shrrawat's review against another edition
4.0
Who Done It? That is the question the reader must ask after the death of the malodorous, malevolent, malignant, and whatever other adjective that start with "mal" editor Herman Mildew. The suspects include some of the most beloved YA and children authors. Each must provide their alibi to prove their innocence, but when it among people who lie and manufacture stories, who can you trust?
When I got this book, I was really excited. I have always had a soft spot for short stories (they're like mini-books making up one big book), and eighty of them? With authors like Libba Bray, Lemony Snicket, and John Green? I was in short story heaven.
However, the book ended up being a disappointment. Not that I didn't enjoy it. I did. But the expectations I had of the book, the standards I held for each of the authors, were not quite met. About half way through the book, I found many of the stories blurring together in my brain, until I could barely tell one from the others. There were, however, a few gems that shone through. I loved David Levithan's story, a play on the famous poem "This is Just to Say". Sarah Mlynowski and Courtney Sheinmel's tale had me laughing out loud. The new and original forms of other authors, were also greatly appreciated. Michael Northrop's story, though, was in my opinion, the best of all, and absolutely DEMANDS A SEQUEL.
In the end, I do tip my hat to each and every author who contributed to this anthology. Although I felt that their best work weren't present, I do appreciate that they did this only to advance a worthy organization such as 826 NYC.
When I got this book, I was really excited. I have always had a soft spot for short stories (they're like mini-books making up one big book), and eighty of them? With authors like Libba Bray, Lemony Snicket, and John Green? I was in short story heaven.
However, the book ended up being a disappointment. Not that I didn't enjoy it. I did. But the expectations I had of the book, the standards I held for each of the authors, were not quite met. About half way through the book, I found many of the stories blurring together in my brain, until I could barely tell one from the others. There were, however, a few gems that shone through. I loved David Levithan's story, a play on the famous poem "This is Just to Say". Sarah Mlynowski and Courtney Sheinmel's tale had me laughing out loud. The new and original forms of other authors, were also greatly appreciated. Michael Northrop's story, though, was in my opinion, the best of all, and absolutely DEMANDS A SEQUEL.
In the end, I do tip my hat to each and every author who contributed to this anthology. Although I felt that their best work weren't present, I do appreciate that they did this only to advance a worthy organization such as 826 NYC.
belle18244's review against another edition
3.0
Tedious. Might have been better with a fourth of the authors.
wiseowl33's review against another edition
4.0
Very fun concept. Enjoyable stories... a bit predictable, but fun to read.
strangebehavior's review against another edition
Fun premise, just didn't know all the authors - I think it would be more fun if you were familiar with many of the writers.
missprint_'s review against another edition
2.0
What happens when the meanest, nastiest, smelliest editor invites all of his authors to a party at The Old Abandoned Pickle Factory? What happens when he threaten to reveal every one of their deepest, darkest secrets?
Well, the editor turns up dead is what happens.
And every author and illustrator is a suspect in his murder.
Jon Scieszka conducts the investigation as each author provides a brief alibi for the time of Herman Q. Mildew's death in Who Done It? (2013).
In addition to being a very entertaining premise, Who Done It? benefits a great cause. This "serial act of criminal literature" benefits 826nyc--a non-profit organization that supports kids' and teens' creative and expository writing.
With over 80 contributors suspects, there are a whole lot of alibis to sift through here. I don't recommend reading them all at once as they do tend to blend together. (Though averaging two pages each one is a short read.) The level of continuity between entries is also impressive as authors carry details throughout the collection.
There is a lot of fun to be had with this book whether you read it all at once or just peruse it for new and familiar authors.
My favorite entry is Patrick Carman's, bar none. But with a variety of formats (David Levithan's is a poem. Sarah Mlynowski and Courtney Sheinmel wrote a screenplay. And Lev Grossman's is a riff on fantasy conventions) and a few choice illustrations, Who Done It? is guaranteed to have something for everyone.
Well, the editor turns up dead is what happens.
And every author and illustrator is a suspect in his murder.
Jon Scieszka conducts the investigation as each author provides a brief alibi for the time of Herman Q. Mildew's death in Who Done It? (2013).
In addition to being a very entertaining premise, Who Done It? benefits a great cause. This "serial act of criminal literature" benefits 826nyc--a non-profit organization that supports kids' and teens' creative and expository writing.
With over 80 contributors suspects, there are a whole lot of alibis to sift through here. I don't recommend reading them all at once as they do tend to blend together. (Though averaging two pages each one is a short read.) The level of continuity between entries is also impressive as authors carry details throughout the collection.
There is a lot of fun to be had with this book whether you read it all at once or just peruse it for new and familiar authors.
My favorite entry is Patrick Carman's, bar none. But with a variety of formats (David Levithan's is a poem. Sarah Mlynowski and Courtney Sheinmel wrote a screenplay. And Lev Grossman's is a riff on fantasy conventions) and a few choice illustrations, Who Done It? is guaranteed to have something for everyone.
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/5 stars. I thought this would be a really fun quick read. Well, it was fun at the beginning, but then after a while it got REALLY repetitive. I was looking for a little more :P
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readinggod's review against another edition
4.0
Jon Scieszka has done it again. In this anthology Mr. Scieszka has gathered a group of fellow authors to help him solve the death of their not so beloved editor, Herman Mildew. One by one each guest presents their alibi and in some cases point out the actual culprit. The short stories range in tones from comedy to scary. Who is the real culprit and why did they take out Mr. Mildew? Read this book and find out as well as get in the minds of your favorite authors including Lemony Snicket, Libba Brey and John Green, just to name a few.
Cleverly written and thought out. Loved it.
Cleverly written and thought out. Loved it.
kallbri's review against another edition
4.0
Despite this literally taking me forever to read, it was very good. I loved getting snippets of different authors. I developed an interest in writers I have never heard of and authors that I intentionally avoided because they didn't seem like me. Though some of those alibis do get repetitive, hence why it took me so long, many were original and quite funny. In the end, I truly read the book because I am in love with the whole concept behind the tutoring centers such as 826NYC. Jon Scieszka linked it back to what the volunteers do with visitors to the center and how you can get great stories in a short amount of time, out of students and writers alike.
samantha_winkel13's review against another edition
3.0
Funny and well written, but not my cuppa tea.