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Justin Case: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom
Justin is going to start fourth grade—but first, he has to survive the summer. He “gets” to go to camp every day on a bus. He “gets” to experience all sorts of new things: Bugs. Mess hall food. Flip-flops (they hurt the space between his toes and they’re hard to walk in). And (gulp!) swimming.
Justin’s little sister, Elizabeth, seems to deal with camp just fine. So do his...more
Justin’s little sister, Elizabeth, seems to deal with camp just fine. So do his...more
Hardcover, 192 pages
Published
May 8th 2012
by Feiwel & Friends
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Justin Case: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom is a hilarious novel by Rachel Vail. Justin is a worried kid. He worried about everything, but now, he has decided to leave that behind and become a runny-aroundy kid. The best way to accomplish this goal is to go to Camp GoldenBrook instead of his usual Science Camp over the summer. But Justin, who gets his nickname from the tasks he completes out of worry “just-in case,” is not exactly a sports playing runny-aroundy kid and soon...more
Justin is back, and is finding the summer even more challenging than third grade. He's not going to a science camp this year-- he's going to a regular camp for kids who like to run around. He has to change to swim, wear flip flops, and eat in the mess hall. He also gets involved with some of the other boys in a game of "knuckles", which results in his own always being in a painful state. His parents are proud of him for trying new things, but when they find our about "knuckles", offer to take hi...more
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Nicknamed "Justin Case" by his classmates, due to his cautious nature, Justin Krzeszewski is looking forward to summer vacation, all 80 days of it. He is trying hard to be a brave kid (NOT a worried kid) but there is a lot on Justin's plate to cause anxiety. Leading the list of things to worry about are Summer Camp (which emphasizes "sweaty sports that require skills") and Cash (a rough newcomer).
Vail gets the voice of a geeky-third-grader-going-into-fourth-grade perfectly. Young readers will fi...more
Vail gets the voice of a geeky-third-grader-going-into-fourth-grade perfectly. Young readers will fi...more
I've been reading a fair amount of early chapter books lately because I have a kindergartner and a third grader. This book was great. This was the first one I found myself reading even when neither of them was there to listen.
This is the story, in diary form, of a rising fourth-grader's experiences at summer camp. He has to deal with both "cool" kids and "loser" kids. There are some great life lessons amid occasional rainbow vomit.
I think the author really captured the title character in his dia...more
This is the story, in diary form, of a rising fourth-grader's experiences at summer camp. He has to deal with both "cool" kids and "loser" kids. There are some great life lessons amid occasional rainbow vomit.
I think the author really captured the title character in his dia...more
Justin Case is a younger, more hesitant, and much more self-aware Wimpy Kid. The only issue I see is that the touching and/or funny parts of this book sometimes come from moments that don't feel authentically rendered in the voice of an actual child. I spend the majority of my time around kids, and know they can be hilarious and insightful, but Justin Case has a tendency to read a bit more like a choreographed routine of boy playing an overly introspective and worried child rather than feeling r...more
VAIL, Rachel. Justin Case- Shells, Smells and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom. 192p. Feiwel & Friends. May 2012. ISBN: 978-1250000811. $16.99. F.
Gr 3-5
This summer, Justin is worrying so much less then he used to. In his bravery, he decides to sign up for the runny-aroundy summer camp instead of his usual sciencey camp. Upon arrival, he finds himself overwhelmed by deep-ended swimming pools, rowdy sports, tough new kids, an ouchy game called knuckles and a mean shouty camp councilor. Just whe...more
Gr 3-5
This summer, Justin is worrying so much less then he used to. In his bravery, he decides to sign up for the runny-aroundy summer camp instead of his usual sciencey camp. Upon arrival, he finds himself overwhelmed by deep-ended swimming pools, rowdy sports, tough new kids, an ouchy game called knuckles and a mean shouty camp councilor. Just whe...more
More lovable fun from the most earnest character in young middle grade fiction. Not quite as awesome as the first book (see my reverent review for the first book!), but I think that's only because I adore classroom humor, and this being a summer book, the setting is completely different, all camp and the pool, etc. But the book still delivers lots of heart. I really hope Vail takes Justin to fourth grade!
Also, I really like Matthew Cordell's illustrations. They remind me a wee bit of Quentin Bla...more
Also, I really like Matthew Cordell's illustrations. They remind me a wee bit of Quentin Bla...more
I have to remind myself that I need to look at books like this as if I were a member of the intended audience. I found it just a bit too much stream of consciousness for even a rising fourth grade boy. Lots of character names (even I had to pause a couple of times to recall their persona), some stereotyping of kids who would go to science camp, and a few other things bothered me. Sure, it's saying nerds are good, but is it? Kids might be a little confused by the "knuckles" game and a few other r...more
A touch of Alvin Ho, a bit of Wimpy Kid, but more reflective. Vail explores the inner and outer life of a geeky kid, just out of 3rd grade, who decides to tackle a sports camp for the summer. She gets the voice down perfectly--boys and girls will find many moments to relate to--mean counselors, the scary kid with all the power, the crushes, the secrets. As someone who has been an adult for a very long time, I was transported back to little confusions, worries, misunderstandings, challenges, and...more
Justin makes me laugh. Oh, he makes me laugh.
