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Eighth-Grade Superzero
In this terrific debut, a Brooklyn middle-schooler finds the superhero within himself thanks to old friends, new dreams, and a pair of magical "Dora the Explorer" sneakers.
Ever since a deeply unfortunate incident earlier this year, Reggie's been known as "Pukey" McKnight at his high-intensity Brooklyn middle school. He wants to turn his image around, but he has other things on his mind as his father, who's out of a job; his best friends, Ruthie and Joe C.; his former best friend Donovan, who's now become a jerk; and of course, the beautiful Mialonie. The elections for school president are coming up, but with his notorious nickname and "nothing" social status, Reggie wouldn't stand a chance, if he even had the courage to run. (CONT.)
Ever since a deeply unfortunate incident earlier this year, Reggie's been known as "Pukey" McKnight at his high-intensity Brooklyn middle school. He wants to turn his image around, but he has other things on his mind as his father, who's out of a job; his best friends, Ruthie and Joe C.; his former best friend Donovan, who's now become a jerk; and of course, the beautiful Mialonie. The elections for school president are coming up, but with his notorious nickname and "nothing" social status, Reggie wouldn't stand a chance, if he even had the courage to run. (CONT.)
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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635 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
October 9, 2009
I don't think it's hyperbole to say this is one of the best middle-grade novels I have ever read.
When people use the word ambitious, there's often a negativity lurking beneath it--that the author is to be admired for taking on so much, even if she didn't succeed.
Eighth-Grade Superzero is an ambitious book that delivers, and then some. It deals with important issues--homelessness, religion, social responsibility, family dynamics--but readers will hardly notice. They will be caught up in the characters' interactions. They will be swept away by the voice! What a voice! I heart Reggie! And readers will laugh from start to finish.
Give me six stars, Good Reads. This book gets six.
When people use the word ambitious, there's often a negativity lurking beneath it--that the author is to be admired for taking on so much, even if she didn't succeed.
Eighth-Grade Superzero is an ambitious book that delivers, and then some. It deals with important issues--homelessness, religion, social responsibility, family dynamics--but readers will hardly notice. They will be caught up in the characters' interactions. They will be swept away by the voice! What a voice! I heart Reggie! And readers will laugh from start to finish.
Give me six stars, Good Reads. This book gets six.
April 13, 2014
Preachy. Unfortunately that’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this book. It wasn’t that I didn’t like reading it. Or that I disagreed with what was being preached. But it was a lot. There are some really good themes presented. Reggie has to learn how to stand up for himself and others. He has to choose to do what is right when it isn’t easy. He has to make choices about what is most important and what he is going to do about it. He has to learn lessons about judging people and being a good citizen and a good role model. He has to learn how to be a good friend when both are growing and changing. All while he is dealing with questions of doubt and faith in God. He is a likable kid who isn’t perfect and doesn’t have all the answers but is looking for them. You care about him and want him to make the right choices and root for him and his friends. The people who surround Reggie are a diverse bunch but all written well and well developed. They are all believable as are the situations that Reggie manages to get himself into and his reactions to his challenging and changing world. But he gets involved with a homeless shelter and the book hits the point of service to the community rather hard. And that’s where it starts to get preachy. It’s a good thing for kids to hear about but there is so much in the book you start to feel a little beat over the head by it. It’s a good story about good characters that just pushes a little too hard at times. It is still an entertaining book that left me caring about Reggie and his friends. And wanting to read his comic book.
March 1, 2010
Rhuday-Perkovitch has created a delightful multicultural setting that feels authentic, not planned for best effect. Protagonist, Reggie McKnight tells his story with a strong, believable voice. He's funny, articulate, confused, compassionate, questioning, bright, perceptive, trying to fit in, wanting to stand out, seeking his own true voice. He is surrounded by good friends, caring adults, and a number of the usual suspects of middle school. Readers see deeply into Reggie's mind and spirit and root for him to stand tall in an only-Reggie-can way.
There are so few books that show the main character involved in a faith-based organization and/or doing community service for the right reasons. I loved Reggie's commitment to his church youth group and how his spiritual life guided and informed his decisions without his being a goodie-goodie.
Middle school readers will relate to Reggie's struggles with identity, friends, school social life and family and may even find themselves inspired to find their own way to make a difference in the world.
There are so few books that show the main character involved in a faith-based organization and/or doing community service for the right reasons. I loved Reggie's commitment to his church youth group and how his spiritual life guided and informed his decisions without his being a goodie-goodie.
Middle school readers will relate to Reggie's struggles with identity, friends, school social life and family and may even find themselves inspired to find their own way to make a difference in the world.
July 13, 2011
Reginald Garvey McKnight would have preferred to begin the 8th grade school year as King of Clarke Junior School (a High Academic, Study Intensive Middle School). Instead, he fast becomes known as Pukey and is made a school-wide laughingstock. Such a reputation is not easily overcome as Reggie tries to figure out who he is and how to let the world see him for his better attributes (not his weak stomach). He isn’t the only one. 8th Grade Super Zero is ripe with characters trying to figure out what they would become; some forced to re-invent themselves for the umpteenth time (as adults are not exempt from Rhuday-Perkovich’s cast list).
There is a class-presidential election taking place where the subject of the popular vote versus the best qualified comes into play—as well as each candidate’s motivations. This is a perfect opportunity to stand up and make a difference, to give popularity a run for its money, but how determined is Reggie to make the effort and put himself out there for probable ridicule? And isn’t there enough going on?
Reggie’s youth group teams up with National Public Radio (NPR) to collect stories from those living in the neighborhood homeless shelter Olive Branch. Youth group is a place Reggie feels comfortable being himself and finds leadership roles a natural outpouring of his confidence and his growing interest in the homeless. His own father has been unemployed too long now and Reggie begins to recognize some of the children at the shelter from school—one is his assigned “Little Buddy” kindergartner Charlie. Reggie takes a passionate interest in the shelter and involves his schoolmates. He would like to see the school form a community service partnership with the shelter and makes this one his many platforms as he decides to become a late-runner in the elections.
“I walked to school thinking of those people at the shelter looking like they’ve got no reason to keep going…but they were still moving forward. By the end of our interview, George was talking about going back to school to get a master’s degree. In our meeting at the end of the session, Jeff said his partner wanted to build birdhouses, and I watched this little girl pretending to be an astronaut. That takes a kind of faith that I’ve never even thought about before. (75)
As Reggie begins to take interest in the community around him, he discovers more about his own self and grows in confidence and stature. It isn’t without numerous complications, of course. There is the bully who goes out of his way to torment Reggie and friends. There is the stress of one unemployed parent, and one overworked. His older sister creates her own conflict-ridden dynamic. His long-time friends are undergoing their own changes, interests begin to diverge, and the way each sees each other begins to fracture under the strain (which isn’t the worst thing).
Creating change and/or surviving it can be difficult; Rhuday-Perkovich keeps things real, and she keeps it hopeful. Middle-graders able to take interest in self and others simultaneously? There is no false optimism in 8th Grade Super Zero. In Reggie and his peers, the author does not see a generation of young people who are incapable of seeing the community/world around them and making a difference. She acknowledges that life at their age is not easy and there is a lot to sort through, there is a lot to take in, but no one runs the gamut alone, we need each other, and we all want to be worthwhile. Rhuday-Perkovich continually asserts the obvious but not easy: that One informs and is informed by their peers, their families, their communities. This is good, and it can be scary. Embrace it and watch yourself become someone with potential–Yourself.
Rhuday-Perkovich’s writing is really nice. She creates an earnest, charming, and articulate first person narrative with Reggie. There is a lot of heart and a lot of humor. And can I say how refreshing it is to see the portrayal of a young person pursuing their spirituality/working out their Faith? The novel isn’t too message-y, and refuses definitive answers for every inquisition Reggie would/might pursue.
Issues of race are mentionable. Reggie’s best friend Joe C. is white and is sometimes a source of embarrassment for him; and their cultural differences create some divisions in their relationship. Joe C. as a character has to overcome some of the skewed (harmful) suppositions his father makes concerning the homeless. Reggie’s father works from a certain hierarchy of acceptability. It’s the world the characters live in that the author wouldn’t ignore, however she doesn’t necessarily dwell. She infuses a level of authenticity into her setting/characterization as she acknowledges the implications rather deftly.
