8th Grade Superzero

by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Book Overview

After the worst first day back *ever*, Reggie's been nicknamed "Pukey" McKnight at his Brooklyn school. He wants to turn his image around, but he has other things on his mind as well: his father, who's out of a job; his best friends, Joe C. (who's a little too White) and Ruthie (who's a little too intense); his ex-best friend Donovan, who's now a jerk; and of course, the beautiful Mialonie. The elections for school president are coming up, but with...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0545097258
• ISBN13: 9780545097253
• Release Date: June 2011
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.7" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

new kid on the block

I did a writing workshop a couple of weeks ago in Bushwick and one bright female student said, "Adults never listen to us, so it doesn't matter what we think." And I immediately told her about the students protesting the MTA's proposed elimination of student transit passes...you never know what might happen if you plant a seed in a young person's mind. When I started reading 8th Grade Super Zero, I had a few doubts. I didn't know the book had a strong religious current running through it, and right from the start I questioned the authenticity of the lead characters; when discussing the upcoming student election, best friends Reggie and Ruthie have this exchange: "It would be nice if those two didn't rule the school this year," I say. "If we were all about looking out for one another instead of hierarchy." "Yuck, `rule the school,'" says Ruthie. "That's so...Western, so imperialistic." I've taught in NYC for years and I don't know *any* black kids who talk like that. But THAT is precisely why this is such an important book--kids like Ruthie and Reggie DO exist, and their voices desperately need to be heard...there ARE black kids who attend schools for the academically gifted, belong to their church youth group, and have mothers who buy free-range chicken at Whole Foods. This debut novel is full of surprises as Reggie confronts almost daily tests of his moral fiber--why does God let bad things happen, and what are we supposed to do about it? why do kids throw their support behind jerks who act cool instead of kids who want to change the world? why don't we stand up for those who are weak instead of shying away to protect ourselves? Reggie builds character as he forges relationships with residents of a nearby homeless shelter; he embarks on an oral history project for NPR but soon adopts a "little Buddy," recruits classmates to transform the shelter's common room, gives the so-called geeks at school a chance, and realizes self-respect matters more than being popular--or even powerful--at school. In this age of "extreme makeovers" it's refreshing to see a group of kids who are less interested in name brands and more interested in building an integrated community--if adults want kids to "talk the talk," they should also support kids' efforts to "walk the walk" (which is much harder). And in the end, Reggie finds his true love--the girl who watches too much PBS (there's no such thing as TOO MUCH PBS!). Many characters in the book are racially unmarked, and though race isn't a dominant issue, the author still inserts reminders of race's impact on Reggie's life: he's hassled by a white cop while waiting for his friend to use the ATM, his father loses his job for taking a stand against racism at his job, and Reggie's loyalty to his white friend is challenged by Joe C.'s interest in DJ culture and racist Italian father. At this point you're probably thinking, "Man, I gotta read this book!" Well, you do!

A Wonderful Debut : I loved Reggie and his friends

After an incident on the first day of 8th grade, Reggie is called Pukey. Reggie is doing is best to lay low. His best friends are Ruthie a young revolutionary and Joe C, an artist. Reggie and Ruthie are active members of their church's youth group. The group is doing a project at a local homeless shelter. Reggie's mom signed him up to be a Big Buddy at school. "Eighth graders can be paired up with kindergarten kids as "Big Buddies," and Ruthie's parents and my parents fell over themselves signing us up to be positive role models. Joe C. doesn't have to do the activity thing the way we do. Whenever I say that to my mom, she just says, "White folks have that luxury" Reggie schools is holding an election for President. Tired of the popular kids always winning, and with a little confidence from his Dora the Explorer shoes* Reggie finds himself in the race. One of Reggie's biggest tormentors is Donavan, a former friend, now campaign manager of the very popular Justin. All the stories come together in the end. I really enjoyed how the story moved. The author does an excellent job of handling several things at once. Many young readers will be able to relate to Reggie's father being out of work. When the novel works Pops is searching for a new job. I do think Rhuday- Perkovich towed the too much lesson line towards the end. Though that did not keep me from loving this book. The author isn't giving more of the same. This is new. There aren't enough middle grade novels with a main character of color that's male. I love Reggie for many reason. One of the biggest is that he's Jamaican. The Rhuday- Perkovich doesn't make this an issue of it nor does she ignore it. Reggie simply is who he is. His parents are proud Jamaican's, especially Pops. Pops Ranking - "Trinidad is above Bardados and Guyana in Pop's personal Caribbean Country Rankings, but nowhere near Jamaica, "the crown jewel." Don't get him started on Haiti." Rhuday-Perkovich took time to fully develop Reggie and his friends. The three get along very well though they do have fights and misunderstandings, making it that much more believable. I hope this isn't the last time we see Reggie and his friends. Ages 10 up.

Clean, comptemporary and uplifting!

Great book! I bought it for my son and I think it has been an oasis in the midst of all the "trash" you see on tv.

Library Lounge Lizard Book Reviews

Reggie Mcnight is one of those characters from a book who grabs you from the very beginning a never lets go. Everything about him is flawed perfection :o) This is one of the best middle grade books I've ever read...funny, heartwarming, sad and inspiring, it has just about everything you could want in a good book! This wonderful read deals with the sensitive issues of race, bullying, poverty and homelessness. The characters are so fully developed, that when I finished reading the book it really felt like they were kids I knew who moved away and I was sad to see them go! This book is a must read for Tweens and middle-grade readers! Get it now! Hey, even you young adult readers will find a gem here!

An 8th Grader Reviews "8th Grade Super Zero"

Book Review This book was really fun to read. I normally zip through books but this one actually took awhile, because there was such an interesting plot line; I really wanted to absorb it all. It doesn't have any fake characters like some books do that are too perfect. All of the characters have good traits, but they have flaws as well. It makes it much more fun to read, and much less predictable. Not only was it well written, it also had a meaningful story line, which made me think as I was reading it. Definitely one of my favorite books!! Mia Ellis, 13, Mt. Hebron School, Montclair, NJ