Synopses & Reviews
Derek Fallon discovers all the angst that comes with being twelve—he just wants to feel grown up, but life gets in the way with a series of mishaps that make him look like a baby. He passes out during a worm dissection in science class, falls flat on his face in gym class and gets a fat lip that causes him to lisp all day, and his plans for a monster-truck party turn into a bouncy house disaster. Why isnt being in middle school as great as Derek imagined? Thankfully, with a little help from his friends—and, ironically, a Toys for Tots fundraiser—things seem like they could start shaping up at last. My Life as a Joke by Janet and Jake Tashjian is a Christy Ottaviano Book
Review
Praise for
My Life as a Joke: "Readers will connect with likable Derek and his efforts to improve himself that don't ever go right . . . It's sure to be a hit with fans of the previous installments." -
School Library Journal My Life as a Book:
A 2011 Bank Street Best Children's 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 (Abrams) as well as those looking for a spunky, contemporary boy with a mystery to solve.”—School Library Journal 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 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
Review
andquot;Young robot enthusiasts will surely be amused.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus
and#160;
andquot;A humorous, fast-paced, action-packed science fiction novel.andquot;
andmdash;School Library Journal
Synopsis
Ten-year-old George Gearingand#160;and#160;is a whiz with mechanics, butand#160;it'll take all his talent and the help of hisand#160;friendsand#160;Anne and Jackbot to save the day when all the robots in town go wild. This action-packed adventure launches a fun, futuristic newand#160;series for middle-grade readers.
Synopsis
Worker robots keep the high-tech town of Terabyte Heights humming, but ten-year-old George Gearing is the only one who has a robot for a best friend. When his scrappy but beloved pal Jackbot is hit by a car, the whiz kid re-engineers him with fancy parts from state-of-the-art TinkerTech Laboratories. Jackbotand#8217;s astounding new skills far exceed anything Georgeand#8212;or even TinkerTechand#8217;s head of roboticsand#8212;could ever have imagined. Will the villainous Dr. Micron destroy the whole town to see his tech-driven dream realized? Not if George can help it . . .
About the Author
C. J. Richards has loved tinkering with gadgets since he was a little boy. He remembers fondly the time he accidentally blew up his fatherand#8217;s radio after some experimental rewiring. Mr. Richards lives with his wife, his cat, and his eight televisions.
Goro Fujita has been fascinated by drawing since childhood. He was born in Japan and moved with his family to Germany when he was three years old. He now lives in California, where he works as an illustrator and visual development artist on feature films and TV commercials.