There is a lot going on and to take in Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich’s 8th Grade Super Zero and the reader can, for the most part, dwell at will. I can’t say the pacing isn’t somewhat weighted down at times, but once invested Reggie and friends are compelling. A reader is bound to see some aspects of themselves in one or more of the characters–a revitalizing mirror in a catalog of predominantly white and affluent, often broken, often trendy (even in rebellion), and blinkered.
I see this novel as a good one for middle-grade book clubs, class readings, for youth group**; both boys and girls should be interested. The novel is relevant without need of outside guidance. The text would engage and it’s accessibility is capable of instigating more than enough conversation. It doesn’t insult the reader by being too simple, but it doesn’t require a degree to decipher either.
8th Grade Super Zero is also just flat-out entertaining, so if you need an easy recommendation for summer into autumn reading…
****
In a lot of ways 8th Grade Super Zero reminds me of Crystal Allen’s How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy (Balzer & Bray, 2011). Both have wonderful narrators/protagonists with whom the reader can commiserate and still enjoy their individualized thoughts/struggles/triumphs. Both delve into the relevant subjects of keeping friends, trying to reinvent one’s self, and boys in relationship with their parents and siblings and girls. If you like one, chances are you will enjoy the other. There is also a bit of Francisco X. Stork in Super Zero, (maybe an earlier-reader version); which can only be a good thing.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
There is a class-presidential election taking place where the subject of the popular vote versus the best qualified comes into play—as well as each candidate’s motivations. This is a perfect opportunity to stand up and make a difference, to give popularity a run for its money, but how determined is Reggie to make the effort and put himself out there for probable ridicule? And isn’t there enough going on?
Reggie’s youth group teams up with National Public Radio (NPR) to collect stories from those living in the neighborhood homeless shelter Olive Branch. Youth group is a place Reggie feels comfortable being himself and finds leadership roles a natural outpouring of his confidence and his growing interest in the homeless. His own father has been unemployed too long now and Reggie begins to recognize some of the children at the shelter from school—one is his assigned “Little Buddy” kindergartner Charlie. Reggie takes a passionate interest in the shelter and involves his schoolmates. He would like to see the school form a community service partnership with the shelter and makes this one his many platforms as he decides to become a late-runner in the elections.
“I walked to school thinking of those people at the shelter looking like they’ve got no reason to keep going…but they were still moving forward. By the end of our interview, George was talking about going back to school to get a master’s degree. In our meeting at the end of the session, Jeff said his partner wanted to build birdhouses, and I watched this little girl pretending to be an astronaut. That takes a kind of faith that I’ve never even thought about before. (75)
As Reggie begins to take interest in the community around him, he discovers more about his own self and grows in confidence and stature. It isn’t without numerous complications, of course. There is the bully who goes out of his way to torment Reggie and friends. There is the stress of one unemployed parent, and one overworked. His older sister creates her own conflict-ridden dynamic. His long-time friends are undergoing their own changes, interests begin to diverge, and the way each sees each other begins to fracture under the strain (which isn’t the worst thing).
Creating change and/or surviving it can be difficult; Rhuday-Perkovich keeps things real, and she keeps it hopeful. Middle-graders able to take interest in self and others simultaneously? There is no false optimism in 8th Grade Super Zero. In Reggie and his peers, the author does not see a generation of young people who are incapable of seeing the community/world around them and making a difference. She acknowledges that life at their age is not easy and there is a lot to sort through, there is a lot to take in, but no one runs the gamut alone, we need each other, and we all want to be worthwhile. Rhuday-Perkovich continually asserts the obvious but not easy: that One informs and is informed by their peers, their families, their communities. This is good, and it can be scary. Embrace it and watch yourself become someone with potential–Yourself.
Rhuday-Perkovich’s writing is really nice. She creates an earnest, charming, and articulate first person narrative with Reggie. There is a lot of heart and a lot of humor. And can I say how refreshing it is to see the portrayal of a young person pursuing their spirituality/working out their Faith? The novel isn’t too message-y, and refuses definitive answers for every inquisition Reggie would/might pursue.
Issues of race are mentionable. Reggie’s best friend Joe C. is white and is sometimes a source of embarrassment for him; and their cultural differences create some divisions in their relationship. Joe C. as a character has to overcome some of the skewed (harmful) suppositions his father makes concerning the homeless. Reggie’s father works from a certain hierarchy of acceptability. It’s the world the characters live in that the author wouldn’t ignore, however she doesn’t necessarily dwell. She infuses a level of authenticity into her setting/characterization as she acknowledges the implications rather deftly.
There is a lot going on and to take in Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich’s 8th Grade Super Zero and the reader can, for the most part, dwell at will. I can’t say the pacing isn’t somewhat weighted down at times, but once invested Reggie and friends are compelling. A reader is bound to see some aspects of themselves in one or more of the characters–a revitalizing mirror in a catalog of predominantly white and affluent, often broken, often trendy (even in rebellion), and blinkered.
I see this novel as a good one for middle-grade book clubs, class readings, for youth group**; both boys and girls should be interested. The novel is relevant without need of outside guidance. The text would engage and it’s accessibility is capable of instigating more than enough conversation. It doesn’t insult the reader by being too simple, but it doesn’t require a degree to decipher either.
8th Grade Super Zero is also just flat-out entertaining, so if you need an easy recommendation for summer into autumn reading…
****
In a lot of ways 8th Grade Super Zero reminds me of Crystal Allen’s How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy (Balzer & Bray, 2011). Both have wonderful narrators/protagonists with whom the reader can commiserate and still enjoy their individualized thoughts/struggles/triumphs. Both delve into the relevant subjects of keeping friends, trying to reinvent one’s self, and boys in relationship with their parents and siblings and girls. If you like one, chances are you will enjoy the other. There is also a bit of Francisco X. Stork in Super Zero, (maybe an earlier-reader version); which can only be a good thing.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
July 8, 2010
EIGHTH-GRADE SUPERZERO combines quality elements of literature into an incredible feel-good read. The varied cast of characters will win you over despite an oftentimes slow plot.
Reggie and his friends are eighth graders, but readers of all ages can easily relate to their interactions and the issues they face. Reggie is a sympathetic self-labeled underdog who never feels secondary to us: he is bullied, but he also has an inner strength that we can recognize even if he cannot yet. Reggie’s best friends, Ruthie and Joe C, are also fascinating and well-developed characters who could very easily be your best friends as well.
While it contains a great message, the plot of EIGHTH-GRADE SUPERZERO is unfortunately very slow. It takes over half the book before Reggie decides to run for president, which gets exceedingly frustrating as Reggie continues not to take action up to that point. There are a number of secondary plots—Reggie’s friendship with a young homeless student, his increasing dedication to the local homeless shelter—but, while they are well-developed, they more often than not took time that I think would’ve been better spent focusing on and tightening the main story.
Overall, however, if you have the time and patience to dedicate to this story, EIGHTH-GRADE SUPERZERO is absolutely delightful. This is a well-written story full of diverse (yet all fully realized) characters with lots of heart. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to others, and look forward to seeing what this talented author has for us next.
Reggie and his friends are eighth graders, but readers of all ages can easily relate to their interactions and the issues they face. Reggie is a sympathetic self-labeled underdog who never feels secondary to us: he is bullied, but he also has an inner strength that we can recognize even if he cannot yet. Reggie’s best friends, Ruthie and Joe C, are also fascinating and well-developed characters who could very easily be your best friends as well.
While it contains a great message, the plot of EIGHTH-GRADE SUPERZERO is unfortunately very slow. It takes over half the book before Reggie decides to run for president, which gets exceedingly frustrating as Reggie continues not to take action up to that point. There are a number of secondary plots—Reggie’s friendship with a young homeless student, his increasing dedication to the local homeless shelter—but, while they are well-developed, they more often than not took time that I think would’ve been better spent focusing on and tightening the main story.
Overall, however, if you have the time and patience to dedicate to this story, EIGHTH-GRADE SUPERZERO is absolutely delightful. This is a well-written story full of diverse (yet all fully realized) characters with lots of heart. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to others, and look forward to seeing what this talented author has for us next.
October 17, 2013
8th Grade SuperZero is about a kid named Reggie who lives in New York. He's just trying to fit in. After a humiliating first day of school, he tries to find out who he really is by entering school politics, a religious youth group, an a Big Buddy system. He's also trying to avoid teasing. With the help of his friends, Joe C., Ruthie, and Charlie he tries to make this his best school year yet.
