It’s Jessie’s sophomore year of high school. A self-professed “mathelete,” she isn’t sure where she belongs. Her ... read full description
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Apr 16, 2011
Tatiana
rated it: 
I feel like Into the Wild Nerd Yonder is a book for me, about me, and at some moments could have been written by me.
The fact that I am here, on Goodreads, and writing a book review is a proof enough that I am an unapologetic nerd. And who isn't here, right? This is why this novel about embracing one's nerdiness had such an appeal to me.
It raises an interesting question - why is it so shameful to acknowledge one's nerdiness? And I will take it a bit further - when did " More...
The fact that I am here, on Goodreads, and writing a book review is a proof enough that I am an unapologetic nerd. And who isn't here, right? This is why this novel about embracing one's nerdiness had such an appeal to me.
It raises an interesting question - why is it so shameful to acknowledge one's nerdiness? And I will take it a bit further - when did " More...
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Mar 24, 2010
Heather
rated it: 
I can't help it, I'm a sucker for cute-funny-girlie-romantic books. Love them...
This book had the right amount of laugh out loud moments+teen-drama+lovable-characters which all = one hell of a fun read...
I thought the writing was cleaver, and it had the perfect quantity of sarcastic dialogue I always enjoy. Nothing was over done or over the top, which was a major plus for me.
I didn't think the characters were too stereotypical or too exaggerated. I really lo More...
This book had the right amount of laugh out loud moments+teen-drama+lovable-characters which all = one hell of a fun read...
I thought the writing was cleaver, and it had the perfect quantity of sarcastic dialogue I always enjoy. Nothing was over done or over the top, which was a major plus for me.
I didn't think the characters were too stereotypical or too exaggerated. I really lo More...
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Feb 09, 2011
Katie
rated it: 
My two favorite things about this book are as follows:
1. Allusions to great YA books. When I was a teenager, I tried to read, listen to, and learn about everything I ever saw referenced in my favorite books. To see references to Life As We Knew It, Elsewhere, and Harry Potter thrilled me not just because two of the three are favorites of mine, but also because I think talking about contemporary teen fiction made Jessie that much more real.
2. This book spoke to my own hi More...
1. Allusions to great YA books. When I was a teenager, I tried to read, listen to, and learn about everything I ever saw referenced in my favorite books. To see references to Life As We Knew It, Elsewhere, and Harry Potter thrilled me not just because two of the three are favorites of mine, but also because I think talking about contemporary teen fiction made Jessie that much more real.
2. This book spoke to my own hi More...
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Apr 18, 2011
Kristy
rated it:
This coming-of-age, finding oneself book was soo good. It's about not worrying about what others think, about not being afraid to be yourself, friendships and general dorkiness. It was such blast.
slight spoilers ahead:
Jesse is your run-of-the-mill, typical teenage girl. Her brother is the cool-punky guy who everyone adores. He is in a band with Van, who is 'that guy'. You know, the one all the girls swoon over. Jesse is not an exception. She's been crushing over him for a More...
slight spoilers ahead:
Jesse is your run-of-the-mill, typical teenage girl. Her brother is the cool-punky guy who everyone adores. He is in a band with Van, who is 'that guy'. You know, the one all the girls swoon over. Jesse is not an exception. She's been crushing over him for a More...
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May 30, 2011
Isamlq
rated it:
Funny! Two things I found hilarious: her family’s Krispy Kreme anecdote. Ick. And the trepidation she felt in her probable entry into nerd-dom. That she makes a pro’s and con’s list as to said debut should have been a major clue as to said entry. And then there's the fact that she sews her own skirts, has "A+" days when she gets tons of those, and uses flash cards for pre-calc class. Without D&D, she's basically in anyway. The differences between dork and nerd still eludes me, but eith
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Aug 04, 2011
Jessie, the protagonist of Julie Halpern's Into the Wild Nerd Yonder, has a dilemma. She's had two best friends, Bizza and Char, since first grade, and she's pretty much gone along with whatever trendy thing--starting in a band, writing a soap opera, or becoming punk groupies--they wanted to get into. But more and more, Jessie realizes that there are things she likes to do for herself, like make cool skirts, or kick ass at calculus. She's afraid that these things might get her the label of "
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Jan 15, 2012
Daniel
rated it:
This book should have been around when I was in high school, maybe then there would have been some girls to game with.
