I'm a sucker for novels with cool, one-word titles. (Think "Rules" and "Peak") I also love Oreo cookies. So the bright blue cover of "Slob" grabbed my attention immediately.
At first I thought this was just a hilarious, yet poignant, look at an overweight kid trying to survive middle school--and I loved it then. Deeper in, I realized that this book is about so much more--loss, grief, loyalty, and the misleading way things look sometimes. I'm only sorry I devoured this wonderful novel in one day. Now there's no more left, and I have an empty feeling in my gut that Oreos won't fill.
I loved Owen, a quasi-genius, from the start. He says things like, "You should never let stupid people know that you know they're stupid. Particularly when they are your gym teacher." He talks directly to the reader, a la C.S.Lewis, "I'm sure you've noticed that a lot of books start out with some kid's first day at a new school. You can see why, of course. It makes for great suspense." From page one I cared what happened to Owen, and I felt for him. His cruel, old-school gym teacher reminded me of some of the coaches from my own middle school. Let's just put it this way: I remember overhearing snippets from the boys' side of the sixth-grade gym and being supremely glad I was a girl.
A few chapters in, I realized that Owen had so much more to deal with than his weight. His weight, in fact, was just a symptom of bigger, more heartbreaking problems. Don't worry, though, "Slob" never turns into a pitty party. Owen's wit and inventiveness get him through some tough times.
I'll be reading this book aloud to my class. (Yes, it is that good.) What are you reading?
when will you start reading it to us because i was thinking of it the whole weekends :)
ReplyDeleteRafay--I started today. Isn't the voice of the protagonist wonderful? He's smart--like you!
ReplyDeleteWell, as you know I WAS reading Dear America , The Great Titanic, but now I have moved on to the book Elephant Run. "Slob" is a really fascinating book that you have started to read to us. Next time when you get us Oreo, PLEASE don't get double layers. I almost felt like I wanted to puke!!
ReplyDeleteOK, Julia, single layers next time. We wouldn't want you to puke in class. What about those two titles you mentioned? Are they worth reading or not?
ReplyDeleteElephant Run is my favorite book and if you haven't read it , you have to read it because its superb . :p
ReplyDeletewhen is your birthday again?
ReplyDeleteThe The Great Titanic was ok, but Elephant run is AWSOME!!!!IT is superb! You should really try reading both of the books.... Also Rafey Mrs. Graves b-day is July 19, 4 days befor mine!!!
ReplyDeleteI'am reading "Hatchet" and once I finished the first page I was thinking how similar it was to "Far North". A boy is on a Cessna bush plane meeting his father then the plane crashes into the canadian wilderness. I haven't read much, but it seems to be alot like "Far North"- which is probably better. My book for next week is "Where the Red Fern Grows", which I'm guessing is pretty sad according to what Julia told me.I'm still working on my page that I have to write about my book, which is the "Penderwicks on Gardam Street. I'm probably going to abandon it though, it is to predictable. Bye!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to start reading "Where the Red Fern Grows". I think I'm going to abandon Hatchet though because to me it is just like reading "Far North" all over again, and I don't like reading books over again. I read "Over My Dead Body", I personally like the first one better though, I think it was a little more funny.Bye!
ReplyDeletehappy b-day mrs graves. may you have many more
ReplyDeletehappy late birthday Mrs.Graves......
ReplyDeleteThank you for the birthday wishes, class! Laney T., thanks for the birthday phone call! I wish miss you all so much!
ReplyDeletewheres the frog?????
ReplyDeleteHi Rafay! I removed Sebastian, because he was getting tired of sitting around with no visitors! Maybe I'll put him where the "Mockingjay" widget used to be....How's middle school?
ReplyDeleteits kind of fun because we dont have recess
ReplyDelete