Better Than Weird

by Anna Kerz

In this stand-alone sequel to The Mealworm Diaries , Aaron is anxiously waiting for his father to return for the first time since Aaron's mother's death eight years earlier. Aaron works hard with a counselor at school, but he still has problems getting along with and understanding other kids, and he's worried that his dad will think he's weird. As well as having to confront Tufan, the class bully, Aaron must find ways to cope with the fact that his dad now has a pregnant wife and his beloved Gran needs surgery. In the end, his greatest strength is not his intelligence or his sense of humor, but the openness and warmth of his heart.

Genres: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Canada, Childrens, Middle Grade, School, Family

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

Reviews

[Donna Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is weird? The actual definitions range anywhere from suggesting something supernatural or uncanny to strange or unusual. So why is weird bad? That is the interesting part about bullying, it’s so subjective. The bully gets to decide when a person is weird or different and then gets to decide that’s it’s somehow bad or wrong then they get to harm that person. Wow, judge, jury and executioner. What power.

I read all kinds of books, to say my tastes are eclectic would be an understatement. Some books I read thinking of my son. I like to know if a book, movie, TV series, etc. might be useful, fun, relevant or too mature, scary, etc. Like the main character, Aaron in this book, Better Than Weird my son is on the Autism Spectrum. Another common thread, this book depicts the bullying of a special needs child, a story I know all too well. Bullying is even more common among children with special needs.

This book is well-written, insightful, sincere, if at times a tad simplistic in regards to bullying resolutions. I understand, people want to believe bullying can be fixed. Unfortunately society celebrates bullying. It’s embedded in our culture. We need to stop watching it, buying it, electing it, and we need to stop promoting bullying as cool. Only then will bullying slow down. We need to value people, not drama.

In this way I think this book was excellent. It was clear that bullying was not cool and highlighted how bullying hurt others. The book interested me enough that I searched out and read the first book in the series, The Mealworm Diaries. It’s the story of Jeremy and how he met Aaron (Better Than Weird). Also well written. Both are connected, but can undoubtedly be read as stand alones. The author gives us a depth of empathy and softness while still clearly outlining the challenges children face. Kerz leads us through life’s obstacles and triumphs through the eyes of children.

I would recommend these books for children, but also for adults who want to try to understand children, especially children on the Autism Spectrum.

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This stand alone sequel to "Mealworm Diaries" is actually deserving of a 3.5 and not a 3. I read the previous book and liked it, but I think that this is actually a stronger book. Aaron, a character from "Mealworm Diaries" is the feature of this story, and while it doesn't explicitly state it in the text, he has some kind of Autism Spectrum Disorder. He's extremely self-aware, and he knows that he comes off being weird, but despite his quirks, he's got a big heart and always means well, which makes him an interesting and compelling character to read about.

[Claire Froehlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for a family or even a 13year old. It showes how bullying effects and scared and what ot is like growing up with no parents just you and your garandma. But this kid is happy with what life the world has gaven him and he turned it into something humble. I just think the author could have do a better job on the ending, but i recomend this book BIG TIME!!!

[Shymaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!! I would rate this book 100/100. I really liked how the characters they looked so real. My favourite part is when Aaron gets bulled and this whole adventure starts. Aaron is like the weird guy but to my he is pretty normal.

[Abby Bauernfeind · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author takes a real and inspired approach to acknowledging the struggles of children who are made fun of at school, experience problems at home. Kerz tackles the stigma surrounding students who are unable to change who they are as innate learners. He does this not by directly referring to the Aaron’s issues, but rather shedding light on them by describing Aaron’s journey to realize his value. The silent transition that Aaron makes in the story is powerful as it highlights the issues that bullying and family problems contribute and give the reader an opportunity to empathize with Aaron on multiple levels. If the reader cannot empathize with Aaron’ story of abandonment, they can perhaps relate to his struggle with bullies or struggle with following social norms. The author allows many opportunities for connection between the reader and the story which makes this story one of power.
There are few weaknesses that can be identified with this story. The only issue that could arise with young readers is identifying what is “wrong” with Aaron (how his father describes him) and having a productive conversation. Readers may be put off by how Aaron’s father labels his son and this should be addressed as it plays a role in Aaron’s story that should be further discussed in a classroom setting to further empathetic responses.

