Mitzi and Cooper recently read two books by Donna Gephart. Donna is a wonderful writer — her books are filled with humor and heart, and the characters she creates leave lasting impressions long after you’ve reached The End.
Some time ago, I reviewed How to Survive Middle School on this blog, and today I offer Cooper’s opinion:
TOP 6 1/2 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ “HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL”
You should read this book because…..
- You’ll know how to avoid swirlies
- You’ll learn that being famous doesn’t fix everything
- Hammy ROCKS!
- It’s beyond funny — it’s hilarious!
- You can’t survive middle school without friends
- It’s awesome!
But when David and his best friend have a fight, David is lucky enough to make a pretty cool new friend, Sophie—who just (gulp) happens to be a girl. Sophie thinks David’s videos are hilarious, and she starts sending out the links to everyone she knows. Sophie’s friends tell their friends, and before David knows it, thousands of people are viewing his videos—including some of the last people he would have expected.
I read OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN, a novel written by Donna Gephardt.
This book is about a girl named Olivia Bean who loves trivia, and her dream is to be on the kids’ week Jeopardy! show. Here is the synopsis from the back of the book:
Olivia Bean knows trivia. She watches Jeopardy! every night and usually beats at least one of the contestants. If she were better at geography, she would try out for the show’s kids’ week. Not only could she win bundles of money, she’d get to go to the taping in California, where her dad, who left two years ago and who Olivia misses like crazy, lives with his new family.
One day Olivia’s friend-turned-nemesis, Tucker, offers to help her bulk up her geography knowledge. Before Olivia knows it, she’s getting help from all sorts of unexpected sources: her almost-stepdad, superannoying Neil; her genius little brother, Charlie; even her stressed-out mom. Soon she has breezed through the audition rounds and is headed for Hollywood! But will the one person she wants to impress more than anyone else show up to support her?
My favorite character is Olivia Bean, because she is funny, and also nice and smart. My favorite part was when Olivia’s mom’s boyfriend did something really special for her, but I won’t tell what it is because it basically took 20 chapters, aka, the whole book. But it was really nice. I’d recommend this book to people who like fiction and Jeopardy!. You should read this book because it’s really funny, and super awesome!
— Mitzi
Cooper:
1) LOVE your list!
2) Wish everyone would communicate thoughts w/ bullet points or lists.
3) Review more books. You’re AWESOME!
Mitzi:
I love how you tell us about your favorite part, but don’t, and how it’s pretty much the whole book! I’m no good at reviewing other people’s reviews,… but yours made me laugh! I think you’re funny, nice and smart,… oh, like Olivia Bean!
Jen: Sneaky way to get some time to yourself by putting your kids to work! I hope you spent it writing!
Love these reviews! Now I totally have to put these titles on my TBR list =)
Both of those look like fantastic books, and I think Olivia Jean is perfect for my daughter. Thanks for the reviews!
Mitzi and Cooper, thank you for your awesome reviews. Mitzi, glad you liked Olivia Bean and what Neil did for her later in the book. Cooper, I LOVED your 6-1/2 list, especially your 1/2 reason. You are too funny!
Happy reading,
Donna Gephart
I met Donna at my local SCBWI conference. She’s great. She also signed a copy of If Being 12 3/4 Isn’t Bad Enough My Mom is Running For President. Very funny book.