Series review: Big Nate

Big Nate in a Class by Himself (book one)
By Lincoln Peirce
Published 2010 by HarperCollins

Big Nate Strikes Again (book two)
Published 2010 by HarperCollins

Big Nate on a Roll (book three)
Published 2011 by HarperCollins

Big Nate Goes for Broke (book four)
Published 2012 by HarperCollins

Big Nate Flips Out (book five)
Published 2013 by HarperCollins

Big Nate in the Zone (book six)
Published 2014 by HarperCollins

Nate doesn't try to be a difficult kid - trouble just always seems to find him! Follow the trials and tribulations as he tries to navigate sixth grade and faces off repeatedly against his arch-nemesis Gina.

You may have noticed this about me: when I plan a program, I like to prepare. So, when my coworker and I decided we would focus on Big Nate for one of our Adventure Club programs, I did what I do - I read all the books.

To be fair, though this may sound crazy, these books are insanely quick reads - perhaps an hour, hour and fifteen minutes per book. This is partly due to their heavily illustrated nature and partly due to just how well they flow. Unlike many of the books I read to prepare for programs (I'm looking at you, Dork Diaries and American Girl), I actually enjoyed the Big Nate books. They are amusing and fun, and, like I said, extremely quick reads. I can see why they appeal to so many kids. Much like Greg Heffley, I'm not sure Nate should be anyone's role model (he isn't always the kindest or most thoughtful person), but I'm also not sure that kids are looking for that when they're reading.

I don't really have much more to say about these books. They are what they are - entertaining and funny, written in a way to engage reluctant readers and voracious readers alike. I think they'll continue to be popular for some time to come, and I might even pick up book seven for myself.