The Accidental Genius of Weasel High

by Rick Detorie

A book for the Wimpy Kid who has grown into a Wimpy Teen
 
Larkin Pace desperately wants a new camcorder. How else is he going to become the next great filmmaker? But his dad won’t give him any money, his sister is determined to make his life miserable, and his nemesis Dalton Cooke is trying to steal his girlfriend. Now this height-challenged aspiring director must chronicle his wacky life for a freshman English assignment.

Genres: Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Humor, Teen, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

199 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Rick Detorie is the creator of the popular comic strip One Big Happy. He is the author of 14 humor books, including the best-sellers No Good Men, No Good Lawyers, Totally Tacky Cartoons, Catholics and How to Survive an Italian Family. He currently resides in Venice, California.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me LOL more than once. Boobs! Sheet spit! Ghost cats! The cartoons are reminiscent of One Big Happy, but also their own cartoons. I loved his relationship with Brooke, and with Freddie. This book is clearly aimed at the Wimpy Kid crowd, but it succeeds completely. I kinda loved it.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Book for the Wimpy Kid who has grown into a Wimpy Teen" is the phrase written on the back of this book and it is seriously appropriate.

Fourteen year-old freshman, Larkin Pace, is writing a blog for his English class assignment. Making up this book are the entries themselves which helped him win the class coveted prize, 100% grade.

Larkin blogs about his desire to become a famous filmmaker, and all the grand schemes he's planned to get there. One of which involves a stint on The Price is Right where hopefully Steven Spielberg will see him and offer him a publishing deal. He also tells us all about his sister Kelly, whom he declares is a thug in her treatment of him, his most hated classmate Dalton, and his girl-friend but not girlfriend Brooke.

This book was pretty funny, and had an interesting point of view. While we've all read the story of that poor kid trying to grow into his coolness before, Larkin was a kid that seemed cool all along. He didn't need to become any cooler, he just needed a way to become all the things he wanted for himself. Kelly's rants throughout the book are hilarious. His accidental genius is that he knows a ton of movie trivia and it finds its way into the story. Movie people like Larkin will love reading the scenes where he quotes his favorite lines.

The book is good step up for the kid who has loves all the Wimpy Kid books and is growing out of them a bit.

[Books and Literature for Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious take on the life of a “wimpy” teenager, The Accidental Genius of Weasel High is great novel for young teens (especially teen guys) who will relate to Larkin’s comical situations and outtakes on high school, family, and first love. Incorporating illustrations within the written novel is a perfect way to get anybody to read, especially with a generation of young readers who are use to visual communication. Detorie seems like a great author to watch for more graphic novels from.
Overall, The Accidental Genius of Weasel High is a light, humorous read just in time for summer and a great novel for fans who want to graduate from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I also might add that Detorie’s inspiration for Larkin writing about his freshman year via notebook blog might just be a interesting assignment to do for aspiring writers!

Recommendation: First of all because there’s limited choices out there in contemporary YA fiction for guys, I wanted to make a special recommendation for them; secondly I want to recommend it to any teenager: freshmen–like Larkin–middle schoolers, or even those who have already fled the high school scene. Fans of graphic novels will also enjoy Larkin's story. Ages 12+

Content: some crude humor (PG)

Courtesy of booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com>/b>

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Accidental genius of Weasel High by Rick Detorie

In the tradition of a diary of a wimpy kid this book chronicles the adventures of a 14 year old boy and that age groups humor. That humor is demonstrated in the title.

Larkin Pace is a vertically challenged 14 year old teenager. His goals and aspirations are subject to the people and kids around him. His control over his life is minimal. He spends a lot of time frustrated. This is going to resonate well with young teens who share the same feelings. “Just because I am a kid doesn’t mean I am stupid”, has been said my own grandson. Kids often feel powerless. This book may help them to deal with that frustration.


The book has loads of graphics but I wouldn’t consider it a graphic novel.
This format has been a best seller with the Diary of the Wimpy Kid. I think both the format and story will be appealing to the young teenager.

It is humorous and entertaining I recommend it.

[Jen Mech · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pretty good book, but it had a terrible ending. I feel like it left so many strings untied. I thought it was cute that his whole notebook/blog project was kind of turned into a movie; it even had "out-takes." So, my question is, was the whole project make-believe, as part of his accidental genius? If so, then why not end up by getting the girl? Speaking of the girl in question, what a bonehead for not standing up for her friend even though she said she knew the truth. Instead, she walks off into the sunset with the neandrethal. It may be more realistic than the whole dorky-boy gets the girl story, but it sure doesn't leave the reader with a feeling of satisfaction. I was really let down by the abrupt end.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a whole lot happens. And I have to say, it's a bit of a relief. Nobody has mad cow disease, the school doesn't burn down, Larkin's parents don't split up. This gives us the chance to settle in and enjoy getting to know Larkin. He lives on a farm, for example, and owns seventeen dogs. He thinks that shrimp cocktail is a drink. His love life and his relationship with his eccentric friend Freddie unfold in episodic fits and starts, a lot like real life and in fact a lot like a daily comic strip.

Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/201...

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Larkin Pace is 14 and hates it. He can’t do any of the things that he would love to do because he is 14. Also, he has the most useless superpower. This superpower is retaining movie information. After he sees a movie, he can tell you everything about it. The only good thing about that is his friend Brooke can also recall corny movie lines. To go along with his superpower, Larkin wants to be a famous director. The only thing that is holding him back is getting a brand new camcorder, a really expensive one at that. His dad won’t give him any money, probably because his dramatic sister gets everything that she wants, so he has to find the money in other ways. His mom helps him get a job helping an older woman around the house. This ends up being an awesome gig for him. He is treated really well, shares his love of movies with her, and gets a little money in the process. She also tries to give him advice on his girlfriend problem. Larkin thinks that Brooke is his girlfriend, but she is asking if he likes someone else. Does she like someone else? She seems to be paying attention to Dalton Cooke, Larkin’s nemesis. Dalton plays pranks on everyone, and is a big jerk, but girls seem to be very attracted to him. With all of this going on, his English teacher is making him chronicle his life in a spiral-bound notebook.
My thoughts:
I liked the mix between comic strips and narrative that went throughout the story, but other than that it was pretty cliché. He has the same issues that a lot of other people have without being that dynamic of a character. Usually when a young adult novel has the same coming of age issues, I am more interested because I have some connection with the character. It does not matter if it is a male character or not, Allen Zadoff usually has me hooked within the first couple of pages within either of his young adult novels. I was wondering if my lack of enthusiasm for the character was based on the partial graphic novel style of the book, but I found that I actually liked him the most in the short comic strips. The short strips are often the funniest part of the book. They are simple drawings, but always very melodramatic. I think that might be why I love them. The melodrama is part of the fun of a young adult novel. Anyways, this was a very quick read (unless you put it down for a few weeks, like I did), and would probably be handy for a reluctant reader. The mix between the graphics and narrative will draw in someone who doesn’t think they like to read. It’s always nice to give pictures to someone who is not into all of those words, plus the actual story is under 200 pages.
3.5-4 out of 5 stars

[Jessica S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Targeted to children or teens that have enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, The Accidental Genius of Weasel High is told using a journal type of format from Larkin's point of view. I say journal, but it's really a written blog assigned by his English teacher to chronicle his life, interests, hobbies, or whatever else he wants to write about. As with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, this book features graphics and cartoons, but in a less appealing way. The graphics and cartoons do not look like something a 9th grade student would draw, but look more like a graphic created on a computer. Although they go along with the story, they tend to be a little cheesy. The story read like an actual story rather than the journal it was supposed to be.



Aside from these two points about the book that I felt were kind of lacking, there were two major flaws that I just couldn't get over. First, and most importantly, I didn't feel like Larkin's character was real. Although he was supposed to be in 9th grade, it seemed like his character would be better suited to be between grades 5th-7th at most. Larkin's words and actions just felt young. I do think if his character would have been written as a younger boy the book would have been more believable and I would have definitely given it a higher rating.



The second major flaw I had with this book is that Larkin believed his best friend Brooke, who happens to be a female, is actually his girlfriend. If Larkin was a younger character, I might be able to imagine how he might think they were boyfriend-girlfriend. Yet, I couldn't really believe that a 9th grader would not understand that there relationship was anything other than friends.



The Accidental Genius of Weasel High did have some humorous parts and explained experiences that readers would be able to relate to in their every day lives. However, the flaws in this book overpowered the more positive aspects of it. If you're looking for a Diary of a Wimpy Kid readlike, a more appropriate recommendation would be The Defense of Thaddeus Ledbetter.

[James Vachowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately drawn to this book after reading the title, which is one of the more interesting ones that I’ve come across. The story is about Larkin Pace, a high school student an amateur filmmaker. “The Accidental Genius” is one of those books where the main character is telling his own story, and writing it down as a long-term diary as part of a school assignment.

This book is probably always going to be compared to “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, because the author includes hilarious cartoons to complement his writing. However, the two books are actually very different. This is mostly because Larkin Pace is a high school kid with high school problems, like dating, school bullies, and exploring a career. The subject matter is a little bit more mature than the “Wimpy Kid” series, but somehow that makes the cartoon illustrations seem even more welcome. The pictures serve to lighten the mood while Larkin discusses the problems and challenges of his life.

The book’s chapters tend to focus on the most memorable events that happened to Larkin, so you really feel like you’re sneaking a peek at someone’s most personal thoughts. I liked how the author didn’t include any dates in each chapter—it almost seems like Larkin started his writing assignment on a regular schedule, but falls out of a routine. He tends to provide his updates after the most impressionable moments occur, which makes this book seem even more like a student project!

One thing I noted in “The Accidental Genius” was that there were no major life-changing events that happened to Larkin. He’s a (mostly) normal kid, with a (mostly) happy family, with a (mostly) normal group of friends. But somehow, following his experiences over the course of a year makes for a really interesting book! This book made me think about all of those times when I’ve been bored in class, or a little uninterested with my own (mostly) normal life. Do you ever feel that way? Have you ever considered that someone else might be interested by what we do?

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny funny book that will be enjoyed by many Wimpy Kid fans. It's written as a "notebook blog", which in practice reads like a diary with lots of pictures. It's similar to Smile by Raina Telegemaier, with more text, from the guy's point of view, and a little edgier.

Larkin faces issues common to the male teen--annoying older sister, a friend who's not very cool, a bully who repeatedly and variously threatens him (and does worse than threaten, especially to his friend), and dreams that seem unreachable, such as a date to the dance with his long-time friend/girlfriend Brooke who now loves the bully, and a career as a world-famous cinematographer.

He's realistic--although he is all around a good guy, he certainly isn't an angel, which makes the book very believable and enjoyable.

Subject matter wise, some parents would raise their eyebrows at certain sections but again I (with my limited knowledge of teen guys) think that there is nothing out of the ordinary in this book.

I would recommend this book to fans of the Wimpy Kid books as well as any reluctant readers who have to read a realistic fiction book for a book report. Since we've shelved it (correctly I think) in YA fiction, it should be a great crossover--readers who enjoy pictures and a fast pace of reading but perhaps have been encouraged to step outside of the graphic novel format will be happy to find this book.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun - felt like Henry Reed, Inc. and the other books in the series, updated for the twenty-first century, and a little consideration for modern high-school crowd. I enjoyed it as an adult, just as a fun coming-of-age slice-of-life story with no major tragedy.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this book on an impulse while I was trying out my library’s e-book collection, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. I quite enjoyed it and I think it will appeal to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. It’s similar in that it has cartoons mixed in with the text, and the main character is a somewhat unpopular fourteen-year-old boy.

Larkin Pace has plans to be a famous film director, and he has the entertaining but largely useless talent of remembering both facts about and large chunks of dialogue from all of the many movies he’s seen. He desperately wants a camcorder, but his father insists that he earn the money to pay for it. Larkin looks for ways to earn the money, while also trying to win back his girlfriend/best friend from the bully who torments him.

The Accidental Genius of Weasel High was written by Rick Detorie, creator of the “One Big Happy” comic strip, which was one of my favorites as a kid. I hadn’t realized that until I started reading and recognized the drawing style, so that was an unexpected bonus. I liked all of the characters and thought they were very realistic, and I really appreciated the ending as well. It’s a quick read and a humorous one as well, recommended for fans of realistic fiction and teen boys, especially.

http://wp.me/pv3iF-5d

[Raina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light, realistic, boy fare.


Some random, disconnected thoughts...

--I wish Detorie'd emphasized the Genius part of the title a bit more. The term "Accidental Genius" is defined in the first page or so, and then it's sort of referred back to, but don't expect a lot of plot from the title.

--I liked the use of sequential art, though sometimes it wasn't all that sequential, and some of the illustrations didn't necessarily add anything to the text. But they don't detract, and they do make the page seem a little more accessible, so maybe that's purpose enough.

--I wanted the sister to be redeemed at some point. She's flatout annoying all the way up to the end. Of course, since the whole thing is setup as a journal by the kid, it makes sense that the sister would stay villainized. Using an unreliable narrator in books like this (semi-light, sort of silly) is a delicate thing. How heightened do you make it?

--The story started out really strong (it even made me laugh out loud a few times), and became more and more predictable towards the end.

--I enjoyed the semi-rural/semi-suburban setting, and there were some nice parental moments (though the characters weren't entirely consistent).

--It's very episodic.

The end.

[Irene Swenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Larkin Pace is a genius, but no one else has any idea - mostly. Except for his friend Brooke, Larkin is basically a social outcast - especially after the whole 'Vendetta' incident. He's saving up for his dream possession - an expensive camcorder to help launch his brilliant plan to become a big-letter movie director. Larkin can recite entire scenes of script from old movies, which helps his cause. However, his stingy dad won't lend him any money, so he gets stuck working for an old lady. His grand friend list now does not include Brooke, who stuns him and breaks his heart, and it certainly doesn't include Dallas Cooke, the bully who torments him any time he can. But the Buddies (the Paces' 16 dogs who all respond to 'Buddy')are always there, so he doesn't need anyone but them and Freddie, who won't even say 'Larkin' aloud . . . . right? Even his sister detests him! If only she didn't get everything she wants! Larkin learns a lot about himself in this book, as well as his family and friends. If you liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you'll like this book, too! It's a great. realistic-seeming book and it has a good amount of suspense.

[Jodi P · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Accidental Genius of Weasel High is a current Teen Nutmeg Nominee which means one thing - I had to read it. It was actually one of the last of the 10 that I read because I just didn't think I would like it. This is a huge lesson in not judging a book by its cover because I really liked it! Larkin was a great character/narrator. His adventures and mishaps throughout his freshman year of high school had me experiencing all the emotions with him - and mostly, they were enjoyable and funny.
Larkin is such a relatable character because he goes through so many things that a typical high schooler goes through - realizing your crush doesn't like you back, dealing with a bully, annoying older sisters, etc. This book reminded me a lot of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books only Larkin isn't as obnoxious as Greg Heffley.
This was such a quick read with lots of funny cartoons throughout. It's an easy one to recommend to older and younger YA readers although it will probably appeal more to middle schoolers.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it may be targeted to the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" age groups, this book would probably be enjoyed by almost anyone who likes the author's "One Big Happy" daily newspaper comic strip. This story reminds me more of Sue Townsend's "Adrian Mole Diaries" and Dan Elish's "Born Too Short" than the Wimpy Kid series. There were some things that I had a problem with 1)The parents were unrealistically indulgent of the main character's older sister. I grew up in a multiple child household (a middle child) and can say parents generally expect more from the oldest. 2)While I didn't necessarily expect Brooke to fall in love with Larkin (even though he apparently did), the way her boyfriend Dalton treated Larkin and others should have caused her to regard him(Dalton)as the total jerk that he was, not make excuses for him. 3)The book ended abruptly without a satisfying conclusion. Is the reason for this is to produce a sequel? If so, it worked as I would definitely like to see what happens next.

[Bristol Public Library System · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Accidental Genius of Weasel High is a 2013 Teen Nutmeg Nominee which means one thing - I had to read it. It was actually one of the last of the 10 that I read because I just didn't think I would like it. This is a huge lesson in not judging a book by its cover because I really liked it! Larkin was a great character/narrator. His adventures and mishaps throughout his freshman year of high school had me experiencing all the emotions with him - and mostly, they were enjoyable and funny.
Larkin is such a relatable character because he goes through so many things that a typical high schooler goes through - realizing your crush doesn't like you back, dealing with a bully, annoying older sisters, etc. This book reminded me a lot of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books only Larkin isn't as obnoxious as Greg Heffley.
This was such a quick read with lots of funny cartoons throughout. It's an easy one to recommend to older and younger YA readers although it will probably appeal more to middle schoolers.

[Ingrid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, I feel sorry for fourteen year olds. And fifteen year olds. Bad years, those. Chin up though, it gets better.

Secondly, I kind of wish I could quote whole movies- old and new. That's what Larkin does. It's his accidental genius. He has memorized hundreds of movie plots, quotes, actors, and directors. When it comes to movies, he knows almost everything. Sadly, off all the powers one could have, it's kind of pointless and worthless. Not the sort of thing to impress your high school. (Though, honestly, I'm kind of impressed. I think having the ability to quote things is sweet.)

The story of Larkin's first high school year is basically that classic pre-teen book that's kind of sweet, humorous, and dull at different points. Larkin's typically quirky and kind of an underdog. There's really nothing out of the ordinary or new in this book. Except maybe the little cartoon pictures, but even they aren't all that unique.

Is it so wrong for me to want to read something that hasn't been done before? I want some new meat! Badly.

[Laina SpareTime]

2020 note: Review originally posted in 2014. May contain statements I no longer agree with.

The tagline of this describes it as "A book for the wimpy kid who has grown into a wimpy teen." I have only read part of one of the Wimpy Kid books* while I was baby-sitting, but what I remember of the book, I tend to agree that they're both for the same kind of audience. A lot of reluctant readers would probably snap this up. And while it's definitely a higher reading level than the Wimpy Kid books, it's a lower-end YA in my opinion. Like I might actually have put it at upper-MG myself and I think it really rides that line, so it would be a great transition book. There's enough text that it would challenge a reluctant reader, but enough illustrations that it might be less overwhelming. It's a good balance. Read the rest on my blog.

[Christianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Draft BAYA review

Detorie has made an entry into the growing list of novel-comic book hybrids with this peek into the journal of high school freshman Larkin Pace. While fulfilling an English class writing assignment, Larkin tells us the story of the second half of the school year. He deals with many of the usual teens dramas: the school bully, a lost love, the ups and downs of friendship, and a mean older sister. He also has a special wish: to buy a camcorder and start his film making career.

Larkin is honest, smart, funny, and kind, a good role model for any tween or teen boy. The book is completely clean, making it readable for ages 10 and up. With its great drawings and short paragraphs, this is a great book for that tween boy looking for something that reminds him of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." Unfortunately, that same boy may find this story a bit slow at times and be disappointed that many of the storylines are left open at the end.

[BAYA Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detorie has made an entry into the growing list of novel-comic book hybrids with this peek into the journal of high school freshman Larkin Pace. While fulfilling an English class writing assignment, Larkin tells us the story of the second half of the school year. He deals with many of the usual teens dramas: the school bully, a lost love, the ups and downs of friendship, and a mean older sister. He also has a special wish: to buy a camcorder and start his film making career.

Larkin is honest, smart, funny, and kind, a good role model for any tween or teen boy. The book is completely clean, making it readable for ages 10 and up. With its great drawings and short paragraphs, this is a great book for that tween boy looking for something that reminds him of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." Unfortunately, that same boy may find this story a bit slow at times and be disappointed that many of the storylines are left open at the end.

