Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf
Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf
By: Jennifer L. Holm
Remember Pennies from Heaven? Have you heard of Babymouse? If so, then you know that Holm has a talent for writing, and Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf is no exception.
This is a story not told in your typical book format: paragraphs! It's not even a diary or journal; it's something unique unto itself (as far as I'm concerned anyways!). This is a story told through things, or items and poetry, notes, report cards, Dr.'s reminders and so much more! Part of the fun of this book is that you are not directly told what's happening in Ginny's life. We get it through her poetry and the items that are on the refrigerator.
Since we're not told how everything is right away, we need to make some educated guesses as to what's happened: did Ginny get the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy? Is her older brother going to be okay? Her new stepdad that she was excited about presents a bit of a problem when he leaves the toilet seat up and she falls in....This is a great book - especially for an older person reading it and thinking back to the torment that may or may not have been your experience in middle school (oh yes, there's that person she wishes desperately to be friends with, but does it turn out alright?).
Now, in a format like this you may wonder if there are problems with the text? Not with the content of the text, but some of the handwritten notes from Ginny's mom and teachers could prove difficult to read for kids not familiar with cursive handwriting. There is a lot going on in the pages of this book; to get a really good feel of the text you'll want to read through it more than once.
Recommended To:
- Fans of graphic novels - yes, the format's a little different, but it's still interesting!
- Those suffering from middle school angst (or their parents...)
- Jennifer L. Holm fans
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
THERE'S MEATLOAF ON THE COVER! Holy cow! Something mentioned in the title and the story is on the cover of the book! It also makes sense when you bring the design of the book itself into play: Meatloaf, a pencil and a notebook are all a part of the stuff that's going on in this book!
Ms. Holmes website -
http://www.jenniferholm.com/index.html