The Accidental Genius of Weasel High by Rick Detorie

Larkin Pace desperately wants a new camcorder. How else is he going to become the next great filmmaker? But his dad won’t give him any money, his sister is determined to make his life miserable, and his nemesis Dalton Cooke is trying to steal his girlfriend. Now this height-challenged aspiring director must chronicle his wacky life for a freshman English assignment.

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A hilarious take on the life of a “wimpy” teenager, The Accidental Genius of Weasel High is great novel for young teens (especially teen guys) who will relate to Larkin’s comical situations and outtakes on high school, family, and first love. Incorporating illustrations within the written novel is a perfect way to get anybody to read, especially with a generation of young readers who are use to visual communication. Detorie seems like a great author to watch for more graphic novels from.

Overall, The Accidental Genius of Weasel High is a light, humorous read just in time for summer and a great novel for fans who want to graduate from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I also might add that Detorie’s inspiration for Larkin writing about his freshman year via notebook blog might just be a interesting assignment to do for aspiring writers!

Recommendation: First of all because there’s limited choices out there in contemporary YA fiction for guys, I wanted to make a special recommendation for them; secondly I want to recommend it to any teenager: freshmen–like Larkin–middle schoolers, or even those who have already fled the high school scene. Fans of graphic novels will also enjoy Larkin's story. Ages 12+

Content: some crude humor (PG)

|Pages: 197| Release Date: April 2011| Publisher: EgmontUS|

|Genre: Contemporary, comedy/humor, high school, guy lit|

|Content Rating: 5/5| Cover Rating: 5/5| Overall: 5/5|

This review is copyrighted by Books and Literature for Teens. Special thanks to Jennifer.

Alison Dare Blog Tour + Interview

Ever hesitated before picking up a graphic novel? Don't think twice with Alison Dare! Alison Dare Little Miss Adventures and Alison Dare and the Heart of the Maiden were great graphic novels for first timers–or at least I thought they were. I never thought graphic novels could be so much fun! Alison's world is a cross between Indiana Jones and Superman. I also loved the comedy and the sense of adventure that built with every page. The characters are great: you have Alison, her two "sidekicks" Dot and Wendy, her Archeologist mother, superhero father, the twins, and her mysterious uncle (who never shows his face!) who always comes to the rescue and never–might I add–ceased to surprise with his vast array of spy-proof disguses. If you've never tried a graphic novel, pick up a copy of one of the Alison Dare books (I'd highly recommend Alison Dare Little Miss Adventures), or recommend to your library today for their summer reading program!


Recommendation: Yes! Buy or borrow these fun comics!
This Book is For: All ages.


The Last Straw: Check out these pictures I snapped from inside the books:

POW!

Alison, Wendy, & Dot

"May I pay with a debit card?"

PS. I was suppose to share some pictures I snapped of Alison Dare exploring my room, but I forget to transfer them to my laptop (I'm on a trip right now). Sorry about that.


Interview with J. Torres

What made you want to write graphic novels/comic books?


I’ve always loved reading comics whether in the newspaper or magazine or book form.  I used to draw a lot too, inspired by what I read. Somewhere along the way I decided to focus on writing.


Which comic books did you enjoy reading as a kid?


In grade school it was Tintin and Asterix, some Disney and Gold Key stuff. DC Digests and Archie digests too. Later in high school, it was X-Men and Teen Titans. Eventually, I discovered “indy comics” like Elfquest and Nexus.


Favorite comic book character?


I don’t think I can choose just one. Batman is definitely up there, though.


How did you come up with the idea for Alison Dare? Any inspirations?–I notice a lot of things to do with Egyptology.


I wanted to do the kind of adventure and mystery book that I enjoyed reading as a kid but in a comic book. Books like Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Encyclopedia Brown, etc. I was also a big fan of the Jonny Quest cartoon and of course comics like Tintin. Indiana Jones is another obvious influence, and I think I was playing the Tomb Raider video game a lot at the time.


Do you have a favorite character in the Alison Dare series? (Mine's Wendy)


I’d probably say the Blue Scarab because he’s a super and a dad. Like me. Yes, I’m a superhero. Shh…


Will we be seeing more of Alison Dare soon? If so, could you give us a teaser about her next adventure?


We’re just starting to talk about new material. I’m not sure when it will happen. But if I have my way, we’re taking Alison to Asia . Possibly China . Maybe Japan. Or Korea .


Thanks!


J.


www.jtorresonline.blogspot.com or follow the tour at Talking with Tundra.