I thoroughly enjoyed The Boys in the Back Row by Mike Jung. What a great story about two boys, their friendship, and the problems they had along the way. But mostly, friendship, from a boys perspective as opposed to from a girls perspective. Amazon affiliate links will be used.
What I am Reviewing
272 pages round out Mike Jung’s chapter book The Boys in the Back Row. Middle School boys learning how to adjust to change, and how to continue friendship through it all. I received a trade paperback ARC version from Raincoast Books. Publisher Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books has put together a finely crafted book with great characters, that help middle school readers ask themselves good questions.
The Details
From the cover: Best friends Matt and Eric are hatching a plan for one big final adventure together before Eric moves away: during the marching band competition at a Giant Amusement Park, they will sneak away to a nearby comics convention and meet their idol-a famous comic creator. Without cell phones. Or transportation. Or permission. Of course, their final adventure together is more than just that-really, it’s a way for the boys to celebrate their friendship, and their honest love and support for one another.
The artwork was very minimalistic, confined to chapter headings. Eric and Matt, along with their classmates, are true-to-life characters. The adventure that the boys came up with I could totally see boys coming up with. One big blast with no-one the wiser! What fun!
The book itself is comfortable in the hand, the font easier to read and the text appropriate for the middle grades.
Should you get The Boys in the Back Row?
YES! I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was great to follow Matt and Eric on their adventures. Seeing their friendships, and enmities with other boys gave a real glimpse into the lives of middle school boys.
The Boys in the Back Row is a good read. I can totally see young guys really enjoying it as they race through the pages. Well-written with believable characters. You’ll laugh, and shake your head. Geeky kids having a good friendship, being surprised by classmates (sometimes for good or ill), and adventures expected and … unexpected!
Sounds like a book middle school boys might enjoy.
I very much think so. 🙂