readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
I loved meeting Ana in Jess Keating's first book. Ana is back, and with her are more middle grade problems. Ana has one of the best middle grade female voices I've come across in awhile. She's witty, smart and kind.
This second story had me rooting for Ana even more- she got a little closer in my heart!
This second story had me rooting for Ana even more- she got a little closer in my heart!
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
This second book about Ana Wright is just as fun as the first! Ana is excited to be working in the new aquatic exhibit at the zoo, but that excitement is dampened when she learns that Ashley, her middle school nemesis, will be spending the summer volunteering there as well. When Ashley starts acting friendly, Ana is confused. Could she have been wrong about Ashley all of these years? This is a realistic and humorous exploration of the changing relationships that characterize the middle school years. Highly recommended for grades 5 & up.
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Fans of Ana's first adventure will be glad to see her in action again. They may not be so pleased to hear that her arch-enemy, Ashley, will be spending the summer as a volunteer at the zoo and Ana gets stuck working with her. It almost seems unfair. Ana had finally faced down her fears about public speaking and garnered some fame for her presentation about reptiles, even having the good luck of a baby alligator urinating on Ashley in front of the audience. And then, just when we're relaxing and thinking Ana has it made for the summer, here is Ashley to ruin it all.
There are some positive aspects to the situation. The first one is Logan - the college student working in the new exhibit where the girls are volunteers. (Did I mention that Logan is cute?) Also, Ana's friend (boyfriend?) Kevin is around for the summer. Her new friend Bella is filling the void in Ana's life that was caused by her best friend Liv's family moving out of the country. And her brother Daz even seems to be acting semi-human for a change.
But when things start to go wrong around the exhibit, Ana is sure that Ashley is doing it all to sabotage her. Fed up with being blamed for something she didn't do and determined to pay Ashley back, Ana talks Daz into helping her with a revenge plan. Will she go through with it? And will she fulfill the "kissing pact" she made with Liv and get her first kiss from Kevin before school starts? No pressure or anything, right?
If you haven't read How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied, you'll want to get it, too. These books are funny, honest portrayals of what life can be like when you are a 13-year-old girl trying to survive middle school.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
There are some positive aspects to the situation. The first one is Logan - the college student working in the new exhibit where the girls are volunteers. (Did I mention that Logan is cute?) Also, Ana's friend (boyfriend?) Kevin is around for the summer. Her new friend Bella is filling the void in Ana's life that was caused by her best friend Liv's family moving out of the country. And her brother Daz even seems to be acting semi-human for a change.
But when things start to go wrong around the exhibit, Ana is sure that Ashley is doing it all to sabotage her. Fed up with being blamed for something she didn't do and determined to pay Ashley back, Ana talks Daz into helping her with a revenge plan. Will she go through with it? And will she fulfill the "kissing pact" she made with Liv and get her first kiss from Kevin before school starts? No pressure or anything, right?
If you haven't read How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied, you'll want to get it, too. These books are funny, honest portrayals of what life can be like when you are a 13-year-old girl trying to survive middle school.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
saragrochowski's review against another edition
5.0
So happy to hear there is a bk 3 coming!! Review forthcoming.
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016/comments_08/how_to_outswim_a_shark_without_a_snorkel.html
jayce's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted here at inthesenterofit.blogspot.com
Genre: Realistic
AR level: none yet
Grade appropriate: 5th grade girls & up
(Prepubescent boys do not need to be reading about girls comparing
their boobs to another girls.)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5-- I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Creativity: 5/5-- how fun to write about a girl who lives at a zoo?
Reminded me of [a:Stuart Gibbs|3040652|Stuart Gibbs|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1417564329p2/3040652.jpg]'s [b:Belly Up|6760793|Belly Up|Stuart Gibbs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1267406352s/6760793.jpg|6958059] & [b:Poached|17777989|Poached|Stuart Gibbs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379455558s/17777989.jpg|24864526].
Characters: 5/5-- loved kevin! Ana was real and might have even been
me in middle school, minus the living at a zoo thing. Ashley was also
a very real character that I swear I knew in middle school. It turns
out the girls like her were all just as insecure as I was!
Engrossing: 5/5-- it was a great book that held my attention.
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to kids: 5/5-- I know so many girls who are going to eat up
this story of enemies who become friends,
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: mild-- girls make a kissing pact & try to kiss a boy before
school starts, the girls have to change into swimsuits & notice each
other's bodies.
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
Genre: Realistic
AR level: none yet
Grade appropriate: 5th grade girls & up
(Prepubescent boys do not need to be reading about girls comparing
their boobs to another girls.)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5-- I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Creativity: 5/5-- how fun to write about a girl who lives at a zoo?
Reminded me of [a:Stuart Gibbs|3040652|Stuart Gibbs|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1417564329p2/3040652.jpg]'s [b:Belly Up|6760793|Belly Up|Stuart Gibbs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1267406352s/6760793.jpg|6958059] & [b:Poached|17777989|Poached|Stuart Gibbs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379455558s/17777989.jpg|24864526].
Characters: 5/5-- loved kevin! Ana was real and might have even been
me in middle school, minus the living at a zoo thing. Ashley was also
a very real character that I swear I knew in middle school. It turns
out the girls like her were all just as insecure as I was!
Engrossing: 5/5-- it was a great book that held my attention.
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to kids: 5/5-- I know so many girls who are going to eat up
this story of enemies who become friends,
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: mild-- girls make a kissing pact & try to kiss a boy before
school starts, the girls have to change into swimsuits & notice each
other's bodies.
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
More...