I think that this book is both positive and negative. The book explains that it doesn't matter if your cool or not to be happy. Anybody can make a difference. The one thing that continued to annoy me through the book was that the kids act and talk completely different from how kids act and talk in real life. Charlie was talking like he was in 5th grade. My last complaint was that the story lacked excitement and drama.
Read
February 20, 2011I was impressed by how many different threads got wound into this book, and it's refreshing to see characters of faith represented as normal, everyday people living their lives.
Now what I want is a companion book with the excellent Ruthie as the main character...
Now what I want is a companion book with the excellent Ruthie as the main character...
September 12, 2016
Recap:
"Say to them,
say to the down-keepers,
the sun-slappers,
the self-soilers,
the harmony-hushers,
'even if you are not ready for day,
it cannot always be night.'" - Gwendolyn Brooks, from "Speech to the Young: Speech to the Progress-Toward"
Reggie is a zero. After vomiting in front of the entire student body on the first day of school, more people now know him as "Pukey" than as "Reggie." He has his two best friends, Ruthie and Joe C, but it's tough to be thankful for two when you're teased on a daily basis by pretty much everyone else.
Reggie's youth group, made up of kids from all different schools, is the only place where he gets to just be himself. When the group gets involved at a local homeless shelter, Reggie stops trying to shrink into the background and actually starts stepping up to lead some things. And it feels pretty good.
But stepping up at school, in front of Donovan, Hector, Sparrow and all of the other kids who love making him miserable... it would take a super hero to do that.
Review:
This is NOT at all what I was expecting. I vividly remember seeing this title on at least 6 different blog posts over at Reading In Color last year. I had wanted to read it because Ari was such a huge fan, but just kept putting it off. When I decided to take on the personal challenge of reading ONLY books by or about people of color for this month, 8th Grade Super Zero was at the top of my list.
Honestly, even though it had such stellar recommendations, the title had me expecting it to just be kind of kiddish, and maybe not in such a good way. Oh, how wrong I was!
In this incredibly rich novel, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich tackles themes like racism, homelessness, social justice, bullying, and religion. And she does it all with grace, truth, and a sense of humor. Now that's talent.
All throughout the novel, Rhuday-Perkovich illustrates examples of what it could be like to be young and dark skinned in America today. Since he was five-years-old, Reggie's parents have taught him to do quick "police scans" when he sees an officer, just in case he gets hassled later. When he complains that his friend Joe C doesn't have to sign up for community service, his mother responds, "White folks have that luxury." When Joe C gets into DJing and invites Reggie on a hip-hop tour of New York, Reggie wants to go but thinks, "Maybe, but it also sounds like it has a high awkward quotient." And so he responds, "I don't think so. I don't think Black people go on those tours. We know all of that stuff already." The book is filled with similar scenes that made me think about what I take for granted.
Reggie's family is from Jamaica, so his story also includes "tastes" of traditional Jamaican food like his mother's callaloo, festival and fried fish, and codfish and ackee. His father also gives him "Black Voices in Poetry: A Pan-African Panthology," a book that Reggie is initially reluctant to read, but whose words end up making several significant appearances over the course of his story. One of my favorite scenes was when his father quoted the wildly talented, Jamaican-American, Claude McKay:
"If we must die, O let us nobly die/ So that our precious blood may not be shed/ In vain; then even the monsters we defy/ Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!"
Religion also played a large role throughout the novel. Reggie got involved with the homeless shelter, which is the catalyst for his personal transformation, because of his youth group. Their leader forces them to grapple with tough questions and is a steady presence in the back of Reggie's mind.
There's so much that I'm not mentioning because this review could easily become an essay: the many faces and voices that Rhuday-Perkovich gives to the homeless, the election for class president, the comic book-super hero tie in, Reggie's feisty best friend Ruthie - who would surely change the world were she not a fictional character... There is just SO MUCH GOODNESS here!
Recommendation:
I think I would peg 8th Grade Super Zero more as MG than YA. This book would be AMAZING to use as a class novel, and I am SO disappointed that I didn't read it while we were still in Baltimore, because I would have immediately DonorsChoose'd a class set for my 6th graders! Read, read, read this book. You will be so happy you did.
"Say to them,
say to the down-keepers,
the sun-slappers,
the self-soilers,
the harmony-hushers,
'even if you are not ready for day,
it cannot always be night.'" - Gwendolyn Brooks, from "Speech to the Young: Speech to the Progress-Toward"
Reggie is a zero. After vomiting in front of the entire student body on the first day of school, more people now know him as "Pukey" than as "Reggie." He has his two best friends, Ruthie and Joe C, but it's tough to be thankful for two when you're teased on a daily basis by pretty much everyone else.
Reggie's youth group, made up of kids from all different schools, is the only place where he gets to just be himself. When the group gets involved at a local homeless shelter, Reggie stops trying to shrink into the background and actually starts stepping up to lead some things. And it feels pretty good.
But stepping up at school, in front of Donovan, Hector, Sparrow and all of the other kids who love making him miserable... it would take a super hero to do that.
Review:
This is NOT at all what I was expecting. I vividly remember seeing this title on at least 6 different blog posts over at Reading In Color last year. I had wanted to read it because Ari was such a huge fan, but just kept putting it off. When I decided to take on the personal challenge of reading ONLY books by or about people of color for this month, 8th Grade Super Zero was at the top of my list.
Honestly, even though it had such stellar recommendations, the title had me expecting it to just be kind of kiddish, and maybe not in such a good way. Oh, how wrong I was!
In this incredibly rich novel, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich tackles themes like racism, homelessness, social justice, bullying, and religion. And she does it all with grace, truth, and a sense of humor. Now that's talent.
All throughout the novel, Rhuday-Perkovich illustrates examples of what it could be like to be young and dark skinned in America today. Since he was five-years-old, Reggie's parents have taught him to do quick "police scans" when he sees an officer, just in case he gets hassled later. When he complains that his friend Joe C doesn't have to sign up for community service, his mother responds, "White folks have that luxury." When Joe C gets into DJing and invites Reggie on a hip-hop tour of New York, Reggie wants to go but thinks, "Maybe, but it also sounds like it has a high awkward quotient." And so he responds, "I don't think so. I don't think Black people go on those tours. We know all of that stuff already." The book is filled with similar scenes that made me think about what I take for granted.
Reggie's family is from Jamaica, so his story also includes "tastes" of traditional Jamaican food like his mother's callaloo, festival and fried fish, and codfish and ackee. His father also gives him "Black Voices in Poetry: A Pan-African Panthology," a book that Reggie is initially reluctant to read, but whose words end up making several significant appearances over the course of his story. One of my favorite scenes was when his father quoted the wildly talented, Jamaican-American, Claude McKay:
"If we must die, O let us nobly die/ So that our precious blood may not be shed/ In vain; then even the monsters we defy/ Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!"
Religion also played a large role throughout the novel. Reggie got involved with the homeless shelter, which is the catalyst for his personal transformation, because of his youth group. Their leader forces them to grapple with tough questions and is a steady presence in the back of Reggie's mind.
There's so much that I'm not mentioning because this review could easily become an essay: the many faces and voices that Rhuday-Perkovich gives to the homeless, the election for class president, the comic book-super hero tie in, Reggie's feisty best friend Ruthie - who would surely change the world were she not a fictional character... There is just SO MUCH GOODNESS here!
Recommendation:
I think I would peg 8th Grade Super Zero more as MG than YA. This book would be AMAZING to use as a class novel, and I am SO disappointed that I didn't read it while we were still in Baltimore, because I would have immediately DonorsChoose'd a class set for my 6th graders! Read, read, read this book. You will be so happy you did.
October 25, 2015
"You don't have to do something BIG. Just something right. And when you do something wrong, that's not the end of it; you can step up again and still do something right. We can build up without tearing down, even if it's only in baby steps."
—Reggie, 8th Grade Superzero, P. 311
While I haven't yet read any Paula Danziger books at the time of this writing, I'm certainly well familiar with the award-winning work of Madeleine L'Engle, and the fact that Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of 8th Grade Superzero, studied under her (in addition to Paula Danziger) was not lost on me. That's an education in writing that's definitely worth being had; it's hard to imagine the scope of all that she must have learned from the creator of such classics as A Wrinkle in Time and A Ring of Endless Light, and by virtue of association, alone, it makes Rhuday-Perkovich a talent to watch in the future.
