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How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life
Nicky Flynn’s life just got a whole lot harder. His parents are going through a messy divorce, and as a result he’s starting a new life, in a new city, in a new school. Now his mom has brought home Reggie, an eighty-pound German shepherd fresh from the animal shelter, who used to be a seeing-eye dog. At first Nick isn’t sure about this canine intrusion—it’s just another in a series of difficult changes. Soon, however, Nick is on the path to finding out why a seeing-eye dog would be left at an animal shelter, and along the way discovers that Reggie is a true friend that Nick can rely on. But when he tries to reconnect with his dad, Nick puts everything on the line, including the life of his new best friend.
Art Corriveau is a brilliant new voice for middle-grade fiction. How I, Nicky Flynn, Got a Life (and a Dog) is a heartfelt and honest look at the effects of divorce and the wonders of friendship.
F&P T
F&P RF
Art Corriveau is a brilliant new voice for middle-grade fiction. How I, Nicky Flynn, Got a Life (and a Dog) is a heartfelt and honest look at the effects of divorce and the wonders of friendship.
F&P T
F&P RF
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2010
26 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Art Corriveau
9 books9 followersArt Corriveau’s first adult novel, Housewrights, was published by Penguin in 2002, and was a “Book Sense 76” selection. His widely published short stories were collected as Blood Pudding by Esplanade Books in 2008. His debut middle-grade novel, How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog), is currently available from Amulet Books. He makes his home in rural Vermont and Zurich, Switzerland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 12, 2010
This is such a refreshing and fun take on a real boy in the real world, who is trying to cope with his parent's recent divorce and his mother's descent into her own depression. Funny and clever, the main character, Nicky Flynn finds himself the owner of a very special dog that you instantly love and see as Nicky's savior. Nicky begins to reinvent his life through real and made-up adventures with his dog.
I love the very true-to-life sarcasm Nicky has (so perfect for his age) and I think so many children will love this gripping story wherein Nicky and dog get into a few sticky situations! Kids will also appreciate seeing a child who faces sorting out some really big problems...without warning or preparation.
This book is such a nice combination of gripping plot and soulful content. Just great.
I love the very true-to-life sarcasm Nicky has (so perfect for his age) and I think so many children will love this gripping story wherein Nicky and dog get into a few sticky situations! Kids will also appreciate seeing a child who faces sorting out some really big problems...without warning or preparation.
This book is such a nice combination of gripping plot and soulful content. Just great.
July 14, 2010
Nicky Flynn is a gritty, uncompromising read. Nicky is a smart kid whose cards have dealt him a difficult hand. He's also a courageous kid with a big imagination, who faced with a few challenges, ultimately learns to deal with the problems surrounding him. The catalyst for Nicky's growth is the failed seeing eye dog that Nicky's mother brings home from the pound, initially much to Nicky's disappointment. Little by little, the two bond, and as they set out to unravel a mystery, Nicky learns to be responsible and compassionate. The language is real, as is Nicky's voice. I found it a definite page-turner and recommend it for middle school and above.
July 22, 2020
I picked this book up at Goodwill, and was immediately interested from the title and the picture on the cover. It was a very entertaining book about a boy's life that was transformed by this dog that he initially didn't like too much. He soon learns that it is better to be kind and honest than rude and deceiving :)
March 25, 2013
How I Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (And a Dog)
By: Art Corriveau
The book How I Nicky Flynn Finally Get a Life (And a Dog) was a bad book in my opinion. I disliked this book very much. Some reasons for that were that the main character,Nickey, was very annoying. Nicky doesn’t really understand the meaning of think before you say or think about how actions can sometimes affect other people. For example, Nicky just blurts out that, he hates the Frisbee that an old man had generously given him because he can’t throw it right. An example of saying stuff that sometimes can affect other people was that, when Nicky met these three old men when he was walking his dog they thought that he was Alf Santorello’s grandson because, Reggie, Nicky’s dog, used to belong to Old Alf. He just goes along with it and it ends up making everyone in the town, because he told everyone that he was Alf Santorello’s grandson, mad at him and got him in a lot of trouble. The example that I have just listed are just the beginning of what Nicky does that makes me dislike this book.
