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Josh Baxter Levels Up
Video game lover Josh Baxter knows that seventh grade at a new school may be his hardest challenge yet, but he's not afraid to level up and win!
Josh Baxter is sick and tired of hitting the reset button. It's not easy being the new kid for the third time in two years. One mistake and now the middle-school football star is out to get him. And Josh's sister keeps offering him lame advice about how to make friends, as if he needs her help finding allies!
Josh knows that his best bet is to keep his head down and stay under the radar. If no one notices him, nothing can touch him, right? But when Josh's mom sees his terrible grades and takes away his video games, it's clear his strategy has failed. Josh needs a new plan, or he'll never make it to the next level, let alone the next grade.
He's been playing not to lose. It's time to play to win.
Josh Baxter is sick and tired of hitting the reset button. It's not easy being the new kid for the third time in two years. One mistake and now the middle-school football star is out to get him. And Josh's sister keeps offering him lame advice about how to make friends, as if he needs her help finding allies!
Josh knows that his best bet is to keep his head down and stay under the radar. If no one notices him, nothing can touch him, right? But when Josh's mom sees his terrible grades and takes away his video games, it's clear his strategy has failed. Josh needs a new plan, or he'll never make it to the next level, let alone the next grade.
He's been playing not to lose. It's time to play to win.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2016
15 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 5, 2018
I read it in 1 day. That's all I have to say.
(meaning I couldn't put it down)
(meaning I couldn't put it down)
Read
March 31, 2017This book follows the adventure of a teen boy who moves for the second time in two years. First Day: No friends and one enemy. His lives are low, and he's still on level 1. Can he ever make friends, much less stay away from star quarterback and bully Henry Schmittendorf? Will his awesome video game skills help him make a friend circle?
This book took me about two days to read, and is overall pretty easy. I would recommend it to 5th graders because of the vocabulary.
This book took me about two days to read, and is overall pretty easy. I would recommend it to 5th graders because of the vocabulary.
March 31, 2017
This book is about a boy named Josh Baxter who has had to change schools alot in 2 years. Mittens the school bully is not going to let him have a good year. All he has is his video games skills.
This is a good book and i would recommend it to anyone.
This is a good book and i would recommend it to anyone.
September 21, 2021
eponymous-ey sentence:
p59: "Josh Baxter," he says, his voice booming through the halls of Camelot.
This is a cool book for nerds--tackling nerdy problems including, but not limited to, bullying (by a jock, no less) and the dreaded console embargo.
p59: "Josh Baxter," he says, his voice booming through the halls of Camelot.
This is a cool book for nerds--tackling nerdy problems including, but not limited to, bullying (by a jock, no less) and the dreaded console embargo.
November 7, 2016
A fun look at being the new kid at school framed in video games. Recommended for grades 4 & up, especially gamers.
January 29, 2024
Josh is a middle school kid who takes video gaming beaucoup seriously. But now he's struggling in a new school. Slow to make friends but quick to make an enemy in the boss jock, Henry Schmittendorf (a.k.a. Mittens), he's also close to failing math and English – close enough for his widowed mom to take away his game consoles. This leaves Josh with pretty much nothing else to do but apply gaming strategies to winning at life.
Josh's thought processes are heartwarming and hilarious to witness. He models his behavior on superheroes and game characters, such as Mario and Luigi, Link, Solid Snake, and Steve from Minecraft. At the end of each chapter, he takes stock of his remaining health points and skills unlocked, all couched in fantasy role-play jargon. He gives the people around him in-game nicknames, like the Rogue, the Princess, the Warrior, the Whirlwind, the Enchantress (his English teacher), the Dragon (his gym teacher) and the Gym Leader (ironically, his math teacher). We're talking Pokémon gyms, here. And he processes his successes and setbacks as levels in a game, no doubt with a boss battle at the end. And as strange as it may seem, he makes it work – all the way to uniting a group of bickering classmates into a fighting unit in their school's video game decathlon, in which (naturally) he'll have to face his own Cobra Kai nemesis – you guessed it, the Mitten Monster.
There isn't a lot of reputable information online about middle-grades author and game producer Gavin Brown. As of this writing, he isn't listed on Fantastic Fiction. His website is mostly a list of broken links, though it does mention this book and another novel, Monster Club: Hunters for Hire. His Facebook page mentions still another, yet-unreleased book, The Dark Sorcerer's Intern, allegedly part of a three-book deal. Based on the charm of this book, I'd say those titles would probably be worth looking into. It's loopy, funny, sometimes touching, with a main character who really grows (but doesn't, at heart, change) and a dramatic build-up as he triumphs in task after task. I'd recommend it, especially for kids who are into games, but also anybody who enjoys a light, fast-paced romp in the world of a young teen's imagination.
Josh's thought processes are heartwarming and hilarious to witness. He models his behavior on superheroes and game characters, such as Mario and Luigi, Link, Solid Snake, and Steve from Minecraft. At the end of each chapter, he takes stock of his remaining health points and skills unlocked, all couched in fantasy role-play jargon. He gives the people around him in-game nicknames, like the Rogue, the Princess, the Warrior, the Whirlwind, the Enchantress (his English teacher), the Dragon (his gym teacher) and the Gym Leader (ironically, his math teacher). We're talking Pokémon gyms, here. And he processes his successes and setbacks as levels in a game, no doubt with a boss battle at the end. And as strange as it may seem, he makes it work – all the way to uniting a group of bickering classmates into a fighting unit in their school's video game decathlon, in which (naturally) he'll have to face his own Cobra Kai nemesis – you guessed it, the Mitten Monster.
There isn't a lot of reputable information online about middle-grades author and game producer Gavin Brown. As of this writing, he isn't listed on Fantastic Fiction. His website is mostly a list of broken links, though it does mention this book and another novel, Monster Club: Hunters for Hire. His Facebook page mentions still another, yet-unreleased book, The Dark Sorcerer's Intern, allegedly part of a three-book deal. Based on the charm of this book, I'd say those titles would probably be worth looking into. It's loopy, funny, sometimes touching, with a main character who really grows (but doesn't, at heart, change) and a dramatic build-up as he triumphs in task after task. I'd recommend it, especially for kids who are into games, but also anybody who enjoys a light, fast-paced romp in the world of a young teen's imagination.
July 16, 2017
Still reeling from the death of his father, seventh grader Josh Baxter is decidedly not happy about starting his third new school in two years. As often happens in this sort of situation, Josh is singled out for harassment by Henry (Mittens) Schmittendorf, a football player with a bunch of hangers-on who delight in calling Josh a creep after he made a silly mistake and mixed up the changing rooms on the first day of class. Josh is a gamer, and he draws inspiration for how to act from the characters in various games he loves to play. Eventually, he finds friends with some of the same interests as him, puts more effort in his schoolwork, and leads his team in their efforts to compete in a decathlon focused chiefly on gaming. The inclusion of artwork displaying his health, lives, and skills as well as experience points adds to the game focus of the story line and the idea of leveling up. Not surprisingly, Josh also comes to understand that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the case of Mittens whose father is an over the top control freak. By the time the story concluded, I actually felt sorry for Mittens--a good reminder that there is often much more than meets the eye when it comes to those around us. This is a well written, engaging, and honest story that will appeal to middle graders. Josh's annoyance with his all-too perfect sister, his anger at his mother, and his grief over his father's death all come together to make him a pretty miserable guy, but he still makes an effort to make friends and fit in.
December 11, 2019
A fun idea, if a little cliche and predictable--though I can see how it would appeal to young readers with all its video game and pop culture references. I really like the use of the art to highlight moments where Josh loses/gains health or experience. Overall the design is really great. I wish the author and the illustrator decided to include the drawing of Josh and his friends at the end. The humor was pretty great though, and I did love how EVERY shirt was Josh's favorite shirt--such a nice touch. I do wish Maya wasn't a love interest, and I thought the writing at times felt a little tooooo try-hard (*insert image of Steve Buscemi dressed as a young'n here), but whatever.
