Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collections
Publication
Scholastic (2012), Edition: 1, Paperback, 416 pages
Description
Things are looking up for Tom Gates. The school dance is coming up, and his birthday, too! What could possibly put him in a bad mood? Well, the words math lesson, for one thing. And that annoying twit Marcus Meldrew at school. And Granny Mavis threatening to bake Tom's birthday cake (carrots!). And the fact that nobody seems to be noticing the long list of birthday presents Tom has prominently displayed. Worst of all, can it be true that Tom's dad has volunteered to deejay the school dance wearing the wacky costume from his new job?
Media reviews
LibraryThing Early Review
Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort of) is a funny and engaging sketch book for intermediate and middle school readers. Young readers will be engaged by the writer’s use of words that were visually/concrete using doodles and the font/style matched the meaning. The plot was "sketchy"; however,
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young readers will certainly relate to it, and they will love the layout and artwork in the book. This was my first Tom Gates read, and I can't wait to catch up with the rest of the books. I intend to have the entire set in my classroom! Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member jackiewark
Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort of) is a humorous account of a boy who has all the typical problems of a tween: a devilish older sister, school bullies, parents who embarrass him at every turn, and grandparents (lovingly named The Fossils) who are out of touch, but tolerable.
His birthday is
For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Tom Gates series will be a quick read, but it does not come close to matching the cleverness of Kinney's work. The story is scattered and pointless at times (maybe on purpose?). Another distracting element are the British terms used throughout the book. Some of them left me scratching my head for their meaning. There is a small glossary in the back of the book, but it does not define all the confusing terms for us.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, L. Pichon, and Candlewick Press for this copy.
His birthday is
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coming up and although he leaves gift hints all over, he's not sure they are taken seriously and his parents want his party to be held at Dino Village! For goodness sake, that's a little kid venue! Yet, he gets to invite all his friends and it turns out better than he thought it would. Luckily for Tom, too, his band will not be playing at the school disco and thankfully his friend's dad won't be the DJ. Things are turning out ok.For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Tom Gates series will be a quick read, but it does not come close to matching the cleverness of Kinney's work. The story is scattered and pointless at times (maybe on purpose?). Another distracting element are the British terms used throughout the book. Some of them left me scratching my head for their meaning. There is a small glossary in the back of the book, but it does not define all the confusing terms for us.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, L. Pichon, and Candlewick Press for this copy.
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LibraryThing member cabyrum
My 11 year old jumped right in and quickly read this book the day it arrived. He says it was great, five stars, and even better in ways than Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He really liked the various illustrations and use of fancy text (similar to the Geronimo Stilton books).
It seems like this is another
It seems like this is another
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good entry into the diary style of books that all tweens seem to love. Show Less
LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Tom is looking forward to the school dance and his upcoming birthday. But his family and schoolmates seem determined to ruin his life.
LibraryThing member setheredge
I was ill the other day and in need of a little of that TLC that I used to get from my mom when I was in grade school and home sick. So I decided to see if I could replicate a little of that TLC by wrapping up in my jammies and blankie, eating chicken noodle soup and crackers, and reading Tom
Tom Gates is a UK series, and has been compared to the American Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which is high praise, indeed. It’s a sketch-book diary, where Tom’s doodles and drawings and handwritten fonts make the words and the stories come alive. Best of all is Tom’s character, which comes shining through in all of his adventures and mishaps (perhaps embellished a wee bit, Tom? LOL) – he’s got a exuberant, cheerful optimism that just can’t be beat.
I thought Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) was funny, fun, creative, sweet, and absolutely delightful. I’d recommend it highly to any upper-grade schooler on your list … or those of you who, like me, sometimes long to be back in grade school themselves.
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Gates, Everything’s Amazing (Sort Of). And, you know … it worked! (Well, as much as it could without my actual mom and her Vicks VapoRub being present) When I read Tom Gates, I was transported back to the world of the grade school reader. That world where you felt so much joy while you were reading a book, when you felt like you were actually living within that book and with all of those characters. Tom Gates is a UK series, and has been compared to the American Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which is high praise, indeed. It’s a sketch-book diary, where Tom’s doodles and drawings and handwritten fonts make the words and the stories come alive. Best of all is Tom’s character, which comes shining through in all of his adventures and mishaps (perhaps embellished a wee bit, Tom? LOL) – he’s got a exuberant, cheerful optimism that just can’t be beat.
I thought Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) was funny, fun, creative, sweet, and absolutely delightful. I’d recommend it highly to any upper-grade schooler on your list … or those of you who, like me, sometimes long to be back in grade school themselves.
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LibraryThing member julieaduncan
As an adult, it took me awhile to get into this book. It wasn't until about half way through when I figured out the chapter dividers and started enjoying it. By the time I reached the end, I was chuckling out loud. Having said that, I have purposely kept it out of my fifth grade classroom until I
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could review it. I knew it would immediately be checked out and I wouldn't see it again until the end of the year. I expect this to be a great hit with middle-schoolers and older elementary students. The story did remind me of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, but I thought the doodles were much better. Tom Gates will be loved by many kids. Show Less
LibraryThing member HeatherMS
I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations had me laughing and the story was interesting. I would recommend this for elementary on up.
LibraryThing member Mrs.DuBois
I had never read a graphic novel previous to this book so I couldn't understand the excitement surrounding the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Smile, or similar series, but I can now! I thoroughly enjoyed middle-school student, Tom Gates, perspective of what an adult would have perceived as fairly typical
I can't wait to introduce this book to my classroom library and watch my students reaction!
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events in the life of a typical student. Embarrassing parents, out-of-touch grandparents, a moody sister, friends (and friend problems), a birthday party, a school dance, homework... It was all there and it was all fun to read.I can't wait to introduce this book to my classroom library and watch my students reaction!
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LibraryThing member LauraEnos
This is a cute sketch book for intermediate and middle school readers. I loved how many of the words were visually/concrete and the font/style matched the meaning. In terms of plot, there was nothing overly exciting or riveting, but I do have lower readers and reluctant readers in my classroom that
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would enjoy the layout and artwork in the book. The "cliff hanger" to get you to buy the next book was awkward and not real persuasive for me to keep reading the next one. Show Less
Awards
Independent Booksellers' Book Prize (Shortlist — Children's — 2012)
Concorde Book Award (Shortlist — 2014)
Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist — 2016)
Sheffield Children's Book Award (Winner — 2013)
Children's Favorites Awards (Selection — 2016)
Language
Physical description
416 p.
ISBN
1407124412 / 9781407124414
Local notes
Back to school, but it's not all bad. Tom is entering Rooster in a dog show, the School Disco and his birthday are coming up so this term's going to be amazing. Mostly because Delia's not invited to any of these. There's only one small problem with his birthday, Granny Mavis says she's going to cook.