Synopses & Reviews
Derek Fallon struggles with reading, so his mother hires a tutor, John, a student at UCLA. It doesnt take long for Derek and John to bond over games instead of reading. Derek tells his mom hes doing a lot of reading assignments, but what hes actually working on is playing video games. Derek and his gang become obsessed with brainstorming the perfect game, and they lose sight of the big state English test that is fast approaching. Can Derek pull away from his gaming project and catch up in time for the exam? With help from his friends and a strict new reading tutor, he might just get by once again.
Review
Praise for
My Life as a Book:A 2011 Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year
* "Give this to kids who think they dont like reading. It might change their minds." —Booklist, starred review
* "A kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun and more plot." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Sure to engage fans of Jeff Kinneys Diary of a Wimpy Kid books as well as those looking for a spunky, contemporary boy with a mystery to solve." —School Library Journal
Praise for My Life as a Stuntboy:
"Another fun, emotionally resonant read for the Wimpy Kid set and beyond." —Kirkus Reviews
"A fast-moving plot and relatable protagonist make this stand-alone sequel a good choice for boys who, like Derek, would rather reach for a TV remote or game controller than a book." —School Library Journal
"Fans of the first will be utterly delighted by this sequel and anxious to see what Jake will turn up as next." —BCCB
"This is a great package for kids, especially those like Derek who dont think they like to read." —Booklist
Praise for My Life as a Cartoonist
"Cartoonist Derek grapples with a perplexing association between disability and bullying in this stand-alone sequel. . . . This entertaining read leaves some provoking questions unanswered—usefully." —Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
Derek Fallon gets the chance of a lifetime—to participate in a gaming company focus group and to test out a new video game called "Arctic Ninja." Together with his friends Carly, Matt, and Umberto, Derek thinks his gaming talents will be showcased. But he soon realizes that everyone has got him beat, including whiz kid El Cid. On top of that, school reading tests have begun and Derek feels doubly off his game. Isn't there anything he's good at?
About the Author
Janet Tashjian is the author of the popular My Life
series including
My Life as a Book,
My Life as a Stuntboy,
My Life as a Cartoonist, and
My Life as a Joke, as well as the Einstein the Class Hamster series, illustrated by her son,
Jake Tashjian. Jake and Janet live in Studio City, California.janettashjian.com