Which is funny to say when I look back at the quotes I marked to share.
"Sometimes rain is just what a day needs." (p 7)
"I hate summer break. It goes too quickly. I've hardly done anything, and here we are already partway into July. The days are just flying by." (p 20)
"What Mom noticed: Elizabeth feeding most of her hot dog to Qwerty.
What Dad noticed: Qwerty throwing up the hot dog on the deck and then knocking over the lettuce plants when he tried to...more
Which is funny to say when I look back at the quotes I marked to share.
"Sometimes rain is just what a day needs." (p 7)
"I hate summer break. It goes too quickly. I've hardly done anything, and here we are already partway into July. The days are just flying by." (p 20)
"What Mom noticed: Elizabeth feeding most of her hot dog to Qwerty.
What Dad noticed: Qwerty throwing up the hot dog on the deck and then knocking over the lettuce plants when he tried to...more
This was not as unbelievably funny as the first "Justin Case", but it's still a really good book. The language Rachel Vail uses has its own quirkiness, Justin's world-view is hilarious and his summer adventures sound painfully real to me (who's never been to camp).
I look forward to the sequel. What is going to happen in fourth grade???
I look forward to the sequel. What is going to happen in fourth grade???
My blog partner, Bill, said he thought this Justin Case book was better than the first and I have to agree with him. While Justin is still frightened of many things, it's nice to see him getting a little stronger as well. I'm glad Rachel Vail is letting his character grow and develop. Matthew Cordell's illustrations are perfect.
Really really liked how it realistically showed a little kid out of his element at camp. Bullies, impossible games and activities, dullards as counselors... sympathy for other sad kids, and a small hint of Justin starting to like girls. All camp counselors should read this.
This was a great book that I would recommend to 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders. I could relate to Justin and some of is worries he had a as a child, like the ticking of the water heater. Well written and a page turner. I read the book in one sitting.
Justin is so excited to spend the summer before 4th grade at Camp GoldenBrook...Not! Will he ever learn to pick up pennies off the pool floor, or win at knuckles? If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid you should read Justin Case.
I laughed; I cried (well, teared up). Both quite a few times. My son read this book three times in a row. I read it then too and really liked it. Written in diary form, so pretty quick read with great cartoony illustrations.
Read this in the car on the way home from TN, it was just as good as the first one. I can definitely see how elementary school kids, esp boys, would really enjoy this!
Boy book about a very nervous, intellectual kid, Justin K., who braves the wilds of summer sports camp. Daniel liked this one better than I did - not surprising. For fans of Kinney's Wimpy Kid books.
Not as good as the first one, but still perfectly charming. I read bits of it out loud to Kip before he went to sleep and he was howling.
Perfect summer read for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Alvin Ho. Or any kid who's ever endured summer camp.
For all of you worried kids out there- here is your hero. My son will be reading this tomorrow.
I like these books, and not only because Justin Case calls his stuffed animals stufties.
So unbelievably adorable! The voice here is perfect. Highly recommended.
Quick entertaining read!
We used this book for our first book club read and I must say, although the theme was perfect for a July reading...I was a little disappointed. I read this aloud and found it to be hard to follow. I thought it was just me until another parent confirmed. A lot of the language used was hard for the younger kids to flow with. I think it had everything to do with the age group of our children. There were some cute and funny parts but I would definitely recommend this for older and experienced reader...more
(3.5 stars)
super-cute.
Grades 2-5
If you thought Justin had a worrisome and difficult third-grade year, just wait until you read about his summer at Camp GoldenBrook.
After third-grade, Justin is determined to stop worrying so much - until he finds out he's going to a camp that is probably going to kill him - if his flip-flops don't do the job first.
Fans of Alvin Ho or the Wimpy Kid series will love Justin's humorous attempts at bravery, and find Justin to be a welcome friend.
If you thought Justin had a worrisome and difficult third-grade year, just wait until you read about his summer at Camp GoldenBrook.
After third-grade, Justin is determined to stop worrying so much - until he finds out he's going to a camp that is probably going to kill him - if his flip-flops don't do the job first.
Fans of Alvin Ho or the Wimpy Kid series will love Justin's humorous attempts at bravery, and find Justin to be a welcome friend.
not as good as the first one
Justin decides to attend a summer camp instead of the science camp he has previously attended. He feels like he doesn't fit in since he is not good at sports or outdoor stuff. Told in his wise beyond his years voice, this story shares Justin's insight into friendship and summer. Amazing he is only going into fourth grade. Looking forward to the next book.
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Birth
I was born on July 25, 1966, in NEW YORK CITY, and grew up in New Rochelle, NY, with my mother, my father, and my younger brother Jon. (And down the street from my future husband, though of course I didn't know that until much later.)
Interests
Some details, I do know-I was very into reading and theater, so I read every book I could get my hands on (especially realistic fiction, either contempo...more
More about Rachel Vail...
I was born on July 25, 1966, in NEW YORK CITY, and grew up in New Rochelle, NY, with my mother, my father, and my younger brother Jon. (And down the street from my future husband, though of course I didn't know that until much later.)
Interests
Some details, I do know-I was very into reading and theater, so I read every book I could get my hands on (especially realistic fiction, either contempo...more
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