Big Nate: Blow the Roof Off! by Lincoln Peirce. Andrews McMeel, 2020. 9781524855062
Format: Paperback
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Genre: Realistic fiction/Comics
What did you like about the book? Another laugh-out-loud Big Nate is just what the doctor ordered. Nate Wright and his pals Teddy and Francis from P.S. 38 endure the hardships and joys of middle school. Nate finds love with “an older woman” as he starts dating Trudy who is in 7th grade. I laughed hard when he told his friends “Welcome to cougar town.” The friends’ rock band “Enslave the Mollusk” gets to play at the school open house, and Nate wants to “blow the roof off” with some hard rock, although their musical ability hasn’t progressed much past “Hot Cross Buns.” Mrs. Godfrey, Nate’s nemesis, makes her usual appearances. So, Nate may be cool for going out with a 7th grader, but he’s still Nate, who has a personal relationship with the detention teacher, and all the middle school angst and humor that makes this comic the most sought after series in my library. I can see why. As with other titles in the series, a free poster is attached at the end.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? For ages 9 and up, or anyone who wants a good laugh at middle school antics.
Who should buy this book? Elementary and middle school an public libraries
Where would you shelve it ? Comics/graphic novels
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? If you haven’t read a Big Nate, read this one, and thank me later.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Date of review: July 1, 2020
Youth Services Book Review 
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