I liked this book. The rhythms of speech on the part of both kids and grown-ups seem real, much like the conversations that might spontaneously arise out of the situations represented in the story. Reggie, our protagonist, is a normal eighth-grade student in New York City who's a little down on his luck after an incident early in the school year branded him with a nickname that no one would want, but he's dealing with it in his own way. When he becomes involved in a project with his church youth group at a local homeless shelter, though, the bigger problems of the world are magnified for him, and he sees that the issues he deals with aren't as serious as those confronted by other kids every day, even in the same city where he lives. As Reggie's compassion for the less fortunate grows, he begins feeling more comfortable in his own skin and his own identity, taking encouragement from what he can be to the people in his life who need him and not getting bogged down trying to be more than that. Reggie is no superhero and he can't fix everybody's problems—in fact, he can't even fix all of his own—but after a while he starts to see that it's not a terrible thing not to have all the answers. That's just what life is like, and it's a lot better to recognize that he doesn't know it all than to pretend that he does when it obviously isn't true.
"Most of the time I feel like a blank page, and everyone else picks up a pen and fills me up before I can even get my thoughts together."
—Reggie, P. 85
The story takes us through the first half of Reggie's eighth-grade school year and gives us the chance to learn something about ourselves alongside him, offering up choice words of wisdom from both the author's own thoughts and the minds of famous people who have come and gone in world history. Like Reggie, we see that life may most often not be fair and that it can be easy to get forgotten in the shuffle of a busy world, but if we look for the good in ourselves and in the people in our lives, there's always room to expand what we have into something better, and to continue growing it until it becomes more than we ever thought it could.
8th Grade Superzero is a good story with a few moments that especially stood out to me, and because of those moments I would consider giving it two and a half stars. I'm curious to find out how the author follows up this debut novel, and what differences in style may be apparent as her subject matter changes.
—Reggie, 8th Grade Superzero, P. 311
While I haven't yet read any Paula Danziger books at the time of this writing, I'm certainly well familiar with the award-winning work of Madeleine L'Engle, and the fact that Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of 8th Grade Superzero, studied under her (in addition to Paula Danziger) was not lost on me. That's an education in writing that's definitely worth being had; it's hard to imagine the scope of all that she must have learned from the creator of such classics as A Wrinkle in Time and A Ring of Endless Light, and by virtue of association, alone, it makes Rhuday-Perkovich a talent to watch in the future.
I liked this book. The rhythms of speech on the part of both kids and grown-ups seem real, much like the conversations that might spontaneously arise out of the situations represented in the story. Reggie, our protagonist, is a normal eighth-grade student in New York City who's a little down on his luck after an incident early in the school year branded him with a nickname that no one would want, but he's dealing with it in his own way. When he becomes involved in a project with his church youth group at a local homeless shelter, though, the bigger problems of the world are magnified for him, and he sees that the issues he deals with aren't as serious as those confronted by other kids every day, even in the same city where he lives. As Reggie's compassion for the less fortunate grows, he begins feeling more comfortable in his own skin and his own identity, taking encouragement from what he can be to the people in his life who need him and not getting bogged down trying to be more than that. Reggie is no superhero and he can't fix everybody's problems—in fact, he can't even fix all of his own—but after a while he starts to see that it's not a terrible thing not to have all the answers. That's just what life is like, and it's a lot better to recognize that he doesn't know it all than to pretend that he does when it obviously isn't true.
"Most of the time I feel like a blank page, and everyone else picks up a pen and fills me up before I can even get my thoughts together."
—Reggie, P. 85
The story takes us through the first half of Reggie's eighth-grade school year and gives us the chance to learn something about ourselves alongside him, offering up choice words of wisdom from both the author's own thoughts and the minds of famous people who have come and gone in world history. Like Reggie, we see that life may most often not be fair and that it can be easy to get forgotten in the shuffle of a busy world, but if we look for the good in ourselves and in the people in our lives, there's always room to expand what we have into something better, and to continue growing it until it becomes more than we ever thought it could.
8th Grade Superzero is a good story with a few moments that especially stood out to me, and because of those moments I would consider giving it two and a half stars. I'm curious to find out how the author follows up this debut novel, and what differences in style may be apparent as her subject matter changes.
March 22, 2012
Reggie McKnight has always been called Pukey. On the first day of school, he stood on stage in front of the whole school and threw up. Reggie must redeem his reputation and clear his name. An idea sparks in Reggie when the principal announces there will be elections for president. Reggie, with the help of his best friends Joe.C and Ruthie runs for president. Reggie must face his enemy Donovan and Justin, the Justin Bieber of his school. There is also a project for his youth group he must complete. At a homeless shelter called the Olive Branch lives Reggie’s little buddy Charlie. Charlie is afraid of people knowing he is poor and Reggie must help the Olive Branch while helping his school. Can Reggie clear his name, help the Olive Branch, and win the election?
Reggie and his little buddy Charlie are similar because they both struggle with bullies. Donovan is always pushing Reggie around and discouraging him. A girl in Charlie's class is bullying him because he can’t afford to buy shoes and he wears Dora sneakers. Another similarity between Charlie and Reggie have is that they both try to fit in. Charlie tries to look normal and act like he doesn't live in a public shelter. Reggie is just trying to go un-noticed and not make a fool of himself. Reggie and Charlie also try to stand to up to their bullies. Reggie stands up to Donovan by using comebacks from a book his mom gave him. A crowd laughs at Donovan and Reggie overcomes his fear. Charlie deals with his bully problem by using the comebacks Reggie used and making the girl who bullied him cry.
A difference between Reggie and Charlie is that Reggie is in 8th grade and Charlie is in kindergarten. Reggie must deal with many situations that Charlie doesn’t and won’t have to for a long time. Another difference between Reggie and Charlie is that Reggie is has to put up with his sister. Charlie is an only child and doesn’t have to worry about sisters and brothers. Third, Reggie focuses on trying to appear attractive to girls. Reggie is always trying to act cool around a girl he likes named Mialonie. The only girl not in oblivion to Charlie is his mother. Charlie is focused on having fun and having friends. I like Reggie better because he helped so many people. Reggie gave up most of his free time to help the homeless, his friends, and his school. Charlie was a brand new person after Reggie helped him. I think Reggie is a very benevolent and generous person.
I would definitely recommend this book to students in middle school. I would recommend this book to them because I think that they could relate and understand this book very well. This book also has resolutions to problems kids see in school often. Reggie’s story could help kids feel like they aren’t the only ones who are called losers and bullied. The story is also enjoyable and is related to the real world and children have fun seeing that other people notice problems they do too.
Reggie and his little buddy Charlie are similar because they both struggle with bullies. Donovan is always pushing Reggie around and discouraging him. A girl in Charlie's class is bullying him because he can’t afford to buy shoes and he wears Dora sneakers. Another similarity between Charlie and Reggie have is that they both try to fit in. Charlie tries to look normal and act like he doesn't live in a public shelter. Reggie is just trying to go un-noticed and not make a fool of himself. Reggie and Charlie also try to stand to up to their bullies. Reggie stands up to Donovan by using comebacks from a book his mom gave him. A crowd laughs at Donovan and Reggie overcomes his fear. Charlie deals with his bully problem by using the comebacks Reggie used and making the girl who bullied him cry.
A difference between Reggie and Charlie is that Reggie is in 8th grade and Charlie is in kindergarten. Reggie must deal with many situations that Charlie doesn’t and won’t have to for a long time. Another difference between Reggie and Charlie is that Reggie is has to put up with his sister. Charlie is an only child and doesn’t have to worry about sisters and brothers. Third, Reggie focuses on trying to appear attractive to girls. Reggie is always trying to act cool around a girl he likes named Mialonie. The only girl not in oblivion to Charlie is his mother. Charlie is focused on having fun and having friends. I like Reggie better because he helped so many people. Reggie gave up most of his free time to help the homeless, his friends, and his school. Charlie was a brand new person after Reggie helped him. I think Reggie is a very benevolent and generous person.
I would definitely recommend this book to students in middle school. I would recommend this book to them because I think that they could relate and understand this book very well. This book also has resolutions to problems kids see in school often. Reggie’s story could help kids feel like they aren’t the only ones who are called losers and bullied. The story is also enjoyable and is related to the real world and children have fun seeing that other people notice problems they do too.
July 2, 2010
This is a book with heart and soul! At the beginning of the book, the main character, Reggie, is a seemingly average eighth grade boy who's just trying to make it through the year without drawing too much attention to himself. Too much *more* attention, that is. On the first day of school, during their opening assembly, Reggie had been selected to recite the school pledge on stage. Instead, he ended up puking all over the principal's shoes...in front of the whole school. Now his nickname is "Pukey," and there's nothing he can do about it.
Nothing else is going particularly well either. His long-abiding crush on Mialonie continues to be just that: a long-abiding crush. The superhero comic-book that he writes, and his friend Joe C. illustrates, seems to have stalled. His older sister is even more of a pain in the butt than usual. And the school bully, Donovan, continues to heckle and harass him whenever possible.
However, it is not long before Reggie's church group gets involved in a service project at the local homeless shelter. There Reggie starts to realize just how much he can learn from the people that he meets, and the stories that he hears. He also begins to understand that he has the power to make a difference in their lives, in his own life, and in the life of his classmates at school. Realistically, it takes a while for all of this to "click together" for Reggie, but once it does, he makes a big decision: to run for school president...against the most popular guy in school. Yikes! Can he do it? Read and find out!
Rhuday-Perkovich's biggest strength is in the way that she can make readers care about her characters. My heart went out to Reggie, his two best friends (Joe C. and Ruthie), and even to his parents and big sister (which is rare in a middle grade novel...the parents are usually bad guys or are absent). These characters drew me into the story, and because I cared about them, I was open to a story that might otherwise seem too "goody-goody," especially to young readers. The storyline certainly *didn't* feel that way in the hands of Rhuday-Perkovich and her fabulous characters! Instead, I would describe this novel as inspirational! I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for any more novels that she publishes in the future.
Nothing else is going particularly well either. His long-abiding crush on Mialonie continues to be just that: a long-abiding crush. The superhero comic-book that he writes, and his friend Joe C. illustrates, seems to have stalled. His older sister is even more of a pain in the butt than usual. And the school bully, Donovan, continues to heckle and harass him whenever possible.
However, it is not long before Reggie's church group gets involved in a service project at the local homeless shelter. There Reggie starts to realize just how much he can learn from the people that he meets, and the stories that he hears. He also begins to understand that he has the power to make a difference in their lives, in his own life, and in the life of his classmates at school. Realistically, it takes a while for all of this to "click together" for Reggie, but once it does, he makes a big decision: to run for school president...against the most popular guy in school. Yikes! Can he do it? Read and find out!
Rhuday-Perkovich's biggest strength is in the way that she can make readers care about her characters. My heart went out to Reggie, his two best friends (Joe C. and Ruthie), and even to his parents and big sister (which is rare in a middle grade novel...the parents are usually bad guys or are absent). These characters drew me into the story, and because I cared about them, I was open to a story that might otherwise seem too "goody-goody," especially to young readers. The storyline certainly *didn't* feel that way in the hands of Rhuday-Perkovich and her fabulous characters! Instead, I would describe this novel as inspirational! I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for any more novels that she publishes in the future.
September 5, 2011
Reggie McKnight and his friends are precocious eighth-graders in a public school for gifted students in Brooklyn, New York. Bearing that in mind as I read this was helpful, as some of their interests and concerns seemed much more sophisticated than the eighth-graders I've known-- or perhaps the eighth-grader I was. The characters' behavior, though, seems accurate and believable. The story centers around a school presidential election, and Reggie's involvement in it, while he attempts to rise above the derogatory nickname he earned at the beginning of the school year, and the degradation he suffers from a classroom bully.
Reggie is an incredibly likable character who cares about everything he gets involved in, and everyone he befriends. The book is rich with subplots, including Reggie's involvement with a church youth group and his questions about God, his volunteer work at a homeless shelter, his worries about his father's being out of work, and the superhero comic book he seems to be losing interest in writing. But what really fuels this book is Reggie's relationships-- with the many people in his life who matter to him: his two best friends, one white and one black, one male and one female; his sister Monica who seems to never have a kind word for him; his father, who's trying to have the conversations he thinks Reggie needs as he approaches manhood; his kindergartener "little buddy" Charlie who practically worships him; George, a middle-aged drug addict Reggie is interviewing for a project at the homeless shelter; and the girl in his class who seems to embody perfection-- Mialonie.
The book has the slow, painstaking pace that can be typical of first novels, with each chapter a date that is divided further by hours. At times it feels overstated, and some of the minor characters seem exaggerated to the point of caricature. But by and large, Rhuday-Perkovich manages all the different ingredients of plot well, and the interactions of her large, multicultural cast of characters expertly, concocting a story seasoned with plenty of humor, that I believe will be truly enjoyed by the audience for which it was intended.
December 24, 2011
Reggie otherwise known as Pukey on account of puking in front of everyone in the beginning of his 8th grade year just wants everyone to forget him. After the incident everyone always calls him Pukey especially his relentlessly cruel former friend Donovan. One day he just stopped hanging out with him, Joe C., and Ruthie. Joe C. always has a bottle of Juiced! with him which comes with random information that no one needs to know. Ruthie is what you would call an activist. She cares about everyone and will take any chance she gets to talk about global issues.
Now after the great fiasco Reggie is laying low this year. They'll forget about it all... eventually. In comes Blaylock, the principal of Clarke, telling everyone there will be a redo of the presidential candidacy because of the last one resigning like the next day. Ms.A, his teacher, looks at him encouragingly. He doesn't know why. What's the point? It's just a popularity contest. He would really like to help out the school and the community but will anyone listen? Yeah.. no.
This book through in a real surprise for me. It was all a big surprise really. I really liked it! The summary doesn't cut it. It does talk about Olive Branch which is this homeless shelter that he gets involved with because of his youth group. There's the surprise. It talks about God. Not overly. It's just nice because I was having a conversation with my mom the day before I read it. What a "coincidence". He was asking the question that everyone does which is why doesn't He fix it all? The characters! I love them. Donovan was making me angry! What was his problem? Well you'll find out. Nightman was a nice little addition to the story. Nightman is a comic. Won't go more into it. Reggie was such a great narrator. It was such a great book. I can't even explain as well as I want to. It's really nice. Read it!
http://shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot...
Now after the great fiasco Reggie is laying low this year. They'll forget about it all... eventually. In comes Blaylock, the principal of Clarke, telling everyone there will be a redo of the presidential candidacy because of the last one resigning like the next day. Ms.A, his teacher, looks at him encouragingly. He doesn't know why. What's the point? It's just a popularity contest. He would really like to help out the school and the community but will anyone listen? Yeah.. no.
This book through in a real surprise for me. It was all a big surprise really. I really liked it! The summary doesn't cut it. It does talk about Olive Branch which is this homeless shelter that he gets involved with because of his youth group. There's the surprise. It talks about God. Not overly. It's just nice because I was having a conversation with my mom the day before I read it. What a "coincidence". He was asking the question that everyone does which is why doesn't He fix it all? The characters! I love them. Donovan was making me angry! What was his problem? Well you'll find out. Nightman was a nice little addition to the story. Nightman is a comic. Won't go more into it. Reggie was such a great narrator. It was such a great book. I can't even explain as well as I want to. It's really nice. Read it!
http://shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot...
September 9, 2012
Reggie is like a lot of eighth graders; he knows what he should do, but he reminds us how hard it can be to stand up for what is right. The audience is introduced to Reggie toward the beginning of eighth grade, but it is clear from the beginning that something happened that damaged his image. When the principal decides to hold an election for class president, Reggie initially tries to remain invisible. Although he is frustrated that his classmates don’t do more to uphold the school motto and positively influence others in their community, he doesn’t believe he has the power or reputation to initiate change, and he is sure that the election is just one giant popularity contest.
Reggie copes with some minor bullying, but he has two true friends and finds confidence participating in his church’s youth group. He becomes inspired after his youth group begins to volunteer at a homeless shelter, but he struggles to understand how God could allow so many people to suffer. When Reggie learns that his kindergarten buddy, Charlie, is a resident at the shelter, he begins to realize that we cannot rely on superheroes and that it takes regular people spread God’s word and work. With the help of many mentors, Reggie finally decides that some things are more important than his reputation.
Many of the characters come alive without falling into stereotypical roles. Reggie’s big heart seems genuine, and his sidekicks, Ruthie and Joe C., provide unique support. The reading level of this book is probably accessible for fifth or sixth graders, but Olugbemisola touches on so many mature subjects (homelessness, poverty, racism, bullying, religion) that I think middle grade readers may miss a lot of what really makes this story special. Reggie’s story makes you reconsider what it means to win.