[Nicole Dreibelbeis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure how I feel about this one. It was enjoyable and easy to read, but I am not sure who the intended audience is. The blurb on the back says "A book for the wimpy kid who has grown into a wimpy teen" but although the protagonist is a couple years older than Greg Heffley, I don't think it holds much teen appeal. It is sweeter than Wimpy Kid, and I did not think it was nearly as funny. Also, some of the plots are just left dangling...for example the issues that Larkin has with his Dad are never really resolved, and we don't find out what caused them to grow apart either.

The other thing is that although the comics illustrated the story, I really didn't feel like they added another dimension or that they were essential to the story. I felt more like it was a strategy employed to capitalize on the success of books like Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great afternoon read that appeals to both boys and girls. Not a true graphic novel, more of a Diary of A Wimpy Kid with real art, this story chronicles the year in the life of a teen who hates being fourteen. Any child would be able to relate to the feeling of isolation, frustration, irritation, and bewilderment that Larkin communicates in his personal blog with humor and a deft eye to middle school life. The authentic voice and ringing endorsement by comic artists Richard Thompson (Cul de Sac) and Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine), should be enough to make people realize this is a book that teens will read and enjoy. There is even a series of book club questions in the back. If you don't think this book is serious think again, it actually gives the reader a lot to consider and ponder in this coming of age story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written from the perspective of 14 year old Larkin Pace and the novel is actually his notebook entries that he writes for his homework assignment. He is honest about how he feels, his thoughts are random at times and I laughed when reading many of the entries.

Some of the issues he deals with are trying to save enough money to buy a camcorder that he'd need to become a famous film director/maker, taking his relationship with Brooke, a girl who he believes is already his girlfriend but really isn't to the next level, putting up with his sister Kelly and the bully at school Dalton who both bullies Larkin, and trying to get his close friend Freddie to acknowledge Larkin by his name!

I highly recommend this novel to those who want an easy and funny read.

[Allie]

The Accidental Genius of Weasel High is a realistic fiction book by Rick Detorie. The main character, Larkin, faces various problems throughout the story. As it turns out, his best friend isn't who he thought she was, and Larkin's sister is a dramatic teenager who blames everything on her younger brother. Larkin's main problem, however, is that he needs a camcorder. Larkin needs to save enough money to get himself one, which proves to be more of a problem than he anticipated. If you liked I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President, by Josh Lieb, you will probably like this book.

[Beth Tangarone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Larkin Pace, a film-obsessed high school freshman,records everything he goes through as he tries to collect some money for a new camera to take better videos on,and tries to break out of the friend zone with a girl who has been his best friend since third grade, but he chooses a *cough cough**jerk* over sweet 'ol Larkin. And his mean, annoying, older sister is no help either. She just wants a cat.
Then, after a week, doesn't actually want the cat anymore.
Even after they built a RAmP for the thing.
On the SIDE OF THE HOUSE AND THE ROOF!
{Sorry, it got me super salty about how she treated the cat like a rag doll, then just tossed it away.}

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though kids might enjoy the format of this one, a kids journal enhanced with comics, but a lot of the plot lines never really go anywhere. I guess this makes is realistic, but I thinks kids will be dissatisfied if they make it to the end. This is probably my teacher bias, but I also hate it when students prank and teacher and there are no consequences-especially when it involves a viral video.

[Marla Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was on my son's recommended reading list for jr. high. He cruised through it, so I thought I'd read it when I didn't have a book to read. More than once, I found myself laughing out loud. It's clever and unique. And gave me a glimpse into my teenage boy's brain :) something I need help with at times!

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book, supposedly written as a journal, disappointing. The illustrations are uninspiring, and although the main character, a 14-year old named Larkin, is interesting and fun to hang out with, his supporting cast, particularly his so-called friend Brooke, is insufferable. I'd add this to my library only if there were a demand for it.

[Cory · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lame teen version of Wimpy Kid. It's kind of funny, but there's too much text and not enough drawings. The humor is very PG, the ending is bad, and the romance sucks.

I'd write a longer review, but the book isn't worth it. Buy it for your ten-year-old because your teenager won't care.