Planet Middle School

See above for full synopsis.Told in short poems Planet Middle School explores so many themes it's hard to believe the book is only 154 pages and a delightfully quick read. Joylin is a tomboy and an awesome basketball player. She tries to teach her artist younger brother to play in the hope that their dad will notice him more. She's dealing with her body changing against her will and her best friends (one a boy, one a girl) are trying to make her understand she's still the same person. She's experiencing her first crush.This book is recommended for girls in grades 6 and up. Reluctant readers will be drawn to it's quick pace and easy to read style while appreciating Nikki Grimes' understanding of what tweens/young teens are going through. I laughed and cried and loved it from the opening poem to the closing one.

A precious coming of age story written in poetry form. Teaches a lesson of being your true self, rather than trying to be somebody else.

Planet Middle School is a great read, told in poems, about a tomboy who is beginning to grow up and discover herself.I'm trying to go through this review as unbiased as I can because I love Nikki Grime's works. Though this isn't my favorite, this is at least in my top 15.Joylin is experiencing the 'joys' (pun and sarcasm intended) of growing up into a teenager. She can't even get through a game of basketball without getting distracted by the boys. Her best friends are beginning to make those googly eyes at each other. AND her body is changing without her permission. Can things get any worse?The plot is explored territory, but this is a very interesting take on going through 'The Changes'. This includes finding your style and becoming your own person, rather than being a clone of someone else.The writing is great. Though I'm usually not a fan of books told in poetry, this is probably the best I have read. Some of the metaphors used are very nice, but Joylin's voice shines through. Since she is witty and tomboy-ish, there wouldn't be anything 'beautiful' per se.The poetry wouldn't let the personalities of the minor characters (not Joylin, given it's inside her head), so I guess I can't comment on that.The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it didn't delve deeper into the mind. If anything, the poetry just scratches the surface of what it's like to be going through 'The Changes'. And I wish it could have been thicker.Overall, Planet Middle School is a great read, though very thin. Only 160 pages. If you're looking for a read that will make you laugh big and gasping at it's honesty, this book is for you.

Brand new

The school try to force the 7th graders to read this over the summer!! While I'm sure this book resonates well with girls changing and going through puberty... It doesn't do a thing for my son or the boys in his grade. The other parents have complained about this reading as well. So if your a young FEMALE this might be a fine read but not for boys. Schools need to get back to basics and start using neutral books with over all moral arc's. They refuse to use history as reading material. Over all I can only give it a 3 stars bc it is for FEMALES..

This book was awesome. The characters in the book were real to me. Each person has to figure out who they are and stick to it and not try to be anyone else. It also highlights what true friends really are. Joy, Jake, and Kerelee were all true friends.

school book for student. he likes the book. easy read, pages look like poems. good summer book

Excellent book for middle schoolers. Will endear them to poetry! Charming.

Good book, tells the stages of going through middle school, very relatable to middle schoolers