How I Survived My Most Embarrassing Moments

HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW

Book: How I Survived My Most Embarrassing Moments

Author: Robin Wasserman

Illustrator: Angela Martini

Publisher: Scholastic, 2004

ISBN-13: 978-0439686914

ISBN-10: 0439686911

Language level: 2

(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing and/or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing and/or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)

Recommended reading level: Ages 8-13

Rating: *** 3 stars (FAIR)

Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker

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Wasserman, Robin.  How I Survived My Most Embarrassing Moments (published in 2004 by Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York City, NY  10012).  This book is a collection of true stories from kids who share their most humiliating moments.  They are rated one to four, with four as the most embarrassing and one as the least embarrassing. Some are even left blank so that the reader can rate them.  Divided into four sections by the seasons (“Fall Fool,” “Winter Worries,” “Spring Slipups,” and “Summer Bummers”), the accounts are interspersed with “Humiliation Helper” pages of advice on how to keep from crying, being a klutz, and making other such mistakes.  How would you feel if your prankster brother locked you outside your house only in your pajamas and you are seen by the cute neighbor boy?

All the kids in the book were around eight to thirteen years old, so young people of these ages can probably best relate to the situations described in the book.  Most of the incidents happened to girls, so it would appeal primarily to them, but there are a few “HIS Humiliation” stories about boys and an occasional “He Says” comment by boys.   Some common euphemisms (e.g., gosh, drat) occur, and it said a couple of times that someone “peed,” but nothing really objectionable is found.  Today’s young people, especially those who are particularly concerned with popularity and what others think of them, might find the book quite funny.   However, from my perspective I thought that it was only mildly amusing.  I probably never would have picked it up except that it was on the free table at our local library.