Middle Grade Winners: Cheesie Mack and Jack Strong

We’ve written about “middle-grade losers” before–those feckless, clueless fifth-and-sixth grader boys (exhibit A being The Wimpy Kid) so popular with boy readers of that age and younger.  Here we try to balance the ledger with a couple of fifth- and sixth-graders who have a lot going for them, but just a few little problems appropriate to their age:

Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything, by Steve Cotler, illustrated by Adam McCauley.  Random House, 2011, 227 pages.  Age/interest level: 8-12.

Ronald “Cheesie” Mack’s first problem is that he’s the second-shortest kid in his class, and his sister calls him Runt.  His second problem is his sister: June, whom he calls Goon.  Parents looking for good examples of peaceful sibling coexistence won’t find it here, but otherwise Cheesie is a likeable kid whose problems are all at the fifth-grade level.  His life isn’t too bad; his best friend Georgie, in spite of being one of the biggest kids in his class, is awesome and has some great ideas—like setting loose a bag full of white mice at fifth-grade graduation.  Bad news comes early: it looks like Georgie will not be able to go to camp in Maine this year—always the highlight of the summer–because his dad says they can’t afford it.  But then Georgie finds the old, yellowed envelope containing items that may be worth a lot of money . . . and seem to have some connection with the “Haunted Toad,” an old house the boys thought was empty.  But is it? 

Besides the engaging plot line, Cheesie has other stuff going on that will continue throughout the series—like the elaborate point system he keeps in his own head to manage his relationship with his sister (it’s all explained, in case the readers might want to start their own sysystem).  Also, he’s a collector—of grandparent nicknames, impressive vocabulary words, other names for sowbugs, rodent jokes, and more, all of which can be found on his website. Readers are frequently asked to log on and contribute, as no doubt some of them will.  Cheesie is good company, with honorable intentions and . . .

Cheesie Mack is Cool in a Duel, by Cotler and McCauley, 2012, 240 pages.

So, both boys get to go to camp: six weeks in Maine—which sounds like a pretty long time in the wild for a graduated fifth-grader.  But Cheesie’s own Granpa runs the place, so that should be worth some advantages.  The disadvantage is that he and Georgie get tossed into the big guy cabin, even though they were looking forward to being biggest of the little guys this year.  Also, Goon’s so-called boyfriend is a cabin mate, and Kevin has a grudge against certain little brothers. Again Cheesie’s love of puzzles and games and point-scoring is on full display, but all the references to the website seem a little more intrusive, especially since there’s a semi-major mystery involving Cheesie’s friend Lana that doesn’t get solved in the book—you have to go to the website for the key clue.  Since that’s where so much interaction takes place, the story in the book feels more lightweight than it should.  It’s popular enough, though, for there to be two new titles in the series (which I haven’t read and can’t vouch for): Cheesie Mack is Running Like Crazy and Cheesie Mack is Not Exactly Famous.

• Worldview/moral value: 3.5
• Literary value: 4

Jack Strong Takes a Stand, by Tommy Greenwald, Illustrated by Melissa Mendes.  Roaring Brook, 2913, 226 pages.  Age/interest level: 8-12.

Unlike Greg Heffley, Timmy Failure, et al. (see links below), Jack is not a loser.  In fact, he’s an over-achiever, but not entirely by choice.  “I think maybe it’s because I’m an only child that my parents pay so much attention and find a gazillion ways to improve myself.  Or maybe it’s because practically every parent in America is obsessed with making sure their kids are experts at every activity invented by humans.”  You know the type? Remember the Tiger Mom?

Well, after he has to skip an awesome party he was invited to by the prettiest girl in his class (cello recital), and a team celebration after hitting the winning ball in his Little League game (tennis clinic), Jack has had enough.  He decides to go on strike—to “take a stand by sitting down”—on the couch.  And he’s not getting up until he’s allowed to drop some of his activities, especially the ones he doesn’t like very much.

Word gets out, and Jack becomes a shining example for over-scheduled kids everywhere.  That’s pretty cool, but the downside is getting and staying on the wrong side of his parents, especially his dad.  And, surprisingly, video games are not as fun when you can play then whenever you want–who knew?? What his parents have to say about taking advantage of opportunities, and being grateful for the chances he has, and learning while he can . . . he can’t deny that they’re right: “But that didn’t mean I was wrong.”  It’s a lighthearted story with some thoughtful asides about how to strike the balance between being a kid and being a future adult. 

• Worldview/moral value: 3 (points off for some misuses of God’s name; otherwise OK)
• Literary value: 3.5

Tommy Greenwald is also the author of Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to NOT Reading, reviewed here.  And you might be interested in my take on The Wimpy Kid and more wimpy kids, along with Betsy’s reviews of more middle-grade novels for boys.