Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf

Holm, J. L. (2007). Middle school is worse than meatloaf. (Castaldi, E. pictures). Antheneum Books for Young Readers. 128 pages. ISBN 9780689852817

Primary genre: realistic fiction

Other elements: family, friendship, humor

Intended reader age: 8 and up

Synopsis:

Ginny has created a list that will help her achieve the best possible year she can for 7^th grade. What she fails to take into account, however, are the possible set backs that she may encounter along the way, like accidentally ruining the tub with her bubble bath, being allergic to the new face mask, or breaking her arm trying to save her baby brother. Despite these problems, Ginny maintains her hope that the school year will end great because she knows that 8^th grade will bring its own set of problems.

Review:

A page from the book.

I love the way that the author structured this novel; it is not a traditional novel at all. Instead of having Ginny writing out the experiences, readers learn of them by reading notes, papers, diary entries, articles, letters, magazine clippings, newspaper blotters, prescriptions and more. It takes all the little writings that surround our life and shows how these little pieces can come together to tell a whole story.

Despite the different approach to the novel readers still get a feeling for the type of person Ginny is and the family she has. The initial list she makes pops up on subsequent pages with items crossed out or notes added, both by Ginny and at times by her mother. Her personal writings do help to get most of the important information across. The way that she interacts with these materials portrays the humor in the story as well. There is one page that has a purple sweater (a Christmas present) with a note from her stepfather saying “Hope you like it!” and under these items is a receipt for store credit for the item, indicating that it was returned.

One thing I have started to observe in tween literature, are the aspects that will date books. If they reference movies, ways of speaking, or popular products, stuff like that. The only thing that I can think of with this book is the instant messaging conversations Ginny has on her computer. These pages are laid out like a computer screen (we see her folders in the background) but the instant message boxes are similar to what they looked liked when I was younger. I do think some of that has to do with the version Ginny has. On the message box is the note ‘current version’ and ‘latest version’ so it is obvious Ginny is due for an update. My interactions with my cousin (who is now 13) has taught me that tweens are not really aware of updating their software, so I do like that little inclusion.

There was a second novel, Either Grade is Making me Sick, which follows a similar layout and presentation. Otherwise I will keep my eyes open for other novels that use a different approach to telling the story.

The paperback cover.