MG FUN PICK: Iggy Is Better Than Ever

 

Iggy Is Better Than Ever

by Annie Barrows

Illustrations by Sam Ricks

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Penguin

2020

139 pages with winsome illustrations 

ISBN: 9781984913336

Read all the Wimpy Kid books, how about the Dogman series? EngiNerds? You better rush to the store or online and pick up this hilarious book! Iggy is the funniest, hugest personality in kidlit. It's not that Iggy sets out to be bad; he actually tries very hard to be good, but if there's one thing Iggy's good at, it's attracting trouble. 

The author cautions readers directly throughout the book that Iggy doesn't learn from his mistakes. In fact, most times her learns the exact opposite of what he was supposed to learn from getting into trouble. When he convinces his pals to stretch clear plastic garden tape across the road, the first few cars and drivers escape without peril and the boys get a good laugh. Iggy decides to up the game and uses a double strand, and who should come along in her car? Mrs. Wander, that's who. Mrs. Wander is the ancient and dreaded school principal. When her car hits the tape, she looks confused but STOPS to investigate. Did Iggy learn it's dangerous to play with people's lives and cars? No! He learns to run away and deny he had anything to do with such terrible treachery. 

Another time, Iggy tries so hard to blend in  and not cause trouble until the very last second of recess when he hurls a basketball at the grade six net. Does he make that basket and become the most famous boy in the school? No! He hits another teacher  dead on. She topples to the pavement, and Iggy fears she's dead. In Mrs. Wander's dreaded principal's office, Iggy is suspended from school. What's worse, his dad stays home from work with him, not his mom. Dad is NOT happy.

So dear readers, if you're looking for the famous character arc which is a must-have in storie in which a character goes through trials and tribulations and comes out the other side a better person, Iggy is not that character. But the author warned you from the beginning. This is Iggy's story, and Iggy is fun-loving, curious (which gets him into a lot of trouble!) and intelligent. 

A must read for MG. Reluctant readers will devour this book and laugh out loud, IRL (in real life). 

Highly, highly recommended. Any MG teacher or librarian will meet at least a few Iggys in their career. I know I did, and they kept me  in stitches. 

I received a copy of this book for review. I did not receive monetary compensation.