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Book Summary and Reviews of My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian

My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian

My Life as a Book

by Janet Tashjian

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  • Jul 2010, 224 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

Summer’s finally here, and Derek Fallon is looking forward to pelting the UPS truck with water balloons, climbing onto the garage roof, and conducting silly investigations. But when his parents decide to send him to Learning Camp, Derek’s dreams of fun come to an end. Ever since he’s been labeled a 'reluctant reader,' his mom has pushed him to read 'real' books - something other than his beloved Calvin & Hobbes.

As Derek forges unexpected friendships and uncovers a family secret involving himself (in diapers! no less), he realizes that adventures and surprises are around the corner, complete with curve balls.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Starred Review. A kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun and more plot." - Kirkus Reviews

"My Life as a Book is a fabulous, fast-paced choice for reluctant and avid readers alike." - Bookpage

"Derek's concluding speech may strain credibility, but a relatable and fun format make this a smart choice for 'reluctant' readers--like Derek. Ages 9–12." - Publishers Weekly

"Cartoon drawings by the author's teenaged son decorate the margins and not only re-create Derek's illustrated vocabulary lists but also reduce the amount of text on each page, making the book more approachable for kids like Derek. Derek tells readers, 'If my life were a book, I'd have my own cool adventures.' It is, and he does." – Horn Book

This information about My Life as a Book was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own reviewwrite your own review

Yoyo

Awsome Book
I thought that it was the best book ever. It is so engaging and fun. I love the little stick figure drawings in the margins.

TyraBoo

awesome !
i love this book and think that there should be more like it !

Noah (age 8)

I Love This Book!
This is a very good book that teaches kids lots of words. Everything that was happening in this book I was learning in school. It was so cool. I wish there were more books like this one. Write more books for kids!

Superman

Book
It is a good book. Read it!

Fast Reader27

My Life as a book
Book was VERY poorly written, no backstory, no basic plot, would NOT recommend this book to others

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Author Information

Janet Tashjian Author Biography

Janet Tashjian is the author of several novels, including Fault Line and The Gospel According to Larry, which was named a Best Book for Young Adults, a Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, a New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age, and a Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book.

Tashjian lives in Los Angeles with her family.

Author Interview
Link to Janet Tashjian's Website

Name Pronunciation
Janet Tashjian: ta-jen (Armenian)

Other books by Janet Tashjian at BookBrowse
  • Vote For Larry jacket
  • The Gospel According To Larry jacket
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More Recommendations

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