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The Real Us
Laura Corbett and Damian White are loners, and not by choice. Kids make fun of smart, sarcastic Laura for her weight and artistic Damian for his tendency to sweat through his shirts. Calista Getz, however--well, everyone agrees that Calista is the prettiest girl in the whole school. Maybe even the whole state. Let's just say that she sits at the popular lunch table. Laura and Damian don't.
But when Calista wakes up just before the school dance with the BIGGEST pimple she has EVER seen right in the middle of her face, and her attempts to hide it backfire spectacularly, Laura and Damian are the only ones who don't ignore her. In fact, they seem to see not only past her pimple, but past her popularity, too. Together, they'll challenge the school's status quo in this hilarious, heartfelt novel The Real Us, by Tommy Greenwald.
But when Calista wakes up just before the school dance with the BIGGEST pimple she has EVER seen right in the middle of her face, and her attempts to hide it backfire spectacularly, Laura and Damian are the only ones who don't ignore her. In fact, they seem to see not only past her pimple, but past her popularity, too. Together, they'll challenge the school's status quo in this hilarious, heartfelt novel The Real Us, by Tommy Greenwald.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 8, 2017
9 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Tommy Greenwald
43 books188 followersTommy Greenwald's book GAME CHANGER has been named an Amazon Best Book Of The Month, a 2019 YALSA Top Ten Pick for Reluctant Readers, and a Junior Library Guild Premier Selection. Tommy is also the author of the CRIMEBITERS, CHARLIE JOE JACKSON and PROJECT Z series, among many other books for children.
Day-job-wise, Tommy is the Co-Founder of Spotco Advertising, an entertainment advertising agency in New York City, and the lyricist and co-bookwriter of JOHN & JEN, an off-Broadway musical.
To read woefully outdated information about Tommy, visit tommygreenwald.com. (To send an email telling him how much you liked whatever book it was that you just read, holla at tommy@tommygreenwald.com.)
Day-job-wise, Tommy is the Co-Founder of Spotco Advertising, an entertainment advertising agency in New York City, and the lyricist and co-bookwriter of JOHN & JEN, an off-Broadway musical.
To read woefully outdated information about Tommy, visit tommygreenwald.com. (To send an email telling him how much you liked whatever book it was that you just read, holla at tommy@tommygreenwald.com.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 14, 2017
Eight-grader Calista Getz has always been the prettiest and most popular girl in school. And she’s also a pretty nice person, even if she has somehow ended up being friends with stuck up, superficial Ellie and Ella. And Calista still likes to play soccer. Laura Corbett used to be Calista’s best friend, but that seems to have changed now, though they still play on the soccer team together. But Laura has a weight problem that makes her the brunt of mean jokes, some made Ellie and Ella, straining what it left of her friendship with Calista. Damian White is an artist and a longer who has been watching Calista, fascinated by her ever since she gave him a tour of the school when he was a new student the year before. Damian also has hyperhidrosis, which causes him to sweat excessively. Small wonder his is also obsessed with drawing pictures of deserts.
The new school year has begun and Monday is pretty uneventful. Just lots of talk about the First Week Dance. Naturally Ellie and Ella think Calista should go with Peter Toole, best looking boy in the school and basically nice guy.. Later, at soccer practice, Laura accidentally hurts Calista during a scrimmage.Uh-oh…
Tuesday, Calista wakes up to her first pimple, right smack in the middle of her nose and in her panic, she pops it. So she puts her mother’s concealer on it and and covers it with a bandage. At school, she begins to break out in hives from the concealer, and runs into Damian in the nurse’s office, where he goes to change his shirt a few times a day. Later at lunch, Calista finds out that Peter doesn’t want to go to the dance with her now that she isn’t perfect. And to make matters worse, Damian accidentally smacks her in the nose with his elbow, causing bleeding. swelling and black and blue eyes. And superficial friends Ella and Ellie turn on her.
Let’s face it, middle school can be drama personified until everyone works out who they really are and how to really be that person. What makes this book really interesting is seeing how how everything works out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I love how Tommy Greenwald created main characters who defy stereotypes resulting in a much more interesting story. Normally, Calista who have been more like Ellie and Ella, but despite being so pretty, she is a smart, kind, and not afraid of getting dirty and sweating on the soccer field.
The Real Us covers the first week of school, up to the First Week Dance. Each day is narrated in the first person, alternatively by Calista, Laura and Damian, so the reader experiences how each one feels about the same set of events. Normally, I don’t like multiple narrators, but it really worked here, probably because there wasn’t a lot of descriptive passages, yet you really get a complete picture of what is happening.
A word about the adults in The Real Us - they really don’t give in to any of the middle school shenanigans that are going on. Calista’s mother tells her the pimple isn’t the end of the world, and makes her return to school on Wednesday despite the way her face now looks; the nurse sends her back to class because she is, after all, still a student. The art teacher doesn’t care what Calista looks like when she is asked to pose with Peter Toole for a poster for the dance, a poster drawn by Damian; and the soccer coach treats her like the other players, seeing her as a good player, not a pretty girl. I loved these adults.
The Real Us is a book every middle grade student should read.
This book is recommended for readers age 10+
This book was an EARC received from the publisher, Roaring Brook Press/mackids
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
The new school year has begun and Monday is pretty uneventful. Just lots of talk about the First Week Dance. Naturally Ellie and Ella think Calista should go with Peter Toole, best looking boy in the school and basically nice guy.. Later, at soccer practice, Laura accidentally hurts Calista during a scrimmage.Uh-oh…
Tuesday, Calista wakes up to her first pimple, right smack in the middle of her nose and in her panic, she pops it. So she puts her mother’s concealer on it and and covers it with a bandage. At school, she begins to break out in hives from the concealer, and runs into Damian in the nurse’s office, where he goes to change his shirt a few times a day. Later at lunch, Calista finds out that Peter doesn’t want to go to the dance with her now that she isn’t perfect. And to make matters worse, Damian accidentally smacks her in the nose with his elbow, causing bleeding. swelling and black and blue eyes. And superficial friends Ella and Ellie turn on her.
Let’s face it, middle school can be drama personified until everyone works out who they really are and how to really be that person. What makes this book really interesting is seeing how how everything works out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I love how Tommy Greenwald created main characters who defy stereotypes resulting in a much more interesting story. Normally, Calista who have been more like Ellie and Ella, but despite being so pretty, she is a smart, kind, and not afraid of getting dirty and sweating on the soccer field.
The Real Us covers the first week of school, up to the First Week Dance. Each day is narrated in the first person, alternatively by Calista, Laura and Damian, so the reader experiences how each one feels about the same set of events. Normally, I don’t like multiple narrators, but it really worked here, probably because there wasn’t a lot of descriptive passages, yet you really get a complete picture of what is happening.
A word about the adults in The Real Us - they really don’t give in to any of the middle school shenanigans that are going on. Calista’s mother tells her the pimple isn’t the end of the world, and makes her return to school on Wednesday despite the way her face now looks; the nurse sends her back to class because she is, after all, still a student. The art teacher doesn’t care what Calista looks like when she is asked to pose with Peter Toole for a poster for the dance, a poster drawn by Damian; and the soccer coach treats her like the other players, seeing her as a good player, not a pretty girl. I loved these adults.
The Real Us is a book every middle grade student should read.
This book is recommended for readers age 10+
This book was an EARC received from the publisher, Roaring Brook Press/mackids
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
August 9, 2017
Originally posted at Log Cabin Library
Each chapter of The Real Us is written as one day of the week leading closer to the first dance of the school year, alternating between Calista, Damian, and Laura. Calista is pretty, popular, friends to Ellie and Ella, who follow her around and think that she and Patrick would make the cutest couple because they're the most popular kids in school. Damian was the new kid in school last year, he's an artist, kinda awkward and shy because of a medical condition called hyperhidrosis that causes excessive sweating. To compensate, he wears a red jacket all the time and visits the nurse's office to change out his shirt during the day. He ends up enduring quite a bit of teasing from Patrick's friend Will but tries very hard to not let it get to him. Laura and Callista used to be the best of friends, they still play soccer on the same team, but now Laura's friends with fellow soccer player Rachel, who she has more in common with. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the alternating between Calista, Damian, and Laura's voice. The prologue sets things up as if this is a story about Calista, and yet it's also about the interactions and events that all three of them share. In the end, it really worked for me. Who would've thought a pimple could make things go so horribly wrong. Calista's cosmetic emergency leads her to try and conceal her pimple, but then the concealer causes her to break out in hives. To top things off, Damian ends up accidentally elbowing her in the face causing further bruising and swelling. Because of these events and the overall change in her looks, Calista's friends begin to shy away from her and now even nice guy Patrick isn't going to ask her to the dance. Calista begins to redefine who she thinks she is, who her true friends are and what is important to her in life, things like reading and playing soccer. I really liked Calista, she never came off as conceited or self-centered and seemed to genuinely care about those around her. Clearly, she was affected by Ellie and Ella turning their backs on her, but I liked that she found new friends, reconnected with Laura and the way she genuinely was being nice to Damian. The themes in The Real Us not only cover the idea of what a real friend is, it also shows how people are more complicated than they look on the outside, that our actions are important and that it shouldn't matter what other people think of us, they don't define who we are.
Favorite lines:
"These things don't know everything you know. I frown, "What things?" "Mirrors," she says. "They're just pieces of glass. They don't actually reflect anything about who we are. They're your friend one day, your enemy the next. You can't trust them."
**I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts.**
Each chapter of The Real Us is written as one day of the week leading closer to the first dance of the school year, alternating between Calista, Damian, and Laura. Calista is pretty, popular, friends to Ellie and Ella, who follow her around and think that she and Patrick would make the cutest couple because they're the most popular kids in school. Damian was the new kid in school last year, he's an artist, kinda awkward and shy because of a medical condition called hyperhidrosis that causes excessive sweating. To compensate, he wears a red jacket all the time and visits the nurse's office to change out his shirt during the day. He ends up enduring quite a bit of teasing from Patrick's friend Will but tries very hard to not let it get to him. Laura and Callista used to be the best of friends, they still play soccer on the same team, but now Laura's friends with fellow soccer player Rachel, who she has more in common with. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the alternating between Calista, Damian, and Laura's voice. The prologue sets things up as if this is a story about Calista, and yet it's also about the interactions and events that all three of them share. In the end, it really worked for me. Who would've thought a pimple could make things go so horribly wrong. Calista's cosmetic emergency leads her to try and conceal her pimple, but then the concealer causes her to break out in hives. To top things off, Damian ends up accidentally elbowing her in the face causing further bruising and swelling. Because of these events and the overall change in her looks, Calista's friends begin to shy away from her and now even nice guy Patrick isn't going to ask her to the dance. Calista begins to redefine who she thinks she is, who her true friends are and what is important to her in life, things like reading and playing soccer. I really liked Calista, she never came off as conceited or self-centered and seemed to genuinely care about those around her. Clearly, she was affected by Ellie and Ella turning their backs on her, but I liked that she found new friends, reconnected with Laura and the way she genuinely was being nice to Damian. The themes in The Real Us not only cover the idea of what a real friend is, it also shows how people are more complicated than they look on the outside, that our actions are important and that it shouldn't matter what other people think of us, they don't define who we are.
Favorite lines:
"These things don't know everything you know. I frown, "What things?" "Mirrors," she says. "They're just pieces of glass. They don't actually reflect anything about who we are. They're your friend one day, your enemy the next. You can't trust them."
**I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts.**
December 27, 2017
Greenwald, Tommy The Real Us, 246 pages. Roaring Brook Press, 2017. $17.00. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
Calista and Patrick are the most popular kids in the school and most good looking. Calista gets a pimple a few days before a school dance and tries to cover it with concealer, but she breaks out in a rash because she is allergic to her mom’s concealer. Suddenly people stop talking to her because she “isn’t pretty anymore”. Laura and Damian, a few losers, pay attention to her and they become friends.
I personally enjoyed this book. It was very realistic situations. The plot was clear and very credible. Everything that happens in this book could really happen and I’m sure has happened to someone. Setting is extremely believable. It was a really good book overall. I would read a series of this book, and recommend it.
EL, MS- ADVISABLE. KJP, Student reviewer, 7th grade
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Calista and Patrick are the most popular kids in the school and most good looking. Calista gets a pimple a few days before a school dance and tries to cover it with concealer, but she breaks out in a rash because she is allergic to her mom’s concealer. Suddenly people stop talking to her because she “isn’t pretty anymore”. Laura and Damian, a few losers, pay attention to her and they become friends.
I personally enjoyed this book. It was very realistic situations. The plot was clear and very credible. Everything that happens in this book could really happen and I’m sure has happened to someone. Setting is extremely believable. It was a really good book overall. I would read a series of this book, and recommend it.
EL, MS- ADVISABLE. KJP, Student reviewer, 7th grade
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
August 19, 2017
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
Middle school is a time of finding one’s identity. In The Real Us, Tommy Greenwald explores three different examples of kids in middle school and their search for who they really are. Damian is like many of our students who has something to hide from his peers so is quiet and hidden. Laura is friendly and known, but because of her weight is still excluded from most social activities. Then there is Callie. Who seems to have the perfect life, but even she learns through a bump in the road that perfection is not always what it seems. All three of these characters will resonate with readers either as a mirror or a window.
Middle school is a time of finding one’s identity. In The Real Us, Tommy Greenwald explores three different examples of kids in middle school and their search for who they really are. Damian is like many of our students who has something to hide from his peers so is quiet and hidden. Laura is friendly and known, but because of her weight is still excluded from most social activities. Then there is Callie. Who seems to have the perfect life, but even she learns through a bump in the road that perfection is not always what it seems. All three of these characters will resonate with readers either as a mirror or a window.
November 11, 2017
I enjoyed all of the Charlie Joe Jackson books and was curious to see what this new title from their author would offer to me. I am delighted to report that this is another terrific title for middle grades, who will surely find many of their own fears, anxieties, and experiences depicted on the book's pages. They will relate to the three main characters as their lives intertwine in surprising way. Because the story is told from three points of view--those of sixth graders Calista Getz, Laura Corbett, and Damian White--readers can see how various events that affect one character affect another in a very different way. Middle grades aren't the easiest times to attend school as social groups often shift, sometimes every day, and as physical changes can make life embarrassing. And what a difference a pimple and a few accidents can make in someone's social status. In the case of this book, which covers a week of school--yes, only a week! but so much happens!--Calista is the class beauty, and everyone wants to be around her. Her best friends Ellie and Ella are sure that Patrick, the best-looking guy in their class, plans to ask her to the school dance. However, an unexpected pimple doctored with concealing cream, and a few other facial mishaps, mar her beauty, and she finds her status reduced. Interestingly, Calista also enjoys playing soccer, but considers giving it up because of bad advice from her "friends." Laura is also on the soccer team, but the two teammates are no longer close since Calista moves in a completely different social circle than Laura and no longer has time for the things they used to enjoy. Although Laura has moved on, she still misses her friend. Damian is a talented artist, but hides his heavy perspiration inside the jacket he wears almost constantly. He is in awe of Calista who was friendly to him when he first entered the school but interested in another girl. It's interesting to watch how all this drama plays out, including the scenes in class in which Mr. Cody, the English teacher, holds is class accountable for their summer reading, and when the poster featuring Calista as Damian sees her is unveiled. Although the book covers some familiar territory, it does so in a way that is different and insightful, allowing readers to see that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder and that one's physical appearance is only part of the total package of what makes someone real. I enjoyed following these characters and appreciated the author tackling that silly notion that sports make girls sweat, which leads to bad complexions.
August 8, 2017
There is always more to someone than meets the eye. But if you are only judged by how you look, how can someone really know you?
The Real Us by Tommy Greenwald and illustrated by J.P Coovert is told through alternative narrators as they experience their first week back to middle school. The first narrator we meet is Calista. She is considered the prettiest girl in school, which makes her super popular. Next we meet Damian, an outcast who sweats a lot. The third narrator is Laura. She too is a loner. Kids tend to make fun of her for her weight. Laura and Damian are used to being ignored. Calista, however, is not. When the worst thing possible happens to Calista a few days before the first school dance, she will discover what matters most about a person.
Verdict: Overall I would give this book 3/5 stars. It does a good job at capturing the drama of middle school. It can be a tough world. One day you can feel like the coolest kid in school, the next you can be chopped liver. Friendships can come and go. And the lunchroom can be a tough place to be, especially for kids who get picked on and feel alone. My one critique would be the ending. I wasn't fully convinced with how things ended. It felt a bit forced. Did the characters really change or will things go right back to normal? I would have liked to see more of how the experience impacted the rest of the student body, specifically Will, Ellie, and Ella. All in all though, this book is a good reminder that we can’t judge someone by how they look. We should always take the time to get to know them.
The Real Us by Tommy Greenwald and illustrated by J.P Coovert is told through alternative narrators as they experience their first week back to middle school. The first narrator we meet is Calista. She is considered the prettiest girl in school, which makes her super popular. Next we meet Damian, an outcast who sweats a lot. The third narrator is Laura. She too is a loner. Kids tend to make fun of her for her weight. Laura and Damian are used to being ignored. Calista, however, is not. When the worst thing possible happens to Calista a few days before the first school dance, she will discover what matters most about a person.
Verdict: Overall I would give this book 3/5 stars. It does a good job at capturing the drama of middle school. It can be a tough world. One day you can feel like the coolest kid in school, the next you can be chopped liver. Friendships can come and go. And the lunchroom can be a tough place to be, especially for kids who get picked on and feel alone. My one critique would be the ending. I wasn't fully convinced with how things ended. It felt a bit forced. Did the characters really change or will things go right back to normal? I would have liked to see more of how the experience impacted the rest of the student body, specifically Will, Ellie, and Ella. All in all though, this book is a good reminder that we can’t judge someone by how they look. We should always take the time to get to know them.
August 26, 2018
3 1/2 stars (I do a lot of complaining its not as bad as I make it look it)
If you are going to read this book DON'T read the blurb. The blurb in my opinion wasn't accurate and didn't really provide any information except the fact that Laura is overweight (you need to know that)
Calista, Damian, and Laura all go to the same school, but are TRULY different. Calista is popular and though she doesn't seem to care about people around her really does. Damian has a sweat disorder, that he is paranoid about. Laura is apparently overweight(it's never mentioned in the book - it is on the blurb) and misses the "old Calista". The trio become friends and when old friends stray they bond a little more.
I have some complaints
Calista... First of all, you are not perfect. You do not need to find your friends dates to the dance. You need to find yourself better friends. And you ditched your Best Friend! Also a little zit isn't gonna kill you.
Laura... You weren't terrible. I understand that you try to be a good friend even when Calista wasn't nice to you, but you have a better friend who you really took for granted.
*kind of spoiler, but not really*
Damian... You were probably my favorite character. Just be a little more considerate.
*minor spoiler ahead*
All of you... Your friendship is worthless because of how much you fight!!! It's ridonkulus!
Overall it wasn't a bad book just some things that bugged me, sorry for the long review
If you are going to read this book DON'T read the blurb. The blurb in my opinion wasn't accurate and didn't really provide any information except the fact that Laura is overweight (you need to know that)
Calista, Damian, and Laura all go to the same school, but are TRULY different. Calista is popular and though she doesn't seem to care about people around her really does. Damian has a sweat disorder, that he is paranoid about. Laura is apparently overweight(it's never mentioned in the book - it is on the blurb) and misses the "old Calista". The trio become friends and when old friends stray they bond a little more.
I have some complaints
Calista... First of all, you are not perfect. You do not need to find your friends dates to the dance. You need to find yourself better friends. And you ditched your Best Friend! Also a little zit isn't gonna kill you.
Laura... You weren't terrible. I understand that you try to be a good friend even when Calista wasn't nice to you, but you have a better friend who you really took for granted.
*kind of spoiler, but not really*
Damian... You were probably my favorite character. Just be a little more considerate.
*minor spoiler ahead*
All of you... Your friendship is worthless because of how much you fight!!! It's ridonkulus!
Overall it wasn't a bad book just some things that bugged me, sorry for the long review
February 24, 2018
This was a nice quick read especially for 5th to 8th graders. I enjoyed how the characters in the story had realistic problems with each other. Greenwald spins little moral dilemmas that probably occur to teens all the time. There is a lot to discuss and questions within the plot and I think it would make a great book discussion. Plus it would be great for relecutant readers because the chapters are so short. The story centers around several main characters Calista, the beautiful one, Damien, the sweaty one and Laura, the good girl who loves soccer but misses her friend Calista. All of these students are trying to navigate middle school while trying to ignore peer pressure, bullying and getting to know who they really are. For example, Calista gets a pimple on her nose and because of peer pressure begins to doubt being on the soccer team because she will get all sweaty and breakout. And of course a girl so pretty cannot play soccer right? The Real Us explores many topics just like this. I also like how clean the book is. No profanity or sex. Just a wholesome read that I think is sometimes needed.
February 9, 2018
"Calista is a particularly pretty girl who, because of her beauty, has moved away from the friend and athletic pursuits of her younger years. There's an interesting twist here because shes not the stereotypical mean girl who sucks others into her power field. It's more as if she's the one who is sucked away from her past. And it's all because of something she has little control over. Her looks. She's marked by her appearance.
And then she gets a pimple. And within days, she's got a rash. This means she's no longer the prettiest girl in school. She loses her chair at the cafeteria table! Those lame girl hangerons stop hanging on!"
Excerpt from Original Content.
And then she gets a pimple. And within days, she's got a rash. This means she's no longer the prettiest girl in school. She loses her chair at the cafeteria table! Those lame girl hangerons stop hanging on!"
Excerpt from Original Content.
August 27, 2019
I read this book in the summer. I really like how the writing was and the changing between charterers for different points of view. The author did a really nice job of giving us the thoughts and feeling of each character. I also liked how each character had a different way of writing I thought that was very excellent. I would recommend it to anyone who is just going into middle school or going to high school. I would also recommend this book to my sister shes in 7th grade so I think she might enjoy this book. I read this book because it grabbed my attention when I was reading the cover. I also read this book because I liked how the author style of writing was. This book was similar to salt to the sea the way of both books have almost the same writing. It also shows each of the characters feelings and thought.
June 28, 2017
I won an ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway.
The entire book takes place over the course of one week - the first week of 8th grade. Chapters rotate between the 3 main characters, Calista, Laura, and Damian, who reveal their versions of the week's events. The book addresses issues that most pre-teens will have to deal with at some point, such as figuring out who your true friends are, being mindful of how your words and actions affect others, and letting go of what others think. The events and conversations are realistic and relatable, but not trite. This will make a great read for any kid making the transition into middle school.
The entire book takes place over the course of one week - the first week of 8th grade. Chapters rotate between the 3 main characters, Calista, Laura, and Damian, who reveal their versions of the week's events. The book addresses issues that most pre-teens will have to deal with at some point, such as figuring out who your true friends are, being mindful of how your words and actions affect others, and letting go of what others think. The events and conversations are realistic and relatable, but not trite. This will make a great read for any kid making the transition into middle school.
April 18, 2018
This story is told from 3 points of view over the course of a week. It touches on identity, popularity, and the social mess that is middle school. While I liked Calista's introspection and her understanding that she's more than just a pretty face, I feel like it all happened too fast. I was slightly disappointed in the book as a whole--the prologue was so intriguing to me yet I felt the rest of the book didn't meet the expectations set from it. Regardless, I think middle schoolers will appreciate this one.
January 9, 2018
Love the cover, the dialogue was fun and authentic, and the format made this a super fast read. Best of all, I like how it hit the MG tropes but put a fresh spin on them. This was a great little story.
May 17, 2017
A great readalike for fans of Wonder and the Mr. Terupt books.
August 2, 2017
Cute story about accepting yourself - and others - as you/they are and seeing beneath the surface.
I received an electronic arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an electronic arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2017
Tommy Greenwald captures the awkwardness that is middle school.
October 18, 2017
Loved it!! Very relatable to all those middle schoolers out there! At least that’s how I remember it!
October 28, 2017
A bit young but good message
December 3, 2017
nice, tame, middle school drama type book.
July 13, 2018
This is middle grade drama at its best. It's perfect for talking about friendships and judging people on appearances.
August 20, 2018
Interesting way of writing the classic message about being true to yourself and looking beyond face value before judging someone.
October 23, 2020
I really liked it! I would recommend to anyone!
February 28, 2021
A wonderful story showing that beauty is not only skin deep.
August 30, 2021
read this when I was younger I don't really remember it
August 11, 2022
It’s so very realistic middle school and changing friends and the whole thing happens in one week!
July 18, 2023
It was a good, easy, and fast book to read did not put it down.
April 23, 2024
narcissistic charterers and no plot
the kind of book i wanna read
(no hate to the author)
the kind of book i wanna read
(no hate to the author)
November 15, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The way they said the name of the book at the end of the book I can’t 😭
The way they said the name of the book at the end of the book I can’t 😭
August 4, 2017
The Real Us by Tommy Greenwald is a fast-paced middle grade read! Thoroughly entertaining, this is a story told from the perspectives of three middle school kids trying to figure out who they truly are beyond the labels others give them. With the right mix of originality, humor, and heart, this is a story that will appeal to a wide range of middle school readers.
March 20, 2018
Told from 3 different points of view and every chapter changes person. Damian is a shy artist who sweats a lot. Calista is the beautiful, popular girl and Laura is the former best friend and is on the heavier side. The story takes place during the first week of 8th grade. All of the stereotypical middle school characters are here including the mean sidekicks and the crowd followers. Everything changes the day beautiful, never had a problem before Calista gets a pimple on her nose. Suddenly, the sidekicks take over her seat and the boy who was going to ask her to the dance doesn’t. She then questions who she really is and who her real friends are.
It has a great premise, but the characters are really shallow and not well developed. There are no real surprises and the ending is a bit of a disappointment. It is an easy story to read, so it may appeal to those just looking for a quick and easy read. Recommended with a meh. Grades 4-6
It has a great premise, but the characters are really shallow and not well developed. There are no real surprises and the ending is a bit of a disappointment. It is an easy story to read, so it may appeal to those just looking for a quick and easy read. Recommended with a meh. Grades 4-6
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