It's interesting to compare this to "Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress", by Shelly Mazzanoble. That book was intended to be an introduction to D&D for women, and was published by Wizards of the Coast to promote D&D. It didn't seem to do a very good job. Maybe it sold gangbusters and there a ton of all-lady groups killing monsters, but nobody seems to have h More...
It's interesting to compare this to "Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress", by Shelly Mazzanoble. That book was intended to be an introduction to D&D for women, and was published by Wizards of the Coast to promote D&D. It didn't seem to do a very good job. Maybe it sold gangbusters and there a ton of all-lady groups killing monsters, but nobody seems to have h More...
Sep 17, 2011
Traci
rated it:
Jessie had always liked the first day of school before. Jessie loved the new books, new pencils, new teachers, and new adventures to be had. But, that was before the big change her best friends went through the summer before their sophomore year of high school. Jessie and Bizza and Char were always the best of friends who stuck together and braved life and school together. But, that was before Bizza and Char turned punk over the summer. Jessie is still her same old self – not exactly sure w
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Aug 13, 2011
Lana
rated it: 
In Mrs. Tessler's Class: Girl Problems (Parental permission required)
A grab from my husband's young adult lit class, we were really excited about this since it seemed to deal with a teen girl discovering that nerds aren't so bad and getting involved in D&D. Which, ya know, we like that idea being pretty big nerds ourselves.
The book,however, takes over half its length to even deal with that topic as the main character deals with her brother going to college, his dissolution fr More...
A grab from my husband's young adult lit class, we were really excited about this since it seemed to deal with a teen girl discovering that nerds aren't so bad and getting involved in D&D. Which, ya know, we like that idea being pretty big nerds ourselves.
The book,however, takes over half its length to even deal with that topic as the main character deals with her brother going to college, his dissolution fr More...
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Apr 11, 2011
Minli
rated it:
Jessie sews her own skirts, aces math class, plays the drums and is basically adorable. Anyway, the gist of this novel is that she casts off her loser poseur friends for a bunch of nerds who play D&D. Hilarity ensues.
I did have a few "eh" moments, but they are minimal and easily disregarded. As a teenager, I was fascinated by the social ladder as depicted in youth media (Mean Girls, The Princess Diaries, Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me") because I never really More...
I did have a few "eh" moments, but they are minimal and easily disregarded. As a teenager, I was fascinated by the social ladder as depicted in youth media (Mean Girls, The Princess Diaries, Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me") because I never really More...
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Nov 03, 2010
Aaron
rated it:
Jessie Sloan is starting to settle into her sophomore year in high school, and it is going to be one defined by change. Her best friends, Bizza and Char, have opted to go with a new grungy look, and ,to make matters worse, Bizza has set her eyes on Van, a guy Jessie has been crushing on for years. Van is a good friend and bandmate with Jessie's older brother Barrett, who will be heading off to colelge the following year. All of this gets our gal Jessie wondering if she really wants to be frie
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Sep 04, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder is an excellent story that demonstrates how childhood friends grow up and grow apart. Jessie has always been the nerdiest girl in her group of three — making her own skirts out of silly fabrics so as to wear a new one each day of the week — so when Bizza and Char start to take a particular interest in her older brother’s punked out friends she finds herself increasingly distant from the crowd.
More than your average alienated teen story, Into the Wild Nerd Yon More...
More than your average alienated teen story, Into the Wild Nerd Yon More...
Aug 10, 2010
Lana
rated it:
A grab from my husband's young adult lit class, we were really excited about this since it seemed to deal with a teen girl discovering that nerds aren't so bad and getting involved in D&D. Which, ya know, we like that idea being pretty big nerds ourselves.
The book,however, takes over half its length to even deal with that topic as the main character deals with her brother going to college, his dissolution from the punk world, and the break up she has with her two "best friends" More...
The book,however, takes over half its length to even deal with that topic as the main character deals with her brother going to college, his dissolution from the punk world, and the break up she has with her two "best friends" More...
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May 26, 2010
Ria
rated it:
A fun, brisk read. Very easy to get through, nothing at all complex or new.
Unfortunately, that also made it a little boring. For the whole first half I couldn't sympathise with the main character at all. I thought she was whiny and weak. Her troubles never really seamed to have any weight - the consequences were trifling and I couldn't help thinking, she's 14 (10? 16? not quite sure what age she was supposed to be) - she'll get over all this. Probably won't even remember it by the t More...
Unfortunately, that also made it a little boring. For the whole first half I couldn't sympathise with the main character at all. I thought she was whiny and weak. Her troubles never really seamed to have any weight - the consequences were trifling and I couldn't help thinking, she's 14 (10? 16? not quite sure what age she was supposed to be) - she'll get over all this. Probably won't even remember it by the t More...
Mar 11, 2010
Leslianne
rated it:
Sophomore Jessie defines herself by her tight, life-long friendship to Bizza and Char. The three have spent the last 10 years executing wacky projects (a lip-synched version of Grease and a self-made spanish soap opera for the local cable station among them). But when Bizza and Char transform overnight into punk-chic groupies for Jessie's brother band, "The Crudhoppers", Jessie finds herself on a search for a new definition. Halpern has created a first person voice that feels honest an
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Jan 29, 2010
Stevie
rated it:
Rating: buyable!
Cover Critique: eyecatching!
Though I wanted to read this book before I saw the cover. But I really like the color scheme (though I hate pink) it's still pretty to look at.
Critical Reading: I loved the characters and their descriptions. But to me this story kinda lagged at the ending, not to give away any spoilers or anything but it was quite the disappointment. And you could tell that it was rushed.
Review: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder was a More...
Cover Critique: eyecatching!
Though I wanted to read this book before I saw the cover. But I really like the color scheme (though I hate pink) it's still pretty to look at.
Critical Reading: I loved the characters and their descriptions. But to me this story kinda lagged at the ending, not to give away any spoilers or anything but it was quite the disappointment. And you could tell that it was rushed.
Review: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder was a More...
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Dec 26, 2009
Deborah
rated it:
Now that she's in tenth grade, Jessie is starting to notices some changes with her two best friends Bizza and Char. For one thing they only seem to want to hang out when her brother Barrett's punk band will be practicing at Jessie's house. For another they seem to be spending more time with each other than with Jessie. But worst of all is when they each decide to go punk just because of their crushes on Barrett's bandmates, and then hook up with Bizza's longtime crush. But life without her frien
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Oct 21, 2009
Anne
rated it:
I really liked this book. At first, Jessie, the main character got on my nerves a little. I thought it was annoying how she kept reiterating the she loved school, loved math was so smart etc but then she tried to act like she was so much cooler than the nerds. What's the difference? Once I got past that though, I really enjoyed reading this and thought that Halpern did a great job capturing the high school scene, teens and the conflict that teens feel when they might be drawn to someone or s
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(2 people liked it)
Oct 13, 2009
Keli
rated it:
This was an enjoyable realistic book about a teenage girl who dumps her user friends and finds true friends with *gasp* the D&D nerds.
Some things I didn't like about the book: The family got a long far too well for having two teenagers so close in age. The geek group conveniently had a dream boat dressed up in geek clothing. A new pair of pants and some new shoes and viola--perfect boyfriend. The clique jumping happened a little too easy. For someone who's has the cool factor More...
Some things I didn't like about the book: The family got a long far too well for having two teenagers so close in age. The geek group conveniently had a dream boat dressed up in geek clothing. A new pair of pants and some new shoes and viola--perfect boyfriend. The clique jumping happened a little too easy. For someone who's has the cool factor More...
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Jul 05, 2009
Rachael
rated it:
It’s Jessie’s sophomore year of high school, and all the wrong things in her life are changing. While her hair is still brown, straight, and boring, her friends are nearly unrecognizable as punk poseurs and her older brother has shaved off his Mohawk and traded his punk band scene for dating last year’s Prom Princess. When Jessie’s supposed best friend goes too far with Jessie’s long-time curst, Jessie finally has enough. She decides she needs new friends. In an attempt to discover the social ni
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May 23, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
2.5 stars. Cute, but ultimately lightweight and unsatisfying.
On the one hand, I could relate to every bit of this. I was the "good girl" nerd who took a while to admit to (let alone take pride in) her nerdiness. I have played more D&D than you can shake a stick at -- though mostly as an adult, and I DM a game to this day, bitchez! I used to sew (although I was pretty bad at it); I was always completely behind my peers in things like smoking and drinking and sex. I have wonde More...
