 | My life as a potato Author: Costner, Arianne | |
| Price: $7.37 | ||
Summary:
When Ben Hardy is forced to become the school's mascot, Steve the Spud, he wants to keep the embarrassing gig a secret at all costs
| Illustrator: | Lancett, James |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.40 Points: 7.0 Quiz: 510433 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (12/15/19)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 02/01/2020 Gr 4–7—Seventh grade student Ben, new to his Idaho school, is punished when he caves to peer pressure and misbehaves: he must don a potato suit and entertain the masses at school basketball games as the school mascot Steve the Spud. Humor ensues when Ben decides to lie to everyone about being in the potato suit. Comical illustrations support the amusement. Despite the frequency of food-throwing incidents, strong moral messages abound: don't lie, don't judge others, and do right by those less popular than yourself. While more astute or mature readers will question the strong subtext that heteronormative romantic pairings are de rigueur for seventh graders, as well as the plot's premise—just why does Ben feel the need to lie, again?—others will simply be swept up in the well-paced unfolding of the light-hearted plot. Almost the entire cast is white, upper middle class, heterosexual, cisgender, and supported by nuclear families comfortable in the suburban setting. VERDICT This title doesn't rock the boat; it's light, predictable, easy to read, vaguely funny, and reminiscent of Lincoln Peirce's "Big Nate" comics and Chris Grabenstein's and James Patterson's "I Funny" series.—Rhona Campbell, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 03/01/2020 Twelve-year-old Ben Hardy is the new kid in school. Adjusting to life in the middle of Idaho has not been easy, but Ben manages to make new friends, and the most popular girl at school has asked him to the school dance. However, an incident in the school cafeteria involving a thrown hot dog lands Ben in hot water. He is faced with suspension or performing at basketball games as the school mascot, a dumpy potato. Being the school mascot will mess up his chances with the popular kids, but he reluctantly dons the costume. What follows is a madcap series of incidents involving Ben trying to keep his role as the mascot secret. As the story progresses, Ben learns who his true friends are and that, possibly, popularity is not all it seems to be. The ending is a predictable but satisfying lesson in being true to one’s friends. This book will appeal to fans of the Middle School series by James Patterson. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.
