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Worser
A bullied 12-year-old boy must find a new normal after his mother has a stroke and his life is turned upside down.
William Wyatt Orser, a socially awkward middle schooler, is a wordsmith who, much to his annoyance, acquired the ironically ungrammatical nickname of “Worser" so long ago that few people at school know to call him anything else.
Worser grew up with his mom, a professor of rhetoric and an introvert just like him, in a comfortable routine that involved reading aloud in the evenings, criticizing the grammar of others, ignoring the shabby mess of their house, and suffering the bare minimum of social interactions with others.
But recently all that has changed. His mom had a stroke that left her nonverbal, and his Aunt Iris has moved in with her cats, art projects, loud music, and even louder clothes. Home for Worser is no longer a refuge from the unsympathetic world at school that it has been all his life.
Feeling lost, lonely, and overwhelmed, Worser searches for a new sanctuary and ends up finding the Literary Club--a group of kids from school who share his love of words and meet in a used bookstore– something he never dreamed existed outside of his home. Even more surprising to Worser is that the key to making friends is sharing the thing he holds his Masterwork, the epic word notebook that he has been adding entries to for years.
But relationships can be precarious, and it is up to Worser to turn the page in his own story to make something that endures so that he is no longer seen as Worser and earns a new nickname, Worder.
A New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Editors’ Choice Selection
William Wyatt Orser, a socially awkward middle schooler, is a wordsmith who, much to his annoyance, acquired the ironically ungrammatical nickname of “Worser" so long ago that few people at school know to call him anything else.
Worser grew up with his mom, a professor of rhetoric and an introvert just like him, in a comfortable routine that involved reading aloud in the evenings, criticizing the grammar of others, ignoring the shabby mess of their house, and suffering the bare minimum of social interactions with others.
But recently all that has changed. His mom had a stroke that left her nonverbal, and his Aunt Iris has moved in with her cats, art projects, loud music, and even louder clothes. Home for Worser is no longer a refuge from the unsympathetic world at school that it has been all his life.
Feeling lost, lonely, and overwhelmed, Worser searches for a new sanctuary and ends up finding the Literary Club--a group of kids from school who share his love of words and meet in a used bookstore– something he never dreamed existed outside of his home. Even more surprising to Worser is that the key to making friends is sharing the thing he holds his Masterwork, the epic word notebook that he has been adding entries to for years.
But relationships can be precarious, and it is up to Worser to turn the page in his own story to make something that endures so that he is no longer seen as Worser and earns a new nickname, Worder.
A New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Editors’ Choice Selection
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
September 27, 2022
I'm clearly in the minority on this one. William Wyatt Orser is an awkward kid, and has been a source of derision since being nicknamed "Worser" by classmates: from his first initial and last name. For those interested in wordplay, you might like this as he is adept and loved playing word games with his mother. She is out of the picture now, and the poor kid is being watched by his Aunt and her two evil cats. Much to everyone's surprise, including his own, he joins a club a normal pubescent reason. While the ending was nice, I did not like the main character so found this one a chore.
April 22, 2026
While this book is geared toward the middle grade set, I honestly cannot see a kid reading this book of their own accord. I feel like this is one of those books that adults will love, but that actual children will turn certainly their noses up at. (Of the thousands of kids I’ve worked with I cannot think of even 1 that I’d recommend this book to.) The writing is too awkward and has so many vocabulary words dumped in it feels like even the most fluent kids would need a dictionary on stand by. The main character is not likable or believable and acts much younger than 12 (except when thinking of his crush.) Might be believable if he had autism but it’s not written that way. What came to mind is being inside Sheldon Coopers mind as a child, but without the help of having learned any social constructs or to tone down his pompous-ness and use the manners his mother taught him, and without a laugh track.
May 30, 2022
One of the loveliest, most nuanced middle grades I’ve ever read - simultaneously witty and heartbreaking in the exact same moments. Ziegler allows you inhabit Worser’s mind and universe in such a complete and honest way, but she also allows the reader (& Worser) to see glimpses of the world through so many other beautifully drawn characters. Unique and yet universal, like all the best stories are, this book explores both the beauty and power of words and how they can still feel completely inadequate.
