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by John David Anderson (Author)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Middle-schooler Bryan wakes up to find that his life has become a video game, with bullies to beat, races to run, puzzles to solve, and much more at stake.
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Publishers Weekly

In this clever deconstruction of video game tropes, an eighth-grader's everyday routine is inexplicably turned into a game. Now Bryan Biggins's clothes grant stats (a holographic label identifies his shoes as "Boots of Average Walking Speed. Fire resistance +5%"), and completing various tasks and challenges grants him experience and allows him to level up. Running an errand (accepting a quest) for a teacher becomes a death-defying experience, a read-through of Shakespeare in English class takes on Choose Your Own Adventure qualities, and confronting a bully is like beating an end-level boss. Every time Bryan is close to defeat, he has to pay a coin in order to continue playing; he doesn't want to know what happens if time runs out. Anderson (Ms. Bixby's Last Day) presents an entertaining romp in which a mundane school day takes on epic qualities, but Bryan's "win" is contingent on him working up the nerve to chat up his longtime crush, Jess--a "get the girl" convention that's common enough in games but underwhelming in this context. Ages 8-12. Agency: Adams Literary. (Sept.)

Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-- Ready Player One for the middle grade crowd. Bryan "Bilbo Baggins" Biggins spends most of his time playing the video game Sovereign of Darkness with his best friend, Oz, and pining after his crush, Jess Alcorn. He has been trying in vain to unlock a secret bonus level at the end of the game, one that Oz keeps telling him just doesn't exist. But he keeps playing, over and over, until he finally reaches it one night before bed. The next day, something strange happens. Bryan's life becomes a role-playing game (RPG). His middle school adventures turn into dramatized video game escapades, including an intense game of dodgeball, a recitation from Romeo and Juliet, and (in one of the strangest quests) an attempt to retrieve a Twinkie from the teachers' lounge vending machine. With fast-paced action and a fun, engaging voice, there is plenty here to hold interest. Some of the interactions with Bryan's adversaries (hall monitor, teacher, school bully, etc.) are a bit over-the-top, but that's to be expected given the subject. The video game parody is clever and would also appeal to adults with a fondness for vintage arcade games. VERDICT Anderson combines action and realistic middle grade issues with video game references to produce a winning pick that's ideal for gamers or reluctant readers.--Jessica Ko, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781481447058
Lexile Measure
740
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Aladdin Paperbacks
Publication date
September 19, 2017
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV005000 - Juvenile Fiction | Boys & Men
JUV039230 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Bullying
JUV032040 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Games - General
Library of Congress categories
Schools
Bullying
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Bullying
Middle schools
JUVENILE FICTION / Boys & Men
Video games
JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Game

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