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Middle School Misadventures #1
Middle School Misadventures
In Jason Platt's debut graphic novel, Ferris Bueller meets Calvin and Hobbes in this hilarious and embarrassing middle school caper that asks the important questions--like how long can one kid vamp before he embarrasses himself in front of his whole school?
Newell is always getting into trouble--whether it's showing up tardy for most of the year, or mocking his teachers while authoritarian Mr. Todd is standing right behind him. When disaster strikes and Newell finds himself on track to summer school, he's given one last minute option to get out of it--participating in the upcoming Talent Show. The only problem is that he doesn't technically have a talent to show. Yikes.
In this fun and imaginative full-color graphic novel, Jason Platt sends a fast-talking, daydreaming, middle school kid on a desperate quest to pull off a great show and save his summer.
This title will be simultaneously available in hardcover.
Newell is always getting into trouble--whether it's showing up tardy for most of the year, or mocking his teachers while authoritarian Mr. Todd is standing right behind him. When disaster strikes and Newell finds himself on track to summer school, he's given one last minute option to get out of it--participating in the upcoming Talent Show. The only problem is that he doesn't technically have a talent to show. Yikes.
In this fun and imaginative full-color graphic novel, Jason Platt sends a fast-talking, daydreaming, middle school kid on a desperate quest to pull off a great show and save his summer.
This title will be simultaneously available in hardcover.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 23, 2019
This whole thing was just kinda flawed for me. The talent show is going to be put on in three days? The principal is super vindictive and summer school is used as punishment not to further education or assist those who need extra help? The dad is just fine with all of this and never speaks to the principal? The art style was fine, but the story was just kinda ridiculous such that I stopped caring what happened to any of the characters.
April 15, 2019
Great comic! Reminds me a of a combination of Big Ned and Calvin and Hobbes
June 5, 2019
The problem with basing your style so heavily off of someone else is that I just keep thinking... we’ll, this isn’t as good as Calvin and Hobbs.
September 22, 2019
The illustrations were great but I just couldn’t get into the story. The colorful, brilliant illustrations really jumped off the pages and I really thought this graphic novel was going to be a hit. It was the story itself that just didn’t make any sense to me as I read it but I continued reading it, as I liked the illustrations.
Let’s begin with the story and then, end this review on a positive note, the illustrations. The story was about a middle-schooler Newell who is signed up for his school’s first talent show. Newell spends countless hours trying to come up with a talent that he can showcase and its really painful, as he can’t find anything.
Why doesn’t he just cross his name off the list? If he doesn’t perform, he’ll have to attend summer school. Yes, I found this weird. The principal is offering the students the opportunity to exchange the academics of summer school or the punishment of detention, if they perform in this show. Newell was scheduled for Summer School, so he’s excited to do something/anything for this show but he needs to find something worthy.
The book is funny and sometimes, I thought, just a bit on the weird side. I wanted Newell to just move on, perhaps experiment with something(s) and let’s see how he does instead of just talking/thinking about it.
The illustrations are action-packed and tell a great deal of the story. A variety of text fonts add a great deal to the action. The colors are vivid and the rich in detail and burst from the page.
I feel there’s a lot of talent here and I would like to see what else this author can provide to us readers in the future.
Let’s begin with the story and then, end this review on a positive note, the illustrations. The story was about a middle-schooler Newell who is signed up for his school’s first talent show. Newell spends countless hours trying to come up with a talent that he can showcase and its really painful, as he can’t find anything.
Why doesn’t he just cross his name off the list? If he doesn’t perform, he’ll have to attend summer school. Yes, I found this weird. The principal is offering the students the opportunity to exchange the academics of summer school or the punishment of detention, if they perform in this show. Newell was scheduled for Summer School, so he’s excited to do something/anything for this show but he needs to find something worthy.
The book is funny and sometimes, I thought, just a bit on the weird side. I wanted Newell to just move on, perhaps experiment with something(s) and let’s see how he does instead of just talking/thinking about it.
The illustrations are action-packed and tell a great deal of the story. A variety of text fonts add a great deal to the action. The colors are vivid and the rich in detail and burst from the page.
I feel there’s a lot of talent here and I would like to see what else this author can provide to us readers in the future.