April 5, 2022
Life has not been easy for 12-year-old William Orser. A loner whose elderly father passed away when he was very young, nicknamed Worser (W. Orser) on the first day of second grade, and bullied by the other kids, Worser is now living with a mother who has had a severe stroke, and his Aunt Iris, who is taking care of them. Ironically, Worser's mother was a professor of rhetoric who can no longer speak, but who had imparted a love of words in her son when he was a child, a love that has continued.
Worser has been working on a project he calls his Masterwork, a loose-leaf binder filled with lists of important observations about words, a project that enables him to work in the library at the end of the school day to avoid going home and dealing with his mother and aunt. But now, because of budget cuts, Worser finds that the library is closed after school but not before he meets Turk, who has his own unique (and cringe worthy to Worser) twist on words.
No library forces Worser to find another place to work on his Masterwork and eventually he finds and strikes a deal with Mr. Murray, the owner of a secondhand bookstore called Re-Visions. When Worser finds out that his crush, Donya Khoury, has lost the school sponsor for her Literary Club and can not longer meet in school, Worser comes up with a plan to help her out using his space at the bookstore and ultimately becoming a member of the club. But when Mr. Murray's rent is increased, it looks like he will have to close Re-Visions. And again, Worser has a plan to save the store. But will it actually work?
I have to admit that for much of this novel, I really didn't like Worser very much. It was clear he had nothing good to say about most people, including his aunt, who was trying her best to care for him and his mom. Interestingly, she is the opposite of Worser, being very emotional where he seems to completely lack emotion. She is also rather eccentric, albeit in a very different way than Worser and apparently his mother was before her stroke. It's very clear that Worser has not come to terms with the drastic changes he sees in his mother now that she is unable to speak or do anything for herself, and, rather that dealing with this, he loses himself in working on his Masterwork and later getting involved with the Literary Club to get Donya's attention.
As I went along on Worser's coming-of-age story, he began to grow on me more and more, and I began to feel very empathic as I realized how traumatized he was by the things that have happened to him over time and his attempts to avoid facing the truths about his feelings. Channeling his emotions into words is exactly how he lost his ability to communicate with the world and it would take a catastrophic event for him to find his way back. And it is quite a journey.
Thank you Edelweiss+ for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Worser has been working on a project he calls his Masterwork, a loose-leaf binder filled with lists of important observations about words, a project that enables him to work in the library at the end of the school day to avoid going home and dealing with his mother and aunt. But now, because of budget cuts, Worser finds that the library is closed after school but not before he meets Turk, who has his own unique (and cringe worthy to Worser) twist on words.
No library forces Worser to find another place to work on his Masterwork and eventually he finds and strikes a deal with Mr. Murray, the owner of a secondhand bookstore called Re-Visions. When Worser finds out that his crush, Donya Khoury, has lost the school sponsor for her Literary Club and can not longer meet in school, Worser comes up with a plan to help her out using his space at the bookstore and ultimately becoming a member of the club. But when Mr. Murray's rent is increased, it looks like he will have to close Re-Visions. And again, Worser has a plan to save the store. But will it actually work?
I have to admit that for much of this novel, I really didn't like Worser very much. It was clear he had nothing good to say about most people, including his aunt, who was trying her best to care for him and his mom. Interestingly, she is the opposite of Worser, being very emotional where he seems to completely lack emotion. She is also rather eccentric, albeit in a very different way than Worser and apparently his mother was before her stroke. It's very clear that Worser has not come to terms with the drastic changes he sees in his mother now that she is unable to speak or do anything for herself, and, rather that dealing with this, he loses himself in working on his Masterwork and later getting involved with the Literary Club to get Donya's attention.
As I went along on Worser's coming-of-age story, he began to grow on me more and more, and I began to feel very empathic as I realized how traumatized he was by the things that have happened to him over time and his attempts to avoid facing the truths about his feelings. Channeling his emotions into words is exactly how he lost his ability to communicate with the world and it would take a catastrophic event for him to find his way back. And it is quite a journey.
Thank you Edelweiss+ for providing me with an ARC of this book.
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March 31, 2022WORSER by Jennifer Ziegler is now at the top of my best books of 2022, and it is going to take something special to knock it off its pedestal. Filled with amazing words and turns of phrase and an incredible main character, WORSER is encouraging, heart-breaking, and a hoot to boot.
