A review by kandicez
The Boys in the Back Row by Mike Jung
3.0
Matt and Eric have been best friends since joining band in fourth grade. Now in sixth grade, the boys learn that they will play in the Spring Music Festival at World of Amazement (Disneyland/World?), the best amusement park ever. Adding to the thrill, DefenderCon, a comics convention, will take place nearby at the exact same time. Their favorite author, Jonah Burns, will be there signing copies of their all time favorite comic, Sandpiper. Oh my GAWD!
Sadly, Eric will be moving across the country to New York for his mom's new job as soon as the school year ends. Out of desperation the two plan a daring final mission: They will sneak off to DefenderCon, meet their hero, and get back to the amusement park before anyone notices they were gone. What could go wrong?
The way the boys' friendship is presented is sweet. They are teased for their closeness, and even their nerdiness, but really, at that age, are there any kids who are not nerdy to someone? I am 50 and still identify as a nerd, but thank goodness I no longer get teased! The book is fairly lite, but it does tackle the issues of racism (Matt is Korean, Eric is white), homophobia, and plain old fashioned bullying. Jung even goes so far as to make the "bully" relatable and sympathetic in some ways. I think this is so important in books aimed at this age. There is never an excuse for bullying to violence, but it's good to know that there is (almost) always and underlying reason. None of us live on easy street.
It was satisfying to read a story that explores a loving friendship between two boys who defy gender norms and are simply allowed to be who and what they are.
Sadly, Eric will be moving across the country to New York for his mom's new job as soon as the school year ends. Out of desperation the two plan a daring final mission: They will sneak off to DefenderCon, meet their hero, and get back to the amusement park before anyone notices they were gone. What could go wrong?
The way the boys' friendship is presented is sweet. They are teased for their closeness, and even their nerdiness, but really, at that age, are there any kids who are not nerdy to someone? I am 50 and still identify as a nerd, but thank goodness I no longer get teased! The book is fairly lite, but it does tackle the issues of racism (Matt is Korean, Eric is white), homophobia, and plain old fashioned bullying. Jung even goes so far as to make the "bully" relatable and sympathetic in some ways. I think this is so important in books aimed at this age. There is never an excuse for bullying to violence, but it's good to know that there is (almost) always and underlying reason. None of us live on easy street.
It was satisfying to read a story that explores a loving friendship between two boys who defy gender norms and are simply allowed to be who and what they are.