The Lovereading4Kids comment
July 2015 Debut of the Month Arthur Bean seems pretty sure of himself, in no doubt that he’s a brilliant writer with a life of prizes, fame and adulation ahead of him. At least that’s the image he projects in his written correspondence with teachers and schoolmates. The letters he sends to his imagined penfriend RJ (actually his Reading Journal) tell a very different story and reveal a lot more about what Arthur, who has recently lost his mother, is really feeling. His life, including attempts to win a story-writing competition, run-ins with teachers who don’t quite appreciate his take on homework assignments, crush on fellow writer Kennedy and surprise friendship with sworn enemy Robbie Zack, is all described through notes and emails from and to Arthur. They tell an appealing, original story and make for highly entertaining reading, funny and poignant too. ~ Andrea Reece
Synopsis
A Year in the Life of a Total and Complete Genius by Stacey Matson
Arthur Bean is a genius - it's just that no one else realises this quite yet. He's going to be a world-famous author, even if he's an outcast who is only confident whilst writing. What he writes is pretty funny, but it gets him into trouble, too - with his English teacher; the editor of the school newspaper; the beautiful girl in his class, Kennedy; and with his number one nemesis, Robbie Zack. Arthur is often too honest for his own good - except for when he's handing in stories based a little too closely on famous novels. Through letters, email exchanges, 'SEE ME' notes and doodles, enter the funny, touching and often mixed-up mind of Arthur Bean, creative genius.
Reviews
Arthur is a self-dramatizing memoirist with a subversive sensibility, sharp-witted with a magnet eye for the ridiculous. His writings and personality also bring to mind Jeff Kinney's hilarious schemer and pretension-piercing fellow diarist, Greg Heffley. -- Sherie Posesorski Vancouver Sun
This genius series debut is a fresh and funny story about a boy whose bad luck can't dampen his spirit - or his love of writing. Books for Everybody
Incredibly funny and bittersweet. Highly recommended -- Athina Clarke Readings
At once funny, outrageous, thoughtful, and informative, this is a story with something for everyone, and Arthur's is a voice readers won't soon forget. The Manitoba Library Association
Arthur is a sweet and funny character and it is a lot of fun to join him on his journey through the ups and downs of junior high -- Kim Ferguson Shelf Talkers, 49thshelf.com
About the Author
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Book Info
Format
Paperback
272 pages
Author
Stacey Matson
More books by Stacey Matson
Author's Website
Publisher
Andersen Press Ltd
Publication date
2nd July 2015
ISBN
9781783443017
Categories
Publisher Profile
Andersen Press Ltd is an imprint of Andersen Press
Andersen Press is one of the leading independent children’s publishers, publishing some of the biggest names in the world of children's books including the much-loved picture book characters the Little Princess and Elmer the patchwork elephant. Andersen Press is the home of many award-winning authors and illustrators including Melvin Burgess, Rebecca Stead, Satoshi Kitamura, Tony Ross, David McKee, Chris Judge and Jeanne Willis. Founded in 1976 by Klaus Flugge it won the Bologna Best Children’s Publisher prize in the European Category in 2016, the company’s 40th anniversary year.
Publisher's Website
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