Tommy Greenwald

Tommy Greenwald’s new book Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to NOT Reading is a perfect book for the non-reader or reluctant reader in your life! Charlie Joe has made it all the way to Middle School without ever, EVER, reading a book cover to cover. It hasn’t been easy, but he has come up with an arrangement that has carried him this far successfully… until now. When his teachers discover what he’s been up to, will Charlie Joe be able to keep up his track record?
In this hilarious book, Charlie Joe speaks directly to you, reader, and as he relates his own story, he shares tips and tactics to help you avoid reading at all costs. Middle School boys (and girls!) will appreciate the many references to modern tween pop-culture, such as facebook, texting, and X-Box, among others. “Exclusive Non-Reading Tips” are sprinkled throughout, offering advice such as “IF YOU HAVE TO READ A BOOK, MAKE SURE IT HAS SHORT CHAPTERS” and “NOT ALL BOOKS ARE BAD (exceptions: comic books, yearbooks, checkbooks, Facebook).” Along with these interspersed lists of tips, short chapters and simple illustrations help keep book moving at a quick pace.
The surprise ending brings the story full circle, and readers who picked up what they thought would be a guide to NOT reading will discover that they have, in fact, just finished (and enjoyed!) an entire book! Laugh-out-loud funny, clever, and relevant, I believe Tommy Greenwald has written a book that will appeal to kids of all reading tastes. After all, I love books more than anything, and even I appreciated the fun and humor of Charlie Joe’s tale! ~KSD
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"Moose lived in a big building.
He had lived there for a very long time.
Moose had one eye.
He had two toys.
But he did not have any visitors."

If you're not immediately hooked by this beginning, I don't know what to tell you! Moose is joined by Bear (who has three legs and a ball, but also no visitors). They become friends and are adopted together by a brown-skinned woman who has "always wanted two dogs." Cathy also takes in the cat, Tiger, that Bear and Moose find on the other side of the fence.

As warm as a hug, perfect for animal lovers.

See also: The Kitten Story by Emily Jenkins… (more)

Our students love Game Changer for Tommy Greenwald, so I wanted to read this book by him in order to recommend it to students who liked the other book. I also discovered another book, Rivals, that I'll need to read.

Caleb plays football better than anyone, a true phenom. He should be. His father played in the NFL for seven years, which is a long time. Injuries usually sideline players sooner than seven years. He raises Caleb to have manners, to not be arrogant or cocky, concerning his talent. Caleb becomes the starting quarterback for the Walthorne Wildcats (same school as Game Changer) as a freshman. They expect him to take them to the state champions. He feels the pressure, but he truly plays football instinctually and with great skill. Caleb's girlfriend does not like football and rarely sees him play. She's a musician who believes football is too violent. Caleb's mother has little development; her scenes show a strong woman whom the two males in her family listen to when she puts her foot down. Otherwise, she supports both of them without saying much of anything. Caleb's father on the other hand, strongly guides Caleb to understand football, when to be assertive, and when to listen. He lets people come to him and is always polite and charming to fans who recognize him. Caleb has two friends with very small parts in the novel; they are mainly there to show that his time has been limited and they see each other less often, straining the friendship. Last, there is the team. The captain's over the top attitude annoys Caleb, as he constantly pushes the team with stereotypical speeches and behaves as a stereotypical athlete in school and socially.

Caleb's life seems easy. He's naturally talented, but what people don't know is what's happening with his father. He's getting confused and forgetting conversations and information as well as having wild mood swings that are not like him. Caleb's girlfriend tells Caleb about the consequences of the head injuries received playing football, often keeping him from enjoying something he truly enjoys. She's also sympathetic and listens to his fears about his father, but she doesn't back down from her beliefs and forces him to be aware of the consequences. She believes he needs to have knowledge to make decisions. As Caleb's father deteriorates, the team gets closer to the state championship and Caleb feels the stress as he navigates the conflicts.

The novel is focused very specifically on the consequences of repeatedly being popped in football. Can the new safety gear protect football players now better than in the post? Do teams truly stick to protocols and are players honest about hits and follow protocol themselves? Greenwald wants the reader to think about why everyone so enjoys a sport that may ruin lives. He loves football and watches it himself. In the end, everyone needs to come to his/her own conclusion about a sport that captives yet harms.… (more)