William Wyatt Orser "Worser" is most comfortable around people over 40. This doesn't endear him to his fellow seventh grade classmates. Raised to appreciate words and language and the accurate use of both, Worser is frustrated when he hears words used incorrectly. The fact that he makes his frustration known by constantly correcting those around him hasn't earned him any friends. Since his propensity for correcting folks isn't limited to just his classmates, he has recently found himself in the principal's office for correcting his teachers.
Worser has always had a partner in this appreciation for words in his mother, but she has suffered a stroke that has left her with only the ability to express herself with sounds like "Be" and "Beh. Worser's eccentric aunt has come to stay with them bringing her two half-feral cats and her crazy art projects. In an effort to escape and find a quiet place, Worser has discovered a small, little used bookstore whose proprietor allows him to spend time working on something he calls his Masterwork.
Life for Worser begins to look up when his long-time crush Donya needs a place for the school Literary Club to meet. The bookstore is the perfect answer. Worser learns others might appreciate his love of words and his amazing Masterwork, but life just isn't that simple for Worser. Complications arise that will test his patience and his fears that life with his mother may never return to normal.
William Wyatt Orser "Worser" is most comfortable around people over 40. This doesn't endear him to his fellow seventh grade classmates. Raised to appreciate words and language and the accurate use of both, Worser is frustrated when he hears words used incorrectly. The fact that he makes his frustration known by constantly correcting those around him hasn't earned him any friends. Since his propensity for correcting folks isn't limited to just his classmates, he has recently found himself in the principal's office for correcting his teachers.
Worser has always had a partner in this appreciation for words in his mother, but she has suffered a stroke that has left her with only the ability to express herself with sounds like "Be" and "Beh. Worser's eccentric aunt has come to stay with them bringing her two half-feral cats and her crazy art projects. In an effort to escape and find a quiet place, Worser has discovered a small, little used bookstore whose proprietor allows him to spend time working on something he calls his Masterwork.
Life for Worser begins to look up when his long-time crush Donya needs a place for the school Literary Club to meet. The bookstore is the perfect answer. Worser learns others might appreciate his love of words and his amazing Masterwork, but life just isn't that simple for Worser. Complications arise that will test his patience and his fears that life with his mother may never return to normal.
April 23, 2022
I finished this quickly, having such a strong voice from William Wyatt Orser, an awkward 7th grader with a love of words, raised by only his mother from age four when his father died. Somewhere in the early years, people started calling him Worser, and it stuck. The novel shows a mother and her son, both introverts, who laid out their lives in a strict fashion. His mother was immersed in grief, and Worser loved the word sessions and learning from his mother until everything changed. His mother had a stroke, his aunt (her sister) comes to take care of them both, and we readers see a child who has no idea about usual conversations with anyone, who mightily resents his aunt's interference. He appears only to have two friends, one from his early years, a girl named Donya, and a boy named Herbie who, also an outcast, sits with him at lunch.
Happily, Worser finds a back table at an old bookstore that becomes a safe haven and when Donya's literary club loses its after-school space, Worser manages to help them meet at the bookstore. It's fun to see Worser realize he has a group, not so fun when his heart breaks a little as he learns Donya has another boy she likes a lot. Things come to both grief and a shock when Worser does something totally out of his nature. Jennifer Ziegler shows her knowledge of grief that calls out for a different need and knowledge than Worser believes he has. Loving a character and wanting to reach out to help makes the story touch loudly in my heart as it will for other readers, too.
Happily, Worser finds a back table at an old bookstore that becomes a safe haven and when Donya's literary club loses its after-school space, Worser manages to help them meet at the bookstore. It's fun to see Worser realize he has a group, not so fun when his heart breaks a little as he learns Donya has another boy she likes a lot. Things come to both grief and a shock when Worser does something totally out of his nature. Jennifer Ziegler shows her knowledge of grief that calls out for a different need and knowledge than Worser believes he has. Loving a character and wanting to reach out to help makes the story touch loudly in my heart as it will for other readers, too.
April 27, 2023
Ohhhhh jeez, this book.
I mean, I know I'm in the minority by saying it wasn't great, but damn, I didn't enjoy this book.
First of all, the main character. He was so freaking snooty and judgy, also super obnoxious to his aunt (who seemed like a pretty decent person). It's like, ok, we get it, you're smart. Now stop randomly getting mad at people that are giving their unconditional love to you! I found myself saying, well OF COURSE your crush doesn't like you, you're being a jerk to her!
now, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the wordplay and the emotional plot, and the writing wasn't the problem. for me, it was really that subplot of Turk and what's-her-name. Turk annoyed me even more than Worser, somehow, and Donya (I have been told that she, indeed, has a name) just seemed like an add on. I literally shouted at the world at that one line, "I find Turk and Donya in embrace, and know now that they are, indeed, a couple." I don't remember the exact sentence, but it was something along those lines. Okay, but WHY. WHY this sudden change of events. This plot alone made me give up the book for a month, and then was reminded that I had to read it for battle of the books.
The most enjoyable part of the book was definitly the reading club. Mae was absolutely awesome and punny, and I found myself relating to Felicity on a spiritual level.
Needless to say, this book was a definite roller coaster, and I probably wouldnt read it again.
I mean, I know I'm in the minority by saying it wasn't great, but damn, I didn't enjoy this book.
First of all, the main character. He was so freaking snooty and judgy, also super obnoxious to his aunt (who seemed like a pretty decent person). It's like, ok, we get it, you're smart. Now stop randomly getting mad at people that are giving their unconditional love to you! I found myself saying, well OF COURSE your crush doesn't like you, you're being a jerk to her!
now, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the wordplay and the emotional plot, and the writing wasn't the problem. for me, it was really that subplot of Turk and what's-her-name. Turk annoyed me even more than Worser, somehow, and Donya (I have been told that she, indeed, has a name) just seemed like an add on. I literally shouted at the world at that one line, "I find Turk and Donya in embrace, and know now that they are, indeed, a couple." I don't remember the exact sentence, but it was something along those lines. Okay, but WHY. WHY this sudden change of events. This plot alone made me give up the book for a month, and then was reminded that I had to read it for battle of the books.
The most enjoyable part of the book was definitly the reading club. Mae was absolutely awesome and punny, and I found myself relating to Felicity on a spiritual level.
Needless to say, this book was a definite roller coaster, and I probably wouldnt read it again.
July 13, 2023
I love this book--7th grader William "Worser" Orser is a sweet character who loves books and words more than people, and struggles after a stroke incapacitates his mother, changing their very close relationship. He really doesn't have any close friends his age. He is a real Word Nerd and when the school library is closed after school hours, the only quiet place he can find to work on his "Masterwork" (a continuing journal/lexicon of words he likes, word games, etc.), is the local bookstore. He helps Donya, the girl he has a crush on, set up her Literary Club there, and he reluctantly becomes involved with them (he really isn't a "club joining" kind of guy, but for Donya, he'll put up with all that social stuff). Worser and Donya hatch various plans to try to save the bookstore, which is under imminent threat of closure, and things get complicated. The grumpy bookstore owner is also a memorable character. 2023 Buckeye Children's Book Award nominee, grades 6-8.
May 1, 2022
5 stars. Worser is an oddball, with only his mother as a real friend, and now she’s recovering from a stroke. His aunt and her 2 cats have moved in and thrown a monkey wrench into his life. These changes to routine have made middle school even harder for him, and he finds refuge in a used bookshop with a curmudgeonly proprietor. Love all the word play in Worser’s Masterwork, love the relationships that are hard, yet tender. Love this observation towards the end, speaking of the grammar of the future tense: “The only way we can get out of the present and into the future is with help.” pg 234. Love the ending!
April 18, 2022
This book has Newbery written all over it. An impressive feat of MG writing, with memorable characters who practically leap off the page. William "Worser" Orser, a 12 year old collector of words and their meanings, will steal your heart, even as his story (after his widowed Mom's stroke, his Aunt Iris moves in) nearly breaks yours. Despite himself, loner Worser finds friends in an after-school club. The author is clearly in touch with middle school kids. All those delicious words are an added bonus. Great for classrooms.
March 25, 2022
Wonderful book. He’s awkward, he’s argumentative, he’s an authority on words of all sorts and his Masterwork, an English language lexicon, stands as proof. The author has created flawed but intriguing characters whose growth is intertwined. The evolution of Worser to Worser is difficult and painful, but the reader is left with hope that he’s going to be okay in the end and learn to accept others' imperfections, be they linguistic or personality.
February 20, 2023
I was intrigued when I read the synopsis of this book since the main character is a wordsmith. What a cool concept for a middle schooler. I love all the attention he gave to words, all the wordplay throughout the book and the connection formed between the character and his mom because of their love of words.
The story goes far beyond that too…ups and downs of middle school, crushes, friends, school, family and loss.
The story goes far beyond that too…ups and downs of middle school, crushes, friends, school, family and loss.
May 16, 2022
I agree with the quote from Kathi Appelt on the cover: "a work of genius." This book was so good, it hurt when I looked at the number of dwindling pages as a read towards the last chapter, knowing once I was done, I was done hanging out with Worser the Worder.
If you love words, pick up this book immediately!
If you love words, pick up this book immediately!
May 24, 2022
This is such a great book! It’s a story that will make you laugh and cry-the vocabulary shared is an incredible bonus. I highly recommend this book!
May 19, 2022
Worser (William Orser) is a bit of a word snob - a trait he and his mother have cultivated over the years through games, wordplay, and a bit of sneering at the world. He's in 7th grade now and things have changed. His mother is a completely different person after her stroke and although she's technically "recovering," her personality has altered so much that she's practically unrecognizable. Worser's artist aunt is living with them and taking care of things - managing the household and all of her sister's affairs/medical appointments - and Worser resents her intrusion. His only solace is his Manifesto - a collection of his observations about words and the English language - which is threatened by the after school closure of the library (where is he supposed to go to write in peace?). But this turns out to be a blessing in disguise when Worser discovers a local independent bookstore where he starts hanging out, and he's able to offer it up as a meeting place for the school literary club (also displaced by the closure of the library) which just so happens to be led by the girl on whom he has a crush. Win-win! He still has a lot of issues to work out/work on as far as his personal relationships go, and emotions about his mother and his aunt to deal with, but he's making good progress by the time this wraps up.
Being a word/language/grammar snob might be considered by some to be enough of a character flaw (I didn't mind), but Worser is also oblivious to a lot of social cues which is off-putting for other characters in the book (and may be off-putting for readers as well). He's not always very likable (he says something objectionable almost every time he opens his mouth). Although this story is set in middle school, the characters behave/speak more like high school students. Publishing choice? Not sure why it's important that they're younger. While I liked certain things about this story, it was hard to really warm up to Worser.
Being a word/language/grammar snob might be considered by some to be enough of a character flaw (I didn't mind), but Worser is also oblivious to a lot of social cues which is off-putting for other characters in the book (and may be off-putting for readers as well). He's not always very likable (he says something objectionable almost every time he opens his mouth). Although this story is set in middle school, the characters behave/speak more like high school students. Publishing choice? Not sure why it's important that they're younger. While I liked certain things about this story, it was hard to really warm up to Worser.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2022
William Orser got his odious nickname, Worser, in second grade when a fellow student read the class roster – first initial, last name. It’s a particularly galling moniker for a child devoted to the precision, depth of meaning, and humanity embodied in language and who is the product of two highly literate university professors (one deceased). It’s appropriate that readers meet Worser in the worst possible year - seventh grade - the apex of conformity. Not an easy time for a braniac curmudgeon with authority issues. In addition Worser’s equally acerbic mother, and kindred spirit, has suffered a stroke and their home has been invaded by cheery, colorful, whimsical Aunt Iris and her two fiendish cats. There seems nowhere to hide. Seeking quiet refuge Worser discovers an under-patronized bookstore and before he knows it, is using the location to cohost the afterschool literary club with his one esteemed peer – Donya, the beautiful, brilliant daughter of his mother’s colleague. But when economic realities threaten to close the bookstore and sever him from Donya, Worser decides to act…and of course makes it worser. Worser’s disastrous run-ins with the inevitable and painful changes of adolescence are hilarious, heartfelt, and profound, allowing readers to groan, cringe and marvel at his mistakes and learn right along with him how to build a way out of the present and into the future.
May 9, 2022
This was good. Maybe even very good. There are a lot of kids that I would recommend this book to, especially kids who are brighter than their typical peers and appreciate strong vocabulary. Heck, there were some words in this that I didn’t even fully understand. So it’s definitely written and geared towards kids who relate to the main character in their higher thinking skills and ability to comprehend more expansive vocabulary. There are A LOT of puns and word play in this book that was absolutely fascinating too!! There was even a pretty funny boob joke
What hurt this rating was the strength of the book. It started STRONG. Funny, interesting character, likable kid with a somewhat relatable situation. But then as the story went on, there was some random forced romance attempted, that was mentioned once or twice at the beginning, fell completely flat the rest of the book, and then brought back again at the end. Huge waste of a subplot.
