idontkaren's review against another edition
3.0
Kinda funny though probably not to most kids (its target audience). Reminds me of Knucklehead by Jon Sciescka, except Knucklehead had ample grossout humor (which never goes out of style). I think older adults who grew up in this era would like it. Like my mom...or your mom.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
5.0
How to Die of Embarrassment Every Day is a middle grade memoir by author Ann Hodgman that shares in a humorous way the many embarrassing situations she found herself in as she grew up. (The book only goes through sixth grade, because, writes Ann, "After that, my life became so embarrassing that writing it down would have caused the pages to burst into flames.") The book covers every imaginable childhood milestone, from the birth of younger siblings and attendance at birthday parties, to physical fitness testing in gym class and madcap summer adventures at home in the neighborhood. Ann shares her own embarrassing moments, as well as some experienced by her husband during his childhood, and she also occasionally relates anecdotes about her own children that supplement the telling of a given episode from her own life. The final two chapters of the book offer Ann's lists of "A Few Things Grown-Ups Say That Are (I'm Sorry) True" and "A Few Things Grown-Ups Say That Aren't True" where she sums up what her experiences have taught her and provides advice to kids dealing with those situations today.
Hodgman's tone is both honest and tongue-in-cheek, and her writing so conversational that even though she is old enough to be the mother or even the grandmother of some kids in her target audience, the book reads as though she is their peer. Hodgman also demonstrates a real understanding of childhood injustices. It's clear that she remembers exactly what it's like to be a child, and how clueless the adults in charge can sometimes be. Accompanying photos of the people she writes about, as well as the toys, books, and outfits mentioned, add another layer of interesting context to the book. It's also great that Hodgman tells the reader upfront that this book doesn't have to be read all at once, or even in order. The book is divided up according to subject, so kids interested in sports, or in camp, or birthdays, or just in the advice in the final two chapters can easily find what interests them, or what relates to a current issue they might be having.
It's hard for me to do this book justice in a review because I loved it so much personally. I do wonder how it's going to go over with kids in my library once I return it and put it out on the shelf. It has a great cover, which looks similar to a lot of novels for this age group, which I think gives it a huge advantage, but a memoir about an author kids have never heard of might be a hard sell. But if they pick it up and read a few pages, I think kids will find themselves zipping through to the end. I'd also recommend the book to adults, especially those who are the author's age, or have parents around her age. It's continuously entertaining from beginning to end, and made me laugh out loud more than any book I have ever read, including Bossypants by Tina Fey, which was pretty darn hilarious.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite books of 2011.
Hodgman's tone is both honest and tongue-in-cheek, and her writing so conversational that even though she is old enough to be the mother or even the grandmother of some kids in her target audience, the book reads as though she is their peer. Hodgman also demonstrates a real understanding of childhood injustices. It's clear that she remembers exactly what it's like to be a child, and how clueless the adults in charge can sometimes be. Accompanying photos of the people she writes about, as well as the toys, books, and outfits mentioned, add another layer of interesting context to the book. It's also great that Hodgman tells the reader upfront that this book doesn't have to be read all at once, or even in order. The book is divided up according to subject, so kids interested in sports, or in camp, or birthdays, or just in the advice in the final two chapters can easily find what interests them, or what relates to a current issue they might be having.
It's hard for me to do this book justice in a review because I loved it so much personally. I do wonder how it's going to go over with kids in my library once I return it and put it out on the shelf. It has a great cover, which looks similar to a lot of novels for this age group, which I think gives it a huge advantage, but a memoir about an author kids have never heard of might be a hard sell. But if they pick it up and read a few pages, I think kids will find themselves zipping through to the end. I'd also recommend the book to adults, especially those who are the author's age, or have parents around her age. It's continuously entertaining from beginning to end, and made me laugh out loud more than any book I have ever read, including Bossypants by Tina Fey, which was pretty darn hilarious.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite books of 2011.
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