Nate Rocks the World by Karen Pokras Toz - Review

I am sharing an AWESOME book with you today, something that moms out there with reluctant boy readers will need to get their hands on!

Book Summary:

Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan’s life as a fourth grader appears to be completely doomed. Armed only with his sketchpad, his imagination, and his wits, Nathan Rockledge navigates the perils of the fourth grade in style, to emerge heroic, as Nate Rocks, proving that even a ten-year-old can accomplish great things. Follow the quirky and imaginative adventures of ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge as his cartoons come to life.

About the Author:

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen has spent the last several years working as a tax accountant, writing in numbers. She recently discovered a passion for writing with words. She is the 2011 honoree and spokesperson for the Eastern Pennsylvania Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell 5K Run. Karen enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three children. 

Karen Pokras Toz on the WEB

Read Chapter 1 of Nate Rocks the World 

Karen Pokras Toz on FACEBOOK

Karen Pokras Toz on TWITTER

Karen Pokras Toz on GOODREADS

My Thoughts:

I am a middle school teacher and a mother of two young boys so when I received this book for review I was immediately interested.  I see boys everyday who are disconnected from reading simply because they are surrounded by books that aren't geared toward them and while the writing community has gotten better about publishing books geared toward this group, we are always looking for more.

Karen Pokras Toz does a fantastic job with this one and it hits right at the interest of the intended age group.  There is so much humor in this book from the circumstances of Nate's life that it is hard not to laugh out loud at the relationships he has with his sister, mother and father.  Karen taps right into the mind, imagination and thoughts of a ten-year-old boy and it makes for a hilarious story.  I can see this being a definite pick-up off of my classroom shelves, particularly from those boys that "don't like to read."

I loved the cover of this book, it catches attention as well with its bright colors and cartoonist drawing of Nate.  Boys this age love to draw so they immediately connect with this book because of its cover.

I have already passed this along to a male student and am anxiously awaiting his verdict!  I will post it to the blog when he finishes.

Great book, moms and teachers be sure to add this to your child/students to-read list!