Holm. Jennifer L. Middle School Is worse Than Meatloaf. 2007. Ginee Seo Books. Illustrations by Castaldi, Elicia. ISBN 9780689852817
Plot Summary:
Jennifer L. Holm's book Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf is very charming. Any twelve-year-old girl could relate it. The main character is Genevieve Davis, nicknamed Ginny. At the beginning of this weirdly written diary Ginny has a list of back-to -school items. These are some items that Ginny have listed that will help make seventh grade enjoyable for her: new school shoes and new toe shoes for ballet; new back pack; new binder (a cool one this year) and the yellow sweater at the mall of Gerard's. Her mom's response is "too expensive! wait for x-mas. Mom". Ginny also has "Ginny Big To Do List!!!". Her number one to-do-list item is to get a dad. Ginny gets a new dad "Bob Wright" and must accept all that comes with a new dad like shaving cream and him leaving the toilet set-up in the restroom. Ginny also has two brothers, one older (Henry) and one younger (Timmy). Her older brother is a handful and is eventually sent off to Military school. Her younger brother is just a little brother who like to run around in his underwear and cape; in which he does at her thirteen birthday sleepover. This causes Ginny great embarrassment. As any normal middle school student Ginny sees her life as folding in on her; her big brother is sent to military school, her little brother runs around in a cape; she does not get the part of sugar plum fairy in the ballet recital and she has a new dad. We all know that middle school students expect for the world to revolve around them and when Ginny world is turned up side down she copes as any normal middle school students does; her grades drop and she wants out. She wants to go live with her grandfather in Florida. But as the story unfolds things look up for Ginny and she wins the science fair with her brilliantly constructed model of the human brain. She also goes on a date to the school dance with a boy (Brian Bukvic). What a great book, this book definitely leaves the reader anticipating how eighth grade will turn out for Ginny. I look forward for a part two.
Critical Analysis:
Jennifer L. Holm's book Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf is about twelve-year-old Genevieve Davis. Genevieve nickname is Ginny. Holm's main character, Ginny is a typical pre-teen, who just wants to be accepted and liked. Many twelve-year-old girls could relate to Ginny, wanting the last fashion, which is too expensive. Wanting to like by popular kids, sit in back of bus with cool kids and for her mom to be happy. Ginny is not welcomed by the popular kids and does not get to sit in the back of the bus. But her mom is happy when she remarries Bob. Ironically Ginny is the happiest camper once her mom gets remarried. Her older brother Henry) gets sent to military school and her younger brother (Timmy) always wears a cape, with is embarrassing. Holm's sets the tone of a happy young girl at the beginning of this weirdly written dairy of list and short notes. Her main character is sadness in the middle of the school because of all the things that happen. Lastly she is happy again because she wins the science fair, letting the reader know that life does get better if you keep reading. Holm's style of writing is simple and easy to follow. When I first pick-up this book I thought it looked interesting but would be hard to follow. It was very easy to follow and each page connected smoothly. As stated in my plot summary I look forward to Holm's writing a part two and Elicia Castaldi doing another creative word of art as the illustrator. It appears that Elicia took a lot thought and preciseness when putting the picture together for this book. I surprisingly enjoyed it and read it in about two hours. As a middle school teacher I highly recommend this quick read to any middle school girl who is looking for a good book to read quickly.
Review Excerpt(s):
From School Library Journal
Grade 5–7—Ginny Davis begins seventh grade with a list of items to accomplish. This list, along with lots of other "stuff"—including diary entries, refrigerator notes, cards from Grandpa, and IM screen messages—convey a year full of ups and downs. Digitally rendered collage illustrations realistically depict the various means of communication, and the story flows easily from one colorful page to the next. Ginny is fairly typical—she wants to look good for her school picture but ends up with a hair disaster the night before. She babysits but can't seem to increase her bank balance. She has problems with friends, boys, and clothes. But readers also learn about some deeper issues. She has a hard time adjusting to a new stepfather, and her older brother has difficulties with alcohol and poor behavior choices. Ginny's pain is expressed through report card grades that drop to Cs and hall passes to the school counselor. However, the year ends on a high note as she discovers a talent for art and gets asked to the Spring Fling. The story combines honesty and humor to create a believable and appealing voice. Not quite a graphic novel but not a traditional narrative either, Holm's creative book should hook readers, especially girls who want something out of the ordinary.—Diana Pierce, Running Brushy Middle School, Cedar Park, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Product Description
Ginny has ten items on her big to-do list for seventh grade. None of them, however, include accidentally turning her hair pink. Or getting sent to detention for throwing frogs in class. Or losing the lead role in the ballet recital to her ex-best friend. Or the thousand other things that can go wrong between September and June. But it looks like it's shaping up to be that kind of a year! Here's the story of one girl's worst school year ever -- told completely through her stuff.
Connections:
Have middle school students write out their expectations for middle school at the beginning of school year. At the end of school year have students review their expectation to see if they met any of them. Have students make their own middle school to-do list. Have students create their own journals using the same format as Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf.
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