April 17, 2019
I really like the art in this - bright and colorful, with a style that's similar to Calvin and Hobbes. It's clear that Platt took his time with each panel (which doesn't always seem to be the case with graphic novels). Readers need to be willing to accept some absurdities from the very beginning to the premise of the book (the late-for-school/summer school/talent show scenario probably wouldn't really happen). But overall, this is an entertaining and well-done addition to the much-needed genre of middle-school graphic novels.
(Full disclosure: I'm friends with the author's wife from our college days.)
(Full disclosure: I'm friends with the author's wife from our college days.)
October 11, 2022
Ok piirrosjälki, tosin ehkä hieman persoonaton. Vaikeasti luettava ja hiukan tympeä fontti. Juoni ei kerää omaperäisyyspisteitä (Poika joutuu koulussa rehtorin kanssa vaikeuksiin häröilyn takia ja pelastukseksi kehitetään kykykilpailu. Tarinan loppuratkaisukin on hiukka köpöinen ja pää saadaan silmukasta vähän heppoisesti. Ja jutussa on sellaista amerikkaa joka auennee huonosti suomen kasvavalle nuorisolle (eikä ainakaan minua hetkauttanut) kuten maksulliset koululounaat hirveä kohellus, ärsyttävä tyttö ja lippulaulun kajauttaminen porukalla kykykilpailussa tunnelman nostattamiseksi. Ei vuoden parhaiden listalle.
May 5, 2019
It's hard to talk about a book when you know the author. I've been reading his work for years now and am so glad that he has a book contract. The story is fun and the artwork is beautiful. Newell is a wonderful character and I can't wait to see what he gets up to next.
March 6, 2020
I read this in about an hour at work. It’s a middle grade graphic novel. The artwork seemed very similar to others and was well done. I enjoyed the story but it did seem very wordy. When it gets to be that much it seems like it should be a novel instead. Still a cute graphic novel in the end!
September 26, 2019
Somewhat similar to the graphic novel
Click but this one had great quirky characters- Newell and his friends are fantastic and very relatable!
Click but this one had great quirky characters- Newell and his friends are fantastic and very relatable!
August 10, 2022
Cute and very silly. Would be a good read for middle school boys.
March 8, 2020
**𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕤 𝕤𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕣**
Choice book #3 Quarter 3
Middle School Misadventures is written by Jason Platt and is a fiction book.
The story takes place in a town near Garfield Middle School.
The main character in the book is Newell. He can sometimes be forgetful. Newell's best friend is Collin. Newell's nemesis is Clara. He likes eating pancakes with his dad. I think that Newell is a dynamic character because he learns that the talent show is not bad.
The main problem in the book is that Newell gets into trouble at his school and when summer rolls around he will have to go to summer school because he spilled spaghetti on his principal. But he has a chance not to. Newell has to participate in the school talent show to get out of going to summer school, but he does not have a talent. He has no idea what to do! The problem is person vs person because he got himself in trouble and can't find a talent to showcase.
The author believes that people can overcome a challenge even if they think it is impossible.
1. Newell decided to sign up for the talent show even though he does not want to because the principal really likes the talent show.
2. Newell worked really hard to find a talent to showcase by trying different things that he was not good at.
3. He put together an act that made everyone happy including the principal.
I enjoyed the book because it was funny. My favorite part of the book was when Clara signed him up for the talent show as a penguin in a tutu. The book felt complete because Newell was able to perform his act for the talent show.
Choice book #3 Quarter 3
Middle School Misadventures is written by Jason Platt and is a fiction book.
The story takes place in a town near Garfield Middle School.
The main character in the book is Newell. He can sometimes be forgetful. Newell's best friend is Collin. Newell's nemesis is Clara. He likes eating pancakes with his dad. I think that Newell is a dynamic character because he learns that the talent show is not bad.
The main problem in the book is that Newell gets into trouble at his school and when summer rolls around he will have to go to summer school because he spilled spaghetti on his principal. But he has a chance not to. Newell has to participate in the school talent show to get out of going to summer school, but he does not have a talent. He has no idea what to do! The problem is person vs person because he got himself in trouble and can't find a talent to showcase.
The author believes that people can overcome a challenge even if they think it is impossible.
1. Newell decided to sign up for the talent show even though he does not want to because the principal really likes the talent show.
