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Con-nerd
IT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR NERDS, ONE GIANT LEAP TO BEING COOL. Mama tells me I'm gifted and talented. But I know the truth. I'm just a nerd.Kids call me Con-nerd - half Connor and all nerd.I'm supposed to become a doctor but i have this deep, dark I want to be a cartoonist.And all of a sudden my mega-cool comics are getting noticed at school - I might even get into a special art class . That would sure impress this girl I'm keen on . . . and it might just be my chance to show the world my true destiny. But I'm not sure Mama will see it quite that way . . . Full of the signature laugh-out-loud humour seen in his fabulously funny Thai-riffic!, OLIVER PHOMMAVANH has produced yet another totally engaging and hilarious story about finding your own special talents and having the confidence to use them.
- GenresHumorYoung Adult
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2011
11 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 10, 2020
Con-nerd is about a twelve year old Chinese Australian boy called Conner who dreams of being an artist. His mother thinks drawing is a waste of time and wants him to study to become a doctor. Connor thinks all he does is study and wants to be regular kid.
Connor is concerned about being a nerd and wants to be accepted by his peers. His mother has a lot of control of his life, from the friends he has, to the music he listens to and what he does in his free time. I felt bad for him to have that helicopter mother. I could understand from the mother’s perspective too. She wanted what was best for her son after sacrificing to come to Australia.
I used to work in a tutoring company and Connor reminded me of those kids. Most of my students were Chinese and their parents worked very hard to give them a good start to life. A lot of them wanted to go on to selective private schools. One of my students had an extracurricular activities almost every day. She went to tutoring two times a week, piano lessons, tennis lessons and Chinese lesson. The only day off she had was Sunday. She had moved from China with her mother to continue her education here.
Connor faces typical preteen issues, such as wanting to fit in with peers, burgeoning romantic feelings and fears about the future. I work as a teacher and this book reminded me of being a preteen. There have been times that I have been dismissive about things children face. However, I know that while something may seem small to me, it may be a big concern for a child.
I also loved the descriptions about Connor’s drawings. There are little sketches so that you can flick through the pages like a flip book. I would have liked to see more pictures but Phommavanh did a great job describing his character’s passion and talent for drawing.
I am excited that there are books that have character’s from different backgrounds. I wish that there had more books like this when I was a child. I thought this book was cute and entertaining read. I look forward to reading more of Phommavanh’s work.
Connor is concerned about being a nerd and wants to be accepted by his peers. His mother has a lot of control of his life, from the friends he has, to the music he listens to and what he does in his free time. I felt bad for him to have that helicopter mother. I could understand from the mother’s perspective too. She wanted what was best for her son after sacrificing to come to Australia.
I used to work in a tutoring company and Connor reminded me of those kids. Most of my students were Chinese and their parents worked very hard to give them a good start to life. A lot of them wanted to go on to selective private schools. One of my students had an extracurricular activities almost every day. She went to tutoring two times a week, piano lessons, tennis lessons and Chinese lesson. The only day off she had was Sunday. She had moved from China with her mother to continue her education here.
Connor faces typical preteen issues, such as wanting to fit in with peers, burgeoning romantic feelings and fears about the future. I work as a teacher and this book reminded me of being a preteen. There have been times that I have been dismissive about things children face. However, I know that while something may seem small to me, it may be a big concern for a child.
I also loved the descriptions about Connor’s drawings. There are little sketches so that you can flick through the pages like a flip book. I would have liked to see more pictures but Phommavanh did a great job describing his character’s passion and talent for drawing.
I am excited that there are books that have character’s from different backgrounds. I wish that there had more books like this when I was a child. I thought this book was cute and entertaining read. I look forward to reading more of Phommavanh’s work.
July 31, 2012
One of the best books I have read in the last couple years. The book looks at Connor, a kid who is considered by others to be nerd but thats not the worst of it he also shows artistic talents which his mother does not appreciate and pushes him towards acdemic success. During this troublesome time within he just wishes his mother would care just the tininest about his artworks.