On the one hand, I could relate to every bit of this. I was the "good girl" nerd who took a while to admit to (let alone take pride in) her nerdiness. I have played more D&D than you can shake a stick at -- though mostly as an adult, and I DM a game to this day, bitchez! I used to sew (although I was pretty bad at it); I was always completely behind my peers in things like smoking and drinking and sex. I have wonde More...
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May 19, 2011
Karen
rated it:
Jessie Sloan has had her best friends Bizza and Char by her side since the first grade. They've been through everything together, from playing with Barbie dolls to their failed attempt at an all girl band. But now, as they begin their sophomore year of high school, Bizza and Char are going someplace that Jessie isn't sure she wants to go. It's not just that her BFFs have suddenly gone mall-supplied punk or even that they seem more interested in spending time with Jessie's older brother's band-ma
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Apr 26, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
3.5
The summer before her sophomore year of high school, Jessie's two best friends, Bizza and Char, decide to become part of the punk crowd. Since her older brother has always been king of the punk scene, Jessie isn't as awestruck by the cool kids as "the poseurettes," and she can't see the point in shaving her head and wearing outrageous outfits in an effort to fit in. In fact, the only thing she does like about the punks is ultra-hot drummer Van, who she's had a crush on More...
The summer before her sophomore year of high school, Jessie's two best friends, Bizza and Char, decide to become part of the punk crowd. Since her older brother has always been king of the punk scene, Jessie isn't as awestruck by the cool kids as "the poseurettes," and she can't see the point in shaving her head and wearing outrageous outfits in an effort to fit in. In fact, the only thing she does like about the punks is ultra-hot drummer Van, who she's had a crush on More...
Oct 20, 2009
Anna
rated it:
I liked this -- a lot -- but I thought the first half was stronger than the second. I really loved the character development throughout. Jessie and her brother Barrett are sort of etched in my brain now and I wish I knew them in real life. Julie Halpern, who is a local writer, did such a great job of creating this really insightful and quite complex, but also very vulnerable character who seemed so incredibly real. I thought her observations were often funny and very honest. And I thought the s
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Mar 29, 2011
Crystal
rated it:
This was one of the easiest reads I've had a in long time. not one of those awkwardly easy to read, far too young for me kind of ways. Not even like Percy Jackson easy. Just a fun, sweet, simple read that flew by in less than twelve hours. It's been a long time since I've stayed up a little too late to keep reading a book, or gotten up the next morning and done nothing else til I finished a book. But I did for this one.
I think part of it was that I could identify so strongly with Jessie. More...
I think part of it was that I could identify so strongly with Jessie. More...
Feb 17, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
We've all been there. A confused teenager making their way into high school. This story was about, Jesssi, a sophomore girl in high school who was growing out of her lifelong friends, Bizza and Char. As she made the transition from freshman to sophomore year, she realized that she did not want to be friends with the same two girls that she had always been friends with. Their interests had simply changed and it only took one stab in the back to make up her mind. However, now she is faced with eit
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Jan 27, 2011
Brittany
rated it:
Jessie Sloan used to have two best friends. Then they decided to go punk, so that they could hang out with Jessie's brother's friends. One of her friends Bizza, decides to go after the boy Jessie has been crushing on, and Jessie does not take this kindly. Jessie is not sure where she really fits in her friends are punk her brother was/is punk and those are the only people she really knows. When she sits next to Dottie in study hall though, Jessie's perspective of coolness starts to change. Jessi
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Jul 21, 2010
Lea
rated it:
Jessie Sloan can't quite figure out where she belongs. She has long lived in the shadow of her beloved older brother Barrett, a fixture on the local punk scene, and her best friends Bizza and Char, who assume new identities with the seasons. But with her sophomore year beginning, Bizza and Char are moving in on Barrett's territory, and Barrett is moving on from punk. . . with the homecoming queen? Jessie's increasing discomfort with Bizza and Char's choices force her to expand her social horizon
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Mar 12, 2010
Susan
rated it:
This is a young adult novel. At times I like to venture into them because they can be a very good story and sometimes you just need to be transported back in time and escape from your adult life for awhile. This book made me feel good. Despite what anyone may think people don't really change. I graduated from high school more than 10 years ago and this book read like it was written in that time frame, except for slight differences of what categorizes a person into what social group. So parents d
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Feb 07, 2010
Savannah
rated it:
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