I'm always wary about books for "non-readers," because sometimes they can encourage the "cool" factor of not reading (or the "dork" factor of reading) a little too much. There were times that I felt that way about this book, but I think the overall story was good, and readers are eased into the progressing length of the chapters. ( )

very clever story with "a play within a play" humor for the notes included as part of the story, great appeal to middle schoolers, actually a good story to convince students reading is good without being preachy at all ( )

I didn't think I'd like this book, but I had to read it so I could lead a book club on it. Even two or three chapters in, I thought it was going to be just another smart-ass wimpy kid knock off that underestimates the brainpower of juvenile readers and assumes that the class of kids now known as "reluctant readers" will only pick up shallow swill. (Ahem...let me climb down from my accidental soap box now...)

And mostly it was.

The End.

Addendum: The avid upper elementary readers in the book club liked it. ( )

After reading [b: Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Growing Up|25688990|Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Growing Up (Charlie Joe Jackson, #6)|Tommy Greenwald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445191825s/25688990.jpg|45517401], and feeling disappointed, I didn't think I would end up reviewing another CJJ book. But here I am, and I gotta say, Greenwald is redeemed. This book is X times (fill your number) more funny and interesting.

Charlie Joe hates books. He's on a mission to never read another book. He knows it, his friends know it, but he can't let the adults find out. They would sabotage his mission. For years now his friend Timmy has been reading the books for him in exchange for ice cream sandwiches. But Timmy and Charlie Joe are having a little issue over girls and lacrosse, so Timmy has ended his reading service. Charlie Joe has the dreaded "project" at the end of the year and he needs to get another friend on board to do his reading for him.

This book is so funny and downright refreshing. It feels like Charlie Joe is having a one on one conversation with the reader. He commiserates, apologizes and advises. You are his friend and he wants to pass on all the knowledge he has gained over the years about how to avoid reading. The irony is that you are reading and that fact is not lost on Charlie Joe. Get this book for any kid you know. Guaranteed to read it. ( )

o say that Charlie Joe Jackson didn’t like to read would be a huge understatement. He would do anything, at any cost, to avoid reading. (Sound like anyone you know?)

Charlie Joe managed to make it to middle school without ever having read an entire book. He had a plan, and it worked for him…until now! His friend Timmy no longer was willing to accept ice cream sandwiches in exchange for telling Charlie Joe about the books he should have read.

You might think that Charlie Joe would realize it was time to start doing his own reading. Yeah, right! More scheming and plotting ensues. Will he get through middle school with his non-reading record intact?

This is a fun, fast read that even Charlie Joe Jackson would enjoy if he weren’t so busy trying to NOT read!

Oh, and if you too are a non-reader and aren't convinced this book is worth picking up, you may want to read it just for the Tips for NOT reading that Charlie Joe provides throughout the book, starting with “If you have to read a book, make sure it has short chapters.”
( )