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Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness
A 2023 CBC Children's Favorite Winner!
This dynamic graphic novel based on the new Big Nate animated series on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon includes stories from three different episodes, featuring visually stunning, full-color CG artwork. Starring Nate, Francis, Dee Dee, Teddy, and friends, these hilarious escapades will thrill longtime Big Nate fans as well as new readers. It's Big Nate like you've never seen him before!
Sixth-grader Nate Wright believes he is AWESOME. At least that’s what he’ll tell you. Truth is, he has his doubts. But he’s not about to let the rest of the world know that. Instead, Nate finds himself constantly trying to prove how great he is to everyone around him. But there are many bumps on the road to Awesomeness, from his annoying sister, to his academic arch-nemesis, to his pure evil social studies teacher.
Luckily, Nate is able to express himself through the world of cartoons that he creates. Cartoons are his super power. They express the way he feels and bring his overactive imagination to life. On the outside, Nate seems confident and sure of what he is doing, but his cartoons reveal who he truly a little uncertain, but very funny and always entertaining. Charming, mischievous, and a magnet for misadventure—trouble is always fun when Nate is around. Just ask his friends!
Big Destined for Awesomeness includes stories from three episodes of the new animated series on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon. In "The Legend of the Gunting," Nate finds himself only one detention away from disappearance, according to an ominous P.S. 38 legend. In "Go Nate, It's Your Birthday," Nate's use of his father's credit card leads to all kinds of great adventures—and an epic race to recover from disaster. And in "CATastrophe," Nate finally gets a chance to spend time with his imagined true love, Jenny, only to wind up terrified of her pet.
Featuring dazzling art from the TV series and all the charming characters of Lincoln Peirce's bestselling books, this new graphic novel series will delight both new and longtime fans of Big Nate.
This dynamic graphic novel based on the new Big Nate animated series on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon includes stories from three different episodes, featuring visually stunning, full-color CG artwork. Starring Nate, Francis, Dee Dee, Teddy, and friends, these hilarious escapades will thrill longtime Big Nate fans as well as new readers. It's Big Nate like you've never seen him before!
Sixth-grader Nate Wright believes he is AWESOME. At least that’s what he’ll tell you. Truth is, he has his doubts. But he’s not about to let the rest of the world know that. Instead, Nate finds himself constantly trying to prove how great he is to everyone around him. But there are many bumps on the road to Awesomeness, from his annoying sister, to his academic arch-nemesis, to his pure evil social studies teacher.
Luckily, Nate is able to express himself through the world of cartoons that he creates. Cartoons are his super power. They express the way he feels and bring his overactive imagination to life. On the outside, Nate seems confident and sure of what he is doing, but his cartoons reveal who he truly a little uncertain, but very funny and always entertaining. Charming, mischievous, and a magnet for misadventure—trouble is always fun when Nate is around. Just ask his friends!
Big Destined for Awesomeness includes stories from three episodes of the new animated series on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon. In "The Legend of the Gunting," Nate finds himself only one detention away from disappearance, according to an ominous P.S. 38 legend. In "Go Nate, It's Your Birthday," Nate's use of his father's credit card leads to all kinds of great adventures—and an epic race to recover from disaster. And in "CATastrophe," Nate finally gets a chance to spend time with his imagined true love, Jenny, only to wind up terrified of her pet.
Featuring dazzling art from the TV series and all the charming characters of Lincoln Peirce's bestselling books, this new graphic novel series will delight both new and longtime fans of Big Nate.
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2022
277 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Lincoln Peirce
259 books1,114 followersLincoln Peirce is a cartoon artist from Portland, Maine. He lives with his wife and two children, and occasionally gives lectures to students about cartoon creating. Peirce writes the comic strip "Big Nate". Peirce's comic strip, Big Nate, is featured as an island on the famous children's website, Poptropica. Big Nate appears as the first cartoon on The Maine Sunday Telegram in the comics section.
He studied art at Colby College in Maine were he began cartooning. He also studied at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture before teaching art and coaching basketball at a New York highschool for 3 years. He currently plays hockey with "an old men's league" and describes it as his best sport as a child. In an interview with the Washington Post, Peirce stated that his last name is pronounced "purse" and is not a misspelling of "pierce."
Lincoln Peirce was a member of the "Surviving as a Print Cartoonist" Panel at the Maine Comics Art Festival with fellow cartoonists Corey Pandolph (Barkeater Lake, Toby: Robot Satan, The Elderberries), Norm Feuri (Retail, Gill) and with Mike Lynch moderating. On the panel Lincoln revealed he is currently working with some animation and licensing projects including the addition of a Big Nate island to the online game Poptropica.
He studied art at Colby College in Maine were he began cartooning. He also studied at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture before teaching art and coaching basketball at a New York highschool for 3 years. He currently plays hockey with "an old men's league" and describes it as his best sport as a child. In an interview with the Washington Post, Peirce stated that his last name is pronounced "purse" and is not a misspelling of "pierce."
Lincoln Peirce was a member of the "Surviving as a Print Cartoonist" Panel at the Maine Comics Art Festival with fellow cartoonists Corey Pandolph (Barkeater Lake, Toby: Robot Satan, The Elderberries), Norm Feuri (Retail, Gill) and with Mike Lynch moderating. On the panel Lincoln revealed he is currently working with some animation and licensing projects including the addition of a Big Nate island to the online game Poptropica.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 18, 2023
My children enjoy the Big Nate series, and they enjoyed this one.
