesn't even seem sincere in his apology.
There were plot points that just felt unneeded or that they didn't make sense. Early in the book, we see the mom of one of the friends show up to school and is clearly all over the place. I thought the book was going to go more in the direction of the mom having some sort of illness and how to support her friend but it never goes deeper. it just felt like such a weird addition to the book. There are a few other times in the book where there are plot points that again seem to just come out of nowhere.
The ending of the book as well just doesn't really match up with the rest of the book. Maybe I missed something but it just seemed so random and like it was trying to wrap up the book in a neat bow.
I did like the character of Em. Middle school me was similar to her and I think she's a great character even if she is just a side character. I also like the introduction to garbology, although again didn't feel it really had a solid point to it.
December 11, 2021
Jamie Sumner’s look at life of an extremely “petite” 6th grader, new to town, never the life of the party is filled with humor and heart. There are plenty of the so-called troupes in middle grade literature, but they are themes such as bullying, forgiveness, family, that must be repeated so that kids will see that there are many universals that aren’t pleasant, but there are ways to handle them and often, rise up and conquer that enemy of life. Because of his early and traumatic birth, Hugo has always been exceedingly small for his age and school has been more of a keep-your-head-down-and avoid endeavor. With an unwanted move to the town where his popular cousin Vijay lives, Hugo hopes that maybe having someone to help his entry into middle school will make things better. Turns out, his unique ability to interpret people’s garbage and see into their likes/dislikes/needs causes a shift and he finds himself being noticed in a positive way. Enter the expected difficulties: a bully, a misunderstanding, and a mistake plus a bit of family dysfunction that also rears its ugly head in many kids’ lives. Readers will enjoy the unique garbology spin as well as the connections that they will likely make to a strong cast of main characters. Sumner’s work is free of profanity, sexual content, and the only violence is a hard-thrown ball to the face during a dodgeball game. Representation: Most characters present as Caucasian but cousin Vij blends his Caucasian with a mom from a Middle Eastern heritage, and while not stated specifically, traditions of those with a Catholic background may be recognized.
Thanks for sharing an arc with #BookAllies, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Thanks for sharing an arc with #BookAllies, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
May 27, 2021
Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an early copy for #bookexpedition to read, share, and review.
Hugo’s dad has upended his family, leaving his engineering job in Denver to move across the state and became a ski instructor.
The good news is that Hugo’s cousin Vijay is there to show him the ropes. But Hugo’s worried: at his old school, he was bullied because of his small size. Will his new school be the same? At first, it seems so. The school bully, Chance, targets Hugo’s size every opportunity he gets.
Enter Garbology. I’d never heard (or thought) about it before I met Hugo and his people. Hugo’s talent for studying other people’s trash to uncover their secrets has him becoming one of the cool kids for the first time in his life. Suddenly, he’s famous, and the pressure of finally fitting in goes to his head. Will Hugo’s desire to be popular ruin the new friendships he’s made?
With themes of friendship, finding who you are, and bullying, One Kid’s Trash is sure to be a hit with middle grade readers when it publishes in August 2021.
Hugo’s dad has upended his family, leaving his engineering job in Denver to move across the state and became a ski instructor.
The good news is that Hugo’s cousin Vijay is there to show him the ropes. But Hugo’s worried: at his old school, he was bullied because of his small size. Will his new school be the same? At first, it seems so. The school bully, Chance, targets Hugo’s size every opportunity he gets.
Enter Garbology. I’d never heard (or thought) about it before I met Hugo and his people. Hugo’s talent for studying other people’s trash to uncover their secrets has him becoming one of the cool kids for the first time in his life. Suddenly, he’s famous, and the pressure of finally fitting in goes to his head. Will Hugo’s desire to be popular ruin the new friendships he’s made?
With themes of friendship, finding who you are, and bullying, One Kid’s Trash is sure to be a hit with middle grade readers when it publishes in August 2021.
July 20, 2021
A great coming of age story all about Hugo being forced to move from Denver to a smaller town during his father's midlife crisis. Hugo has never been one to "fit in" - having been born with constant hospital stays resulting in growth delays, let's just say he wasn't the average size of his classmates - which caught him a lot flak. As he transitions to his new life and the promise from his father that he will NOT be drowning in work like he was back in Denver - he finds himself in his cousin Vij's shadow at school UNTIL word gets out that Hugo can read your trash like FBI analysts read people. As Hugo's popularity starts to grow without the help of his cousin, so does his ego. Hugo has to find his true self during a time of frustration, retaliation, and popularity.
Themes: bullying, parents fighting, midlife crisis, lying, friendship.
Themes: bullying, parents fighting, midlife crisis, lying, friendship.
October 16, 2021
Such a sweet story! Readers are going to enjoy getting to meet Hugo. Hugo is the new kid, which is hard enough, but he's also super short. Short enough that it tends to draw attention. He finds himself being the target of a bully, and he's having trouble making friends, with the exception of his cousin, but they're related so that doesn't count! But when Hugo's skills of garbology (the science of studying trash to discover more about a person) become known, he finds himself with more friends and more knowledge about people. Will it be a bad thing?
August 25, 2021
DNF at 3/4 of the way through. I was really looking forward to this but just really wasn’t interested in the story.
October 28, 2021
Hugo is a realistic character who is bullied because of his size. I liked his voice a lot.