The side characters were just fine and didn’t really bring much to the table which is disappointing. This story had an opportunity to have the quirky kids unite and you grow to love them all.
Lastly, without spoiling, the main problem all coming down on the main character at the end totally fell flat. Like this huge thing happened and then we skip to WEEKS later and we’re just having a simple conversation about it? Nahhhh.
What hurt this rating was the strength of the book. It started STRONG. Funny, interesting character, likable kid with a somewhat relatable situation. But then as the story went on, there was some random forced romance attempted, that was mentioned once or twice at the beginning, fell completely flat the rest of the book, and then brought back again at the end. Huge waste of a subplot.
The side characters were just fine and didn’t really bring much to the table which is disappointing. This story had an opportunity to have the quirky kids unite and you grow to love them all.
Lastly, without spoiling, the main problem all coming down on the main character at the end totally fell flat. Like this huge thing happened and then we skip to WEEKS later and we’re just having a simple conversation about it? Nahhhh.
March 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this MG read. This was about a boy who is a bit of an outcast and has one friend. He's trying to deal with the upheaval in his personal and family life because his mother had a stroke. He has to learn to deal with his Aunt living with them to help his Mom to recover from her stroke and with his mother being a whole different person, he has to adjust to who she is and having a relationship with his Aunt as his mother figure.
As his life and living situation has been turned upside down, he doesn't have his own space and has to find another place to do his studying and homework. He ends up in a bookstore at a shopping center nearby and makes a deal with the bookstore owner to spend a couple of afternoons a week studying and doing homework. Then after a while, a girl he likes is talking about needing a place for a writing/book club and he offers to talk to the bookstore owner for her and her group to meet there. Then it turns into him and his friends trying to save the bookstore and figuring out about his new life and finding himself and figuring things out.
I won this in a giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As his life and living situation has been turned upside down, he doesn't have his own space and has to find another place to do his studying and homework. He ends up in a bookstore at a shopping center nearby and makes a deal with the bookstore owner to spend a couple of afternoons a week studying and doing homework. Then after a while, a girl he likes is talking about needing a place for a writing/book club and he offers to talk to the bookstore owner for her and her group to meet there. Then it turns into him and his friends trying to save the bookstore and figuring out about his new life and finding himself and figuring things out.
I won this in a giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 23, 2023
Worser is a word nerd, a loner, and sometimes he prefers it that way. However, when his mom gets sick and Aunt Iris comes to stay, his world is turned upside down. He relies on his words, and his neighbor & crush, Donya, to help him navigate this mess that has become his life. He's constantly at the principle's office for offending someone. Worser seeks refuge in the library after school to get away from his troubles, but when the principal has to cut library hours, it throws Worser (Willaim Wyatt Orser) for a loop. When he finds out that Donya, captin of the Lit Club, is also upset about the lack of library hours, he finds a way to get her club a meeting spot (since they can no longer meet after school in the library.) Throughout this book, Worser has to face change, learns to make friends, and ultimate has to face the fact that his mother's illness may not be temporary. Good book.
June 6, 2022
A little gem
This book, I feel like, won’t be universally loved by all readers. But if you are a little quirky, a little more interested in books and theories than gossip and sports, or if you appreciate these qualities in others, then you just might love “Worser”. I found myself highlighting more than I usually do in a work of fiction, because there are so many great ideas and pithy quips scattered throughout the story. One of my favorites was when the main character was upset, and in an outburst of emotion, he tried to express his frustration, saying, in part, “you and your belligerent animals!” Ugh, it almost makes me swoon!
This book, I feel like, won’t be universally loved by all readers. But if you are a little quirky, a little more interested in books and theories than gossip and sports, or if you appreciate these qualities in others, then you just might love “Worser”. I found myself highlighting more than I usually do in a work of fiction, because there are so many great ideas and pithy quips scattered throughout the story. One of my favorites was when the main character was upset, and in an outburst of emotion, he tried to express his frustration, saying, in part, “you and your belligerent animals!” Ugh, it almost makes me swoon!