Reggie copes with some minor bullying, but he has two true friends and finds confidence participating in his church’s youth group. He becomes inspired after his youth group begins to volunteer at a homeless shelter, but he struggles to understand how God could allow so many people to suffer. When Reggie learns that his kindergarten buddy, Charlie, is a resident at the shelter, he begins to realize that we cannot rely on superheroes and that it takes regular people spread God’s word and work. With the help of many mentors, Reggie finally decides that some things are more important than his reputation.
Many of the characters come alive without falling into stereotypical roles. Reggie’s big heart seems genuine, and his sidekicks, Ruthie and Joe C., provide unique support. The reading level of this book is probably accessible for fifth or sixth graders, but Olugbemisola touches on so many mature subjects (homelessness, poverty, racism, bullying, religion) that I think middle grade readers may miss a lot of what really makes this story special. Reggie’s story makes you reconsider what it means to win.
May 21, 2010
I'm somewhat intimidated by this book. It was that good. Seriously, it was that good. Don't let the cover fool you, this book packs a big punch.
Reggie (Pukey) McKnight struggles with his 8th grade image. After a disastrous beginning in the 8th grade he begins to search for a way to change, to be someone other than "Pukey", a nickname bestowed upon him by the class bully. Sounds good, right? But then the story really digs deep.
Reggie learns about the homeless, about faith, about service and friendship. I can't even begin to describe how much I loved the supporting characters in this book as well. Ruthie and Joe C. were everything I wished I could have had in 8th grade. Smart, thought-provoking, aware children who were just plain good.
I also really loved how this book dealt with such a wide, diverse racial group in such an understated, matter-of-fact way. History is taught in such a way that it doesn't feel as if it's being preached and the culture is talked about so sweetly and perfectly that I began to feel as if this was the way I wanted to grow up.
My favorite moment of the book is the scene with the Dora shoes. You'll have to read the book to understand, but I will say this. As I read the part I began to discuss it with my 7 year old nephew. He nodded as I came to the end of the story and, in a simple sentence, he told me of his insight into the story. I was flabbergasted at the level of maturity it showed in him and so pleased that a story could provoke his thoughts in that way.
This goes on my favorites for the year list. I feel as if I'm a better person just for having read it and I encourage you to do the same. I haven't felt this strongly about a book since I read Marcelo in the Real World last year.
Reggie (Pukey) McKnight struggles with his 8th grade image. After a disastrous beginning in the 8th grade he begins to search for a way to change, to be someone other than "Pukey", a nickname bestowed upon him by the class bully. Sounds good, right? But then the story really digs deep.
Reggie learns about the homeless, about faith, about service and friendship. I can't even begin to describe how much I loved the supporting characters in this book as well. Ruthie and Joe C. were everything I wished I could have had in 8th grade. Smart, thought-provoking, aware children who were just plain good.
I also really loved how this book dealt with such a wide, diverse racial group in such an understated, matter-of-fact way. History is taught in such a way that it doesn't feel as if it's being preached and the culture is talked about so sweetly and perfectly that I began to feel as if this was the way I wanted to grow up.
My favorite moment of the book is the scene with the Dora shoes. You'll have to read the book to understand, but I will say this. As I read the part I began to discuss it with my 7 year old nephew. He nodded as I came to the end of the story and, in a simple sentence, he told me of his insight into the story. I was flabbergasted at the level of maturity it showed in him and so pleased that a story could provoke his thoughts in that way.
This goes on my favorites for the year list. I feel as if I'm a better person just for having read it and I encourage you to do the same. I haven't felt this strongly about a book since I read Marcelo in the Real World last year.
March 22, 2010
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Reggie would like nothing more than to spend all of his time with his best friend, Joe C., working on Night Man, their super-hero comic. The story ideas are all Reggie's and the artwork is Joe's. They are sure it's going to be spectacular.
Something always seems to interfere with Reggie's plans. He somehow gets roped into acting as campaign manager for one of the most annoying girls at school. Vicky has him passing out flyers and putting up posters wherever there's a smidgen of empty wall space.
Reggie has also started attending his church's youth group meetings. He's not really sure about the whole "God" thing, but he is finding the community service work surprisingly rewarding. The group is visiting a local homeless shelter and interviewing people about their experiences.
Reggie is shocked to see a kid from his school using the shelter, and he finds himself connecting with him both there and at school whenever he gets a chance. His interview with an older homeless man inspires him to present the idea of more community service involvement at school. However, when he mentions his idea as a possible direction for Vicky's campaign, she is less than thrilled.
Maybe Reggie should just run his own campaign. He thinks this stuff is important, but would it be possible to convince others of its importance?
8TH GRADE SUPERZERO offers a refreshing look into the world of middle school. There are the typical self-centered students, the bullies, and the jocks, but Reggie is an example of a misfit who just might have found a way to shine.
Reggie would like nothing more than to spend all of his time with his best friend, Joe C., working on Night Man, their super-hero comic. The story ideas are all Reggie's and the artwork is Joe's. They are sure it's going to be spectacular.
Something always seems to interfere with Reggie's plans. He somehow gets roped into acting as campaign manager for one of the most annoying girls at school. Vicky has him passing out flyers and putting up posters wherever there's a smidgen of empty wall space.
Reggie has also started attending his church's youth group meetings. He's not really sure about the whole "God" thing, but he is finding the community service work surprisingly rewarding. The group is visiting a local homeless shelter and interviewing people about their experiences.
Reggie is shocked to see a kid from his school using the shelter, and he finds himself connecting with him both there and at school whenever he gets a chance. His interview with an older homeless man inspires him to present the idea of more community service involvement at school. However, when he mentions his idea as a possible direction for Vicky's campaign, she is less than thrilled.
Maybe Reggie should just run his own campaign. He thinks this stuff is important, but would it be possible to convince others of its importance?
8TH GRADE SUPERZERO offers a refreshing look into the world of middle school. There are the typical self-centered students, the bullies, and the jocks, but Reggie is an example of a misfit who just might have found a way to shine.
September 29, 2012
Another one that was heavy on the religion, but it just works out. Maybe I'm a closet Christian? "All I want is some positivitiy for Heaven's sake." See???
I actually liked this more than Lost Songs by Cooney though it wasn't as complex with Cooney's multiple character perspective. I want to nominate this one for SSYRA too.
Main character is at an alternative/progressive learning school in NY but still suffers from typical middle school problems. Reggie's called "Pukey" by most classmates since an unfortunate incident on the first day of school. He's got an ex-best friend who seems intent on making his life as miserable as possible. The girl of his dreams, Mialonie, doesn't know he's alive.
There's a lot of realistic questioning that goes on by the other kids in his church youth group. When his YG sponsor gets the kids involved in documenting the stories of some of the residents of the local homeless shelter, Reggie gets emotionally invested in the project. He's got two really good friends who are as surprised as we are when Reggie makes a surprise announcement that he's running for class president.
I loved it. Maybe it's another one of those books where the kids have more high school personalities than middle school, but I was really touched by it and I think the volunteerism displayed here is achieveable - especially the thought that if you have community service as a core value of your school motto, then you should get school credit for it. One of my favorite quotes is, "I need a few more points in my life GPA."
I actually liked this more than Lost Songs by Cooney though it wasn't as complex with Cooney's multiple character perspective. I want to nominate this one for SSYRA too.
Main character is at an alternative/progressive learning school in NY but still suffers from typical middle school problems. Reggie's called "Pukey" by most classmates since an unfortunate incident on the first day of school. He's got an ex-best friend who seems intent on making his life as miserable as possible. The girl of his dreams, Mialonie, doesn't know he's alive.
There's a lot of realistic questioning that goes on by the other kids in his church youth group. When his YG sponsor gets the kids involved in documenting the stories of some of the residents of the local homeless shelter, Reggie gets emotionally invested in the project. He's got two really good friends who are as surprised as we are when Reggie makes a surprise announcement that he's running for class president.
I loved it. Maybe it's another one of those books where the kids have more high school personalities than middle school, but I was really touched by it and I think the volunteerism displayed here is achieveable - especially the thought that if you have community service as a core value of your school motto, then you should get school credit for it. One of my favorite quotes is, "I need a few more points in my life GPA."