December 26, 2021
Can Hugo use his unusual talent for decoding people’s trash to try to fit in at his new school?
June 30, 2021
This book tells the story of Hugo who is starting a new middle school because his family has moved. He's always been picked on and bullied because of his small size, and this sadly happens again at his new school. However, when people find out his talent for garbology, his cool factor starts to rise. I'm having a really hard time writing this review because I am a huge fan of Jamie Sumner's previous books. I found both Roll With It and Tune It Out amazing reads because they were so moving for me. Unfortunately, I just did not connect with One Kid's Trash in the same way.so I would rate it a 3.5. I just could not relate to the main character, but it could be the perfect read for someone else.
March 20, 2021
“Garbology,” I whisper, “is the study of people’s trash to learn more about them.”
🗑
Hugo just had his life upended because his dad quit his steady job to become a ski instructor. This means they had to move across Colorado and Hugo will be going to school with his cousin, Vij. It wouldn’t be so bad if Hugo wasn’t so small due to him being born premature. When the school bully, Chance, starts targeting him and he begins to feel like he’ll never fit in, Hugo surprises everyone with his knowledge of discovering secrets about people through their trash. Suddenly everyone wants to get to know Hugo, but will it go to his head?
🗑
I’ve loved Jamie Sumner ever since Roll With It came out and this book is no exception. This middle grade book about finding who you are in middle school (something we can all relate to) will really resonate with #MG readers. Thank you Edelweiss for an advanced readers copy. Grab yours August 31!
🗑
Hugo just had his life upended because his dad quit his steady job to become a ski instructor. This means they had to move across Colorado and Hugo will be going to school with his cousin, Vij. It wouldn’t be so bad if Hugo wasn’t so small due to him being born premature. When the school bully, Chance, starts targeting him and he begins to feel like he’ll never fit in, Hugo surprises everyone with his knowledge of discovering secrets about people through their trash. Suddenly everyone wants to get to know Hugo, but will it go to his head?
🗑
I’ve loved Jamie Sumner ever since Roll With It came out and this book is no exception. This middle grade book about finding who you are in middle school (something we can all relate to) will really resonate with #MG readers. Thank you Edelweiss for an advanced readers copy. Grab yours August 31!
March 19, 2023
Mark Twain nominee for 2023-2024. Garbology at its finest. New kid trying to find his way at a new middle school when everyone else has known each other for years.
September 26, 2021
This is basically an anti-bullying novel. Nobody should be bullied by anybody for being small or for any other reason. I'm sure the author would agree with this PSA of a review.
August 3, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
Garbage is not a usual focus for middle grade novels, but in this case, it works to help a new kid fit in. Hugo is struggling with his family's move and starting at a new school. Unfortunately, he also faces the issue of his height; he's not very tall and has to reestablish coping methods with new people. He tries to show his skills by analyzing someone's trash and steps into the role of a garbologist. One shining gift is that his cousin is also at his school and in several of his classes. Hugo tries to step out from the support from his cousin and in doing so, hurts Vijay along with other friends. Bullying plays a key role in advancing the story and readers get to see the bullied become the bully in a moment of anger. Sumner captures middle school life and readers will connect with the students and staff. They stop short of being stereotypes and are shared as normal humans with struggles and challenges to be met.
Garbage is not a usual focus for middle grade novels, but in this case, it works to help a new kid fit in. Hugo is struggling with his family's move and starting at a new school. Unfortunately, he also faces the issue of his height; he's not very tall and has to reestablish coping methods with new people. He tries to show his skills by analyzing someone's trash and steps into the role of a garbologist. One shining gift is that his cousin is also at his school and in several of his classes. Hugo tries to step out from the support from his cousin and in doing so, hurts Vijay along with other friends. Bullying plays a key role in advancing the story and readers get to see the bullied become the bully in a moment of anger. Sumner captures middle school life and readers will connect with the students and staff. They stop short of being stereotypes and are shared as normal humans with struggles and challenges to be met.
May 2, 2025
This book was so hard for me to get through. It took me like 2 months. Sadly one of the worst books I’ve read. The cover is right this is one kid’s trash. It’s my trash. 😭
October 4, 2024
My kids weren’t interested in this one, so I read it to myself. It was pretty good, overall, a middle grade tale about bullying, friendship, life changes, and family.
August 10, 2021
One Kid's Trash is a really fun book about making new friends!
I like how Hugo goes and digs into the trash to learn about his classmates. It's really hard being a new kid.
At first, everybody thought Hugo was weird, but the kids eventually changed their mind. It's important to to be nice to others and learn about what makes them special just like Hugo did.
This is a great book for elementary school kids to read. My 3rd grader that is a sometimes reluctant reader, got hooked on this book and provided this review. She gives it 5 stars or 5.5 if she could!
We excitedly received this book from a goodreads giveaway.
I like how Hugo goes and digs into the trash to learn about his classmates. It's really hard being a new kid.
At first, everybody thought Hugo was weird, but the kids eventually changed their mind. It's important to to be nice to others and learn about what makes them special just like Hugo did.
This is a great book for elementary school kids to read. My 3rd grader that is a sometimes reluctant reader, got hooked on this book and provided this review. She gives it 5 stars or 5.5 if she could!
We excitedly received this book from a goodreads giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews