- Hardcover: 85 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic Us (Mar 1 1990)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0531058654
- ISBN-13: 978-0531058657
- Product Dimensions: 20.2 x 14.2 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 181 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Most of the action of this farcical novel takes place at the high school where Jacob Freisten's primary goal is to remain unnoticed. All too often this classic loser finds himself cornered by some bully. When he is not being stuffed inside a locker or a trash can, Jacob suffers other forms of humiliation that are relayed in a string of colorful anecdotes. While running laps around the gym, he accidentally tramples Maria Tresser, the most beautiful girl in the school. Cupid's arrow strikes, and Jacob's seemingly hopeless infatuation leads to one disaster after another; but he finally wins a date with the girl of his dreams. Although Paulsen's pace may leave some readers breathless, most will relish the sharp wit and incredible energy of this ironic glimpse of high school life and young romance. Ages 11-14.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-8-- Jacob Freisten, thin and freckled, the "ugliest boy in history except for one," according to his own assessment, and a total clod to boot, has perfected the art of near invisibility, of being "there but not there." He leads the kind of exaggeratedly painful life that requires careful timing and planning so he can avoid attracting attention; if people notice him, there's always a comic disaster. He even goofs up in his daydreams. His parents drink too much, his mother is devoted to his sister's blossoming career as a beauty contest winner, and he's close to failing English. His English teacher ropes him into working on the school production of The Wizard of Oz for extra credit, appropriately enough as the understage controller of the fog machine. This gives him an opportunity to work with Maria Tressor, the most perfect girl in the school, on whom he has a rapidly intensifying crush. But it's a mixed blessing. When it's time to fog, Jacob, the consummate timing expert, flubs it badly, and in the confusion he blurts his feelings out to Maria. She says an astonishing yes to his feeble invitation for a date, and romance blooms because, she tells him, he's a winner. This brief, humorous look at adolescent life, complete with distorted self-concept, is a departure from the intensity of much of Paulsen's work, but is no less of a survival story in its own way. The novel is told mostly through a third-person narrative with little conversation until the end, which has the effect of distancing readers; it becomes a gently ironic fable of transformation and first love, in which many readers will find themselves. --Leda Schubert, Vermont Department of Education, Montpelier
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved this book,
By Trevor Jordan Heald (Corvallis, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Boy Who Owned The School (Paperback)
It's been a while since I read this, but I can remember reading it, and then rereading it, and then reading it again. This book is a one-afternoon book. You sit down and start reading, and then you finish the book without getting up. The main charachter is a reclusive boy who avoids other people, which is hard because he goes to school. You hear a lot about his popular model-in-training sister, and the lady who poured warm oil...Pretty funny and an engaging read. Kind of corny in spots though. Trevor
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good comedy book by Gary Paulsen,
By jasenao (Dothan, Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Boy Who Owned the School: A Comedy of Love (Hardcover)
Gary Paulsen is mainly known for writing great adventure and survival books, but he shows with "The Boy Who Owned The School" that he can also write good comedy books while also telling a good story. It's about a boy named Jacob that tries to avoid the jocks and do what he can to keep from being noticed while he's in school. While I was reading the book, it reminded me a lot of how I was when I was in junior high school. The whole time he likes the best looking and one of the most popular girls in the school, Maria. He finds out that in order to have a chance to pass English he has to be a part of a school play, and Maria is in it. "The Boy Who Owned The School" is a great book. It's interesting and it has a lot of parts that will make you laugh. If you like good books, I recommend getting this one.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Boy Who Owned the Scool,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Boy Who Owned The School (Paperback)
The Boy Who Owned the School by Gary Paulsen keeps you on the edge of your seat. Jacob Freisten, a middle school student, was an extremely unusual boy. Jacob does not like to be noticed by any of his friends and peers. He makes a fool out of himself in front of the girl of his dreams. The story leads up to Jacob getting embarrassed.This book is a must read because at the end of every chapter it leaves the reader hanging. The end was unusual to read youï¿ll just have to pick up the book to see how unusual. There were so many exciting details. Gary Paulsen is an outdoor man. All of his books are based around nature. He had to fend for himself because his parents drank too much. Once he walked into a library to get warm. If you want to know more about The Boy Who Owned the School check it out in your library
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