<i>The Loser List</i> (review)
2011; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 64; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2011.0300
ISSN1558-6766
Autores Tópico(s)Gothic Literature and Media Analysis
ResumoReviewed by: The Loser List Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor Kowitt, H. N. The Loser List; written and illus. by H. N. Kowitt. Scholastic, 2011. [224p]. Paper over board ed. ISBN 978-0-545-24004-8 $9.99 Reviewed from galleys Ad Gr. 4–7. All seventh-grader Danny Shine wants to do is get his name off the dreaded Loser List, an inventory of the most undateable guys at Gerald Ford Middle School, before the girl of his dreams sees it and writes him off forever. The list resides on the wall of the girls’ bathroom, though, and Danny’s attempts to sneak in and destroy it only [End Page 380] land him in detention. There he finds new problems in the form of three bullies with a vendetta against geeks like Danny, but his penchant for doodling zombies and skulls inspires him to offer up his services as the gang’s resident temporary-tattoo artist, and soon he’s one of the guys. Unfortunately, this new camaraderie comes at the cost of losing his best friend and possibly any chance with his crush, as his activities with bully Axl and company go from general buffoonery to downright illegality. What will make this appealing to Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, BCCB 6/07) fans also makes it feel a bit derivative; the art here lacks Kinney’s visual wit, and the voice doesn’t quite live up to the authenticity of the affable Greg Heffley. Nonetheless, Danny’s accidental foray into rebellion makes for plenty of laughs, and his initial exhilaration at thrill-seeking is completely understandable, as is his subsequent regret. The resolution’s homage to creative quirkiness will most certainly please gamers, Trekkers, and all other species of geek, so hand this one to that reader with an inclination toward the awkward and odd. Copyright © 2011 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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