Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and many other readers besides will enjoy Big Nate: In a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce. The plot centers on the trials and tribulations of middle school, as we follow Nate through one day at school. At lunch, Nate mentions to his friend that he forgot his lunch, so his friend offers him some of his leftover Chinese food, and Nate gets an intriguing fortune in his fortune cookie: "Today you will surpass all others." Nate spends the rest of the day, in one hilarious incident after another, trying to make this prediction come true.
Like "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", this book has comic book illustrations on every page. Many plot developments occur through the illustrations (comics) and the pacing between the text and the pictures is well done and flows nicely. Because the comics are a key part of the story, however, this book wouldn't work as well as a read-aloud.
This book is clever, snappy and funny, and doesn't talk down to young people. It should appeal to reluctant readers as well as anyone who likes a good belly laugh and a fun story! For ages 8 and up.
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