Finding the worm has a complicated title, but it has heart. This story is about Julian, "Jules", Tweski, a Jewish person living in Flushing, Queens. It is a superb book, of decent writing. In the end, the themes in this book were very thought-provoking. The style, in regards to using many commas and ands, added to the experience of being a relatable book. A brief description: Quentin, "Quick Quentin", has a tumor. The kids on the block, Lonnie, Shlomo, Julian, Eric, and Howie, who live in the Dorado House or such named buildings, go on with their lives, and Julian, whose Bar Mitzvah is coming up, learns from the rabbi (a very good character with witty lines) about death. All the while, Julian Tweski records his thoughts about life and all the events that happen during this time. It was interesting reading a book that portrayed the 70s and life in New York so well, painting a vivid picture of the activities of those living in this time. Many of the landmarks described within this book I could find on the Internet; likewise with the baseball players. It's a sequel to the book TWERP but you don't have to read that one (it does give you some spoilers though). All in all, a sad and thoughtful book at the end, but some middle parts, describing their daily activities, were a little "meh". It is a contemplative realistic fiction book with good dialogue.
Finding the Worm (Twerp Sequel)
By Mark Goldblatt
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 4 - 8 | Grades 3 - 8 | Y | 4.4 | 69136 |
It’s not a test unless you can fail. . . .
Trouble always seems to find thirteen-year-old Julian Twerski. First it was a bullying incident, and now he’s been accused of vandalizing a painting. The principal doesn’t want to suspend him again, so instead, he asks Julian to write a 200-word essay on good citizenship. Julian writes 200 no’s instead, and so begins an epic struggle between Julian and his principal.
Being falsely accused is bad enough, but outside of school, Julian’s dealing with even bigger issues. His friend Quentin has been really sick. How can life be fair when the nicest guy in your group has cancer? Julian’s faith and friendships are put to the test . . . and the stakes have never been higher.
Praise for Twerp:
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Summer Top Ten Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
“Reminiscent of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. . . . You don’t have to be a twerp to read this book.” — New York Post
“A vivid, absorbing story about one boy’s misadventure, heartache, and hope for himself.” —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Reach Me
“[Fans of] Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid who have matured beyond the scope and gravity of that series will find a kindred spirit in Julian.” — School Library Journal
“Reminiscent of movies like The Sandlot. . . . Well-written and funny.” — The Advocate
“Alternately poignant and comical. . . . A thought-provoking exploration of bullying, personal integrity and self-acceptance.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Funny, poignant, and an effective commentary on bullying and its consequences.” — The Horn Book Magazine
Book Reviews (2)
What's worse than finding a worm in your apple? Answer? Finding half a worm. Julian is a normal boy. Yeah, that might be obvious. But what is cool about this book is that Julian has a gang. They are the 47th street gang. Julian and his buddies, Lonnie, Quentin, Howie, sometimes other kids, and sometimes Beverly, who is a girl and just hangs out with them sometimes. Julian was suspended in 6th grade for egging a physically handicapped kid, and he is about to be suspended again in 7th grade, or getting kicked out of fast track, a program for smart kids, all over a framed painting. Get it? Framed as in Julian being framed, and the painting is framed? Ok, I'll stop. But anyways, someone etched in Julian Twersky"s initials into the bottom right corner of a painting. Julian is suspicious that a 9th grade bully, Devon, is doing this. Julian is also in the middle of a sad time, one of his gang's members, Quentin, is really injured, and has a medical condition that might kill him. Julian and his gang, go through a lot together, and many include a strong friendship.