I disliked this book for several other reasons as well. Nicky made me mad, when he doesn’t get concepts or situations, and pictures them differently. For example he runs away because, Reggie, his German Shepherd, tackles his mom because she raised her hand to give Nicky a high-five. Reggie, who used to be a guide-dog and who is a German Shepherd, one of the best breeds to be guard dogs in the world, misunderstood the situation. So he runs away because he didn’t want his mom to give Reggie back to the pound. So after a day passes, he tries to go back to his apartment, but he sees two police talking to his mom. Instead of using common sense and thinking that the police are going to look for him, he thinks that the police are going to track down Reggie. This makes no sense to me at all, and makes me wonder how he even got that conclusion. Another reason that I disliked this book was he forgets the most important information, the minute after he hears it. For example, everyone in the town that knows Reggie, tells Nicky that Reggie looks a lot better from his hip injury. Nicky a week later, hops a high fence in the grave yard to spend the night. He tells Reggie to hop the fence to, but when Reggie hops and land he lands hard on his bum leg. Reggie then is in extreme pain and has to walk on his leg for another day. What Nicky doesn’t even care about is that Reggie, when he goes to the vet will be close to death and will need an operation to give him an entire new hip. This all could have been avoided if Nicky remembered the most important information.
Personally, I really disliked the book. The only reason that I kept going was that I wanted to see what else Nicky would do that would screw his life up even more. If you like books, though, that don’t move at a fast pace and are mildly interesting, then this book would be for you. This book in my opinion was terrible.
Do you want to find out if you like this book? You will have to read to find out.
By: Art Corriveau
The book How I Nicky Flynn Finally Get a Life (And a Dog) was a bad book in my opinion. I disliked this book very much. Some reasons for that were that the main character,Nickey, was very annoying. Nicky doesn’t really understand the meaning of think before you say or think about how actions can sometimes affect other people. For example, Nicky just blurts out that, he hates the Frisbee that an old man had generously given him because he can’t throw it right. An example of saying stuff that sometimes can affect other people was that, when Nicky met these three old men when he was walking his dog they thought that he was Alf Santorello’s grandson because, Reggie, Nicky’s dog, used to belong to Old Alf. He just goes along with it and it ends up making everyone in the town, because he told everyone that he was Alf Santorello’s grandson, mad at him and got him in a lot of trouble. The example that I have just listed are just the beginning of what Nicky does that makes me dislike this book.
I disliked this book for several other reasons as well. Nicky made me mad, when he doesn’t get concepts or situations, and pictures them differently. For example he runs away because, Reggie, his German Shepherd, tackles his mom because she raised her hand to give Nicky a high-five. Reggie, who used to be a guide-dog and who is a German Shepherd, one of the best breeds to be guard dogs in the world, misunderstood the situation. So he runs away because he didn’t want his mom to give Reggie back to the pound. So after a day passes, he tries to go back to his apartment, but he sees two police talking to his mom. Instead of using common sense and thinking that the police are going to look for him, he thinks that the police are going to track down Reggie. This makes no sense to me at all, and makes me wonder how he even got that conclusion. Another reason that I disliked this book was he forgets the most important information, the minute after he hears it. For example, everyone in the town that knows Reggie, tells Nicky that Reggie looks a lot better from his hip injury. Nicky a week later, hops a high fence in the grave yard to spend the night. He tells Reggie to hop the fence to, but when Reggie hops and land he lands hard on his bum leg. Reggie then is in extreme pain and has to walk on his leg for another day. What Nicky doesn’t even care about is that Reggie, when he goes to the vet will be close to death and will need an operation to give him an entire new hip. This all could have been avoided if Nicky remembered the most important information.
Personally, I really disliked the book. The only reason that I kept going was that I wanted to see what else Nicky would do that would screw his life up even more. If you like books, though, that don’t move at a fast pace and are mildly interesting, then this book would be for you. This book in my opinion was terrible.
Do you want to find out if you like this book? You will have to read to find out.
December 27, 2010
I enjoyed this book much more than I had anticipated. Nicky is a 11 year old boy whose parents have just separated. He and his mom moved to a small suburb of Boston into a neighborhood that is slightly rundown. Nicky's mom brings home a dog at the start of the book named Reggie. Reggie used to be a seeing eye dog but his master gave him up. The book follows Nicky as he and his mom work through issues of trust, as Nicky tries to unlock the mystery of what happen with Reggie and his previous owner, and as Nicky tries to acclimate himself to his new world. I really enjoyed following Nicky through this journey and watching the relationship between the boy and a dog unfold.
March 7, 2011
Nicky's parents are getting a divorce. His mother uproots him to the ouskirts of Boston and tries to make the most of it. She gets Nicky a dog in hopes of making some peace.
Reggie is a german shepard and former seeing eye dog. When nicky takes reggie for walks, he takes him to those places he used to frequent with alf, his previous owner.
when nicky starts to visit alf's old haunts, he takes on the persona of alf's grandson from california.
in this fashion, he begins to make a new life for himself.
this is a good coming of age story and one that has a great character: reggie!
Reggie is a german shepard and former seeing eye dog. When nicky takes reggie for walks, he takes him to those places he used to frequent with alf, his previous owner.
when nicky starts to visit alf's old haunts, he takes on the persona of alf's grandson from california.
in this fashion, he begins to make a new life for himself.
this is a good coming of age story and one that has a great character: reggie!
June 5, 2015
I bought this book for two reasons: (1) it was on sale cheap at the school's book fair and (2) it was a recommended read by someone whose opinion I value.
I love the title although I cannot relate; I grew up in a family filled with pets. The way the family in the book sometimes treated the dog was horrifying but I've known people who were like that.
I like the way the author treated life and adult problems from a kid's point of view. The ways of adults are mysterious so a kid who decides that the solution is to treat life as a mystery with the kid having to puzzle out the clues is an interesting approach.
I think, though, that I really didn't like many of the adults in the book. I can understand why the author chose this route; I just don't care for it much.
I'm going to put this book out on my shelves. Let's see what my students think.
I love the title although I cannot relate; I grew up in a family filled with pets. The way the family in the book sometimes treated the dog was horrifying but I've known people who were like that.
I like the way the author treated life and adult problems from a kid's point of view. The ways of adults are mysterious so a kid who decides that the solution is to treat life as a mystery with the kid having to puzzle out the clues is an interesting approach.
I think, though, that I really didn't like many of the adults in the book. I can understand why the author chose this route; I just don't care for it much.
I'm going to put this book out on my shelves. Let's see what my students think.
April 6, 2018
Since I was going out to Boston this week, I figured that this would be the perfect airplane reread for the flight. I first read this book maybe six or seven years ago, but it still doesn't fail to entertain. Though it no longer seems as "edgy" as it did back in elementary school for using the word "cr*p," and Nicky says/thinks a few statements that now appear a bit problematic, it really holds up as a story about a middle schooler who's a victim of divorce and has a few flaws but also has a big heart.
October 25, 2010
I was expecting something more winsome and comical, based on the cover design. What you get is a realistic portrayal of the stresses of a divorce and upheaval on an 11-year boy, into which an 80-pound ex-seeing eye dog named Reggie is introduced. I adore warm and fuzzy dog stories and I am not ashamed of it. This one doesn't attempt to pull on standard dog-story heartstrings, and it was still a fine and compelling read.
November 19, 2014
This book was very enjoyable. It was touching, funny, and sad all at the same time. It delves into the impact of divorce on a family, and particularly how a child interprets what is going on. Reggie, the retired Guide Dog gives Nick purpose and a "partner in crime" so to speak. Through him Nick begins to grown up and make some good choices, after so many bad ones. Too bad it is 2010, as it would have made an excellent LOE choice.
March 12, 2014
I didn't enjoy this book very much, mostly because of this MC. Annoying, rude, and disrespectful, I couldn't endear myself to this boy, even by the end of this book. Two stars just for the dog though who I imagine to be adorable!
March 18, 2012
Not bad... Main character seemed older beyond his years at times... After reading so many books about kids dying for a dog it was refreshing if odd that he did not at first.
January 31, 2016
Good book to make a kid living through a parental divorce- funny & a quick read
January 3, 2017
Very dull in the beginning. It took me awhile to get hooked, but once I did I enjoyed it a lot.
September 9, 2020
How I, Nicky Flynn, finally get a life (and a dog) is a straightforward and fun tale of a boy and his dog. Nickys parents are in the process of getting a divorce, with this Nicky and his mom move from their large suburban house to a crummy apartment. Meaning a new house, new school, new friends all the works, and in the midst of all that a new dog. An ex-seeing eye dog named Reggie!
This is actually my third time reading this book, but my first time reading it as an adult. My Dad bought this book for me when I was in middle school, because "it's about a german shepherd" and well I had a German Shepherd so it just made sense. I loved this book when I was younger, enough to read it more than once. But as the years went by I must have gotten rid of it at some point it wasn't till I was browsing a used book store that the familiar title jumped out to me and I instantly bought, I wanted to see how well it held up and I was feeling nostalgic because the book brings back fond memories.
I'll say I was glad to read it again at an older age, I picked up on little comments more and little side notes that Nicky makes. It is from a young boy's point of view, that being said I found Nicky realistic and liked him as the main character a lot. When I first read this book I really connected a lot with it, While not being in the same situation as Nicky I too was just a kid with only their German Shepherd beside them to face the hard times. Reading this book brought up memories of my Shepherd that had since past, but I liked comparing her to Reggie. (She too was very protective over me and did not like people reaching too fast for me. She even knew the way home so some times I would just close my eyes and let her take me home! Which may not have been the smartest thing, but I knew she would always keep me safe.)
Anyway, this book is really enjoyable at any age but if you like dogs I say give it a shot! Re-reading this time did actually make me cry a bit funny enough.
This is actually my third time reading this book, but my first time reading it as an adult. My Dad bought this book for me when I was in middle school, because "it's about a german shepherd" and well I had a German Shepherd so it just made sense. I loved this book when I was younger, enough to read it more than once. But as the years went by I must have gotten rid of it at some point it wasn't till I was browsing a used book store that the familiar title jumped out to me and I instantly bought, I wanted to see how well it held up and I was feeling nostalgic because the book brings back fond memories.
I'll say I was glad to read it again at an older age, I picked up on little comments more and little side notes that Nicky makes. It is from a young boy's point of view, that being said I found Nicky realistic and liked him as the main character a lot. When I first read this book I really connected a lot with it, While not being in the same situation as Nicky I too was just a kid with only their German Shepherd beside them to face the hard times. Reading this book brought up memories of my Shepherd that had since past, but I liked comparing her to Reggie. (She too was very protective over me and did not like people reaching too fast for me. She even knew the way home so some times I would just close my eyes and let her take me home! Which may not have been the smartest thing, but I knew she would always keep me safe.)
Anyway, this book is really enjoyable at any age but if you like dogs I say give it a shot! Re-reading this time did actually make me cry a bit funny enough.
November 26, 2023
It's been a while since I've read a middle grade book and it was a refreshing break from my usual go-to books right now.
This book is told in the POV of Nicky Flynn, the main character of the book, and how he and his mother struggles to adjust to their new life in Charlestown after his parents separated that summer. Nicky has a hard time trying to accept his new life living in a small apartment in a new town with his mother while she struggles to raise their little family together with the best of her abilities. One day his mother got him a German shepherd called Reggie from the pound. Turns out Reggie was a seeing guide dog. Knowing this information, Nicky investigates on his own how Reggie ended up in the pound and who was his former blind master and how he was let go. Reggie, meanwhile, struggles adjusting to his new family and even cause a rift between Nicky and his mother due to him acting out and almost putting Reggie's life in danger, as a result. Due to a lot of circumstances, Nicky met a lot of interesting characters connected to Reggie, made new friends in school through unconventional ways, and found the reason why his dad and his mom's marriage disintegrated.
Nicky is a great and entertaining narrator; he is smart for his age and he is funny, sarcastic, assertive, brave, and has a bit of a temper. The book showcases one of the realities of what children go through when their parents divorce and how they feel about the whole ordeal. How a big change happening in their lives in such a short time impact their behavior and their feelings. Aside from that, it's was amazing reading about how Nicky cares so much for Reggie that he took the time to educate himself about Reggie's experience as a seeing dog which helped him to understand the dog more. It also helps us readers to know more context about those types of dogs. It's interesting.
Overall, a great book and I'm glad I bought a copy of this.
This book is told in the POV of Nicky Flynn, the main character of the book, and how he and his mother struggles to adjust to their new life in Charlestown after his parents separated that summer. Nicky has a hard time trying to accept his new life living in a small apartment in a new town with his mother while she struggles to raise their little family together with the best of her abilities. One day his mother got him a German shepherd called Reggie from the pound. Turns out Reggie was a seeing guide dog. Knowing this information, Nicky investigates on his own how Reggie ended up in the pound and who was his former blind master and how he was let go. Reggie, meanwhile, struggles adjusting to his new family and even cause a rift between Nicky and his mother due to him acting out and almost putting Reggie's life in danger, as a result. Due to a lot of circumstances, Nicky met a lot of interesting characters connected to Reggie, made new friends in school through unconventional ways, and found the reason why his dad and his mom's marriage disintegrated.
Nicky is a great and entertaining narrator; he is smart for his age and he is funny, sarcastic, assertive, brave, and has a bit of a temper. The book showcases one of the realities of what children go through when their parents divorce and how they feel about the whole ordeal. How a big change happening in their lives in such a short time impact their behavior and their feelings. Aside from that, it's was amazing reading about how Nicky cares so much for Reggie that he took the time to educate himself about Reggie's experience as a seeing dog which helped him to understand the dog more. It also helps us readers to know more context about those types of dogs. It's interesting.
Overall, a great book and I'm glad I bought a copy of this.
September 9, 2022
i am in love with this book, i think i read it the first time when i was 13 and have read it every year since, there is no other book as heartwarming and (oddly enough) tear jerking as this (for me). i love the hope that nicky has for his dad and it reminds me of a hope that i once had to and it speaks to me i swear. i also love the growth of the relationship of nicky and the dog and how amazingly descriptive this book is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2020
this is one of my favorite books of all time. there’s just something about it that’s so good and different from any other book i’ve read. it’s hard to find words to express how i feel about this book but i definitely recommend it to anyone.
March 19, 2018
Really cute book.
June 4, 2018
This book was super good. It hooked me in so quickly.
March 1, 2020
This book was really boring and I considered not finishing it. I read this book when I was in middle school and it seemed boring back then too. The plot was very uninteresting and slow paced.
April 19, 2020
CW: language, crap parents (the dog is okay)
May 28, 2020
Best Book Ever!!!!!
Read
November 3, 2022Its good, amazing actually. Wouldn't buy this for anyone 13 or younger, however. has a few curse words.
August 8, 2024
I love this book I always love Realistic Fiction books and I love how it relates too a boy in the real world!!! 😍
June 27, 2011
Nicky Flynn is a lovable misanthrope. Well, to call him a "misanthrope" may be extreme, but he is, at the very least, quite grumpy. At eleven, he thinks he's got it all figured out and has little patience for the mess his mother has gotten them into (or, at least that's how Nicky sees it).
Nicky's whole world has been turned upside-down. His parents are going through a messy divorce and his mom, as Nicky likes to point out repeatedly, his mom decided she needed to "stand on her own two feet" and moved them from a house in the perfect (according to Nicky's descriptions) suburb of Littleton to a tiny/scuzzy apartment in the rough not-quite-Boston neighborhood of Charlestown. As Nicky narrates the story in a conversational present tense, you can practically see his eyes roll and hear him heave a heavy sigh at pretty much everything and everyone that crosses his path--his therapist's clumsy attempts to get Nicky to "open up," a quirky classmate's odd conversation-starters, and even his mom's surprise gift at the beginning of the novel...a dog!
Man's-best-friend novels always run the risk of being a bit cliched. But what makes Art Corriveau's take on the old boy-and-dog story feel fresh and engaging is that Nicky wants nothing to do with Reggie (a stupid name, Nicky points out, given by a past owner, not himself). The story opens with Nicky complaining to the reader about how irresponsible and typical it is that his mother went out and got this dog without even thinking about the practical side of owning a dog. At first, Nicky tries to avoid Reggie, but when it becomes clear that his mother will not be doing the walking and feeding, responsible and reliable Nicky steps up. Reggie's need for daily walks forces Nicky out of the house into the neighborhood he hates to much. Slowly, Nicky and Reggie begin to share adventures together in Charlestown and Nicky starts to (begrudgingly, and under somewhat unusual circumstances) make connections with the neighborhood and its people.
Nicky's voice is so engaging. No matter how grumpy he is, you see his warm and honest heart shining through. As he and Reggie explore Charlestown and Boston together, Nicky thinks back on a special day he spent exploring the city with his dad. Nicky's holds his dad up on a pedestal, and your heart aches for him as time and time again, his dad bails on weekend plans. As a reader, you try to make sense of the image Nicky paints of his father and the image that the facts seem to show--a dad who just isn't around. You want to comfort Nicky, but at the same time, tell him to snap out of it.
How I, Nicky Flynn... is a funny, sweet, sincere story. It confronts the fact that everyone makes mistakes, kids and adults alike and that change, scary as it may seem, can be the best thing that happened to you.
Nicky's whole world has been turned upside-down. His parents are going through a messy divorce and his mom, as Nicky likes to point out repeatedly, his mom decided she needed to "stand on her own two feet" and moved them from a house in the perfect (according to Nicky's descriptions) suburb of Littleton to a tiny/scuzzy apartment in the rough not-quite-Boston neighborhood of Charlestown. As Nicky narrates the story in a conversational present tense, you can practically see his eyes roll and hear him heave a heavy sigh at pretty much everything and everyone that crosses his path--his therapist's clumsy attempts to get Nicky to "open up," a quirky classmate's odd conversation-starters, and even his mom's surprise gift at the beginning of the novel...a dog!
Man's-best-friend novels always run the risk of being a bit cliched. But what makes Art Corriveau's take on the old boy-and-dog story feel fresh and engaging is that Nicky wants nothing to do with Reggie (a stupid name, Nicky points out, given by a past owner, not himself). The story opens with Nicky complaining to the reader about how irresponsible and typical it is that his mother went out and got this dog without even thinking about the practical side of owning a dog. At first, Nicky tries to avoid Reggie, but when it becomes clear that his mother will not be doing the walking and feeding, responsible and reliable Nicky steps up. Reggie's need for daily walks forces Nicky out of the house into the neighborhood he hates to much. Slowly, Nicky and Reggie begin to share adventures together in Charlestown and Nicky starts to (begrudgingly, and under somewhat unusual circumstances) make connections with the neighborhood and its people.
Nicky's voice is so engaging. No matter how grumpy he is, you see his warm and honest heart shining through. As he and Reggie explore Charlestown and Boston together, Nicky thinks back on a special day he spent exploring the city with his dad. Nicky's holds his dad up on a pedestal, and your heart aches for him as time and time again, his dad bails on weekend plans. As a reader, you try to make sense of the image Nicky paints of his father and the image that the facts seem to show--a dad who just isn't around. You want to comfort Nicky, but at the same time, tell him to snap out of it.
How I, Nicky Flynn... is a funny, sweet, sincere story. It confronts the fact that everyone makes mistakes, kids and adults alike and that change, scary as it may seem, can be the best thing that happened to you.
July 23, 2010
Even though this is definitely not my type of read nor in the genre I usually read, I was actually kind of looking forward to reading it because it sound cute and I thought the dog on the cover was adorable. However, How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) proved to be lackluster in some of the most important ways.
How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) is about a kid named Nicky whose parent's have just went through a disasters divorce that has left him basically living in the 'slums' and going to a new school were he's not only one of the smartest kids but the kids call him brownie, as in brownnoser. Plus his fun and full of laughter mother has turned into someone who likes to hit the wine bottle a little too much these days. Let's just say Nicky isn't happy with his new life, though everything changes when he meets Reggie, a former seeing-eye dog and Nicky's new pet. At first Nicky isn't too happy with Reggie because for one, he's huge and gets in the way in their already too small apartment and for two, Nicky isn't all that in to being Reggie's new master, but soon enough, Nicky realizes that Reggie may just be the best thing that's happened to him since the divorce and the only one he can rely on most these days.
Nicky was a character I really hard time connecting with even though I've gone through some of the same things he has (a parent's divorce, a new school and home, etc.). Maybe it was how young he was or his immaturity at times but I just found him to be annoying to the point were I kind of didn't care what happened to him. Perhaps kids more his age will find him to likable and relatable but I just didn't. The character I did like in this, though, was Reggie, the dog. He seemed adorable and great dog side-kick to have on your side. Plus, I thought it was adorable seeing how sweet he was to Nicky.
While the premise seemed promising, the execution wasn't nearly as great as I was expecting. I was bored for the most part and occasionally skipped ahead a few or so pages because of it. I did like the message it was conveying, though, especially since younger kids will be reading it.
Overall, How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) just wasn't the book for me because of several reasons, mostly because of my age.
Grade: C-
How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) is about a kid named Nicky whose parent's have just went through a disasters divorce that has left him basically living in the 'slums' and going to a new school were he's not only one of the smartest kids but the kids call him brownie, as in brownnoser. Plus his fun and full of laughter mother has turned into someone who likes to hit the wine bottle a little too much these days. Let's just say Nicky isn't happy with his new life, though everything changes when he meets Reggie, a former seeing-eye dog and Nicky's new pet. At first Nicky isn't too happy with Reggie because for one, he's huge and gets in the way in their already too small apartment and for two, Nicky isn't all that in to being Reggie's new master, but soon enough, Nicky realizes that Reggie may just be the best thing that's happened to him since the divorce and the only one he can rely on most these days.
Nicky was a character I really hard time connecting with even though I've gone through some of the same things he has (a parent's divorce, a new school and home, etc.). Maybe it was how young he was or his immaturity at times but I just found him to be annoying to the point were I kind of didn't care what happened to him. Perhaps kids more his age will find him to likable and relatable but I just didn't. The character I did like in this, though, was Reggie, the dog. He seemed adorable and great dog side-kick to have on your side. Plus, I thought it was adorable seeing how sweet he was to Nicky.
While the premise seemed promising, the execution wasn't nearly as great as I was expecting. I was bored for the most part and occasionally skipped ahead a few or so pages because of it. I did like the message it was conveying, though, especially since younger kids will be reading it.
Overall, How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) just wasn't the book for me because of several reasons, mostly because of my age.
Grade: C-
October 30, 2015
Goodreads Review
by Garrett Daniels
Nicky Flynn’s life just got a whole lot tougher. His parents are going through a bad divorce, and he’s starting a new life. In the new city of Charleston,plus a new school. Now Nicky’s Mom has brought, an eighty pound German shepherd in the picture named Reggie,from the animal shelter.Reggie used to be a seeing-eye dog(guide dog). At first Nick is not sure if he wants a new pet to the family. Then Nick wonders why (and tries to investigate) a seeing-eye dog would be left at an animal shelter.In his story Nicky grows in understanding, acceptance,compassion and the true meaning of friendship.
The part of the book when Nicky runs away with Reggie reminds me of the book and movie The Outsiders when Ponyboy and his friend Johnny Cade runs away because Nicky runs away from home with his only “friend” Reggie which helps me understand the pain that Nicky is going through when he runs away because Nicky and Ponyboy both have the same struggles (inter city and tough/no parents).Since I know what Ponyboy was going through I could have a general idea to what Nicky was going through. The author often gives a lot of human characteristics to Reggie, like Reggie being able to follow commands that normal dogs don’t know instinctively. Example when Nicky and Reggie were walking in the park, there was a gang of bad kids that wanted to pick on Nicky but Reggie saw the gang first and started to lead Nicky away from the gang eventually escaping the gang.
The genre of this book is realistic fiction, I would recommend this book to someone who likes or loves animals,and is in middle school. I personally liked it when Reggie tinkled on the brand new rug then the landlord stepped right on the stain without him noticing. Then Reggie tried to lick it ( right in front of the landlord) and Nicky had to come up with an excuse. His excuse was the stain,was just water and the landlord believed Nicky.
by Garrett Daniels
Nicky Flynn’s life just got a whole lot tougher. His parents are going through a bad divorce, and he’s starting a new life. In the new city of Charleston,plus a new school. Now Nicky’s Mom has brought, an eighty pound German shepherd in the picture named Reggie,from the animal shelter.Reggie used to be a seeing-eye dog(guide dog). At first Nick is not sure if he wants a new pet to the family. Then Nick wonders why (and tries to investigate) a seeing-eye dog would be left at an animal shelter.In his story Nicky grows in understanding, acceptance,compassion and the true meaning of friendship.
The part of the book when Nicky runs away with Reggie reminds me of the book and movie The Outsiders when Ponyboy and his friend Johnny Cade runs away because Nicky runs away from home with his only “friend” Reggie which helps me understand the pain that Nicky is going through when he runs away because Nicky and Ponyboy both have the same struggles (inter city and tough/no parents).Since I know what Ponyboy was going through I could have a general idea to what Nicky was going through. The author often gives a lot of human characteristics to Reggie, like Reggie being able to follow commands that normal dogs don’t know instinctively. Example when Nicky and Reggie were walking in the park, there was a gang of bad kids that wanted to pick on Nicky but Reggie saw the gang first and started to lead Nicky away from the gang eventually escaping the gang.
The genre of this book is realistic fiction, I would recommend this book to someone who likes or loves animals,and is in middle school. I personally liked it when Reggie tinkled on the brand new rug then the landlord stepped right on the stain without him noticing. Then Reggie tried to lick it ( right in front of the landlord) and Nicky had to come up with an excuse. His excuse was the stain,was just water and the landlord believed Nicky.
June 10, 2011
Mom says I'm way too serious for a kid my age. She says I'm like this forty-year-old man trapped in an eleven-year-old body.
Nicky is miserable. He used to live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. Then, his parents divorced in dramatic fashion. Now, he and his mom share a cramped one-bedroom apartment in a grimy area. His new class is repeating work he did last year; because he knows the answers, the local toughs have started calling him "brownnoser". His mom, who used to garden and cook, is living on take-out food and wine. And she just brought home an ex-guide dog named Reggie from the pound, expecting Nicky to take care of it. Nicky wants nothing to do with Reggie, but the dog might be just what he needs to get on with his life.
The book gets off to a bit of a rocky start. Nicky's voice sounds off in the first chapter, way too old for an almost-twelve-year-old boy. His wry humor and determination to solve the mystery of how Reggie ended up at the pound are engaging, though. His actions are believably impulsive. As events progress, the reader can see things about Nicky's situation that he takes much longer to recognize, and will be pulling for him as he figures things out. In the end, Nicky Flynn won me over. A realistic, contemporary novel with humor and boy-appeal, suitable for middle-grade readers.
Nicky is miserable. He used to live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. Then, his parents divorced in dramatic fashion. Now, he and his mom share a cramped one-bedroom apartment in a grimy area. His new class is repeating work he did last year; because he knows the answers, the local toughs have started calling him "brownnoser". His mom, who used to garden and cook, is living on take-out food and wine. And she just brought home an ex-guide dog named Reggie from the pound, expecting Nicky to take care of it. Nicky wants nothing to do with Reggie, but the dog might be just what he needs to get on with his life.
The book gets off to a bit of a rocky start. Nicky's voice sounds off in the first chapter, way too old for an almost-twelve-year-old boy. His wry humor and determination to solve the mystery of how Reggie ended up at the pound are engaging, though. His actions are believably impulsive. As events progress, the reader can see things about Nicky's situation that he takes much longer to recognize, and will be pulling for him as he figures things out. In the end, Nicky Flynn won me over. A realistic, contemporary novel with humor and boy-appeal, suitable for middle-grade readers.
July 8, 2011
I can’t wait for school to start so I can put How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) by Art Corriveau (Amulet Books 2010) in the hands of readers. I know I will have students who will love this book as much as I did. It is funny and heartbreaking, filled with unforgettable characters who just might surprise you. Best of all is Nicky’s spot-on sarcasm.
Nicky’s life is not going the way he wants. His mom left his dad and took Nicky to live in a much smaller apartment in a new city with a new school, but she seems determined to keep Nicky apart from his dad. To make things better she brings home a German shepherd–not just any German shepherd, but a retired seeing-eye dog. Now Nicky is stuck taking care of this dog and eating takeout every night.
Soon, though, Nicky gets caught up in solving the mystery behind Reggie’s “retirement.” He’s not old, so what was the problem? Reggie leads Nicky to meet people from his past–friends of his blind owner, Alf Santorello. Then Nicky and Reggie set off on their own Freedom Trail through Boston. Along the way, Nick learns to cope with the changes in his life and see his parents for who they are–not who he wishes they were. He also makes some suprising new friends at school and gains perspective on people with disabilities –and so will the reader.
Nicky’s life is not going the way he wants. His mom left his dad and took Nicky to live in a much smaller apartment in a new city with a new school, but she seems determined to keep Nicky apart from his dad. To make things better she brings home a German shepherd–not just any German shepherd, but a retired seeing-eye dog. Now Nicky is stuck taking care of this dog and eating takeout every night.
Soon, though, Nicky gets caught up in solving the mystery behind Reggie’s “retirement.” He’s not old, so what was the problem? Reggie leads Nicky to meet people from his past–friends of his blind owner, Alf Santorello. Then Nicky and Reggie set off on their own Freedom Trail through Boston. Along the way, Nick learns to cope with the changes in his life and see his parents for who they are–not who he wishes they were. He also makes some suprising new friends at school and gains perspective on people with disabilities –and so will the reader.
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