We Meet Again (Timmy Failure #3)

Gr 3-7--Timmy Failure is back along with his business partner, Total, a 1,500 pound polar bear; the tangerine scented "criminal mastermind" Molly Moskins; his best friend, Rollo Toukas; and his arch nemesis Corrina, Corrina. When readers catch up with Timmy this time around, he has been placed on academic probation and the one thing that can save him is the infamous Miracle Report. A report of legend, for it is the only time an assignment has received an "A +++++." Timmy gets paired with the Beast (aka Corrina, Corrina) as his report partner, his mother is dating his little league coach, an evil cat and dog duo are staying in his apartment, and to top it all off, the Scum Bolo Chihuahua that eats children lives in the redwood forest where Timmy has to go for a field trip. Pastis's lovely balance of quirky cartooning and quick-moving text makes this an enjoyable, laugh-out-loud read. Highly recommended for kids who love Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes," Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," Lincoln Peirce's "Big Nate" Rachel Renee Russell's or "Dork Diaries." This book and the entire series are a perfect go-to for reluctant readers.--Krishna Grady, Darien Library, CT

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Pastis's lovely balance of quirky cartooning and quick-moving text makes this an enjoyable, laugh-out-loud read. Highly recommended for kids who love Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes," Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," Lincoln Peirce's "Big Nate" Rachel Renée Russell's or "Dork Diaries." This book and the entire series are a perfect go-to for reluctant readers.
—School Library Journal

Pastis' supporting cast of characters are ... effective narrative foils for [Timmy], rather than speechless bystanders to his quirkiness. ... [T]here are signs that, with the support of people who find him lovable in spite of himself, Timmy Failure will not live up to his name.
—Booklist

There are several moments where Timmy is unironically sweet. Anyone familiar with the previous books in the series may be surprised at the genuine sentiment in a few scenes. There are actual hugs, and there's a deeply touching conversation with a very unlikely person. ... Timmy Failure is a classic antihero: Some readers will be drawn to the book because of him; others will be drawn to it in spite of him.
—Kirkus Reviews