August 26, 2015
The book ‘8th Grade Super Zero’, which is a realistic fiction book, takes place in a school named Clarke Junior School. The Main character is a boy called Reggie. In the beginning of the year, he is called ‘Pukey’. Fortunately, his friend from kindergarten, Ruthie, always defends him. Also, Joe C, his collaborator on his superhero series ‘Night Man’ defends him. During the election time, a boy called Justin uses his popularity for the president, and his opponent, Vicky, is seeking the presidency for her own benefits. However, Reggie is interested in the area of community service. At the school, eighth-graders are paired up as "Big Buddies" with kindergartners, and Reggie begins to foster a relationship with his Little Buddy, Charlie. As time go by, Reggie is being disillusioned about Vicky’s campaign. One day, Reggie saw Charlie being bullied by an eighth grader called Donovan. Reggie defends Charlie, and the next day, Donovan insults Vicky. Reggie did not do anything to defend Vicky, and Vicky fires Reggie as her campaign manager. Later, Reggie decided to go for presidency, and he works with a boy called George that started a project with Charlie and the other kids at the shelter, working with them to create a huge, make-believe cardboard city. George impresses upon Reggie that what he is doing is more important than their interviews for his campaign, because the kids are not okay and they need him now. As time goes by, Reggie works had with Ruthie for the election, and he wins the election. I would recommend this book to people who want to realistic fiction novels.
November 27, 2017
This is a book about a boy who gets the nickname Pukey at the beginning of the school year and his attempts at clearing that reputation. Reggie McKnight is a 8th grade kid in Brooklyn, New York. Reggie would have preferred to begin the 8th grade school year as King of Clarke Junior School. He instead becomes known as Pukey and is made a school-wide laughingstock. Having a bad reputation is not an easy thing to overcome as Reggie tries to figure out who he is and how to let the world see him for his better attributes. Reggie has been trying to lay low and hang out with his friend Joe creating their comic book Night Man. Unfortunately, for Reggie his troubles do not stop when he comes home from school. At home, Reggie’s father struggles with unemployment while his mother is carrying the family by herself. Even though the situation is not super serious yet, there is always this fear hanging over Reggie’s head that they might lose everything one day. This sense of losing everything grows even more once he starts visiting a local shelter, the Olive Branch, for homeless people as part of a Youth Group’s oral history assignment in which he must interview the residents. Charlie, his “little brother” from a school program, where 8th graders and kindergarteners spend time together, lives there. At school, the elections for school president are coming up and Reggie reluctantly signs up as the manager of another kid’s campaign. Always in the back of his mind, is his best friend Ruthie who is this revolutionary kid always reminding him about the big picture.
April 28, 2010
Imagine if you began the academic year by throwing up in front of the whole school when you were supposed to be reciting the school pledge. This is how Reggie McKnight begins his 8th grade year and needless to say, he is greeted with cries of "Pukey" wherever he goes in Clarke Junior School ( a NYC public school that seems to house K-8 students). The son of Jamaican immigrants, Reggie is feeling stress from all corners. His dad was recently laid off, his mom is working long hours, and his older sister is driving him crazy. At school, his friends, Ruthie and Joe C. have his back but Reggie wishes he could be a bit more "cool" and catch the eye of the beautiful and popular, Mialone. In his church youth group, Dave, the adult leader keeps posing questions that Reggie can't answer. However, it's through his youth group that Reggie goes to the Olive Branch Homeless Shelter to do a volunteer project and his growing involvement with the residents there leads Reggie to begin to focus on issues beyond himself. When Reggie decides to run for president against the most popular boy in school, things get even more interesting.
This novel did a wonderful job of putting you inside Reggie's sensitive, ironic, scared, and oh-so-8th grade head. Issues of race and class are dealt with not as "big issues" here but as issues any kid growing up in a certain neighborhood in NYC would be facing. Thanks, CK, for steering me towards a book I might never have heard of or picked up.
This novel did a wonderful job of putting you inside Reggie's sensitive, ironic, scared, and oh-so-8th grade head. Issues of race and class are dealt with not as "big issues" here but as issues any kid growing up in a certain neighborhood in NYC would be facing. Thanks, CK, for steering me towards a book I might never have heard of or picked up.
May 11, 2014
Poor Reggie is struggling to have a positive middle school experience. He sincerely wants to do well, make friends and make a difference in his school, but his humiliating first day disaster continues to haunt him and make him a victim of constant teasing. Reggie, and his buddies, are likable, authentic and funny. Their very culturally diverse NYC middle school makes a great setting for a coming-of-age story. Through his church youth group, Reggie volunteers at a neighborhood homeless shelter and sees an opportunity for his school to make a difference in the community and in the lives of the shelter residents. He refuses to be discouraged by the apathy he encounters from school administrators and classmates. Reggie's earnest attempts to conquer his insecurity and social anxiety is inspiring. His friends are encouraging, and even when their attempts to help are more silly than helpful, reader's know they care about Reggie. First time author, Perkovich, shows her inexperience when the novel slips in to preachiness, which it does in several key events. Also, I was disappointed that Reggie is the only well developed character. I would have loved to learn more about young activist Ruthie, mr. popularity Justin, and especially Reggie's best friend, Joe C, who seems to be raising himself and doing a splendid job. There is a hint that a sequel may be coming. If so, I'd love to see one of the other characters as the protagonist.
March 20, 2010
I really enjoyed reading 8th Grade Superzero. I didn’t expect it to have such a positive message and for a middle grade novel it really addressed a lot of issues that are many times overlooked.
Initially I wasn’t a big Reggie fan. There was nothing particularly special about him and he seemed content with the way things were in his life. But after visiting the Olive Branch be becomes less naïve and more aware of the things happening in his community. Instead of sitting around he starts taking an active role in helping the Olive Branch. I liked seeing the gradual change in Reggie. You also notice the change in his attitude. He wants to help and he has all these great ideas that will not only benefit the Olive Branch but his school as well.
One character I wanted to know more about was Donovan. I wished the author explored deeper into the relationship between Reggie and Donovan and their falling out. Donovan’s always taunting Reggie and making him feel bad but him and Reggie were childhood friends for many years before. The rift between the two is explained briefly in a conversation between Reggie and Donovan but I would have liked it if it was explored in greater detail.
This is a book that all types of readers will enjoy. It has such positive message and after reading it, it really makes you think and you want to get up and do something.
Initially I wasn’t a big Reggie fan. There was nothing particularly special about him and he seemed content with the way things were in his life. But after visiting the Olive Branch be becomes less naïve and more aware of the things happening in his community. Instead of sitting around he starts taking an active role in helping the Olive Branch. I liked seeing the gradual change in Reggie. You also notice the change in his attitude. He wants to help and he has all these great ideas that will not only benefit the Olive Branch but his school as well.
One character I wanted to know more about was Donovan. I wished the author explored deeper into the relationship between Reggie and Donovan and their falling out. Donovan’s always taunting Reggie and making him feel bad but him and Reggie were childhood friends for many years before. The rift between the two is explained briefly in a conversation between Reggie and Donovan but I would have liked it if it was explored in greater detail.
This is a book that all types of readers will enjoy. It has such positive message and after reading it, it really makes you think and you want to get up and do something.
April 20, 2010
As a middle school teacher I believe "8th Grade Superzero" is a book all middle school students should read. It really fits in with our population. We are an IB school and we have social service days every year as a requirement of our curriculum. Many of our students don't see how they fit in with this or why it is necessary. I think this book is a good demonstration of the whys and hows.
Reggie McKnight's claim to fame came the day he puked all over the principal's shoes while on stage. He tries to stay low key but that doesn't really help. Two things essentially change his life and the way he sees himself. First he becomes a "Big Buddy" to a little first grader. The second is when he gets involved with a homeless shelter. This experience causes him to take his eyes off of himself and all of his own problems. When he does this he can see the needs of others. He decides to make it his mission to try to lift others out of their problems. This inspires his classmates to also begin making changes. They no longer see him as the kid who puked on the principal's shoes but as someone who inspired them. I plan on reading this to my students when I return this next week. I also plan on passing a copy on to the principal as an example of how we can get our students motivated for our service days.
Great book.
Reggie McKnight's claim to fame came the day he puked all over the principal's shoes while on stage. He tries to stay low key but that doesn't really help. Two things essentially change his life and the way he sees himself. First he becomes a "Big Buddy" to a little first grader. The second is when he gets involved with a homeless shelter. This experience causes him to take his eyes off of himself and all of his own problems. When he does this he can see the needs of others. He decides to make it his mission to try to lift others out of their problems. This inspires his classmates to also begin making changes. They no longer see him as the kid who puked on the principal's shoes but as someone who inspired them. I plan on reading this to my students when I return this next week. I also plan on passing a copy on to the principal as an example of how we can get our students motivated for our service days.
