Can average be amazing? The bestselling author of Frindle shows that with a little kindness, it can.
Jordan Johnston is average. Not short, not tall. Not plump, not slim. Not gifted, not flunking out. Even her shoe size is average. She’s ordinary for her school, for her town, for even the whole wide world, it seems.
Then Marlea Harkins, one of the most popular girls in school—and most definitely the meanest—does something unthinkable, and suddenly nice, average Jordan isn’t thinking average thoughts anymore. She wants to get Marlea back! But what’s the best way to beat a bully? Could it be with kindness?
Called “a genius of gentle, high concept tales set in suburban middle school” by The New York Times, bestselling author Andrew Clements presents a compelling story of the greatest achievement possible—self-acceptance.
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"This is a warm tale about Jordan, a girl who feels she is just average (or below average) in almost everything she does. She even makes a list of her above, about, and below average things she can do. A mean girl, Marlea, finds the list in the trash and begins to bully Jordan. While this could have been a story about bullying and dealing with being bullied, Clements chooses to have Jordan rethink her own thoughts to deal with the bully. She focuses on positive thinking and tries niceness with Marlea. Then an unexpected twister hits the school and Jordan finds out what she is really good at. A good story for girls, I doubt most boys would gravitate to this one, but full of heart and knowing yourself."
— Karen (4 out of 5 stars)
“Andrew Clement set the standard for the school story.”
— New York Times“Andrew Clements has written another thoughtful novel of problems that young readers really do face.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review“Clements adds to his canon of school stories with this thoughtful novel.”
— Publishers Weekly“As he has done so often before, Clements offers a comfortable third-person narrative, a convincing school story full of familiar sights and sounds, as well as a believable cast of characters. Unusually, Clements also models grown-ups with fulfilling, if ordinary lives…What is extraordinary is how Clements can continue to produce realistic examples of kid power year after year. More than a feel-good story with a message, this is another good read.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Not Clements's best. Kids will probably enjoy it, but I think the same story could have been told in half the time. The ending seemed a bit contrived which Clements's books are sometimes guilty of. This book, like the title, is "about average." Andrew, you can do better. "
— InYourFaceNewYorker, 2/10/2014" great book read it myself "
— Hello, 2/8/2014" I absolutely loved the first half of the book. With a daughter that is at an age where you worry how they are fitting in and a society that is so focused on bullying I thought this would be the perfect book. It goes a long way in showing that everyone can find things that they are good at. I am also very fond of Jordan's plan to counter Marlea's bullying with niceness. I just wish that the book had ended with Jordan finding her own place without the help of a natural disaster. Some way that other kids could possibly find their own ways. Overall I love Andrew Clements books; I think he does a fabulous job writing in a way that kids can relate to his books and characters. "
— Alison, 2/4/2014" An appealing, relatable story about a 6th grade girl who discovers ordinary people can do extraordinary things. "
— Edward, 1/27/2014" "In the history of Jordan's day so far, only about three minutes have not yet been accounted for. Three minutes is not a long time, but sometimes it's long enough to change a goldfish into a barracuda." "
— Ginnyrichey, 1/19/2014" Jordan feels she doesn't shine as many of her friends do and feels "just average" until a tornado hits the school and provides the opportunity to be a leader. A satisfactory story but Clements has written better ones. "
— Carol, 1/9/2014" My 10 year old daughter really connected to the main character, Jordan, who sees herself as plain and average. In the end, Jordan discovers that she is anything but average. In fact, she's a true hero. "
— Teresa, 12/11/2013" The story of a sixth grade girl who always feels like she is about average, but ends up saving several classmates during a tornado. Simple book with a basic plot that caches on the desire we feel to do something great. "
— David, 11/25/2013" It is kind of amazing how one event can change a person's entire view point on life. I didn't like this story as much as I enjoyed Frindle but it was still cute "
— Carrie, 10/6/2013" A sweet story with an important theme of what it truly means to be a good and successful person. "
— Toni, 6/23/2013" I think this is my least favorite Andrew Clements' book. I don't think the characters ring true. They just weren't believable.This is not one that I would recommend. "
— A., 6/17/2013" this book was better because it had more of the character's personality and how she has to overcome not being as stellar as everyone else. She ends up doing something extraordinary and realizes she has many qualities that make her great at things. "
— Vanessa, 6/9/2013" I liked this book, because I am average too! Will booktalk this to 4th graders next month. "
— Jeanne, 6/1/2013" 6th grader Jordan Jonson is normal nothing special average! By the end Jordan saved the orchestra members "
— Kaylie, 5/17/2013" Another winner from Andrew Clements. Jordan is just an average girl but things change when she is faced with extraordinary events. "
— Nancy, 4/8/2013" Very different than other Clements. A little more serious, more done through memories, but with a surprising climax, and a great ending. "
— Toni, 3/18/2013" The title pretty much sums it up. That, and "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And, doggone it, people like me." "
— Heather, 1/29/2013" 3-1/2 stars but not something I'd recommend to most adults. "
— Inoli, 12/18/2012" good for younger readers. agree that seemed like a sketch of the real story. liked the was girl handled bully. didnt understand why kept going back and sharing story of weatherman thou? "
— Serina, 11/17/2012" a wonderful book you should read it! Andrew Clements is one of my favorite authors. Read it in one day "
— Yoda, 11/3/2012Andrew Clements is the author of the enormously successful children’s novel Frindle. He has won two Christopher Awards and an Edgar Award, and more than ten million of his books are in print. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, and others. Clements is a graduate of Northwestern and National Louis universities, and he currently lives in central Massachusetts with his wife.
Andrew Clements is the author of the enormously successful children’s novel Frindle. He has won two Christopher Awards and an Edgar Award, and more than ten million of his books are in print. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, and others. Clements is a graduate of Northwestern and National Louis universities, and he currently lives in central Massachusetts with his wife.