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35th out of 41 books
—
13 voters
Planet Middle School
by
Nikki Grimes
For twelve years, Joylin Johnson's life has been just fine, thank you very much. A game of basketball with the boys-especially her friend Jake-was all it took to put a smile on her face. Baggy jeans, T-shirt, and hair in a ponytail were easy choices. Then suddenly the world seemed to turn upside down, and everything changed at once. Her best girl friend is now flirting wit...more
Hardcover, 160 pages
Published
September 13th 2011
by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
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I loved this book. Especially how the message came across that people should not change then way they are, despite their outside environments. If she liked the way that she was, then that should not have changed, especially considering that it was only for a guy that she changed for in the first place, not for herself.
I didn't like the father he was too judgmental, especially the way that he acted towards Caden, as if what he was doing was worng or something. He has his own dreams and ambitions...more
I didn't like the father he was too judgmental, especially the way that he acted towards Caden, as if what he was doing was worng or something. He has his own dreams and ambitions...more
Joy is a tomboy who loves playing basketball. She is best friends with KayLee and Jack. Everything is normal and fine until she starts middle school. Suddenly her body is betraying her; she gets boobs and her period. And she starts noticing boys! One boy in particular catches her eye, Santiago. Joy wants him to notice her so she starts changing to catch his attention. She tries makeup and heels and skirts, but nothing seems to make an impression. Jack and KayLee both warn her about changing for...more
This novel in verse was a pleasant surprise. A fast, light read, it is perfect for your reluctant female readers who are not looking for something edgy or complex. Joylin Johnson is a very relatable character who is struggling with the changes to herself and her peer relationships as they enter middle school and puberty. She is a tomboy who loves basketball and doesn’t have time for all that girly nonsense of fashion and make-up. And then she meets Santiago… Grimes poignantly captures that topsy...more
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Lisa Campbell
Poetry
Planet Middle School is the story of Joylin, an intrepid sports playing, jean wearing tomboy, told in a series of poems. The poems tell of her relationship with her family, friends and dealing with all the changes that happen to a young girl as she journeys from child to young woman. Joylin’s best friends are Jake and KeeLee, who love her for who she is. Joylin begins to have uncomfortable and surprising feelings for a boy at school, Santiago and she tries to transform herself...more
Poetry
Planet Middle School is the story of Joylin, an intrepid sports playing, jean wearing tomboy, told in a series of poems. The poems tell of her relationship with her family, friends and dealing with all the changes that happen to a young girl as she journeys from child to young woman. Joylin’s best friends are Jake and KeeLee, who love her for who she is. Joylin begins to have uncomfortable and surprising feelings for a boy at school, Santiago and she tries to transform herself...more
Planet Middle School is told in free verse. It is narrated in the authentic middle school voice of Joylin. She navigates her feelings about boys, her changing body, her first crush and the dangers of transforming yourself into someone you are not instead of staying true to who you are.
She also struggles in the very real and painful way we all do in adolescence (and at various times throughout our lives) with the idea that everything is changing—out of our control—and we are required to adapt and...more
She also struggles in the very real and painful way we all do in adolescence (and at various times throughout our lives) with the idea that everything is changing—out of our control—and we are required to adapt and...more
Planet Middle School is a novel in verse for middle grade readers. Joylin, our narrator, is 100% tomboy and can beat most of the boys in her class, including her best friend Jake, in a game of basketball.
But when Joylin starts middle school, she starts seeing the boys around her in a whole new way. And now she's wondering if it's time to turn her basketball shoes in for some girly high heels...
Planet Middle School deals with a variety of different stereotypes and gender roles. Although I have a...more
But when Joylin starts middle school, she starts seeing the boys around her in a whole new way. And now she's wondering if it's time to turn her basketball shoes in for some girly high heels...
Planet Middle School deals with a variety of different stereotypes and gender roles. Although I have a...more
Reviewed from an ARC. Virtually all of us can empathize with twelve year-old Joylin’s sentiments: “I swear, some days I feel like and alien, dropped off on Planet Middle School by mistake. I keep scanning the skies, searching for that spaceship that’s gonna take me home.” In this slight verse novel, award-winning California author, Nikki Grimes, explores Joylin’s struggle to navigate this new, more complicated, an infinitely more embarrassing, world. There is much, in this quick read, that middl...more
I don't feel like writing a very long review of this one right now, but I will say that this was a cute read with a good message.
This "story" was written as narrative prose (poetry) so it flew by. I'm not sure it even took me a full hour to read this. If you like rhyming poetry, this is not your book. There are no rhymes here. In fact, these poems read like short paragraphs. I liked it, personally, and I think it would make "poetry" accessible to my students.
Joylin is a major tomboy that loves...more
This "story" was written as narrative prose (poetry) so it flew by. I'm not sure it even took me a full hour to read this. If you like rhyming poetry, this is not your book. There are no rhymes here. In fact, these poems read like short paragraphs. I liked it, personally, and I think it would make "poetry" accessible to my students.
Joylin is a major tomboy that loves...more
PLANET MIDDLE SCHOOL is a free verse novel written from the perspective of Joylin as she copes with her changing body, her changing relationships with friends, and her changing tomboy image. Joylin also talks about her family and how her father seems to be unhappy with her younger brother's drawing skills. He'd prefer his son to be athletic, but try as he may, Joylin's brother wasn't cut out for the basketball court. Ultimately, PLANET MIDDLE SCHOOL is about accepting yourself for who you are an...more
I can't get enough books written verse. This was another great one especially for those "Tom Boys", who are starting to change into a more feminine version of their old selves. Joylin has never liked cute clothes or pretty hairstlyes. She is an absolute Tom Boy and wears baggy, comfortable clothes. She plays basketball with the boys and has never had to worry about those akward moments when a boy grazes her chest. But all of a sudden her body starts changing and so does her mind. She's starting...more
About the Book: Joylin is finding herself at the crossroads of middle school. She's always been content the way she is, playing basketball and enjoying her friend's. But now her best girl friend is flirting with her best guy friend and basketball seems different. Then Joylin notices Santiago and suddenly her clothes aren't right, she wants Santiago to notice her, and Joylin is feeling a bit left out. Why does middle school have to be so confusing?
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Planet Middle School is...more
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Planet Middle School is...more
I mean no disrespect to Judy Blume in what I am about to say. Blume is amazing, and she was one of the first authors who inspired me to write when I was a little girl. Okay - here goes (sorry) - get rid of your old copy of Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret and give an adolescent girl this book, instead. This story, which follows a traditional plot-arc, is told in a series of poems. It beautifully captures what it is like to grow up today. I cried when I read it because of the power of the lan...more
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS A SPOILER!!!!
I loathed middle school. High school was OK, but middle school was it's own special brand of hell. I think a lot of people would agree with me. Nikki Grimes manages to capture the confusion and angst that is middle school in this short novel with her extreamly readable poems. There were only two "problems" for me with the book. Problem 1 is that Joy gets it together and gets to know herself much quicker than any middle schooler could ever do in real life. Proble...more
I loathed middle school. High school was OK, but middle school was it's own special brand of hell. I think a lot of people would agree with me. Nikki Grimes manages to capture the confusion and angst that is middle school in this short novel with her extreamly readable poems. There were only two "problems" for me with the book. Problem 1 is that Joy gets it together and gets to know herself much quicker than any middle schooler could ever do in real life. Proble...more
The main character, Joylin, is a tomboy who loves playing b-ball with the boys. And she's good. Very good. Then she meets Santiago and her world turns upside down. Joylin starts wearing make-up, skirts and has her ears pierced. Her friends recognize she is doing it for the wrong reason--a boy. Her bf and bball buddy, Jake, points this out to her--to the detriment of their friendship. When Jake is put in the hospital by a distracted driver, Joylin moves past herself to renew their friendship.
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I enjoyed this glimpse into Joylin’s life as she navigates the changes that middle school brings. Joylin loves basketball. She could watch and play all day long with the guys, but now things are changing whether she wants them to or not. Her body has a mind of its own as it grows overnight. All of a sudden, she can’t keep the boys out of her mind. She’s even giggling when a certain Santiago comes around. She just might try out some make up and a skirt, too. Things are even changing with her two...more
Book #44 Read in 2013
Planet Middle School (YA) by Nikki Grimes
This is a young adult verse novel telling the story of Joylin, a tomboy who is slowly finding her more feminine side. She is trying to figure out how to balance her love and skill of basketball with the emotions she is beginning to feel about some boys she knows. This book, while a very quick read, has depth to it--it tells of how desperate her younger brother is for her father's attention--he is an artist, not an athlete and that is...more
Planet Middle School (YA) by Nikki Grimes
This is a young adult verse novel telling the story of Joylin, a tomboy who is slowly finding her more feminine side. She is trying to figure out how to balance her love and skill of basketball with the emotions she is beginning to feel about some boys she knows. This book, while a very quick read, has depth to it--it tells of how desperate her younger brother is for her father's attention--he is an artist, not an athlete and that is...more
An easy to read verse novel that humorously and sympathetically describes 12-year-old Joylin's thoughts as she begins to navigate those treacherous waters of middle school and puberty. I think girls who are on the verge of this same journey themselves will most appreciate Joy's commentary on life as it's playing out around her (and inside her). It's got a message, but it doesn't feel too preachy. And, can middle school girls hear the "be-who-you-are-not-what-you-think-others-think-you-should-be"...more
This book is a quick read, but speaks with an authentic, middle-school, girl's voice. I'll add it to my Girls' Reads list and recommend it for my 5th and 6th grade girls. I really like it, and I was pleased that it wasn't too much for the early middle school audience. Some issues are found (getting your period, questioning your own identity, boy craziness, and friendship), but they are handled effectively with no gratuitous scenes. Joylin is authentic when she questions herself by changing her c...more
Familiar territory, though pleasant enough. Joylin's just your typical basketball playing tomboy who cannot fathom why some girls become the giggly girly types. Of course that's before she falls hard for a boy named Santiago in her class. Now Joylin is changing everything about herself to get his attention, a fact that does not slip past her parents or her friends. This is just your typical "be yourself" fare, and while it's well done there's nothing particularly new. Still, it makes for a pleas...more
Oct 11, 2012
Ania
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
acceptance,
children,
coming-of-age,
dating,
family,
female-character,
first-love,
friendship,
school,
slis-5425,
novel-in-verse
Planet Middle School is a very refreshing read - light, fast, funny and so true about middle school, friendship and growing up.
Written in poems, sometimes only 4 lines, sometimes 1 1/2 pages, the novel will appeal to girls who go through changes in their bodies and minds, who maybe experience new feelings likes first love or broken friendship.
I thought that Grimes wrote a very good novel and many girls will find themselves mirroring Joylin's character.
I would definitely recommend this book to al...more
Written in poems, sometimes only 4 lines, sometimes 1 1/2 pages, the novel will appeal to girls who go through changes in their bodies and minds, who maybe experience new feelings likes first love or broken friendship.
I thought that Grimes wrote a very good novel and many girls will find themselves mirroring Joylin's character.
I would definitely recommend this book to al...more
Book in verse. Good insight into a tom boy as she matures through puberty. She starts having feelings for boys, experiences her period, her friends start to change, etc. Touches on things everyone goes through, but did not seem to stand out to me. Not very special. Main character is African American and I liked that race was not an issue in the book. The message of being yourself was a little heavy handed. Very discreptive writing, but predictable.
Poetic narrative can either be a pleasant experience or an uphill climb for me. Nikki Grimes does a great job of distilling a difficult time in a teen's life to just the important events and still makes it all flow smoothly. I think many middle school girls will relate to Joylyn's predicament of suddenly awakening to a new body, mind, and life. Puberty hits many hard and sometimes it's a comfort to know someone else is going through the same crap too...
Planet Middle School was an interesting book. I can kind of relate to it a little bit. It wasn't my favorite book ever but there were parts that I did really enjoy. The topic peaked my interest because I'm in Middle School and twelve years old and also love to play basketball! The main character is named Joy and she seems to have a pretty normal family life. She has always really been a tomboy as I am too at times! I think Joy probably experiences in the book what most 7th graders experience som...more
Reviewed by teen reviewer Rignabh
This book is about a girl, Joy, who was always a tomboy. She and her friends KeeLee and Jake liked the way she was a basketball player. But when she met Santiago, she tried new clothes, new hair, and a new personality. She changed herself too much. I didn’t like this book because it had no plot and it made no sense. But I think kids with high imaginations under ten years of age would like this book.
This book is about a girl, Joy, who was always a tomboy. She and her friends KeeLee and Jake liked the way she was a basketball player. But when she met Santiago, she tried new clothes, new hair, and a new personality. She changed herself too much. I didn’t like this book because it had no plot and it made no sense. But I think kids with high imaginations under ten years of age would like this book.
Delightfully down-to-earth and approachable free verse. Joylin is a fun protagonist who just can't seem to get a handle on all the middle-school changes she and her friends are going through, especially with regard to sports and boys. Quick read, good fun, with a good message that's far more complex than just "be yourself." I'd be curious to know what younger readers thought of it.
A novel in verse. A quick, fun read. It wonderfully depicts how a girl feels when her body and emotions begin to change.
My annotation: Joylin has always been a tomboy… playing basketball, wearing jeans, just being comfortable around the guys. But now her body is beginning to change and she starts to have feelings for a boy and everything just feels different.
My annotation: Joylin has always been a tomboy… playing basketball, wearing jeans, just being comfortable around the guys. But now her body is beginning to change and she starts to have feelings for a boy and everything just feels different.
This is a quick read since it's told in free verse (which I love). Nikki Grimes does a terrific job of capturing what it's like to be a 12-year-old "tomboy" girl whose body and emotions are suddenly changing due to puberty. Although the ending is a bit abrupt, it's got a nice message about being yourself. Recommended for middle school girls.
I love children's books written in the poem format. This didn't disappoint me but I think it would have been better as a regular novel because it would have read a little differently. Overall, the author did a nice job of telling the story in a poem format and not losing my interest. Not as good as Bronx Masquerade.
Quick and readable verse novel about a big year for middle schooler Joylin -- she finds herself changing her own tomboy ways to impress a guy. Is this really her?! Even she isn't sure. - Becky, Teen Librarian
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Very realistic, so much so that you can actually remember what middle school/that age was like for you. Loved that it was in verse. Highly recommend for everyone, especially for those adults who work with that age group. Need to remember what it's like for them and this book will definitely help.
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