[Makayla Robles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Better than Weird is a sequel to the Mealworm Diaries, this book is great all by itself! This story is about a boy named Aaron who has a hard time understanding social interactions. He’s often picked on for being too weird at school, and while he waits for his father’s arrival after not seeing him for eight years, Aaron starts to think that he may be too weird for his father too. It was never fully stated, but there were many hints given that Aaron has Autism. Kerz does a phenomenal job of developing Aaron’s character and gives a tremendous amount of detail throughout the story. From pointing out things that people normally don’t pay attention to, to exactly what Aaron is thinking at all times, readers are able to connect to Aaron and understand his small set backs in his every day life.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aaron is a middle-school boy with an undisclosed disability, and as a result, he gets bullied at school by Tufan. Aaron has trouble sitting still, blurts out comments in class when he is supposed to be quiet, and struggles to process figurative language. When he gets anxious, he runs to hide in a closet, and at unusual times, he laughs hysterically like a hyena, much to the irritation of his classmates and a particular teacher. Aaron's dad deserted Aaron eight years ago after Aaron's mother died, so Aaron lives with his Gran. Gran is now sick and needs surgery, so Aaron's dad unexpectedly reenters Aaron's life. Although I found this book predictable, my sixth-grade students enjoyed reading it as part of social issues book clubs. Best for 5th and 6th grade.

[Jassim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm telling you right now that you should buy this book. there's no way that you won't enjoy the book.
if you're close to Aarons age then you will find this book really relatable. people call Aaron (the main character) weird, but to me, he's not weird at all. as I said earlier he is relatable so that's why some of the stuff he does isn't weird to me. its affordable, fun, and many people have enjoyed this book, try it for yourself and you will for sure like it.

[Jess. N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better then weird was an ok book, I didn't hate but I didn't love it at the same time. It talks about this kid who gets bullied at school , not my type of book. I like history and historical fiction . to me there wasn't enough action, it was too boring in my opinion.

[Zidaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was very good the part when tyler said he was fat was very mean

[Tim Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s Anna kerz. It’s setting is modern day Toronto, Ontario. The genre’s realistic fiction.

Aaron's mom died when Aaron was a baby. Aaron's dad left Aaron with his gran soon after the death. Aaron also has a disability. Aaron is in grade 6. He has one friend named Jeremy. Because he is different and makes a lot of mistakes, he is bullied by one classmate and is called names like “Loser” by several. One day Aaron makes a mistake so big that Jeremy stops being his friend. Will they become friends again? The kid who's bullying Aaron is so mean to him he terrifies him and Aaron brakes his arm. Will Aaron be able to stand up to his bully? When Aaron's dad comes back with a surprise how will it affect Aarons life, and will his dad think Aaron’s too weird? Will Aaron's dad stay? You’ll only know by reading the book!

The author puts tough questions in the book that make the readers think. One example is: Why Aaron’s dad didn’t come back for so many years. On page 190 Aaron asks his dad’s new wife: “‘How come my dad stayed away so long? How come he didn't come back before?”’ Aaron’s question didn’t get answered at that point in the story.

We think that the main character seems like a real kid with a disability. We also know that bullies are often mean to people because something bad is going on in there life, and this is certainly the case with the bully, Tufan.

We didn’t like Aaron's dad because he abandoned Aaron when he was very little. We liked how Aaron got better at understanding people and standing up for himself throughout the book.

We think that the book is realistic fiction because the characters are pretty believable and because the things that happen in the book could happen in real life. For example; a kid who is bullied because he/she is different is something that does happen in schools on a regular basis.

Symbolism On page 177 Aaron was at Jeremy's house and Jeremy was watching a movie. On the movie an annoying sloth was blabbing to a Mammoth and a Saber Tooth Tiger. Because of the sloths gabbing the 2 bigger creatures rolled their eyes, a sign that they were annoyed. Both Aaron and the sloth talk a lot and sometimes annoy people by accident. The sloth in the movie symbolizes how Aaron acts with little help from peers, but if Aaron get the help from peers he needs he’ll probably get better at understanding when to stop talking.

We think that one major theme in this novel is escaping, and that all people have different strengths and weaknesses. And that you should not judge people by their difficulties, instead you should help them improve their weakness, maybe they will help you to improve yours. The book is called Better Than Weird which means that Aaron's not “Weird” he just has different weaknesses than his peers. Aaron’s not Accepted by the kids in his class, but Jeremy befriends Aaron instead of treating him like an outsider. Jeremy knows that Aaron is smart and instead of making fun of Aaron helps him overcome them.

We think the book really makes you feel empathy for the character. However, the author made some decisions regarding the ending that I wouldn't have made. Two members of our group liked the suspense in the book. One member liked that you can clearly picture the events, and one member liked how Aaron improves his people skills throughout the book.

We think this book would be good for any good reader who likes realistic fiction, and is not an adult because the language is more suited for kids.

[Hannah Fry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a young boy named Aaron, who has some form of Autism. It is not stated outright that Aaron suffers from autism. However, readers familiar with the disorder can assume that based on the details share in the book. Aaron’s mother passed away when he was just a baby and his father left him to be raised by his grandmother. Years later, Aaron’s father returns, bringing along his pregnant new wife. This is the first time Aaron has seen his father since he left, and Aaron’s first time meeting his new stepmother. Aaron battles his impulsive behavior throughout the book and is very self-aware. As he awaits his father’s visit, Aaron worries that his father will think that he is weird, and he therefore spends much of his time being concerned with and trying to control his behavior. Aaron also deals with rocky friendship, a bully named Tufan, and his desire to sing in the school Christmas concert despite the fact that many people, including his teachers doubt his abilities. Throughout the story, Aaron works with a school counselor to learn how to act in social situations and have more control over his own behavior. The reader learns that despite his disability, Aaron has an open and caring heart and a desire to be loved and accepted.
In the classroom, this book could be used to help students gain a better understanding of autism and other mental disabilities, and how these disabilities affect those who live with them. Some students in schools today have similar conditions to Aaron, and by reading Aaron's story, these students can find comfort in feeling like they are not alone. Additionally, students who do not personally live with autism can better understand their peers through this book. I think that this story would do an excellent job of teaching students how to be more accepting and understanding of one another.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

Aaron (a character we met in Anna Kerz’s first book, The Mealworm Diaries) is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his father whom he has not seen in eight years. Waiting is hard for Aaron — as is sitting still, staying on task and reading people’s moods. Karen, the school counsellor, is working with Aaron to teach him how to read people’s faces and act more appropriately. When Aaron and Tufan, the class bully, are assigned the task of introducing the school concert, Aaron is desperate to make his dad proud. When his dad finally arrives, he has a surprise for Aaron. He introduces him to his new wife, Sophie, and Aaron learns that he is about to become a big brother. But his dad is not always patient, and Aaron discovers that making his dad proud may be harder than he’d thought.

Regardless of how impulsive and impatient Aaron appears to others, Anna Kerz manages to create an endearing protagonist whom we want to see succeed. By writing from Aaron’s point of view, Kerz helps readers understand the daily struggles faced by a child who has always been teased, bullied and chosen last. As hard as Aaron tries to be like everyone else, he can’t always control his behaviour and, when he nearly loses his only friend because of it, we feel deeply for him. This is a story that all children who have struggled to fit in will appreciate and a tale that will perhaps garner empathy and understanding in those who know children like Aaron. I highly recommend this book for children from the late primary to early intermediate grades.

Reviewed by Sandra O’Brien in Canadian Children's Book News (Summer 2011, Vol. 34, No. 3)

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaron is quite a handful. With his odd laughter and unawareness of social cues and facial expressions, he doesn't fit in well with his classmates. Even his music teacher seems to dislike him and finds excuses for him to avoid singing with the rest of the choir. Still, he does have a friend in Jeremy, who patiently tries to guide him and enjoys spending time with Aaron--at least most of the time. But his weirdness turns off plenty of others and causes one classmate, Tufan, to pick on him in many different ways, even physically threatening the boy. To add to all that is on his plate, Aaron hasn't seen his father in eight years since the man abandoned him with his grandmother after Aaron's mother died. Gran has figured out ways to deal with Aaron, and she clearly loves him despite the challenges his autism presents. (The author never comes out and identifies the fact that he has autism, but it seems clear from the descriptions of his behavior.) Having only spoken briefly to his father during phone calls, Aaron is over the moon because his father is coming to visit--and bringing a surprise. Although the book is a sequel to The Mealworm Diaries, it works just fine on its own, and certainly will evoke some understanding of Aaron and his desperate efforts to fit in and be seen as something other than weird. Readers will be delighted with his eventual, hard-earned success during the concert while also marveling at his resilience against all these odds. thank goodness for the ever-patient Mr. Collins, his teacher who sees potential in the young boy.

[Erika Bowden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is about a boy named Aaron. Aaron is counting down the days until he gets to see his father. It has been eight years since he has seen him. The last time he saw his father was when Aaron’s mother passed away from cancer. Since Aaron lost his mother to cancer he was being raised by his grandmother. Aaron only has had some small phone call conversations and has seen some pictures, those are the few and little memories Aaron has of his father. Overall Aaron is super nervous and super excited to meet his father. As Aaron prepares for his father’s arrival, he starts a list of things he can do with his father. Aaron worries that his own father might consider him weird that might make his father leave again. Aaron has a hard time at school. Classmates always consider him to be the weird one. Aaron goes to school worried every day , because he tries his best to avoid being bully. In school Aaron goes through it worrying about friendship, being able to meet with his counselor, homework and getting good grades. Aaron’s counselor helps him with his life, and all what he has experienced through it. Aaron’s counselor encourages and motivates him to interact with his classmates and other people around him. At the end of the book Aaron discovers that he isn’t weird any more, he is “better than weird”.

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not like other kids, Aaron is weird. He laughs like a hyena and he couldn't understand people's emotion. Now he is waiting for his father to come back, which he hasn't seen in 8 years...but he was afraid that his father would leave him forever. He was also beaten by a bully called Tufan, which he tried to stand up for himself. At the end, he wasn't that weird anymore, but "better than weird".

I picked up this book because when I read the summary at the back of this book, it talks about Aaron being weird. I wanted to learn more about how people are weird and how to help them, like when Karen (the school counsellor) had helped him.

I finished the book because it I wanted to see how things would work out at the end. To be honest, I cried when I was in the middle of this book because it was sad that Aaron is trying to be nice, but he was also being bullied.

I would recommend this book to Stephanie because since she went to another school, this book would teach her to stand up for herself, when being bullied.

[Alyse Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy named Aaron is counting the days down until the arrival of his dad, who he had not seen since his mother past away of cancer eight years ago and was raised by his grandmother ever since. Besides small phone conversations, photographs and a few small memories, Aaron does not know his father at all. He is both excited and terrified by the upcoming reunion. He gets prepared by making a list, detailing everything the both of them can do together and what his father will teach him. However, along the way Aaron also worries that his father might consider him too weird, that he might leave again. Meanwhile at school, Aaron has a few other things to worry about as well. He must avoid the school bully, repair a friendship, meet with his counselor, and of course his homework and grades. When Aarons father finally shows up it doesn’t exactly play out as planned, but after a while Aaron learns to accept himself for who he is and wouldn’t want it any other way.

[Alicia Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on a young boy named Aaron. He finds it difficult to fit in at school because his tendency to distance himself from the other students. Aaron’s father leaves him at a very young age and he keeps hoping that his father will soon come back so that they can do all the fun things that he has planned. Aaron works with a counselor to help him through his life and the events that he is experiencing. Aaron’s counselor encourages and motivates him to interact with others people that he is around, but Aaron is being bullied. The bullying increases Aaron’s fear to interact with others. This book is about accepting your differences and instead of letting them break you down, you turn them into your strengths. This book can help someone who has low self-esteem or has trouble making friends. I think this book can be used to also explain bullying and its effects.

Kerz, A. (2011). Better than weird. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers.

[Brianna Upper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Better than Weird by Anna Kerz is a great book that I would read to my future class. This book shows that everyone is different, each and every one of us have different backgrounds. We don’t know what each of us goes through.

This book did a good job, with explaining bullying and making the reader realize that we are not same and may face troubles at home. This book shows that everyone is different, each and every one of us come from different backgrounds. Aaron faces problems from his classmates for being weird. He got bullied a lot just for being different but they didn’t know what his home life was like.

This book can teach about self-esteem, and the book can help those with low self-esteem. It can help those who have trouble making friends. This book can be used for anti bullying, because this book shows and explains what bullying is and it shows the effects bullying does.

[Deanna Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic fiction, disabilities, bullying, growing up, family

Aaron's mom passed away when he was young and his father couldn't take it any more. Left with his gran to take care of him, Aaron wonders if his father dissappeared because he is weird. Eight years later his father is returning.

Aaron is autistic (the book never tells us) and is bullied by a boy in his class. He has an amazing classroom teacher, but the music teacher is awful towards him. I wanted to punch her out!

Tufan, the bully, tells him he is going to kill him. One day he follows him home on a icy/snowy day and causes him to break his arm. Aaron doesn't reveal that he is being bullied but thankfully, Mrs Evans, the school counselor notices and begins to help both boys.

Beautiful book for grades 4 and higher.

[Ruth Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been nominated for a Diamond Willow award in Saskatchewan. As a teacher-librarian, I read all of the Willow nominees (there are three age groups with thirty books in total). When I read this book, I thought it was O.K. However, I am presently reading it twice a week to a classroom of grade four and five students. They are loving it and so am I. Each chapter ends with some type of cliff hanger. There is lots of humour as well as some sadness. Students are coming to talk to me in the halls and on the playground about the book.

I would highly recommend this book if you want a book to read-aloud to your class. The first in the series is The Mealworm Diaries but you don't need to read it first. We are hoping that Anna Kerz will write a book about Tufan next.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

More admirable than enjoyable. Kerz does such a masterful job of showing us the heart of a boy who is "different" (perhaps on the spectrum but never identified as such) that I wanted to give this book four stars for courage and clarity. But, alas, it needed to be more fun for that rating. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to understand better kids who seem always to be out of step with the world, especially kids who are aware of this and suffer for their insight.

[Grlpwr00 · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far i am rating this book 5/5. I can picture the characters.
In this book autistic character, Aaron is going through some tough times. Whether it is being bullied by tufan or getting told that jermey isn't his friend anymore.

while awiting his fathers arrival aaron breaks his arm and has to get a cast and wwhen he sees somebodys grandma from the class the class bully starts to soften up just a bit,but not much.

[Annie Emmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Aaron, the main character, is autistic. The book does a good job of displaying how individuals with autism have a hard time processing their own emotions, interpreting the emotions of others, and interpreting idiosyncratic phrases and abstract ideas. However, the book is "full of feels" for the reader.

Realistic fiction.

[1403chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is manly centered around a boy named Aaron.(yes two a's crazy right)It's hard for him to fit in at school, because he distances himself most of the time. And he gets bullyed a lot and is scared because the only person who cares for him is his grandma. So I would recomend this book to anyone going through bullying just like Aaron.

[CanadianReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of an asperger/ADHD boy and the challenges he faces at school and at home as he prepares to meet the father he hasn't seen in eight years. Sensitively told but perhaps not enough action to meet the reading needs of its target audience. We all have an "Aaron" in our lives. This book helps us understand a little about what it is like to be him.

[Lyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought it was buetiful

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic, well-written story with some good humorous touches. I can see fans of Jack Gantos's Joey Pigza stories apprecitating this character.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was average. Not really a gripping story, but might appeal to young teens.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasnt that good......