3/5 stars.
3/5 stars.
October 23, 2017
This book is great! Josh Baxter the video gamer attempts to navigate the middle school world armed with only his brain, and a pencil. He gets bullied, is getting bad grades so his mom takes away this video games, and his life is kind of a mess. He tries to make sense of everything using only his video game knowledge, but unsurprisingly, it doesn't work. This book overall is about Josh’s epic/terrible adventure into the middle school world.
August 4, 2017
Asher (11yo) read.
March 5, 2018
Fun, fast-paced story of a kid struggling to fit in at a new school. Will definitely appeal to kids who love video games.
March 6, 2018
My ten year old son adores this story which he can really relate to with all the game references.
December 11, 2019
It was good
Want to read
March 30, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
May 9, 2022
Lots of gaming references and leveling up in life metaphors.
April 10, 2023
I loved the video game parts, and I liked the character development.
Just wish it was longer.
Just wish it was longer.
August 21, 2023
Josh Baxter Levels Up
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.28/10 overall
Characters - 7
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 7
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.28/10 overall
Characters - 7
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 7
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
April 12, 2024
This was actually a super cute book that Marcus brought home from the school library. Took us a week or two, but all the kids liked it.
October 25, 2017
Very cool book as it smoothly inserted video games into the real world!
January 11, 2017
Reviewed for School Library Journal:
Gr 4-7 –Replete with gaming metaphors, the otherwise typical plot of a boy grappling with challenges at home and at school is given fresh appeal. Josh has had to move and attend three different schools within two years of losing his father. He relies on his favorite video games to distract him from real-life difficulties. But things seem to take a turn for the worse when Josh starts at a new middle school, becomes the target of a bully, and has his treasured video game collection withheld due to sinking grades. Josh realizes that he needs to take the strategies learned in his games and apply them in life: he evaluates what the heroes of his games would do and makes a plan to “level up.” Each chapter ends with a video game–style update of the protagonist’s level, health, lives, and new skills unlocked. Readers will be engaged in this likable lead’s quest to solidify burgeoning friendships via a school video game decathlon. Secondary peer characters of both genders and diverse backgrounds add texture. Josh’s mother and teachers are supportive secondary characters, demonstrating positive relationships between youths and adults. As a video game designer, the author understands the games in detail and what they mean to enthusiasts, rendering the gaming analogies relatable to the intended audience. VERDICT Recommended as an enticing addition, especially for middle school gamers and reluctant readers.–Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Gr 4-7 –Replete with gaming metaphors, the otherwise typical plot of a boy grappling with challenges at home and at school is given fresh appeal. Josh has had to move and attend three different schools within two years of losing his father. He relies on his favorite video games to distract him from real-life difficulties. But things seem to take a turn for the worse when Josh starts at a new middle school, becomes the target of a bully, and has his treasured video game collection withheld due to sinking grades. Josh realizes that he needs to take the strategies learned in his games and apply them in life: he evaluates what the heroes of his games would do and makes a plan to “level up.” Each chapter ends with a video game–style update of the protagonist’s level, health, lives, and new skills unlocked. Readers will be engaged in this likable lead’s quest to solidify burgeoning friendships via a school video game decathlon. Secondary peer characters of both genders and diverse backgrounds add texture. Josh’s mother and teachers are supportive secondary characters, demonstrating positive relationships between youths and adults. As a video game designer, the author understands the games in detail and what they mean to enthusiasts, rendering the gaming analogies relatable to the intended audience. VERDICT Recommended as an enticing addition, especially for middle school gamers and reluctant readers.–Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
September 21, 2016
Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum
To say that Josh Baxter is obsessed with video games would be an understatement. This kid thinks in video games, to the point that even his metaphors are video game related. Now, I am a huge geek. There are some things that I can seriously obsess over. The amount of books I read being one of them. But I don't think in book metaphors all the time. That would be strange. And it is strange when Josh does it too. I get that he loves video games, I just felt like it could have been taken down a notch.