2. Newell worked really hard to find a talent to showcase by trying different things that he was not good at.
3. He put together an act that made everyone happy including the principal.
I enjoyed the book because it was funny. My favorite part of the book was when Clara signed him up for the talent show as a penguin in a tutu. The book felt complete because Newell was able to perform his act for the talent show.
March 1, 2020
Middle School Misadventures follows the unintentional troublemaker Newell as he scrambles frantically for a way to get out of going to summer school.
Newell is a great main character for this story. He’s kind, funny, and imaginative. He is such a dynamic, idiosyncratic character. Every laughable thing that happens to him is only something that would happen to a kid like Newell. And when he breaks the fourth wall and addresses the reader it just adds to his charm.
He has a great relationship with his dad and his best friend, Collin. When you read about Newell’s dad, you immediately see where Newell gets some of his eccentric behaviors. I like that Collin is the voice of reason in his friendship with Newell. It’s a good contrast to have paired with. They even have an epic handshake.
The principle, Mr. Dodd, and subsequent arch enemy of Newell kind of reminds me of the really too-nice teacher, Mr. Simmons, from the Nickelodeon show Hey Arnold!. Actually, the characters in Middle School Misadventures remind me of the quirky kids in Hey Arnold! and I love that.
Middle School Misadventures is an oddly amazing book to read.
Newell is a great main character for this story. He’s kind, funny, and imaginative. He is such a dynamic, idiosyncratic character. Every laughable thing that happens to him is only something that would happen to a kid like Newell. And when he breaks the fourth wall and addresses the reader it just adds to his charm.
He has a great relationship with his dad and his best friend, Collin. When you read about Newell’s dad, you immediately see where Newell gets some of his eccentric behaviors. I like that Collin is the voice of reason in his friendship with Newell. It’s a good contrast to have paired with. They even have an epic handshake.
The principle, Mr. Dodd, and subsequent arch enemy of Newell kind of reminds me of the really too-nice teacher, Mr. Simmons, from the Nickelodeon show Hey Arnold!. Actually, the characters in Middle School Misadventures remind me of the quirky kids in Hey Arnold! and I love that.
Middle School Misadventures is an oddly amazing book to read.
October 11, 2022
Ihan jees.
Kivaa että tulee välillä nuortensarjakuvaa poikapäähenkilöllä. Perussähläripäähenkilö asuu ilmeisesti kaksin mukavan isänsä kanssa. Kavereitakin riittää vaikka yksi koulun tytöistä koettaa haastaa riitaa joka käänteessä. Koulun rakkausasiantuntijan mukaan mukaan ilmassa on ihastusta, mutta kirjan päähenkilö ei ehkä vielä ole kunnolla kärryillä näissä tyttöjutuissa, vaikka ilmeisesti sitäkin sorttia on tulossa, mikäli sarjan kääntämistä jatketaan. Toivottavasti, sillä kolme osaa näyttäisi olevan jo valmiina, ja uskon että näille tämäntyyppisille "kirjoille" olisi nyt tilausta.
Kicva kuvitus ja aika paljon luettavaa sekä puhekuplissa, että kuvissa kuplien ulkopuolella. Tarina nyt ei nerokkuudellaan huikaise, mutta tarvitseeko aina? Myyvää kevyttä viihdettä saisi olla nuortenkirjallisuudessa/sarjakuvassa mielestäni olla enemmänkinkin.
Vinkkaisin nelos-, vitos-, ja kutosluokkalaisille, mutta hyllyvälissä tätä voi kyllä hyvin suositella nuoremmille ja vanhemmillekin lukijoilla. Neropatin lukijat voisivat olla täsmäkohderyhmää.
Itse ajattelin koeluettaa tämän huomenna meidän ysiluokkalaisella tet-pojalla, jotta kuulen osuinko arviossani oikeaan suuntaan.
Kivaa että tulee välillä nuortensarjakuvaa poikapäähenkilöllä. Perussähläripäähenkilö asuu ilmeisesti kaksin mukavan isänsä kanssa. Kavereitakin riittää vaikka yksi koulun tytöistä koettaa haastaa riitaa joka käänteessä. Koulun rakkausasiantuntijan mukaan mukaan ilmassa on ihastusta, mutta kirjan päähenkilö ei ehkä vielä ole kunnolla kärryillä näissä tyttöjutuissa, vaikka ilmeisesti sitäkin sorttia on tulossa, mikäli sarjan kääntämistä jatketaan. Toivottavasti, sillä kolme osaa näyttäisi olevan jo valmiina, ja uskon että näille tämäntyyppisille "kirjoille" olisi nyt tilausta.
