Twerp

By: Mark Goldblatt

Narrated by: Everette Plen

It's not like I meant for him to get hurt....

Julian Twerski isn't a bully. He's just made a big mistake. So when he returns to school after a weeklong suspension, his English teacher offers him a deal: If he keeps a journal and writes about the terrible incident that got him and his friends suspended, he can get out of writing a report on Shakespeare. Julian jumps at the chance. And so begins his account of life in sixth grade - blowing up homemade fireworks, writing a love letter for his best friend (with disastrous results), and worrying whether he's still the fastest kid in school. Lurking in the background, though, is the one story he can't bring himself to tell, the one story his teacher most wants to hear.

Inspired by Mark Goldblatt's own childhood growing up in 1960s Queens, Twerp shines with humor and heart. This remarkably powerful story will have readers laughing and crying right along with these flawed but unforgettable characters.

Praise for Twerp:

A Bankstreet Best Book of the Year

A Junior Library Guild Selection

A Summer Top 10 Kids’ Indie Next List Pick

A Sunshine State Award Finalist

“Reminiscent of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.... You don’t have to be a twerp to read this book.” (New York Post)

“A vivid, absorbing story about one boy’s misadventure, heartache, and hope for himself.”( (Rebecca Stead, Newbery Award-winning author of When You Reach Me)

“Mark Goldblatt is an amazingly wonderful writer.” (Chris Grabenstein, New York Times best-selling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library)

“[Fans of] Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid who have matured beyond the scope and gravity of that series will find a kindred spirit in Julian.” (School Library Journal)

“Reminiscent of movies like The Sandlot.... Well-written and funny.” (The Advocate)

“Alternately poignant and comical. . . . A thought-provoking exploration of bullying, personal integrity and self-acceptance.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“A timely book.” (New York Journal of Books)

“Elegant in its simplicity and accessibility.” (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)

“An empathetic and authentic glimpse into the mind of a sixth-grade boy.” (The Florida Times-Union)

“Funny, poignant, and an effective commentary on bullying and its consequences." (The Horn Book Magazine)

©2013 Mark Goldblatt (P)2013 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"A vivid, absorbing story about one boy's misadventure, heartache, and hope for himself." (Rebecca Stead, Newbery Award-winning author of When You Reach Me)

Movie

This was amazing! I really love the story and plot. If this book was a movie, I would watch it tbh

great book

Great book. I would suggest every pre teen as well as teenager to read this book.

Great message

The book had so many great lessons and it shows that even someone who has made a lot of bad decisions can still make up for it in the end. This book truly deserves 5 stars

this is one of my favorite books ever!I love this.

The most memorable moment was
after they had egged Danley.
I could actually feel the sadness from Julian.

Will save for the grand children!

Very enjoyable! Definitely going to read the sequel!
I like how the story unfolded and the main character realized things about himself and others as it moved along. Lessons learned by all!

Really great book

I got it for my son and just wanted to listen to s little to tell don about it. But I listened to the entire thing and enjoyed it.

10/10

Great book! Easy to follow along and not get confused. I KEPT WANTING TO READ WHICH IS VERY RARE lololol

Amazing

Loved it amazing book best book I ever read in my life omg omg omg