Although this book was evenly paced, I found it a little too predictable and stereotypical. Some of the friends that Josh makes feel a little too archetypal or stereotypical. The Asian kid whose dad insists on him making good grades and freaks out when he wants to date someone of a different ethnicity. There is of course, one absent/dead parent. And a bully who is clearly bullied at home and leaves Josh alone once Josh manages to defeat him via video games. The story is quick, full of pictures and video game references, but on the whole, it failed to impress. That said, it will definitely appeal to the reluctant readers and young video game fanatics.
To say that Josh Baxter is obsessed with video games would be an understatement. This kid thinks in video games, to the point that even his metaphors are video game related. Now, I am a huge geek. There are some things that I can seriously obsess over. The amount of books I read being one of them. But I don't think in book metaphors all the time. That would be strange. And it is strange when Josh does it too. I get that he loves video games, I just felt like it could have been taken down a notch.
Although this book was evenly paced, I found it a little too predictable and stereotypical. Some of the friends that Josh makes feel a little too archetypal or stereotypical. The Asian kid whose dad insists on him making good grades and freaks out when he wants to date someone of a different ethnicity. There is of course, one absent/dead parent. And a bully who is clearly bullied at home and leaves Josh alone once Josh manages to defeat him via video games. The story is quick, full of pictures and video game references, but on the whole, it failed to impress. That said, it will definitely appeal to the reluctant readers and young video game fanatics.
April 29, 2016
I really liked reading this book. This is the story of Joshua Baxter, a middle school boy who loves video games and has moved to a new school for the third time in two years. Like all new kids he doesn't like being there and has a hard time fitting in, and on his first day he's lucky enough to fall in the radar of one of the biggest bullies in the school, football star Henry or "Mittens". For most of the beginning of the book Josh spends his time friendless, struggling with school, and struggling to keep clear of mittens. He finally finds a group of friends and the motivation to study and work hard in school and by the end of the book, he ends up beating the final boss, Mittens, in the school's video game decathlon. This book is great, Josh's character makes a video game or pop culture reference at least every other sentence which is awesome. I also love how when ever anything good or bad happens his health rises or falls and when Josh learns something he gets experience points. This would be a good book to give to a kid that loves video games and/or might be dealing with having to move schools or the loss of a family member.
September 7, 2016
Life for Josh is getting complicated. Since his dad’s death, his mother has been working a lot and he’s now at a new middle school, his third in two years. His older social butterfly sister is no help either. To make matters worse, he is being bullied at his new school. Josh seeks comfort in the favorite video games he shared with his dad. But when his video game passion negatively affects his grades and social life, his mother draws the line and takes away his games. Josh then decides to tackle middle school head on—imagining himself as the hero of a video game. Drawing from the individual traits of some of his favorite characters, Josh succeeds in turning around his unhappy life, making new friends (possibly even a girlfriend) and connecting with other gamers at the school video game decathlon. Sketches of a video game, showing Josh’s level, lives, skills and points end each chapter. The characters are relatable and the adults are caring. The many gaming references will keep gamers and reluctant readers interested. This light and neatly paced read is a great addition to any library.
August 9, 2016
Josh, whose father died two years previously, has since been in three different schools while his mom tries to find better work to support him and his older sister. Josh plays a ton of video games, which gets in the way of his school work, and he has trouble making friends at his new school - especially since he pissed off the bully jock popular guy on the first day. Josh decides to use the skills he learned playing video games to up his IRL game. In tough situations, he asks himself what his favorite characters would do, he awards himself experience points for accomplishments and he loses health for embarrassing situations. This is a good book for gamers or people who play casually. Someone who never plays video games might be lost by all the references, and there are a lot of them! At first, the bully jock popular guy seemed very one-dimensional, but towards the end we get a glimpse into his life and motivations and he fills out a bit. Enjoyable overall, but not for everyone.
February 5, 2017
The story: If Josh Baxter's life was a video game, he'd be dead. No more lives, no more health points, no new skills unlocked. It's his third new school in two years, he has zero friends, his grades are terrible, and there's a bully looking to kill him. But--when Josh goes into hero mode, it seems there might be more to him than meets the eye! Can he level up in time to avoid obliteration?
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG (a fist fight); Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a parent; grief; bullying; general adult cluelessness) PG-13; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: A really fun read! Hand this to anyone, boy or girl, who likes video games. Occasionally the not-so-subtle points about getting your homework done and working on your weaknesses get slightly preachy, but that's in no way a spoiler.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG (a fist fight); Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (death of a parent; grief; bullying; general adult cluelessness) PG-13; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: A really fun read! Hand this to anyone, boy or girl, who likes video games. Occasionally the not-so-subtle points about getting your homework done and working on your weaknesses get slightly preachy, but that's in no way a spoiler.
May 30, 2016
A good book for any kid gamer to read. My boy loved all of the references to video games and their characters, but also enjoyed the story of a boy trying to get his life back after his father's death. A lot of the serious "stuff" was pushed to the background, but it all made sense. Sometimes a kid's day to day school life can be just as tough to deal with as the loss of a parent. There was bullying and not doing well in school and trying to make friends after another move. Just trying to "live" was what Josh Baxter was trying to do. And thinking about how his beloved video game characters would face the same challenges was what got him through it all. That and finally finding his "tribe" of kids who understood him and found gaming just as awesome as he did.
It was slow in parts, but all in all we liked it.
It was slow in parts, but all in all we liked it.
January 1, 2017
Josh has moved to a new school -- the third in two years -- and he isn't adjusting well. He is still coping with his father's death, his mother's job changes and long hours, and confrontations with a popular bully with no friends for back up. Although the plot is a common middle school scenario, the story is told using gaming success as a metaphor for succeeding in school. Josh's passion is video games and when he applies what he knows about games to school, he finds his key to achieving his goals: "And if I want to reach the top, to become the hero who could get the grades, beat the bullies, and maybe even impress a princess, there's only one way. I have to grind my way through the levels. I need to learn the rulebook, earn the experience points, max out my stats, and level up." An entertaining middle grade novel with a good message that will resonate profoundly with gamers.
September 18, 2016
I can relate to this book because, like me, the main character loves video games and goes to a new school. The author accurately describes the hollow feeling when something bad happens like your games are taken away. Sadly, Josh, the main character in the book, gets teased at school. He does not feel like doing his homework, gets bad grades, and as a punishment his mother takes his games away. Josh has to work very hard to get his games back. Josh becomes more mature and the plot recognizes that hard work pays off.
Josh Baxter Levels Up has a funny, exciting story that makes you scared for the main character. In the climax of the book, you feel that you are at the edge of your seat, but the book provides some good laughs to loosen up the tension. I recommend this book for people who like video games.
Josh Baxter Levels Up has a funny, exciting story that makes you scared for the main character. In the climax of the book, you feel that you are at the edge of your seat, but the book provides some good laughs to loosen up the tension. I recommend this book for people who like video games.
February 11, 2017
This was clever. I liked it.
Read
July 3, 2016Josh Baxter is having trouble adjusting to fitting into a new school and grieving the loss of his father. He is a huge video game fan and finds refuge in these. To try to encourage himself to do things to help him make friends and improve his grades, he designs a point system where he awards himself points if he achieves certain things (ex. gets a good grade on a quiz). Unfortunately, Henry (aka Mitten) has been bullying Josh from day one and frequently gets in Josh's way. Fortunately, Josh is a pretty resilient kid and doesn't give up easily. I think kids who are big into video games would really enjoy this one and could connect to all of the specific gaming references.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews