lindagreen's review
3.0
I’m not sure why but this book seemed like a cross between Phineas and Ferb and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It takes a long time to get into the book which, unfortunately, means a lot of readers will put it down and never finish it. Even during reviewing I kept drifting off with disinterest during the first half. It did pick up and get better and the remainder of the book moved quickly and was a cute, humorous tale that will appeal to mainly a younger male audience. As some other reviewers mentioned, the vocabulary is going to be a bit daunting for the younger levels but more advanced readers should have no problem.
ARC Galley Proof
ARC Galley Proof
hollowspine's review
3.0
What's a genius inventor to do when the bullies at school make him their personal target? Send a clone to school in his place, obviously! The story of Popular Clone takes a common secret wish of many a geeky, bullied child and spins the tale to it's conclusion.
Turns out it's not easy managing one's life when there are two selves to keep up with, especially when one's clone turns out to be as well-liked as one was disliked. Fisher Bas is a genius, but his school life isn't what one might call pleasant. Most days he spends hiding from the "Vikings" a group of typical school bullies.
Both his parents are also inventors and brainiacs. Although they try to assure Fisher that eventually his peers will value him for his intellect, Fisher doesn't want to spend another second waiting. He's tired of being the victim...but rather than face his fears head on, Fisher has a better idea. Why not let his clone deal with school while he lounges at home getting on with his own ingenious inventions!?
So, Fisher takes advantage of the AGH (accelerated growth hormone) his mother is developing to grow Fisher Two. Fisher Two, however, seems to have some strange ideas...after seeing a commercial he's convinced his mother is the Spot Right lady. Fisher has to convince his confused clone that in order to re-unite with the Spot Right lady he must face and defeat the foes at Middle School.
Thus his clone's take over of Fisher's middle school begins. Soon Fisher finds himself creating more and more elaborate lies, sneaking around and confronting things he would have run screaming from before. Add a nefarious evil scientist to the mix and Fisher's life turns catastrophic.
The story is fun and really has a sense of childhood hijinks and both what kids do to skip out on school and what they do while skipping. It was pretty nostalgic for me, I can't remember how many times I've wished for a clone to take my place while I munched on snacks and played video games at home!
Turns out it's not easy managing one's life when there are two selves to keep up with, especially when one's clone turns out to be as well-liked as one was disliked. Fisher Bas is a genius, but his school life isn't what one might call pleasant. Most days he spends hiding from the "Vikings" a group of typical school bullies.
Both his parents are also inventors and brainiacs. Although they try to assure Fisher that eventually his peers will value him for his intellect, Fisher doesn't want to spend another second waiting. He's tired of being the victim...but rather than face his fears head on, Fisher has a better idea. Why not let his clone deal with school while he lounges at home getting on with his own ingenious inventions!?
So, Fisher takes advantage of the AGH (accelerated growth hormone) his mother is developing to grow Fisher Two. Fisher Two, however, seems to have some strange ideas...after seeing a commercial he's convinced his mother is the Spot Right lady. Fisher has to convince his confused clone that in order to re-unite with the Spot Right lady he must face and defeat the foes at Middle School.
Thus his clone's take over of Fisher's middle school begins. Soon Fisher finds himself creating more and more elaborate lies, sneaking around and confronting things he would have run screaming from before. Add a nefarious evil scientist to the mix and Fisher's life turns catastrophic.
The story is fun and really has a sense of childhood hijinks and both what kids do to skip out on school and what they do while skipping. It was pretty nostalgic for me, I can't remember how many times I've wished for a clone to take my place while I munched on snacks and played video games at home!
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