Trail-Mix Readers discussion

Please leave your review of Johnny Nothing here. A review on Amazon and.or Goodreads os optional.

This book was definitely written for just/pre-pubescent boys, but my daughter and I read it together, giggling and guffawing the entire way. She is in first grade, but she was engaged and learning throughout the reading. While the story and style are wonderfully silly, there were plenty of teachable moments for this homeschool family. She learned new words, engaged with a different writing style than she's experienced before, and critiqued the ethics of bad decisions that adults often make through the eyes of young Johnny. She even helped me compose this review.

She and I definitely recommend this to kids who haven't found a love of reading and to kids who already have. We agree that this book is definitely worthy of a kids book club or any book club that features family favorites. I expect that this book will be re-read over and over in our family and I went wait to share it with my son when he's a bit older.

I read and reviewed. I'm a little behind the group. :)

Here's my review:
This is an interesting read. It starts out as a narrative that really gives you a snarky view of this poor kid, Johnny Nothing and his dysfunctional family. It easily puts you in the mindset of how Johnny could grow up to be a cynical person, he definitely has the foundation for it.

Soon you get to know the characters first hand and let me tell you they are something. Felicity is that self-centered woman/mother that can't see beyond her and what she needs. I know her! Bill, well he's just that browbeaten, pathetic character. And then there's Johnny. He's that neglected kid that you want to help and you just pray he is going to find a way out of his situation, which had gone from bad to extremely bad. The characters were very well crafted.

This story is a humorous but a bit snarky and cynical look at people, money, family and relationships. It is worth reading, I do recommend it. 4*