Will read more of this series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Will read more of this series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
August 11, 2022
Nate Destined for Awesomeness is a tie-in to the animated series and includes stories from three different episodes with the corresponding comic strip that each episode is based off at the end of the chapter. The first story is called "The Legend of the Gunting." Trouble always seems to find Nate, and this time is no different when he risks being "gunted" if he gets one more detention. But laying low proves to be difficult when a new student arrives at school. This story reminded me a lot of the Terrible Two series by Mac Barnett. In "Go Nate, It's Your Birthday," Nate's father lends him his credit card to buy himself a birthday present and Nate goes on a huge spending spree. Fearful of what his father might do when he finds out he maxed out his card, Nate and his friends develop a scheme to find some cash fast. In "CATastrophe," Nate is paired with his school crush, Jenny on a class project only to find out she has a dreaded cat. Can Nate overcome his fear to spend time with his true love?
I can see Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness, appealing to middle graders who enjoy the Paramount + animated television series or for fans who get the humor of the original graphic novels and Nates tendency to land himself in trouble. There are a few obvious differences that the reader should be aware of between this book and the Big Nate graphic novel series. First, Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness features the full color CG artwork from the animated television series with the original black and white comic book illustrations that each episode is based off appearing at the end of the chapter. So, if you're looking for the original format where the artwork and illustrations complement the written text of the graphic novels, it's still interspersed into Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness, but the panels now mainly follow the full color television CG artwork. I think the CG artwork and text via speech bubbles format will take avid fans of the Big Nate graphic novels some time to get used. At the same time, I think this story will find some new reluctant reader fans who are looking for a humorous story. ** A huge thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing for my E-ARC and print review copy in exchange for an honest review**
I can see Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness, appealing to middle graders who enjoy the Paramount + animated television series or for fans who get the humor of the original graphic novels and Nates tendency to land himself in trouble. There are a few obvious differences that the reader should be aware of between this book and the Big Nate graphic novel series. First, Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness features the full color CG artwork from the animated television series with the original black and white comic book illustrations that each episode is based off appearing at the end of the chapter. So, if you're looking for the original format where the artwork and illustrations complement the written text of the graphic novels, it's still interspersed into Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness, but the panels now mainly follow the full color television CG artwork. I think the CG artwork and text via speech bubbles format will take avid fans of the Big Nate graphic novels some time to get used. At the same time, I think this story will find some new reluctant reader fans who are looking for a humorous story. ** A huge thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing for my E-ARC and print review copy in exchange for an honest review**
December 19, 2023
I liked that it had had multiple stories because other books don't do that, so I thought it was unique.
August 31, 2022
1st Line: " ' Hey!' "
Review: Full disclosure: I am a HUGE fan of Big Nate and his world. Had I a bit more nerve, I would have been Nate as a child (though maybe a bit smarter about things), so between the sarcasm, narcissism, bad jokes, worse plots, and his battle with school teachers, administrators, and pretty much anyone in authority, I was geared for this one. Have read at least a dozen or more collections of Lincoln Peirce's about this irascible, slightly nuts sixth-grader over the last few years, so was ready.
But this one's different; it's actually the first of a series of books based on the new Paramount+ animated series starring Nate and his friends and family. Instead of a collection of comic strips, here you have full-color panels laying out three episodes from the show, complete with comic speech bubbles. Not having Paramount+, I haven't seen the show, so seeing all these beloved characters not just in color but in 3D was a bit jarring (not in a bad way). Further, instead of three-panel or Sunday paper vignettes that basically tell a single joke, here Nate's antics play out in three fully-narrative stories, each episode with its own beginning, middle and end.
The Legend of the Gunting (probably my favorite), about Nate's herculean efforts to avoid one more detention for the week, is funny and goes nicely nuts with a new kid in school who makes Norman Bates look like Shirley Temple. Go Nate! It's Your Birthday, which went a bit over-the-top for me in regards to what I'd think even Nate would try to get away with, outlines the perils of (purposefully) misinterpreting how your dad tells you to use his credit card. Lastly, CATastrophe! is about Nate's crippling fear of felines ... and when he has to deal with one first-hand, in order to get a certain girl's attention and a class project completed.
Well done and a fun read ... but what blew my mind was when, not too far into the book, I realized how much the images reminded me of my own childhood obsession with ViewMaster reels. Between the speech bubbles and pop-out words to express action and the 3D animation, it was like clicking through an old ViewMaster again, and the warm memories that THAT brought alone only added to what was already a funny, enjoyable, action-packed read. (Available August 30) 4/5 stars
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Review: Full disclosure: I am a HUGE fan of Big Nate and his world. Had I a bit more nerve, I would have been Nate as a child (though maybe a bit smarter about things), so between the sarcasm, narcissism, bad jokes, worse plots, and his battle with school teachers, administrators, and pretty much anyone in authority, I was geared for this one. Have read at least a dozen or more collections of Lincoln Peirce's about this irascible, slightly nuts sixth-grader over the last few years, so was ready.
