somewheregirl7's review
4.0
Antsy's latest adventure begins when a friend from school mentions that he has six months to live. Suddenly obsessed with time and mortality, Antsy comes up with a great idea - he'll give Gunnar a month of his life. On paper at least. It's a symbolic gesture, but it feels right. Pretty soon people are lining up to give Gunnar a month of their lives ... and that's when the trouble really starts.
This fun, fast book had me giggling within a couple pages and there were many times throughout I couldn't help laughing aloud. At times poignantly insightful and at others just outrageously silly this book can't help but make you smile. This was a great follow up to Shusterman's "The Schwa Was Here" and I think I like it even better. The characters, as always, steal the show and completely make this book. Excellent pacing. The plot is straightforward and predictable, but the characters more than make up for it. The descriptions and dialogue are also really strong. Well written and well told, I am definitely glad I picked this book.
This fun, fast book had me giggling within a couple pages and there were many times throughout I couldn't help laughing aloud. At times poignantly insightful and at others just outrageously silly this book can't help but make you smile. This was a great follow up to Shusterman's "The Schwa Was Here" and I think I like it even better. The characters, as always, steal the show and completely make this book. Excellent pacing. The plot is straightforward and predictable, but the characters more than make up for it. The descriptions and dialogue are also really strong. Well written and well told, I am definitely glad I picked this book.
suey's review
5.0
I liked this even better than the Schwa book. I've completely fallen in love with Antsy. And Neal Shusterman I suppose!
paulp's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
nerfherder86's review
5.0
Loved this book! Listened to the author read it on CD, and he has just the right Brooklyn accent for the main character of Anthony "Antsy" Bonnano, ninth grader in Brooklyn (and star of Shusterman's other book, [book: The Schwa Was Here]) who becomes friends with Swedish classmate Gunnar and Gunnar's hottie sister Kjrsten. When Antsy finds out Gunnar has an incurable disease and only 6 months to live, he decides to help his friend the only way he can think of: he donates a "month" of his life to Gunnar. Antsy knows it's just a gesture, but it's a generous-hearted gesture that strikes a chord with everyone in the school, and soon Antsy has become the "Master of Time" as he writes up contracts for classmates and teachers who also want to give months to Gunnar to make him feel better. But this sets off a chain of events that don't go as Antsy has planned--it's very funny, and Antsy is a cool character who has a fun family and a fun way of telling his story. I loved the Brooklynese expressions and metaphors he used, and although it's lighthearted it is also a serious book, talking about the different ways people deal with death and other tragedies. Antsy is also having dating issues, as his blind former girlfriend/best friend Lexie is dating a new guy and Antsy's not sure how he feels about that--and will Kjrsten actually go out with him, even though she's a junior and an "older woman"? You don't need to read [book: The Schwa Was Here] to enjoy this book on its own, but you'll want to go find the first book to enjoy more adventures with Antsy.
kgormley's review
4.0
I think this book would appeal to Jr/Sr high boys, but girls would probably enjoy it as well. There were actually some parts of the book that were quite "deep". I don't know if teenagers would get it or not, but it made me think. For example in chapter 18 the main character is praying for his father who is having surgery, and makes this comment: "that's when I realized that prayer isn't for God. After all, He doesn't need it. He's out there , or in there, or sitting up there in His firmament, whatever that is, all-knowing and all-powerful right? He doesn't need us repeating words week after week in His face. If He's there, sure, I'll bet He's listening, but it doesn't change Him, one way or the other." Wow ... made me think -- Antsy's right, prayer isn't for God, it's for us, but how many times do we not look at it from that perspective! This book also deals with some serious subjects -- family's falling apart for various reasons, and death, but does it in a way that is not at all depressing, in fact you come away with the feeling that things can be worked out!
trishabee2000's review
4.0
Just like Shusterman's earlier book this too is quirky and describes the trials and tribulations Antsy faces while trying to help others, because well, he's a helper.