Title: The Opposite of GeekAuthor: Ria Voros
Publisher: Scholastic
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: September 19, 2013
Rating:
Gretchen Meyers doesn't know exactly what went wrong, but life in the tenth grade is beginning to suck. As if having a semi-nudist, food-obsessed family wasn't awkward enough, she has lost her best friend to the fanatical school swim team, and her math grade is so close to negative digits that only emergency tutoring can save it. So far, so high school. Then James/Dean rolls into her life — also known as her zit-faced chemistry tutor James and his slightly less zit-faced cousin Dean. Kind-hearted rebels without a cause, they draw Gretchen out of classroom hell, and briefly the world seems full of possibility.
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Review: The Opposite of Geek by Ria Voros
The Opposite of Geek by Ria Voros is a fun and unique book that has a remarkable format. This book is laid out with journal entries and poetry, making for an interesting read. It also includes a major plot twist to boot!
❀ Unique Format
The writing style in The Opposite of Geek is very fascinating. It is written as a journal with various journal entries on each page. It never specifically says “Dear Diary”, or the date of the entry, but the way the character’s voice is written makes it seem very personal. I love when books are written like The Opposite of Geek because it gives the reader a deeper look into the character’s mind. This helps the story make more sense.
❀ A Slow Start
I found the beginning of The Opposite of Geek to be a bit slow. Nothing interesting really happens and the main character, Gretchen, seems whiny, which I, personally, don’t like to see in a book. However, near the middle, things pick up when tragedy strikes and the whole plot is turned around and Gretchen gets a new voice. The book goes from plain to all right just when the reader will want to put the book down.
❀ Poetry Makes for an Interesting Read
The Opposite of Geek has a really nice use of poetry. Scattered throughout the book are Haikus from other poets and Gretchen herself. The poetry is very fitting in this book because Gretchen is a poetry geek and doesn’t want to “embrace her inner geek”. The poems describe her feelings perfectly in a way that is interesting to read.
The Opposite of Geek by Ria Voros is perfect for poetry fans and those who enjoy a different style of book. It is also a White Pine nominee for the 2015 Forest of Reading program. It is a perfect read for poetry lovers.
About Ria Voros
Ria Voros is the author of middle grade and young adult novels that have been finalists for the White Pine Award, the Rocky Mountain Book Award, and been a Best Books for Kids and Teens selection. She has an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia, though part of her wishes she could go back in time and also get a Master's in anthropology because she is a story junkie and the world is made of fascinating stories. She is also a college instructor, elementary school teacher and dessert-maker/consumer.
When she's not writing, teaching or eating sweet things, Ria can be found hiking to the tops of mountains or continuously getting the sand out of her children's shoes at the beach. She believes in recycling, self-care and hot summer mornings. She lives in Victoria, BC, Canada with her husband, daughter and son.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.