But this one's different; it's actually the first of a series of books based on the new Paramount+ animated series starring Nate and his friends and family. Instead of a collection of comic strips, here you have full-color panels laying out three episodes from the show, complete with comic speech bubbles. Not having Paramount+, I haven't seen the show, so seeing all these beloved characters not just in color but in 3D was a bit jarring (not in a bad way). Further, instead of three-panel or Sunday paper vignettes that basically tell a single joke, here Nate's antics play out in three fully-narrative stories, each episode with its own beginning, middle and end.
The Legend of the Gunting (probably my favorite), about Nate's herculean efforts to avoid one more detention for the week, is funny and goes nicely nuts with a new kid in school who makes Norman Bates look like Shirley Temple. Go Nate! It's Your Birthday, which went a bit over-the-top for me in regards to what I'd think even Nate would try to get away with, outlines the perils of (purposefully) misinterpreting how your dad tells you to use his credit card. Lastly, CATastrophe! is about Nate's crippling fear of felines ... and when he has to deal with one first-hand, in order to get a certain girl's attention and a class project completed.
Well done and a fun read ... but what blew my mind was when, not too far into the book, I realized how much the images reminded me of my own childhood obsession with ViewMaster reels. Between the speech bubbles and pop-out words to express action and the 3D animation, it was like clicking through an old ViewMaster again, and the warm memories that THAT brought alone only added to what was already a funny, enjoyable, action-packed read. (Available August 30) 4/5 stars
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2022
I was very excited when I saw that their would be a graphic novel version of Big Nate. I teacher 2nd grade and I have many students who love reading the original series. I wanted to get a first hand look at the new book to see if my students would be interested in the new way it is being portrayed.
At the beginning it seemed well laid out. It seemed like the book had vibes of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the old TV series Recess. Nate seemed quirky and fun. However after reading further, I got concerns that would have me think twice about recommending it to my students or teachers in my school. There were many instances that I felt would be triggering for the students I teach.
I work in a low income area. A large number of students at the school I teach are on the free/reduced lunch program. Many times I have had students who do not have school supplies or even a change of clothes. I have had students who deal with neglect, domestic abuse, or homelessness. You might think that my experience is the exception and not the rule. I know schools near me that do not have as many challenges that my school does. However, I am not alone. There are many schools and districts across the US that deal with these same issues.
Concerns:
1. ADULTS: All of the adults in Nate's school and at home do not seem to be helpful or even care about Nate. The teachers are portrayed as malicious or powerless. Nate's dad even talks about how he gave up on his dreams and things that haunt his past, but doesn't give Nate advice. Similar characters are in kid TV shows about school, however there was a teacher and/or parents who cared about the kids. There is no mentor or Yoda to help him through things. It just feels defeating when you read it in this book.
2. Bentley Carter: He is introduced as a rich kid and is supposed to be treated differently because of it. This is presented by the principal to Nate's whole class. Bentley seems to have white particles in his hair in the illustrations. I think that the illustrator means for it to be dandruff, however the students I teach have more experience with lice. To them, lice is embarrassing. You get sent home, everyone in class gets sent home with a letter so that their parents know to keep an eye on their child's hygiene.
3. Chad: When Nate and his friends hide under a table, Chad makes the comment "This is just like the table I sleep under at home." It is meant to be funny. However, many students in my school deal with neglect. Even if they have parents who love them and want the best for them, they may not be able to provide for them or to have someone there when they get home from school (even when they are young elementary students). Later, Chad is blamed for something and the PE teacher blows a whistle at him, his friends say "Look out!," and then the PE teacher is shown holding Chad and the sound "WHAM!" is displayed. This leaves a lot to the imagination. Is Chad just being taken away or was there harm done. Maybe I just see things differently because of my experiences, but this isn't funny.
I feel like this book had so much potential. Graphic novels have been on the rise for kids for years and to choose a beloved character is wonderful. I understand that not every book needs to have a educational value. That it can just be for fun. However, the triggers in this book would be too much for my students.
At the beginning it seemed well laid out. It seemed like the book had vibes of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the old TV series Recess. Nate seemed quirky and fun. However after reading further, I got concerns that would have me think twice about recommending it to my students or teachers in my school. There were many instances that I felt would be triggering for the students I teach.
I work in a low income area. A large number of students at the school I teach are on the free/reduced lunch program. Many times I have had students who do not have school supplies or even a change of clothes. I have had students who deal with neglect, domestic abuse, or homelessness. You might think that my experience is the exception and not the rule. I know schools near me that do not have as many challenges that my school does. However, I am not alone. There are many schools and districts across the US that deal with these same issues.
Concerns:
1. ADULTS: All of the adults in Nate's school and at home do not seem to be helpful or even care about Nate. The teachers are portrayed as malicious or powerless. Nate's dad even talks about how he gave up on his dreams and things that haunt his past, but doesn't give Nate advice. Similar characters are in kid TV shows about school, however there was a teacher and/or parents who cared about the kids. There is no mentor or Yoda to help him through things. It just feels defeating when you read it in this book.