Great book.
August 7, 2011
What a delightful YA read, exposing typical middle-school struggles and fears, while inspiring readers to follow Reggie McNight (aka Pukey) in taking the higher road. Reggie deals with popularity and character issues throughout, as he attempts to stay under the radar of notoriety and overcome his alias, well earned during a presentation to the Clarke school body on the first day of school. Readers will love, laugh, and relate to real-life issues and colorful characters, such as Joe C’s worthless factoids, Ruthie’s zeal for global causes, Charlie’s admiration for Reggie, and Donovan, Reggie’s best friend-turned-nemesis. Pukey and his comical cadre of friends, and even his enemies, get involved in Olive Branch, a “temporary” shelter for the homeless, transforming the students and giving birth to the new, confident Reggie. Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich portrayed and addressed "tween" and teen struggles with amazing insight and humor, all without being "preachy."
This easy-read book is such a refreshing find, especially appropriate to middle level readers. It would serve well in a book study in libraries, classes, character building/leadership pursuits, and youth groups.
This is my honest review of an autographed ARC paperback of 8th-Grade Superzero, given to me by the author, Olugmemisola Rhuday Perkovich through GoodReads. Thank you!!
This easy-read book is such a refreshing find, especially appropriate to middle level readers. It would serve well in a book study in libraries, classes, character building/leadership pursuits, and youth groups.
This is my honest review of an autographed ARC paperback of 8th-Grade Superzero, given to me by the author, Olugmemisola Rhuday Perkovich through GoodReads. Thank you!!
May 8, 2013
I chose this book a long time ago, when I was about 9 or 10 years old because I thought it would give me some insight on what life in 8th grade was like.I decided to give it a re-read sice I didn't find it interesting when I read it a few years back. Eighth-Grade Superzero is about Reginald "Reggie" McKnight and his adventure through the glorious world of 8th Grade. Nicknamed "Pukey" by a former friend, Reggie doesn't exactly have the best reputation at school--but he doesn't let that stop him from trying to do what's right. My favorite quote from this book is " I'm like a boxer before the title fight. Except I'm not in the rin, I'm in the auditorium. About to be front and center stage. Again". I liked this quote because it shows that standing in front of the entire school preparing to give a speech is one of the most nerve-racking experiences throughout the years in school. Although I prefer reading stories written in first person, this was one of the books that I enjoyed reading in third person. The author gave alot of insight and information on the characters outside of the main character. It was nice to see what other minds were thinking and not only Reggie. I woud recommend this book to my peers because it has a lot of characters and situations that could be found relatable.
November 5, 2018
This book was a very good debut. It did come across a little preachy and it could have been edited down by approximately 50 pages. Some of the messages were a bit excessive and could have been toned down. I thought the school election concepts could have been handled with a bit more tact and less drama; Vicky could have been a bit more "real" - I thought her perspective of a certain party was excellent, but then it fizzled into borderline craziness and she quit the race (and no one was following her - I would think some of the academic kids would support her grade incentive-based platform.)
The characters came across as believable middle schoolers, but Reggie was very single-focused and preachy. Throughout the book, Reggie believes HIS passion (the shelter) should be EVERYONE'S passion. Towards the end of the book there is one mention of him realizing his friend Ruthie's passion (global issues) through his desire to have his middle school connect with his mom's alma mater in Jamaica. I believe this to be an important point because as much as Reggie was trying to have a campaign focusing around the students' of Clarke Junior he still managed to always bring it around to his passion, the shelter. I think if the editor had cut and streamline a bit of the extraneous details and repetitious elements this story could have been much more effective.
The characters came across as believable middle schoolers, but Reggie was very single-focused and preachy. Throughout the book, Reggie believes HIS passion (the shelter) should be EVERYONE'S passion. Towards the end of the book there is one mention of him realizing his friend Ruthie's passion (global issues) through his desire to have his middle school connect with his mom's alma mater in Jamaica. I believe this to be an important point because as much as Reggie was trying to have a campaign focusing around the students' of Clarke Junior he still managed to always bring it around to his passion, the shelter. I think if the editor had cut and streamline a bit of the extraneous details and repetitious elements this story could have been much more effective.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2011
Reggie McKnight’s eighth-grade year started off badly with a public puking incident. Ever since, he has attempted to stay under the radar at his NYC school that emphasizes leadership and public service. Since most of the students – and the administration – seem to pay only lip service to these issues, Reggie is able to do so at first. When he gets involved with a nearby homeless shelter through his church youth group, however, his experiences there force Reggie to see beyond his troubles (his father has recently been laid off; one of his best friend is white and may be drifting away; everyone at school calls him Pukey) and gives him the courage to step up and run for class president against the coolest boy in school.
It is a given that the underdog will learn from his experiences and come out stronger, but the story includes so many more pieces that this is a more satisfying read than the average coming-of-age novel. There are satiric swipes at Reggie’s school’s hypocrisy; didactic parts about homelessness and dignity; issues of race and class are treated matter-of-factly; and there are wonderfully delineated relationships between Reggie and his best friends, Joe C. and Ruthie, his parents (especially his Pops), and his sister.
It is a given that the underdog will learn from his experiences and come out stronger, but the story includes so many more pieces that this is a more satisfying read than the average coming-of-age novel. There are satiric swipes at Reggie’s school’s hypocrisy; didactic parts about homelessness and dignity; issues of race and class are treated matter-of-factly; and there are wonderfully delineated relationships between Reggie and his best friends, Joe C. and Ruthie, his parents (especially his Pops), and his sister.
May 13, 2010
The force driving the plot is Reggie McKnight's campaign for president at a progressive school in New York city. To win, he has to overcome the mental image everyone has of him throwing up on stage on the first day of school.
However, Reggie doesn't declare his campaign until page 178 of 324.
That's because the author also wanted to cover Reggie's "big brother" relationship with a troubled kindergarten kid, his community service project at a homeless shelter, his worries about his dad's unemployment, the rift between him and his sometimes-clueless white friend, the spiritual questions his youth pastor raises, and his sister's attempted transformation from basketball queen to cheerleader.
I was genuinely interested in how these issues would work out, but I tended to lose one thread as another one was woven in. And a lot of the issues never got worked out. But I think that was intentional. The author is showing us real life: a messy tapestry full of loose ends. The feeling of completeness at the end of the novel comes from Reggie finding peace with himself--not from him fixing anything. That, I like. But I did feel like the author could have left a few threads out, and the story would have had more shape. It started to feel really spread out.
However, Reggie doesn't declare his campaign until page 178 of 324.
That's because the author also wanted to cover Reggie's "big brother" relationship with a troubled kindergarten kid, his community service project at a homeless shelter, his worries about his dad's unemployment, the rift between him and his sometimes-clueless white friend, the spiritual questions his youth pastor raises, and his sister's attempted transformation from basketball queen to cheerleader.
I was genuinely interested in how these issues would work out, but I tended to lose one thread as another one was woven in. And a lot of the issues never got worked out. But I think that was intentional. The author is showing us real life: a messy tapestry full of loose ends. The feeling of completeness at the end of the novel comes from Reggie finding peace with himself--not from him fixing anything. That, I like. But I did feel like the author could have left a few threads out, and the story would have had more shape. It started to feel really spread out.
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April 17, 2019Reggie has the worst day you could ever imagine when he goes back to school which lands him with a nickname of "pukey". He really wants to turn this around but there are so many other things on his mind it is hard to focus getting rid of this nickname. His father is out of a job, his best friends Joe and Ruthie have their own problems, his ex best friend Donovan is a huge jerk to him and the prettiest girl Mialonie. He sees that there are elections coming up for class president at his school and he really wants to run but is discouraged because of his nickname and is not a popular kid in his school. Reggie doesn't have the courage to run and he also thinks he wont stand a chance with the classmates who will run. Reggie decides to help out at a local homeless shelter and becomes really inspired to make a difference in the world from a little five year old, Charlie, that becomes his little buddy. Throughout the book Reggie is taught many lessons and learns he can make a difference in the world and at school. This book would be a great one to have on my shelves because it can be very relatable to students who have gone through experiences like Reggie and can be inspiring to step out of their comfort zone.
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