Kicva kuvitus ja aika paljon luettavaa sekä puhekuplissa, että kuvissa kuplien ulkopuolella. Tarina nyt ei nerokkuudellaan huikaise, mutta tarvitseeko aina? Myyvää kevyttä viihdettä saisi olla nuortenkirjallisuudessa/sarjakuvassa mielestäni olla enemmänkinkin.
Vinkkaisin nelos-, vitos-, ja kutosluokkalaisille, mutta hyllyvälissä tätä voi kyllä hyvin suositella nuoremmille ja vanhemmillekin lukijoilla. Neropatin lukijat voisivat olla täsmäkohderyhmää.
Itse ajattelin koeluettaa tämän huomenna meidän ysiluokkalaisella tet-pojalla, jotta kuulen osuinko arviossani oikeaan suuntaan.
November 8, 2020
A low three stars. Had the drawing style not so closely resembled a tween Calvin, I might not have compared the two, especially in regard to pacing, humor, philosophical conversations, and his relationship with the adults in his life.
Premise was rather thin and unbelievable, what with a talent show popping up in three days time, but perhaps that’s how schools are run.... The group of friends was intriguing but barely had enough time to get to know them.
The balance of the panels felt off, perhaps a difference from moving from a webcomic or comic strip format? Some moments went on for too long and others seemed rushed. But the drawing style was rather dramatic and over exaggerated and I probably would have enjoyed it more had it not looked so similar to Calvin. It was also quite narration-heavy, which, I suppose, brought about the Ferris Bueller comparison but just seemed to drag.
I’d be interested to see how the intended audience likes this graphic novel, as maybe I’m completely off and it’s absolutely hilarious.
Premise was rather thin and unbelievable, what with a talent show popping up in three days time, but perhaps that’s how schools are run.... The group of friends was intriguing but barely had enough time to get to know them.
The balance of the panels felt off, perhaps a difference from moving from a webcomic or comic strip format? Some moments went on for too long and others seemed rushed. But the drawing style was rather dramatic and over exaggerated and I probably would have enjoyed it more had it not looked so similar to Calvin. It was also quite narration-heavy, which, I suppose, brought about the Ferris Bueller comparison but just seemed to drag.
I’d be interested to see how the intended audience likes this graphic novel, as maybe I’m completely off and it’s absolutely hilarious.
October 6, 2019
The artwork for this graphic novel was really nice, but I'm not sure that the story resonated. My son enjoyed it well enough - he is the target demographic - but he wasn't interested enough in the characters and their stories for me to get him the second book. He said he'd prefer to read something else instead. And I can't say that I blame him for that. I found that the story jumped around and Newell came across as a very annoying version of Nate. I actually wanted him to fail and get in trouble (i.e. go to summer school) by the time the talent show rolled around.
The story also jumped around a bit without great connections between events and activities. And Newell's dad is way too odd without being odd enough to be fun.
The story also jumped around a bit without great connections between events and activities. And Newell's dad is way too odd without being odd enough to be fun.
May 22, 2019
This was an enjoyable book. Newell, the main character, has a very active imagination, and a penchant for getting in trouble because of his daydreaming. Through a series of unfortunate events, he ends up with a choice: participate in the school talent show, or attend summer school. Unfortunately, he has no talent. Or does he?
This book reminded me a lot of Big Nate. So if you like graphic novels about inadvertent troublemakers, somewhat bewildered friends, and generally well-meaning adults, you'll probably enjoy this book.
This book reminded me a lot of Big Nate. So if you like graphic novels about inadvertent troublemakers, somewhat bewildered friends, and generally well-meaning adults, you'll probably enjoy this book.
September 20, 2021
Não estava nos meus planos ler este livro este mês, mas li meia dúzia de páginas e já não consegui largar.
É uma história tão divertida e retrata bem a vida escolar e os medos e ansiedades que sentimos quando temos que fazer algo novo.
Neste livro temos a história de um menino que não quer ir para a escola de verão e a única forma de fugir a esse destino é entrar no concurso de talentos da escola.
O difícil vai ser encontrar um talento para apresentar à escola toda.
O talento que apresentou não era o que eu esperava, mas não deixou de ser uma aventura.
Gostei muito!
É uma história tão divertida e retrata bem a vida escolar e os medos e ansiedades que sentimos quando temos que fazer algo novo.
Neste livro temos a história de um menino que não quer ir para a escola de verão e a única forma de fugir a esse destino é entrar no concurso de talentos da escola.
O difícil vai ser encontrar um talento para apresentar à escola toda.
O talento que apresentou não era o que eu esperava, mas não deixou de ser uma aventura.
Gostei muito!
August 7, 2019
This had all the charm of the comics from my youth. There's a certain Calvin and Hobbes quality to the illustrations that is fun and I don't think the kids go to Garfield school coincidentally. Anyway, the plot is kinda wobbly for me. I can't see summer school being something you get to skip by doing a talent show? That said, the jokes were good, and a lot of care was taken with the illustrations.
May 19, 2021
Quite entertaining for the most part, but I think the author spent more time on the illustrations than the story. On one hand the main character is talking about girls with his friends, but he is afraid to go down a staircase. It is not the worst book in the world, but is not even close to accurately depicting middle schoolers, showing to be unrealistic and unrelatable. If this was a movie it would make 20 bucks from some loser that can't do math and pays extra for his ticket.
June 5, 2019
In this hilarious debut graphic novel from Jason Platt, discover the crazy things that Newell must go through to stay out of Summer school and keep his arch nemesis from ruining his life. Filled with great jokes and awesome illustrations, this graphic novel will keep you laughing all the way to the end!
Reviewer 22
Reviewer 22
February 18, 2020
We need more funny books for middle schoolers that aren't patronizing. Books like these, and dare I say, Diary of a Wimpy Kid show the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the dry senses of humor that adolescents often have. And we need to nurture those senses with books like Middle School Misadventures!
May 17, 2020
Certainly not my favorite graphic novel. Sure, the best friend's lines were some of the best, and I appreciated main character is raised by his dad as a single parent, but oh man, the plot just wasn't there. Page after page after page of Newell not knowing what to do for the talent show got boring real quick. Already on my MS library shelves, but I don't think I'll booktalk it.
July 24, 2020
This wasn’t my favorite book. It was about a boy who had to sign up for a Talent Show. But it taught me to not have something planned at the last minute because things can go wrong. I also learned that helping people will make anyone feel good. And if you have a talent or not, you do have one (or another talent). Another talent you can always and at least try to embrace is being kind.
April 15, 2019
The artwork and story took me back to my childhood when I’d stay awake at night poring over comics under the covers with a flashlight. I sincerely hope this isn’t the last we hear from Newell and his friends at Garfield Middle School.
April 17, 2019
could have done w/o the euphemisms (***f...t***) otherwise, very enjoyable reading. Unfortunately my experiences sharing "Walter the **f...ting* dog" as a read-aloud is not "ancient" enough to share this one.
October 4, 2019
Newell, in a last ditch attempt to avoid summer school, signs up for Garfield Middle school's talent show. The only problem is he has no talent and no idea what to perform. Time is ticking, and Newell must come up with an idea, or his summer will be filled with classroom activities.
October 11, 2019
Things really stalled in the middle and Newell didn't really ever seem to learn a lesson. His friends didn't seem to have personality of their own, everything was about them existing around him. Very white male experience up in here.
March 24, 2020
This book was so funny so I gave it a 5 star rating. The reason I gave this book a Five star rating was because the characters were put out so well and the way the author made up the stories inside the story were so cool and perfect.
April 13, 2020
2.5 stars. This was alright. Nothing special, but not horrible. This is a tough one to rate. I like it better than most I rated two stars, but less than anything I've rated 3 stars. I feel like anything that is a read-a-like to this book is done better.
April 13, 2020
Funny middle grade graphic novel! Besides the main character saying Fart all the time it was an enjoyable read. I loved the resolution at the end of the book. I would never have guessed it. Graphic novel lovers will love this one too😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews