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Middle School Misadventures
by
In Jason Platt's debut graphic novel, Ferris Bueller meets Calvin and Hobbes in this hilarious and embarrassing middle school caper that asks the important questions--like how long can one kid vamp before he embarrasses himself in front of his whole school?
Newell is always getting into trouble--whether it's showing up tardy for most of the year, or mocking his teachers ...more
Newell is always getting into trouble--whether it's showing up tardy for most of the year, or mocking his teachers ...more
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Hardcover, 232 pages
Published
April 9th 2019
by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
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Community Reviews
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Start your review of Middle School Misadventures

This whole thing was just kinda flawed for me. The talent show is going to be put on in three days? The principal is super vindictive and summer school is used as punishment not to further education or assist those who need extra help? The dad is just fine with all of this and never speaks to the principal? The art style was fine, but the story was just kinda ridiculous such that I stopped caring what happened to any of the characters.

The illustrations were great but I just couldn’t get into the story. The colorful, brilliant illustrations really jumped off the pages and I really thought this graphic novel was going to be a hit. It was the story itself that just didn’t make any sense to me as I read it but I continued reading it, as I liked the illustrations.
Let’s begin with the story and then, end this review on a positive note, the illustrations. The story was about a middle-schooler Newell who is signed up for his school’s ...more
Let’s begin with the story and then, end this review on a positive note, the illustrations. The story was about a middle-schooler Newell who is signed up for his school’s ...more

I really like the art in this - bright and colorful, with a style that's similar to Calvin and Hobbes. It's clear that Platt took his time with each panel (which doesn't always seem to be the case with graphic novels). Readers need to be willing to accept some absurdities from the very beginning (view spoiler) to the premise of the book (the late-for-school/summer school/talent show
...more

The artwork for this graphic novel was really nice, but I'm not sure that the story resonated. My son enjoyed it well enough - he is the target demographic - but he wasn't interested enough in the characters and their stories for me to get him the second book. He said he'd prefer to read something else instead. And I can't say that I blame him for that. I found that the story jumped around and Newell came across as a very annoying version of Nate. I actually wanted him to fail and get in trouble
...more

This was an enjoyable book. Newell, the main character, has a very active imagination, and a penchant for getting in trouble because of his daydreaming. Through a series of unfortunate events, he ends up with a choice: participate in the school talent show, or attend summer school. Unfortunately, he has no talent. Or does he?
This book reminded me a lot of Big Nate. So if you like graphic novels about inadvertent troublemakers, somewhat bewildered friends, and generally well-meaning adults, ...more
This book reminded me a lot of Big Nate. So if you like graphic novels about inadvertent troublemakers, somewhat bewildered friends, and generally well-meaning adults, ...more

So I guess Jason Platt has a webcomic (I haven't read it) that this book is based upon. I felt the pictures were too close to Bill Watterson's style of illustration, but I thought the story was delightfully funny (even though some things don't make sense, like what school administrator would wait until 3 DAYS before a talent show to announce that they were doing it?). The best thing about it is Newell's talent. (view spoiler)
...more

This had all the charm of the comics from my youth. There's a certain Calvin and Hobbes quality to the illustrations that is fun and I don't think the kids go to Garfield school coincidentally. Anyway, the plot is kinda wobbly for me. I can't see summer school being something you get to skip by doing a talent show? That said, the jokes were good, and a lot of care was taken with the illustrations.

Public library copy
Attractive, well done graphic novel that students will want to read.
It lost me, however, when the main character HAS to participate in the talent show or the principal will make him go to summer school. I can't see any child being forced into being in a talent show. The rest of the whole book felt off to me because of that, but students will not mind at all.
Attractive, well done graphic novel that students will want to read.
It lost me, however, when the main character HAS to participate in the talent show or the principal will make him go to summer school. I can't see any child being forced into being in a talent show. The rest of the whole book felt off to me because of that, but students will not mind at all.

Middle School Misadventures was a fun read. Newell and his friends are believable and the artwork is stellar. The situations Newell finds himself in are both real and outlandish at the same time. The creativity displayed by Jason Platt is great. I look forward to following Newell on many more adventures.

In this hilarious debut graphic novel from Jason Platt, discover the crazy things that Newell must go through to stay out of Summer school and keep his arch nemesis from ruining his life. Filled with great jokes and awesome illustrations, this graphic novel will keep you laughing all the way to the end!
Reviewer 22
Reviewer 22

Great art. Fun story, the kids really liked it!

Nov 19, 2019
Mpoveda
added it
is so funny and i can connect to it

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at ALA Annual 2019.
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