My Life as a Book

My Life #1

by Janet Tashjian, Jake Tashjian (Illustrator)

Summer's finally here, and Derek Fallon is looking forward to pelting the UPS truck with water balloons, climbing onto the garage roof, and conducting silly investigations. But when his parents decide to send him to Learning Camp, Derek's dreams of fun come to an end. Ever since he's been labeled a "reluctant reader," his mom has pushed him to read "real" books-something other than his beloved Calvin & Hobbes.
As Derek forges unexpected friendships and uncovers a family secret involving himself (in diapers! no less), he realizes that adventures and surprises are around the corner, complete with curve balls. My Life as a Book is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Humor, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Juvenile

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 6, 2010

About the author

Janet Tashjian is a middle-grade and young adult novelist who’s been writing books for children for fifteen years. Her first novel Tru Confessions was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her novels My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stuntboy, and My Life As a Cartoonist are all illustrated by her teenage son, Jake. Their collaboration continues with Einstein the Class Hamster coming in August.

Janet lives with her family in Los Angeles, enjoying her respite from the long Boston winters. When she isn’t writing, she’s rewriting.

Janet has been doing school visits for fifteen years; you can email her at spatulaproductions@mac.com for details.

We invite you to follow her on Twitter @JanetTashjian and like her books on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Lif...
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Plus, check out her YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/janettash...

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so my son who is in 6th grade was assigned to read this book for English class. He struggles with reading, and he was sort of freaking out about reading the book and being able to discuss it with his group in Socratic circles because the kids tend to be unforgiving with each other for mistakes. I told him we would read it together, so we would take turns reading it each day, and when he made a mistake with a word I helped him. I really loved this book because the boy in the book hated reading because he struggled, and he loved drawing, skateboarding, and his dog. Of course, he was also in middle school, so my son really related to him as a character in the book. The humor was fantastic, and there was also a mystery. My son couldn't wait to read together each day. Now he wants to get the other book in the series as well. The book made me laugh, cry, and really kept my attention too, but the best gift was my son's excitement to get to reading each day. Janet is now one of my favorite authors for my son :)

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up because I absolutely love that the message that, just because a kid is tagged with the 'reluctant reader' label, doesn't mean he doesn't read, or learn, or isn't intelligent, or doesn't have mad skills in other areas.

I especially appreciate that Jake, I mean Derek, was allowed to *listen* to books sometimes. Yes, I know, there's a lot of learning about language, stories, etc. that goes along with the printed text. But the kinds of questions that went with the summer reading books were certainly answerable by listening to the story.

I opine that graphic novels, audiobooks, and non-fiction should all count, along with novels. Don't do what this kids' parents did, and turn everything into a "Learning Experience" and bribe the kid with chocolate chips, etc.

Now, about the impulse control issues and the high energy... is there a way to channel that?

And I love Jake's vocabulary illustrations!
I recommend this book to all MG students, not just the ones Janet seems to think need a book a step up from Wimpy Kid.
However, I am not a reluctant reader, and I don't feel the need to continue the series.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 4 out of 5]

Нали и ние сме си дечковци, не пропускаме възможността да проверим по какви четива си падат днешните деца. А те са луди-полудели по илюстрованите ученически дневници, в които знайни и незнайни хлапета споделят комичните неволи от ежедневието си с пиперливо чувство за хумор и непринудени, сякаш излезли от полетата на тетрадка илюстрации. „Историите на Дерек - книга 1: Животът ми като таен агент” (изд."СофтПрес") е началото на една такава хитова серия, дело на Дженет Тажиян. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":

https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't give up on many books. In fact, I think this might be the 3rd one ever. Yes, it's seriously that bad. Vetaran author Janet Tashjian is known for her, by all accounts, clever Gospel According to Larry series, but this effort for younger readers falls flat. Tashjian so obviously wants to mimic Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, but not only does she completely miss the mark with the humor, the drawings are atrociously bad and the marriage between the text and illustrations a shaky nod at best. Whereas Kinney's text and drawing combinations add a depth of meaning that neither would achieve alone, Tashjian had her son scribble literal interpretations of the awful text in the margins. Ms. Tahjian, I know he's your son, and you think it's cute, but it adds nothing. Kinney's Greg is just as self centered as Tashjian's Derek, but Greg's adventures come across as funny misadventures due to his epic fails, where as Derek's come off as the ramblings of a psychopathic brat. Pass.

[Neala Arnold · Rating 1 out of 5]

Derek isn't a reluctant reader--he's a militant non-reader with ineffective parents who use Learning Camp as a punishment. I hated that the mother tries to bribe him to read and that both his parents and teacher refuse to validate the sort of reading he does enjoy--Calvin and Hobbes books. At least Calvin has an expansive vocabulary, fertile imagination, and a great deal of reflectiveness. Derek tries to be Calvin, but he's just destructive and impulsive and there don't seem to be many consequences for his actions. Admittedly, this is not my kind of book and I did not find Derek to be a sympathetic character. I can see kid and even teacher appeal, but the book mostly annoyed me. Why not just re-read Calvin and Hobbes? And what sort of teacher assigns a book report over summer vacation?

[Katie Kerns · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Life as a Book
By: Janet Tashjian

Derek is the main character of this realistic fiction novel. He is around 11 years old and he hates to read. His mom, teacher, and reading tutor are always making him read. Derek would rather read and draw comic books. He is a wild only child. Derek's mom is a vet and her office is next door to their house. He is always playing with the animals that are staying there; this includes a very friendly monkey. Derek's dad is a cartoonist and animator of movies. This is where Derek gets his artistic talent. He uses drawings (like Mr. Stick) to help him learn and remember difficult vocabulary words.
The story takes place in present day Los Angles, California where Derek lives. He takes many adventures during his summer break and so the setting will move to Boston Massachusetts and Martha’s Vineyard on the east coast.
The school year is almost over and Derek can’t wait for summer, until he finds out his annoying reading teacher is moving to the next grade with him and she assigns three summer reading books with projects. To make matters worse, Derek gets in trouble at home and his mom signs him up for a summer camp. He is not happy about it. Finally, Derek finds a mysterious article about a teenage girl, Susan James, who drowned ten years ago on Martha’s Vineyard. When he asks his mom about it, she acts very weird. Derek knows there is something she isn’t telling him. Read the book to find out how he is connected!
I really liked that this book showed students and teachers an interesting vocabulary strategy. I plan on teaching some of my students how to use illustrations to help them learn difficult vocabulary. I thought the author, Janet Tashjian, was very creative to have her son illustrate her novel.
I give this book four stars because Derek’s crazy adventures made me giggle out loud and it’s a story all fifth graders can connect with and laugh at. Happy Reading!!

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian, cartoons by Jake Tashjian – Realistic Fiction, 4th grade and up – I was simply thrilled to discover this book series. Thanks to The Nerdy Book Club, Janet Tashjian posted about her book creations and I learned quickly what I was missing. I had initially overlooked this series because I saw it displayed with Middle School book titles so I thought that it would be too mature for my students, I was quite wrong. I’m pleasantly surprised sometimes when I am wrong! This is one time. I loved the illustrations created by Janet’s son through the book in addition to the fascinating plot that kept you reading at a brisk pace. My only regret was that I was dying to know what book Derek was struggling to read over the summer, there were hints but… I didn’t guess it. I loved how open, even though he acted the opposite, Derek was to learning, experimenting, and meeting new people. Additionally, the mystery revealed through the book is quite a special one. Looking forward to reading the other two titles so far in the series!

[Milena Tasheva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Свежа, щура и пакостлива; по-непретенциозна от повечето книги за деца, но това ми хареса - няма го онзи стремеж непременно да е смешно или пък да крие великия смисъл на живота... Просто детска книга, която е разбираема и за нормални деца, не само за свръхначетени гении :)

[Marline · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son brought this book home from the school library and I made him read it to get screen time. I started reading it so I could quiz him on the plot and ended up enjoying the heck out of it. It's a sweet story about a reluctant 12 year old reader who discovers a 10 year old mystery that's not what it seems to be. It even made me cry near the end. Loved it 💕.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I read another review that said the series is a kinder version of the Wimpy Kid series, all the fun, but this series has a plot. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement! The boy in this series certainly knows how to have fun and does get into a fair amount of trouble, but instead of whining about it, he learns from his mistakes and does what he can to fix the problems. This is a series of infinitely more worth!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intresting book, the whole way through. The book is very realistic and it intrigues people by just reading the first chapter. It'll want to make you read longer than you thought you can. Honestly, 5/5

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derek Fallon is trying to figure out what to do with his summer. What he wants to do and what everyone else wants him to do are totally different.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Derek tries to get out of reading both in school and during the summer, it is reading that gets him into his greatest trouble. Discovering an old newspaper in the attic Derek questions his mother about it but she will not answer him. Deciding that she is hiding something Derek makes it his mission to find out who Susan James is. When he finds out his best friend Matt is going to Martha’s Vineyard Derek tries to go along since that is where Susan James died. Derek figures that’s a good place to start investigating the death. His plans are thwarted. He manages to drive his parents crazy so he gets sent to Learning Camp for the summer. Turns out the teacher’s pet, Carly, is also there. How much worse can his summer get! Well, he’s about to find out.

I loved My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian. It is funny, sad, and not what I expected. As Derek struggles to do his reading, he draws pictures of the words he doesn’t know. In the margins of the book Janet Tashjian’s son, Jake, does the same. The pictures enhance the book. Fantastic!

As Derek persists in following the mystery of the newspaper article his mother finally breaks down and tells him that Susan James was his babysitter when they were at Martha’s Vineyard and died saving him from drowning. This still does not settle Derek. He wants to know more about her. Using the internet he discovers a website for her. People leave messages on it and he does too. Susan’s mother responds to it. Derek knows not to let his parents know about the contact.

Eventually though he needs to learn more about Susan. He convinces (nags) his parents into visiting his grandmother in Boston. They go and revisit the beach at Martha’s Vineyard. They also meet a friend of Susan’s who was with Susan and Derek at the beach. She tells them what happened. When Derek’s mom finds out the truth she is incensed. She wants to confront Susan’s mother. When the opportunity arrives, she is unable to do it.

Derek is a scream. The more outrageous an idea, the more Derek pursues it but he learns so much that summer. He learns that Carly is a better James Bond then he and Matt. He learns to make movies in his head when reading. That’s what I’ve done for years. He learns that sometimes, even if you have the truth, it is better to sacrifice and allow a person her memories so she can get through her life.

My Life as a Book is a wonderful read for both children and their parents. Derek and his lessons will be with me for a long time. This is a book I will not forget.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Derek Fallon either has a learning disorder or is simply rebellious and hates to obey. It’s rather hard to tell which it is. In any case his teacher gives the class a summer assignment, since she’s going to be teaching them next year too, to read 3 books off a list. He feels summer should be absolutely nothing but fun and is outraged. He does his best to avoid the assignment and detects a family mystery involving him. He learns some empathy watching his mom swallow the outrage she felt over a lie she’s been told based on someone’s grief. He also learns a few other things including how to animate his drawings with software and uses that to animate the extremely small amount of reading he actually did. And it works! He impresses the teacher even though he had read a small part of one book, not three total books. I’m not sure if this would be popular because of wish fulfillment for kids or what but it seemed rather boring to me. Other than the minor mystery, which seems forced on to the book, and the theme being ‘let’s not read!’, there is no particular cohesion to the story.
I’ll read the other reviews but I doubt I’ll change my negative impression. Addendum: I suppose you can hand this to kids who hate to read, based on what others have said in their reviews. I am still not impressed.

[Amanda Averill · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Life as a Book, fictitious text by Janet Tashjian and Jake Tashjian, was published in 2010 by Scholastic Inc. It is a guided reading level S, a lexile level 880, and appropriate for grades 4-6.

My Life As a Book follows Derek Fallon, a young man who wishes to spend the summer engaging in mischievous activities. His parents make the ultimate decision to send him to a camp. This is not the camp Derek expects. It's a Learning Camp. Derek is unsure of the new experience as he often tries to avoid books and anything that is academic. His world is turned upside down, when he develops an understanding that he will be expected to read, "real books."

He discovers that the camp is meaningful. He develops an increased vocabulary and finds pleasure in creating illustrations for words. When he has the opportunity to solve a mystery, he has to choose between the assigned summer reading list or using a newspaper article to help him uncover the mystery of the girl who drowned in Martha's Vineyard.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Students will imagine themselves in a similar situation as Derek's, and write their own narrative of how they would have handled attending the learning camp, and how it's beneficial for them to attempt new experiences.

[TheMadHatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that both of my kids (age 10) have recently devoured (as well as the rest of the books in the series such as My Life as a Ninja/Gamer/Stuntboy/Cartoonist/Joke/ Youtuber etc) and while I am not the target audience for this, every now and then I like to pick up one of the books they are into and give it a read to see what is drawing them in.

The presentation of this is super cute in that it promotes vocab words as her teenage son illustrates the books and has little stick figures off to the side depicting what some of the bigger words mean. While I personally found some of the depictions a little confusing, my kids LOVED them and it really promoted a lot of discussion and higher level thought about what the picture was trying to say to them (as opposed to just skipping over the word and continue reading).

I did find the story line of this a little odd for a middle grade book (a babysitter drowning while sneaking out with her boyfriend and learning club as a form of punishment?????) but the drawings were gold.

At just over 200 pages (but not overly taxing pages) it was a relatively quick read for both the kids and me.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is about once upon a time a little boy did not like to study, but his mother was very hopeful that he could study and learned in the book. After that, his mother thought that if he could study, he would give him some reward. Later, the little boy fell in love with reading and thought it was interesting to study. After that, the little boy imagined his life as a book and imagined himself reading in the book as his own life, hoping to realize in real life it. I really like this book, it is very interesting.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent upper elementary or lower middle school book great for reluctant readers. It has funny vocabulary word drawings, silly character pranks, and good lessons. The main character boy has trouble sitting still so he gets into lots of trouble but he has a good heart. This is a series, so those reluctant readers can just keep reading the next one.

[Beth Honeycutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that I picked up at NerdcampMI.

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congrats bookworms curriculum. You finally got one right!

[Hannah Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

For school- kids thought it was fine

[Back · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kids really enjoy this book. They thought the main character was funny and had funny things to say.
As the parent, I am not a fan. I'd say for an audience of 10+. The main character is sarcastic, lies, hates school and reading, and even borderline disrespectful to his parents. However, Great moral and character development can be discussed with your reader. The book, nearly right off the bat, introduces a character death, of which is a mystery for for reader at the beginning, that is somehow connected to the main character. This was a little alarming in that not sure how that plot line would go. Turns out the punch line or moral of the story for the reader is "the truth isn't always as it seems." This can be taken at face value related to the story itself or be examined broader and deeper in big life questions.

[Sloan The Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was so good. The fact that Susan left the kid she was babysitting made me mad. I was she got a different punishment than dying.

[Aziza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like to read? Do you like school? Well in this book Derek which is the main character of this book really dosent like to read or go to school all he likes to do is draw. The genre of this book is realistic fiction. My opinion of this book is I really enjoyed reading this book. I kind of felt sad in some parts of this story.

Where this story takes place is in summer. Derek wanted to find out who Susan James was from a newspaper he found in the attic but his mom wont tell him anything about Susan James so Derek keeps begging her but she dosent tell him anything so Derek climbs up his garage roof and dosent come back down then his mom told him she will tell him all about what happened to Susan James. His mother tells him that 10 years ago Susan took him to the beach and Susan drounded from tring to save him when Derek was 2 years old. The conflict of this story is person vs. nature because of when Susan had drounded. The main character of this book is Derek. He is 12 years old and he really likes to draw alot.

Why I really liked this book is because I thought it was really sad when Susan James drounded. Another reason why I liked this book is because in some parts of the story I thought were funny like when Derek said that he liked to throw water ballons at UPS trucks. This reminds me of when me and my brother used to throw water ballons at cars that drove by. This book is similar to Big Nate books because Nate also didnt like te read and he also hated school and loved to draw just like Derek.

When the book talked about Susan James that drownded I felt really sad. If Susan listened to her parents and didnt leave the house she would have not drownded. This is like a movie I saw about a boy that didnt listen to his parents and left the house to go and hang out with his friends and he was missing because his friend had shot him by accedent. Which was really sad.

A brief review overall thoughts of this book is I really enjoyed reading this book. I would rate this book a 10 because I thought that it was a really good book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read Big Nate books. Have you ever thought what it would be like to have a life as a book.

[thewanderingjew · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Life As A Book, Janet Tashjian
This is a delightful, humorous tale of a boy’s coming of age. A mischievous 12 year old, who takes enormous pleasure in disobeying rules and having fun, has exhausted his parent's patience and is being sent to learning camp for the summer instead of being allowed to stay home and simply have fun. His efforts at these hilarious escapades sometimes backfire because some of his pranks are fun to him but could be dangerous to others. He tries to use a sun lamp to set the grass on fire, draws grids on avocados meant for dinner then uses them as hand grenades, smashing them over the driveway, torments his babysitter by locking himself and his dog in the car, lighting up the trees around his house with Xmas, lights in the summer.
In the attic, while exploring before leaving for camp, he finds an old newspaper article about a girl who drowns on Nantucket. He questions his mom as to why she saved it but she is evasive. His friend goes there on his vacation and between his friend and his own research over the summer, he discovers the truth about the incident, a truth that has been hidden from everyone.
By the end of the story, Derek has matured and becoming more responsible. He grows up and into himself and becomes more level headed and compassionate. He matures. He still likes to break rules but he is more thoughtful about the ones he breaks. He learns patience from a service monkey he spends time with, who helps the son of an acquaintance of his mom. The monkey never gives up until he masters the task. He never throws up his arms in frustration and abandons the task as Derek often does. He learns how to take direction and not give up. At camp, he learns to appreciate reading. He discovers that there is always someone better than he may be but he is proud of his own accomplishments.
The cartoons drawn by the author's son to illustrate vocabulary words, are delightful. The book is just over 200 pages with 30+ short chapters that will delight both boys and girls. It is easy to read and is both funny and touching.

[Петър Панчев · Rating 4 out of 5]

При Дерек е вълнуващо и пълно с приключения
Цялото ревю тук: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.com/2015/...

Странно и почти невероятно ли е, когато възрастен човек посегне към детска книжка, не само за да я прелисти, а и да има намерение да я прочете? Понякога е необходимо и дори задължително. Ако забравиш годините на детството, едва ли ще разбереш дори собственото си дете. В началото нямах намерение да пиша за такива книжки, но си спомних за моите лични приключения от детството. Вгледайте се внимателно в някое хлапе - своето или някое друго - и си представете свободата, която изпитва, липсата на напрежение и безкрайните възможности, които вижда около себе си. От време на време може да ви изглежда като диво зверче и да прави пакост след пакост, но в главата му витаят куп мисли за приключения и всякакви забавления. Отнемането на тази свобода, на въображението и приключенския дух, отнема и самото детство. Може да имате много изисквания към едно хлапе, но не бива да пречупвате чувството му за свобода. Дерек се бори с изискванията на родителите и учителите си, а и тези на всякакви други възрастни, и е изцяло в плен на детството. Ето такова хлапе би могло да е много специално.

„Животът ми като таен агент“ („Софтпрес“, 2014) е първата книжка от чудната и забавна поредица „Историите на Дерек“ на Джанет Тажиян. В нея се изявява като илюстратор синът ѝ - Джейк Тажиян. Когато книгата излиза за първи път, Джейк е хлапе на възрастта на Дерек. Шантавите му илюстрации се вписват отлично в текста и украсяват допълнително свежата история. Нека сега надникнем в самата книжка.

