My Life as a Book

My Life as a Book is a children's novel written by Janet Tashjian and illustrated by her teenage son, Jake Tashjian. This is the first book in the My Life series.

Tashjian wanted to write a book for reluctant readers with the humor and visual support of a Calvin and Hobbes book, even dedicating the novel to its creator Bill Watterson. She incorporated the methods of several reading programs into the novels such as Lindamood Bell's ‘Visualizing and Verbalizing’ and Maryanne Wolf’s ‘Rave-O.’

Plot
Summer's finally here, and Derek Fallon is looking forward to pelting the UPS truck with water balloons, climbing onto the garage roof, and conducting silly investigations.

But when his parents decide to send him to Learning Camp, Derek's dreams of fun come to an end. Ever since he's been labeled a "reluctant reader," his mom has pushed him to read "real" books - something other than his beloved Calvin and Hobbes.

As Derek forges unexpected friendships and uncovers a family secret involving himself (in diapers, no less!), he realizes that adventures and surprises are around the corner, complete with curve balls.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) The book has drawing on the margins to help define words.
 * 2) Derek is a likable and understandable protagonist.
 * 3) Funny moments.
 * 4) Every reader can relate to at least one character in this narrative.
 * 5) The writing is clean and authentic. It actually sounds like a 12-year-old boy.
 * 6) It shows that, just because a kid is tagged with the 'reluctant reader' label, doesn't mean he doesn't read, or learn, or isn't intelligent, or doesn't have mad skills in other areas.
 * 7) The secret behind the death of Susan James is very interesting.

The Only Bad Quality

 * 1) The drawings are rather bad.