2. Bentley Carter: He is introduced as a rich kid and is supposed to be treated differently because of it. This is presented by the principal to Nate's whole class. Bentley seems to have white particles in his hair in the illustrations. I think that the illustrator means for it to be dandruff, however the students I teach have more experience with lice. To them, lice is embarrassing. You get sent home, everyone in class gets sent home with a letter so that their parents know to keep an eye on their child's hygiene.
3. Chad: When Nate and his friends hide under a table, Chad makes the comment "This is just like the table I sleep under at home." It is meant to be funny. However, many students in my school deal with neglect. Even if they have parents who love them and want the best for them, they may not be able to provide for them or to have someone there when they get home from school (even when they are young elementary students). Later, Chad is blamed for something and the PE teacher blows a whistle at him, his friends say "Look out!," and then the PE teacher is shown holding Chad and the sound "WHAM!" is displayed. This leaves a lot to the imagination. Is Chad just being taken away or was there harm done. Maybe I just see things differently because of my experiences, but this isn't funny.
I feel like this book had so much potential. Graphic novels have been on the rise for kids for years and to choose a beloved character is wonderful. I understand that not every book needs to have a educational value. That it can just be for fun. However, the triggers in this book would be too much for my students.
September 20, 2022
This book is destined for awesomeness 🦊😄😁😃
September 6, 2022
I received this book from Netgalley/publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I was excited that a new Big Nate book was out on Netgalley… and then I was worried when I saw it wasn’t the normal style but some kind of 3D/CGI stuff. Apparently there is some tv series out now on the US Nickelodeon and this book is made along with that/features some of the episodes. I tried a preview somewhere and well, the style is still not for me, but I liked the story I saw + that we also got the original art.
In this book we three stories/episodes. They are: Legend of the Gunting, Go Nate! It’s Your Birthday, and CATastrophe. I did have fun reading this book, but I really had to get used to the 3D/CGI stuff (still not a fan and so I am not going to read the TV books or watch the show), not to mention at times it just felt like something was missing. Whereas with the other books by Lincoln Peirce it just feels like it is all moving and going, this one felt very stilted. I guess that is what you get if you just pluck it from the TV-series. Plus, I felt like the jokes were missing the usual Nate-punch. With the normal books I am laughing my butt off, here I just chuckled, a few times max. It just wasn’t the same.
In these three stories we have Nate getting almost the max of detentions, setting off something called the Gunting (yes, really), a new transfer student arrives and makes it hard for Nate (causing him to hide when the guy is around, but eventually braving things and setting things right), next up is his birthday… and his dad should really have specified. He knows how his son is, yet, he seems to forget each time, haha. I had a laugh at how Nate just went lose with that card and the shock later when he found out how much he actually had spend. OH no. I also like that there is some focus on Nate’s sister, Ellen. Who is apparently afraid of small spaces and she has to do something for a parade or something that involves cramped spaces. I had a laugh at how her dad tried to help her out. Oh noes. And the last story is about projects, cats, and souls. Yep. I know, it is confusing, but read the story and you will get it. I had a laugh that Ellen was spying on her dad and tried to help him conquer one of his fears (he has many). I didn’t like how Nate couldn’t be honest, but I am happy in the end things went OK for him.
I do love that we still get some of the normal Nate comics and sometimes see his doodles in places. I also like that at the end of each story we get a comic that started it all, that was the inspiration of the story.
All in all, I am still happy I picked this one up. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly cannot beat the real Nate books.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was excited that a new Big Nate book was out on Netgalley… and then I was worried when I saw it wasn’t the normal style but some kind of 3D/CGI stuff. Apparently there is some tv series out now on the US Nickelodeon and this book is made along with that/features some of the episodes. I tried a preview somewhere and well, the style is still not for me, but I liked the story I saw + that we also got the original art.
In this book we three stories/episodes. They are: Legend of the Gunting, Go Nate! It’s Your Birthday, and CATastrophe. I did have fun reading this book, but I really had to get used to the 3D/CGI stuff (still not a fan and so I am not going to read the TV books or watch the show), not to mention at times it just felt like something was missing. Whereas with the other books by Lincoln Peirce it just feels like it is all moving and going, this one felt very stilted. I guess that is what you get if you just pluck it from the TV-series. Plus, I felt like the jokes were missing the usual Nate-punch. With the normal books I am laughing my butt off, here I just chuckled, a few times max. It just wasn’t the same.
In these three stories we have Nate getting almost the max of detentions, setting off something called the Gunting (yes, really), a new transfer student arrives and makes it hard for Nate (causing him to hide when the guy is around, but eventually braving things and setting things right), next up is his birthday… and his dad should really have specified. He knows how his son is, yet, he seems to forget each time, haha. I had a laugh at how Nate just went lose with that card and the shock later when he found out how much he actually had spend. OH no. I also like that there is some focus on Nate’s sister, Ellen. Who is apparently afraid of small spaces and she has to do something for a parade or something that involves cramped spaces. I had a laugh at how her dad tried to help her out. Oh noes. And the last story is about projects, cats, and souls. Yep. I know, it is confusing, but read the story and you will get it. I had a laugh that Ellen was spying on her dad and tried to help him conquer one of his fears (he has many). I didn’t like how Nate couldn’t be honest, but I am happy in the end things went OK for him.
I do love that we still get some of the normal Nate comics and sometimes see his doodles in places. I also like that at the end of each story we get a comic that started it all, that was the inspiration of the story.
All in all, I am still happy I picked this one up. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly cannot beat the real Nate books.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
November 26, 2024
So ridiculous. . . I love it
December 12, 2024
i love how funny the "birthday episode"was and how nate spent all the money on his dads card
November 27, 2023
Well, this was an interesting spinoff.
I'm a long-time fan of Big Nate and have wanted to watch the tv show but haven't because I have every streaming service besides Paramont+.
But that's beside the point.
The art style in this book is more 3D and detailed than the art style in the comics and apparently, it's the art style of the tv show. I think it's decent. I like that each chapter/story was based on an original comic strip rather than just making one up. I think each chapter in this book was based on an episode or short, because each episode in the show is, again, based on an original comic.
The stories themselves were pretty good and interesting, as I have my favorites. The characters are the exact same (because no one likes a spinoff of an original series that has characters that aren't like the ones in the original series).
Overall it was a pretty good spinoff, which I can't say the same for most spinoffs. I would recommend to anyone who likes graphic novels, humor, comics, Big Nate, and middle grade.
--ALSO--
I can't make a proper review for this because
1. The character's aren't original
2. There are multiple plots (each chapter is a different story)
--DISCLAIMER--
By the time I am writing this review it's been a while since I read it and the 2nd one already came out but when I was finished with this book I remember being excited for the 2nd one, even though it would just be the same thing as this just with different stories for each chapter.
4 stars
I'm a long-time fan of Big Nate and have wanted to watch the tv show but haven't because I have every streaming service besides Paramont+.
But that's beside the point.
The art style in this book is more 3D and detailed than the art style in the comics and apparently, it's the art style of the tv show. I think it's decent. I like that each chapter/story was based on an original comic strip rather than just making one up. I think each chapter in this book was based on an episode or short, because each episode in the show is, again, based on an original comic.
The stories themselves were pretty good and interesting, as I have my favorites. The characters are the exact same (because no one likes a spinoff of an original series that has characters that aren't like the ones in the original series).
Overall it was a pretty good spinoff, which I can't say the same for most spinoffs. I would recommend to anyone who likes graphic novels, humor, comics, Big Nate, and middle grade.
--ALSO--
I can't make a proper review for this because
1. The character's aren't original
2. There are multiple plots (each chapter is a different story)
--DISCLAIMER--
By the time I am writing this review it's been a while since I read it and the 2nd one already came out but when I was finished with this book I remember being excited for the 2nd one, even though it would just be the same thing as this just with different stories for each chapter.
4 stars
October 30, 2023
There are 3 stories in this book. First there's "The Legend of the Gunting" where Nate is in danger of getting his fifth detention in one week. The only one who ever got 5 detentions in one week was Brad Gunter....who disappeared from existence. Nate doesn't want to disappear so he tries to be good. It gets harder for him when he's tasked with helping a new student....one who is not afraid to cause trouble and do pranks.
The second story is "Go Nate, it's Your Birthday" where Nate's dad not wanting to look lame at Nate's birthday party gives him his credit card. He limits it to spending $50 which Nate misinterprets to his own benefit to mean he can spend $50 per transaction. Nate and his friends have a really good time with the money but there are consequences.
The third story is "CATastrophe" where Nate's fear of cats is challenged along with his fathers' irrational fear which Ellen is bound to fix. Nate makes sure Jenny is his partner for a school project so they can spend time together...but Jenny has a cat, Felicia. Nate is motivated by Jenny to get over his fear of cats while his father is motivated by Ellen overcome his weird fear. The father and son both try to overcome their phobias which isn't easy.
The second story is "Go Nate, it's Your Birthday" where Nate's dad not wanting to look lame at Nate's birthday party gives him his credit card. He limits it to spending $50 which Nate misinterprets to his own benefit to mean he can spend $50 per transaction. Nate and his friends have a really good time with the money but there are consequences.
The third story is "CATastrophe" where Nate's fear of cats is challenged along with his fathers' irrational fear which Ellen is bound to fix. Nate makes sure Jenny is his partner for a school project so they can spend time together...but Jenny has a cat, Felicia. Nate is motivated by Jenny to get over his fear of cats while his father is motivated by Ellen overcome his weird fear. The father and son both try to overcome their phobias which isn't easy.
March 14, 2023
This was actually a pretty good remake. The characters stayed true to their original selves, although Nate was a bit more goody-two-shoes here than I remember. The 3-D version of the cartoon wasn't bad, and the storylines followed what would probably happen in Nate's life. However, I still prefer the original one, although it might just be nostalgia speaking (and the horrific view of Nate's pores-but-actually-not-pores-just-terrible-shading in one of the close-ups of his head in the book).
Did I read this out of desperation just to shamelessly be behind by one less book in my reading challenge? Absolutely.
Did I read this out of desperation just to shamelessly be behind by one less book in my reading challenge? Absolutely.
March 9, 2023
Pretty good book. Each chapter was about 70 pages (and there was only three chapters) and each chapter is actually on the show, so it basically looks someone just took some pictures of the show and then added the words.😹
September 4, 2022
Loved it!