Дерек е симпатично дванайсетгодишно момче със свободен дух и стабилни принципи. Не обича да чете и прави всичко възможно да се отърве от това заробващо задължение в училище. Учебната година е към края си и той вече планира куп приключения за лятото. Не на такова мнение е учителката му. (Продължава в блога: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.com/2015/...)

[Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Due out July 2010)

The enormous popularity of the *Wimpy Kid* series seems likely to produce a slew of imitations in the next couple of years, just as the Harry Potter books had every publisher looking for the next fantasy hit series. *My Life as a Book* looks at first glance a lot like *Wimpy Kid* - a similar kid-friendly font, stick-figure illustrations, and a narrator with a cocky and self-absorbed attitude. (The illustrations here are by the author's 14-year-old son, for various "vocabulary words" the boy is learning; one possible flaw in the narration is, in fact, the vocabulary used, as it seems slightly advanced at times for a self-confessed reluctant reader.)

But where *Wimpy Kid* has at best a fairly loose plot, reading sometimes as if it were just a series of comic skits (appropriately so, given its origin as an online "diary"), *My Life as a Book* does provide a story arc, along with more serious, meaty material. In between various lame-brained stunts, Derek plans to spend the summer unlocking the mystery around an old newspaper clipping he finds in the attic. Why are his parents so reluctant to answer his questions? And where *WK*'s Greg never really seems to learn any of the obvious lessons included in his adventures, Derek discovers an empathetic side as he befriends an arch-rival and tracks down the real story behind that news clipping.

[Niko C · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Life as a Book is about a boy named Derek who gets out of school for the summer and starts to goof around so they send him to learning camp. While at home, he finds a family secret and it makes his summer fun and interesting. The setting of the book takes place at learning camp and his house. The book is written from Derek's point of view. The protagonist is Derek. Other main characters are Matt, his Mom, Dad and Susan James. This story is about how Derek's mom forces him to read but he retreats to the attic where he finds a article about a girl named Susan James who died at the vineyard. He spends the rest of the summer trying to find out more about the death of Susan James.

I think this book is very funny and I recommend it to anybody who likes comedy books. For example I thought it was funny when Derek and his friend were throwing fruit grenades at each other. I feel it could have been a little better if they had a little more action in this book. For example when Derek went to learning camp the book really slowed down. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy comedy and mystery. I love this book and I will continue to read the whole series.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a clever and engaging read, My Life as a Book is humorous and thoughtful. Derek Fallon is labeled a reluctant reader and pulls just about every trick under the sun to avoid the three assigned books for summer reading. Every kid (and good librarians) knows that all you have to do is give a kid something he likes and WANTS to read and he'll do it. Derek procrastinates until the end of summer, all the while investigating the death of a young teenage girl some ten years ago on a beach in Martha's Vineyard. Derek methodically learns that he is somehow involved in her accidental death and he is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Filled with ingenious, stick-figure illustrations this book does actually come alive in the reader's mind. Imagination along the lines of Diary of a Wimpy Kid the antics and practical jokes will have the young reader laughing-out-loud. Yet, this is a book that you cannot put down...it is so engaging. A real treat for kids and kids-at-heart.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Language ARts and Reading teacher, my number one goal has always been to get students who think they don't like to read, to discover they do like to read. Often it is because they have no say in what they read. Other times it is because it is too difficult for them.

Derek is like this, he likes to read but not what others think he should read. He has been given a summer reading assignment. He is doing everything he can to avoid it. He stumbles across an old trunk in the attic with a newspaper article about a girl drowning at Martha's Vineyard. When he asks his mom about it she brushes the topic aside. Derek won't let it go until he finds out the absolute truth. Along the way to the truth he learns some tricks that will help him along the path to reading. I loved the way the book was set up and the little tips and tricks in there. I know a lot of reluctant readers who will really enjoy this book.