Pretty heavy-handed in its message and in trying to be cool. ( )

I was disappointed by this one. I like Buckley's other books, and had high hopes, since I generally enjoy kid spy books, but I found all the main characters to be unsympathetic, particularly Jackson. I'll read book 2, since I have it already, buy I don't think I would read any beyond that. ( )

00012170

I read this with my 8 year old son. He loved it so I feel inclined to give ti at least 3 stars since he is the target audience. This novel really didn't do it for me though. There were too many points that seemed incongruous or were annoying or difficult to get over even accepting the universe. Jackson is at times indicated to be an average or intelligent kid, but then he's made fun of for not being smart. Ruby's super powers of allergies at first seemed cool and then seemed increasingly ridiculous- both when they did work and when you would expect them to work, but didn't. The novel did allow us to talk about bullying, but it was often for me to say stuff like "this is extreme, bullying can look less extreme and still be bullying" and "a bully can be intelligent and a popular kid can be intelligent and nice, not a bully". ( )

The humor in this book is just like that in [b: The Sisters Grimm|295834|The Unusual Suspects (The Sisters Grimm, #2)|Michael Buckley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1276514128s/295834.jpg|581426]. It's over-the-top sarcasm, ridiculousness and satire. BUT. It's consistent and tight. Buckley is a natural at this type of writing. Unlike his fantasy series which draws a huge fan base from the Grimm connection, this book is science-fiction. It's the classic evil scientist wanting to destroy the world, which has been done a gazillion times. It has the classic children's book theme of the nerd squad putting the popular kids to shame. Though maybe not original, these scenarios sell books. Boys especially will be drawn to this book and will probably return for the remaining installments.

Jackson is the most popular kid at Nathan Hale Elementary School, but the nerds have overpopulated the town and the school. He bullies them with spitball ambushes and wedgies. Then his orthodontist gives him the bad news. He has 64 teeth and is going to need braces and headgear. Overnight his popularity tanks. Even the nerds don’t want to have anything to do with him.

Jackson may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he notices the nerds acting weird. Desperate to belong, he follows them and ends up in the secret headquarters of the National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society, aka NERDS. All of the NERDS have their weaknesses enhanced, giving them extraordinary abilities. None of them want their former bully in the group, but the adult in charge over-rides their vote. Jackson's braces are enhanced into shape-changing weapons so he and his hostile cohorts can save the planet from Jigsaw. With the help of his beauty pageant contestant turned assassin, he aims to move the continents back to their Pangea configuration.

Highly recommend for high humor reluctant readers. ( )