December 15, 2025
realistic cool
December 21, 2022
Hahahha
This book is hilarious. It's the misadventures of a boy named Nate, who is a middle schooler at PS 38. He tries to impress a girl, get out of credit card debt, and not get Gunted. It's hilarious, a recommended read. Bye!!!
This book is hilarious. It's the misadventures of a boy named Nate, who is a middle schooler at PS 38. He tries to impress a girl, get out of credit card debt, and not get Gunted. It's hilarious, a recommended read. Bye!!!
November 11, 2022
Copy provided by the publisher
Like Rusu's The Xtreme Xploits of the Xplosive Xmas (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants TV), or Ball's Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Movie (Graphic Novel) this is a graphic novel based on the television adaptation of characters from print sources. Think that one through so we can go on.
It is very exciting that Peirce's Big Nate has been adapted for an animated series through Paramount Plus and Nickelodeon. It's been a long time coming, and well deserved. The comic strip premiered in 1991, and the first novel, Big Nate: In a Class by Himself, came out in 2010. Nate is an exuberant and well-meaning tween who constantly finds himself in trouble, but he is a far more enjoyable character than other Notebook Novel heroes.
Destined for Awesomeness presents three episodes of the television program, which are all illustrated with stills from the program, although there are also some some pages that look like they came straight out of one of Peirce's Notebook Novels, which is a nice touch. The program looks to be animated using CGI, so has that very round, somewhat misty feel to the style. Standard cartoon balloons are superimposed on the stills.
In the first vignette, Nate is on his fourth detention, and it's only a Tuesday. His friends bring up a school legend of Brad Gunter, a student who set records for the number of detentions; when he hit five in a singel week, he disappeared and was never seen again. Of course, Mrs. Godfrey is on the lookout for any misbehaving on Nate's part. When a new student, with whom Principal Nichols seems especially enamored, needs a guide, Nate volunteers to show Bentley around. Bentley's family is rich, and the principal hopes the family will donate a drone to the school if Bentley is happy. However, the new kid ends up being adept at pranks, and tries to lure Nate in even though he is trying to be on his best behavior. Will Nate be able to stay out of trouble and avoid being "gunted"?
Nate's birthday is coming up, and coincides with the preparations his sister Ellen is making for being the "Husky Queen" for the local Ididnotarod dog race. (There were copyright issues with the Iditarod.) He has a birthday party, but the gifts are not all that exciting; he gets a book DeeDee wants to read, a savings bond from Francis, and a stamp collection from an elderly aunt. His dad sees his disappointment and offers his credit card for use on anything "up to $50". Nate, of course, pushes this. He and his friends have a $49 sundae, spend the same amount on a go cart session, adopt a number of dogs from a shelter, each of which is under $50 but together cause the card to be denied and run up $6,000 in charges. DeeDee has the bright idea to crowdsource funding by giving a concert, but somehow the concert costs almost as much to produce as they gather. Luckily, one of Nate's gifts is more valuable than it first appeared and gets him out of trouble.
In the final episode, Ellen has a fear of enclosed spaces and is helped by her father to overcome this; she learns why her father always has to go back into the house right before they leave to go anywhere. Nate ends up working on a project with Jenny but learns that she has a cat; he has been raised to think that cats suck out little boys' souls. I am not going to argue with the logic on this one.
The dialog is a bit over the top and doesn't seem as much like the comic strips or novels; Bentley is discovered to be a "criminally insane tween", the crowd sourcing raises a ridiculous amount of money, and we find that Nate's father has a fear of strange bathrooms-- after Ellen puts a camera in the bathroom and spies on him via computer. Otherwise, these are solid stories that fit neatly into the Big Nate canon, and I'm sure that my students will enjoy the program. They'll know how to find it; I don't even know where to start, since the only streaming service I have is Amazon Prime. I have to say that the book itself reminded me of the 1990s R. L. Stine TV episode books of Goosebumps!
Like Rusu's The Xtreme Xploits of the Xplosive Xmas (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants TV), or Ball's Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Movie (Graphic Novel) this is a graphic novel based on the television adaptation of characters from print sources. Think that one through so we can go on.
It is very exciting that Peirce's Big Nate has been adapted for an animated series through Paramount Plus and Nickelodeon. It's been a long time coming, and well deserved. The comic strip premiered in 1991, and the first novel, Big Nate: In a Class by Himself, came out in 2010. Nate is an exuberant and well-meaning tween who constantly finds himself in trouble, but he is a far more enjoyable character than other Notebook Novel heroes.
Destined for Awesomeness presents three episodes of the television program, which are all illustrated with stills from the program, although there are also some some pages that look like they came straight out of one of Peirce's Notebook Novels, which is a nice touch. The program looks to be animated using CGI, so has that very round, somewhat misty feel to the style. Standard cartoon balloons are superimposed on the stills.
In the first vignette, Nate is on his fourth detention, and it's only a Tuesday. His friends bring up a school legend of Brad Gunter, a student who set records for the number of detentions; when he hit five in a singel week, he disappeared and was never seen again. Of course, Mrs. Godfrey is on the lookout for any misbehaving on Nate's part. When a new student, with whom Principal Nichols seems especially enamored, needs a guide, Nate volunteers to show Bentley around. Bentley's family is rich, and the principal hopes the family will donate a drone to the school if Bentley is happy. However, the new kid ends up being adept at pranks, and tries to lure Nate in even though he is trying to be on his best behavior. Will Nate be able to stay out of trouble and avoid being "gunted"?
Nate's birthday is coming up, and coincides with the preparations his sister Ellen is making for being the "Husky Queen" for the local Ididnotarod dog race. (There were copyright issues with the Iditarod.) He has a birthday party, but the gifts are not all that exciting; he gets a book DeeDee wants to read, a savings bond from Francis, and a stamp collection from an elderly aunt. His dad sees his disappointment and offers his credit card for use on anything "up to $50". Nate, of course, pushes this. He and his friends have a $49 sundae, spend the same amount on a go cart session, adopt a number of dogs from a shelter, each of which is under $50 but together cause the card to be denied and run up $6,000 in charges. DeeDee has the bright idea to crowdsource funding by giving a concert, but somehow the concert costs almost as much to produce as they gather. Luckily, one of Nate's gifts is more valuable than it first appeared and gets him out of trouble.
In the final episode, Ellen has a fear of enclosed spaces and is helped by her father to overcome this; she learns why her father always has to go back into the house right before they leave to go anywhere. Nate ends up working on a project with Jenny but learns that she has a cat; he has been raised to think that cats suck out little boys' souls. I am not going to argue with the logic on this one.
The dialog is a bit over the top and doesn't seem as much like the comic strips or novels; Bentley is discovered to be a "criminally insane tween", the crowd sourcing raises a ridiculous amount of money, and we find that Nate's father has a fear of strange bathrooms-- after Ellen puts a camera in the bathroom and spies on him via computer. Otherwise, these are solid stories that fit neatly into the Big Nate canon, and I'm sure that my students will enjoy the program. They'll know how to find it; I don't even know where to start, since the only streaming service I have is Amazon Prime. I have to say that the book itself reminded me of the 1990s R. L. Stine TV episode books of Goosebumps!
July 6, 2022
I have to say I was a little bit cautious about approaching this, when I saw it was not a real Big Nate book, but one based on the cartoon series. And don't pretend I was alone in doubting its ability to share the same shelves as the real thing, either. Here we see evidence that the series is actually pretty solid, all told – nicely colourised and rounded-out character forms, with some hand-drawn styling perfectly in keeping with Nate's own comic drawing. It of course goes more for the drama and longer-form narratives than the joke-obsessed daily strips can, and while its jokes seem fewer apart than needed now and again, when they land they are pretty strong. There is also scope for more subsidiary detail – witness the early instance of one of Mrs Godfrey's victims, drooling over his desk with an SOS drawn on his eyelids.
So, in the first story Nate is one detention away from managing all five in a given week, which actually may be a fate worse than Godfrey if school legend is anything to go by. Unfortunately, at the same time he's in charge of a most irksome, goading hoodlum of a newcomer. Next, the "Ididnotarod" sled-dog race features as Nate is desperate for the prize money – in fact, any money. Finally, when Nate manages to wrangle a homework project to be worked on by him and Jenny, his worst fears come true when it turns out she owns... a.... cat.
Three stories, then, all suitably flippant yet serious, daft yet grounded, bonkers yet oh so slightly everyday. All the characters transfer (although Dee Dee looks too hermaphroditic, which probably explains her humongous acting CV) and we might actually get more from them – I can't remember learning Nate's dad's name (although it has to be said some of what we do learn about him is a bit TMI). All told, it's a promising start to what will probably become yet another strand to the book franchise, although for their quick changes in scenario and situation for all the different yucks I think the originals will remain my favourite. A strong four stars.
Oh, and Ebeneezer was right.
So, in the first story Nate is one detention away from managing all five in a given week, which actually may be a fate worse than Godfrey if school legend is anything to go by. Unfortunately, at the same time he's in charge of a most irksome, goading hoodlum of a newcomer. Next, the "Ididnotarod" sled-dog race features as Nate is desperate for the prize money – in fact, any money. Finally, when Nate manages to wrangle a homework project to be worked on by him and Jenny, his worst fears come true when it turns out she owns... a.... cat.
Three stories, then, all suitably flippant yet serious, daft yet grounded, bonkers yet oh so slightly everyday. All the characters transfer (although Dee Dee looks too hermaphroditic, which probably explains her humongous acting CV) and we might actually get more from them – I can't remember learning Nate's dad's name (although it has to be said some of what we do learn about him is a bit TMI). All told, it's a promising start to what will probably become yet another strand to the book franchise, although for their quick changes in scenario and situation for all the different yucks I think the originals will remain my favourite. A strong four stars.
Oh, and Ebeneezer was right.
August 18, 2022
Based on the popular Nickelodeon and Paramount+ animated series, this three volume finds Big Nate in a pickle, more than once. First, threatened with another detention, Nate’s friends remind him that one more detention-inducing prank will bring on “the gunting”, a school legend that means Nate will disappear forever. But when a pseudo-wealthy new student wants to join up with Nate to become the school’s two greatest pranksters, Nate quickly distinguishes between pranks and malicious endangerment and shows his “destined awesomeness” by saving his principal from grave embarrassment. In another episode, financial illiteracy causes Nate to max out his father’s credit card on a spending spree with his friends, while his sister and father each try to overcome their individual irrational personal fears. Nate fans will love the hilarious conclusion to Nate’s father’s fear of using public toilets. The underlying themes of pranks versus malicious acts, financial responsibility, and overcoming personal fear provide excellent content in a popular graphic novel format for a grand entrée to class discussions on these three topics. A bit of romance, mild suspense, and dog antics and a cat escapade all contribute to the humor that fans appreciate about Big Nate and his friends. Each chapter ends with a one-page summary wrapup.
May 22, 2022
Elementary and middle grade fans of the original Big Nate graphic novel series are likely to enjoy this “based on the Nickelodeon/Paramount +” book. Most of the graphic panels have the look of the television version and present 3 of those episodes in print format. Hijinks abound and chuckles are sure to be numerous with the target audience. I, however, found myself missing the art style and character from the original books by Lincoln Peirce, especially when several panels that appear to be straight out of the original works appeared. While still being free of profanity, sexual content and targeted for the 2nd-5th grade audience, this Nate felt a little forced and the plot very contrived. But as stated in my opening sentence, fans are likely to excitedly read this one.
Thanks for the print arc, Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Thanks for the print arc, Andrews McMeel Publishing.
July 12, 2022
This was a cute collection of Big Nate comics made into longer stories. I think I like the comic version of Big Nate better than this new TV/movie more 3-D version, but then again I've been a fan of the comic for many years. My favorite story was based on a comic strip where Nate goes to Jenny's house and finds out she has a cat, and he's deathly afraid of cats. The one where Nate charges up his dad's credit card was pretty good too but the cat one was the best. I always remember his dad the best, frankly, because he has such a distinctive look, and I've seen a number of humans that look like him ;( I'm glad to have this reintroduction to Big Nate and I'll keep an eye out for more TV/movie versions of the gang.
I received a promotional copy of this book and am giving an honest review.
I received a promotional copy of this book and am giving an honest review.
June 25, 2022
Big Nate is a huge hit in our Library, and so I was keen to check out a new title. I was expecting this to be a new collection of comic strips. Instead it is a new graphic novel, released to tie in with a new TV series.
There seems to have been a shift in the dynamics of his friend group. They are much more supportive of Nate, rather than long-sufferingly putting up with his antics and arrogance as in the strips.
The three storylines contained here were OK, without being amazing. I definitely prefer the comic-strip style artwork to this glossy 3D style, as well as the short, sharp, funny strips versus these longer, drawn-out stories.
It will be interesting to see if this is a hit in the Library.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the eARC.
There seems to have been a shift in the dynamics of his friend group. They are much more supportive of Nate, rather than long-sufferingly putting up with his antics and arrogance as in the strips.
The three storylines contained here were OK, without being amazing. I definitely prefer the comic-strip style artwork to this glossy 3D style, as well as the short, sharp, funny strips versus these longer, drawn-out stories.
It will be interesting to see if this is a hit in the Library.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the eARC.
September 22, 2022
'Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness' by Lincoln Peirce is a graphic novel adaptation of three episodes of the new Big Nate animated series.
In the first story, Big Nate is on the verge of too many detentions in one week, triggering a school urban legend. In another, Nate has a terrible birthday until his dad mistakenly lets him use his credit card, which ends in a dog sled race. In the final episode, Nate's fears of cats jeopardizes his school project and his crush on Gina. Each chapter ends with the Big Nate original cartoon that likely inspired it.
I haven't seen the series, but I am a Big Nate fan. This didn't ring true to me as a fan. I much prefer my Big Nate in the normal shorter comics. The art is from the show, and it's actually not too bad.
In the first story, Big Nate is on the verge of too many detentions in one week, triggering a school urban legend. In another, Nate has a terrible birthday until his dad mistakenly lets him use his credit card, which ends in a dog sled race. In the final episode, Nate's fears of cats jeopardizes his school project and his crush on Gina. Each chapter ends with the Big Nate original cartoon that likely inspired it.
I haven't seen the series, but I am a Big Nate fan. This didn't ring true to me as a fan. I much prefer my Big Nate in the normal shorter comics. The art is from the show, and it's actually not too bad.
December 27, 2022
Seemed to be more vulgar and more mean-spirited than the original series. Not funny. Illustration technique is arresting but otherwise left a bad taste in my mouth.
https://twitter.com/towntaker/status/...
https://twitter.com/towntaker/status/...
June 25, 2023
Nate Wright AKA Big Nate and his friends in three short stories that finds Nate one detention away from being "Gunted" for ever. The second story, Nate maxes out his dad's credit card, and the third , Nate gets to work with his crush, Jenny on a school project, but is terrified of her pet cat Felicia. All three shorts finds Big Nate in rare form as always, and laugh out loud story lines to be enjoyed.
August 15, 2022
Reviewed for Edelweiss:
Honest review from my nine year old daughter:
I always enjoy a Big Nate graphic novel. I enjoyed the story, but I had a hard time getting used to the new animation or TV style.
I would still recommend to my friends.
Honest review from my nine year old daughter:
I always enjoy a Big Nate graphic novel. I enjoyed the story, but I had a hard time getting used to the new animation or TV style.
I would still recommend to my friends.
Want to read
June 17, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
October 27, 2022
It's a no from me, fam
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