November 18, 2023
I thought this was a very sad story with a bit of hope sprinkled in. Not bad at all, but maybe not a great fit for its intended audience. The main character comes across as kind of abrasive and unlikable. It is made clear that he is in pain (and perhaps neurodivergent?), but the "normal" that he longs to return to doesn't really sound very pleasant. It's not until near the end that the complex reasons his world is so messy are really spelled out. There are some really great characters--the curmudgeonly book store owner is especially endearing and many of the middle school students are well-written. 3.5 stars if I could.
April 12, 2022
This remarkable book by Jennifer Ziegler really tugged at my heartstrings. Not only did I enjoy the word games that Worser compiles in his 'masterwork' but I could so relate to his social awkwardness. Worser's struggle to adjust to the many changes in his life, especially his mother's stroke, and his aunt's embarrassing behavior. On top of that, Worser has only one friend, but he doesn't really spend time with him. But when his crush, Donya, needs help finding a place for the Literary Club to meet, he just happens to know a place. Just when things seem to be looking up, Worser receives news that pushes him over the edge and he does something he will always regret. Can he somehow find a way to piece his world back together. Despite the many mistakes that Worser makes, I couldn't help but feel for him as he struggles to face the many changes in his life. And just when it seems he's found his grove things crumble. On the other hand, I also winced more than once at Worser's tactlessness. But considering the way he was raised, it's not too surprising that he doesn't really know how to be the best kind of friend. While I would have preferred no swearing and profanity in what was a great book, many young readers won't mind in the face of this rather unusual tale of a boy struggling to find his place in the world.
November 28, 2022
William was given the nickname Worser long ago and it's not something he's fond of. He lives with his mom, who recently had a stroke, and his aunt, who cares for both of them. This change jolts him from the comfortable daily routine with his mom to the loud and colorful life his aunt brings to their house. He finds solace in adding word entries to his Masterwork and in the LIterary Club at school.
A coming-of-age story where Worser works to change his name and identity to Worder.
A coming-of-age story where Worser works to change his name and identity to Worder.
April 13, 2023
I hated it. I hate Worser. He's such a prick. And because there really isn't any sort of indication that Worser is neurodivergent, I can only assume that if he had never started going to therapy, he was perfectly set up to become a full-fledged Neckbeard living in his mother's basement and grammar policing people and mansplaining on social media. Just... Even the narration was pretentious and annoying.
June 16, 2026
Audiobook
This one was OK. I like the idea of the story, so for that it gets an extra star. And I also want to consider that the voice the reader on the audiobook gave the main character made him quite unlikeable. Very whiney and annoying. I definitely got a Sheldon Cooper vibe from Worser, which helped me to actually like him a little, but mostly, he was unpleasant. The story did come to a satisfying conclusion, so that made it worth listening to.
This one was OK. I like the idea of the story, so for that it gets an extra star. And I also want to consider that the voice the reader on the audiobook gave the main character made him quite unlikeable. Very whiney and annoying. I definitely got a Sheldon Cooper vibe from Worser, which helped me to actually like him a little, but mostly, he was unpleasant. The story did come to a satisfying conclusion, so that made it worth listening to.
November 13, 2023
Hmm…yeah I listened to this whole thing and I really don’t think middle schoolers are going to read this unless they’re SAT practitioners. I wanted to be able to give this a 3 star at very least but I don’t think I could go that extra star. I found “Worser” unlikable, like Sheldon Cooper before he gets life-lessoned every episode. I felt as if there was no actual growth.
January 11, 2025
Written for middle aged readers but fun for this “older” reader to enjoy. Worser was one of those kids that didn’t fit in and maybe that’s why I enjoyed the book. Word play and fun word usage made me smile and the story of friendships in this age group seemed pretty spot on. Quick read that gave me a bit of enjoyment.
September 19, 2025
AudioBook- I wasn't real into the reader of the audiobook, but the storyline had me chuckling several times. I enjoyed the book and felt it was heart-warming, sad, and humourous. I would definitely encourage students to read this book.
December 30, 2021
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is “spot on” middle grade! I loved the main character’s love of language and I can’t wait to share this story with students.
This is “spot on” middle grade! I loved the main character’s love of language and I can’t wait to share this story with students.
April 8, 2022
There’s lots here to think about and I think this might be one I actually come to appreciate even more days down the road.
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