November 28, 2024
A fast-paced, intense read about surviving Grade Six. Connor, known as Con-nerd, is not as smart as his mother would like him to be. He is sent to tutoring six days per week, sport is not allowed, and family honour and being a doctor are his mother's highest priorities. She has battled to work and provide for Connor; no wavering from that path is tolerated.
Connor’s real skill is drawing his dragon comic characters, which makes him friends with the boys who usually bully him. Connor forges his mother’s signature to enter an art workshopping class, leading to all sorts of complications at home and school.
A must-read for students struggling to find their niche.
Connor’s real skill is drawing his dragon comic characters, which makes him friends with the boys who usually bully him. Connor forges his mother’s signature to enter an art workshopping class, leading to all sorts of complications at home and school.
A must-read for students struggling to find their niche.
August 21, 2018
The protagonist's voice is authentic and funny!! I loved the trials and tribulations of Con-Nerd and his quest to bring honour to his family in an unconcentional way. Go Con-Nerd and his brilliant author!
September 2, 2018
What it’s like to live with a ‘pushy parent’ and feel under pressure to bring honor to the family name by achieving academically and fulfilling your mother’s dream of becoming a doctor, when all you want to do is draw manga ....
February 14, 2019
A funny story about a kid who desperately wants to become an artist, but also wants to do the right thing by his mum (who dreams of him becoming a doctor). I love how Connor is torn between being true to himself (and his friends) and being a good son.
November 11, 2017
I love how this story talks about just a normal boy struggling with the life and what his Mum wants for him, and what he wants for himself.
March 21, 2022
Amazing, changed my life! Made my mum read it, she loved it too.
August 24, 2025
Author has pled guilty of grooming minors.
Do not support!
Do not support!
March 27, 2015
I have read three of this author's books now and thought all were excellent. They are so relatable (if not realistic ☺) I think any middle school child will get a buzz out of reading them. The plot of this one was quite similar to punchlines - Asian student who has a talent that must remain hidden so he doesn't disappoint his family, but I loved it anyway. The description of the first day of a new year at school was bang on and I could insert a few teachers names from my own school who would fit the stereotypes. It would be interesting to get the perspective of a student who has actually been through the tutoring system, but the description matches what I imagine it would be like. I have been recommending these to my class and here is another one to add to the list.
February 11, 2017
My favourite of Oliver Phommavanh's so far. A hilarious story about friendship, family loyalty, being different and chasing your dreams.
April 26, 2015
A humourous and interesting novel, Con-Nerd traces the anxiety of a young Chinese boy caught between achieving family honour and being true to himself. For Conner Wong, anime cartoonist and selective school hopeful, Year Six is a traumatic, love-filled, friendless and friend-filled evasion of his Mama. Oliver Phommavanh has, again, written about self-identity and family in the context of ordinary life in a Sydney school. His stories have a light touch, making them appealing to reluctant readers and allowing the reader to connect with the characters through their own experiences. This is a highly recommended novel for below Stage 4 readers.
March 19, 2012
Conner has a bad hair cut, thick geeky glasses and is smart, overall he is a nerd. His mum wants him to be a doctor she even pays for special tutoring classes. But Conner has a secret he wants to be an artist. He's good and when he starts to show his talent at school it starts getting him some cool firends, even maybe a chance with a girl he likes. But theres still one big problem will his mum accept him wanting to be an artist?
March 21, 2014
Con-Nerd is a book for young adults.The genre of the book is comedy. Connor is a nerd who loves drawing manga comics but his mother wants him to study hard to get in a selective school. The book was written by Oliver Phommavan. I would recommend this to children from the age of 10 to 16 years because there is a lot of comedy and it is very likable.
November 9, 2011
Thoroughly enjoyed this YA read. I hope he follows up with another as his characters are very likeable. Nothing earth shattering, but a solid story.
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November 30, 2017I loved it! It sends a great message!
November 4, 2013
I thought it was okay. It's not very challenging for me but the best bit is the secretive part. It makes you think.
November 9, 2014
hilarious but surprisingly moving as well. More great stuff from Oliver
January 11, 2016
It was good
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews