Overview
One week. One prize. Seven really weird challenges.
The kids at Benjamin Banneker College Prep are a littleā¦ competitive. Okay. Theyāre a LOT competitive.
The minute Principal Yee announces an epic competition for the golden B-B trophy, seventh-grader Frederick Douglass Zezzmer knows he has to win.
But it wonāt be easy. The competition doesnāt just include science, technology, engineering, and math. It also has arts and sports. Not Dougās best subjects.
Even worse, itās a TEAM competition. Instead of being in a superstar group, Doug gets paired with four middle school misfits no one else wants.
Worst of all, Dougās dad has a horrible backup plan. If Doug doesnāt win, he has to forget about becoming the Worldās Greatest Inventor and spend the summer in sports camp, with his scary stepbrother.
With only a week to go, Doug launches a quest to turn his team of outcasts into winnersā¦ and maybe even friends.
P R A I S E
ā "Thomas strews the increasingly suspenseful competition with teachable moments and traces learning curves not only for the students but for teachers and parents, too. Reminiscent of E. L. Konigsburgās TheView from Saturday."
āBooklist (starred)
"Creative and hilarious...the novelās narration shifts among many perspectives, giving a rich, panoramic view of how stressful yet ultimately rewarding these learning experiences are for the overachievers, the socially awkward, the kids with complicated home lives, and all those who just need to see each other a little differently."
āKirkus Reviews
"Witty competition drama... a telling that prioritizes charactersā interiority as well as their impact on each otherās lives. While Dougās determined voice is the primary focus, the rotating narratives showcase each of the racially diverse charactersā individual stressors, delivering a well-rounded accounting that is better for its multiplicity."
āPublishers Weekly
"Thomasās debut novel is a refreshing take on middle-school lifeāsmart kids who know they are going places but learn to take care of one another along the way."
āHorn Book
"Thomas uses wacky humor to deliver a light but laudable message about teamwork and friendship being more important than placing first."
āSchool Library Journal
āBeing a middle school kid isā¦ Complicated. And author J.E. Thomas knows how to show readers just how much is going on in a tweenās world, in a fun and engaging way. Rich characters, realistic portrayal of middle school life, and action surrounding a STEAMS Competition makes CONTROL FREAKS a perfect book for kids, parents, and educators alike.ā
āFleur Bradley, author of Midnight at the Barclay Hotel
"Witty competition drama... a telling that prioritizes charactersā interiority as well as their impact on each otherās lives. While Dougās determined voice is the primary focus, the rotating narratives showcase each of the racially diverse charactersā individual stressors, delivering a well-rounded accounting that is better for its multiplicity." āPublishers Weekly
"Thomasās debut novel is a refreshing take on middle-school lifeāsmart kids who know they are going places but learn to take care of one another along the way." āHorn Book
"Thomas uses wacky humor to deliver a light but laudable message about teamwork and friendship being more important than placing first." āSchool Library Journal
āBeing a middle school kid isā¦ Complicated. And author J.E. Thomas knows how to show readers just how much is going on in a tweenās world, in a fun and engaging way. Rich characters, realistic portrayal of middle school life, and action surrounding a STEAMS Competition makes CONTROL FREAKS a perfect book for kids, parents, and educators alike.ā āFleur Bradley, author of Midnight at the Barclay Hotel
The kids at Benjamin Banneker College Prep are a littleā¦ competitive. Okay. Theyāre a LOT competitive.
The minute Principal Yee announces an epic competition for the golden B-B trophy, seventh-grader Frederick Douglass Zezzmer knows he has to win.
But it wonāt be easy. The competition doesnāt just include science, technology, engineering, and math. It also has arts and sports. Not Dougās best subjects.
Even worse, itās a TEAM competition. Instead of being in a superstar group, Doug gets paired with four middle school misfits no one else wants.
Worst of all, Dougās dad has a horrible backup plan. If Doug doesnāt win, he has to forget about becoming the Worldās Greatest Inventor and spend the summer in sports camp, with his scary stepbrother.
With only a week to go, Doug launches a quest to turn his team of outcasts into winnersā¦ and maybe even friends.
P R A I S E
ā "Thomas strews the increasingly suspenseful competition with teachable moments and traces learning curves not only for the students but for teachers and parents, too. Reminiscent of E. L. Konigsburgās TheView from Saturday."
āBooklist (starred)
"Creative and hilarious...the novelās narration shifts among many perspectives, giving a rich, panoramic view of how stressful yet ultimately rewarding these learning experiences are for the overachievers, the socially awkward, the kids with complicated home lives, and all those who just need to see each other a little differently."
āKirkus Reviews
"Witty competition drama... a telling that prioritizes charactersā interiority as well as their impact on each otherās lives. While Dougās determined voice is the primary focus, the rotating narratives showcase each of the racially diverse charactersā individual stressors, delivering a well-rounded accounting that is better for its multiplicity."
āPublishers Weekly
"Thomasās debut novel is a refreshing take on middle-school lifeāsmart kids who know they are going places but learn to take care of one another along the way."
āHorn Book
"Thomas uses wacky humor to deliver a light but laudable message about teamwork and friendship being more important than placing first."
āSchool Library Journal
āBeing a middle school kid isā¦ Complicated. And author J.E. Thomas knows how to show readers just how much is going on in a tweenās world, in a fun and engaging way. Rich characters, realistic portrayal of middle school life, and action surrounding a STEAMS Competition makes CONTROL FREAKS a perfect book for kids, parents, and educators alike.ā
āFleur Bradley, author of Midnight at the Barclay Hotel
"Witty competition drama... a telling that prioritizes charactersā interiority as well as their impact on each otherās lives. While Dougās determined voice is the primary focus, the rotating narratives showcase each of the racially diverse charactersā individual stressors, delivering a well-rounded accounting that is better for its multiplicity." āPublishers Weekly
"Thomasās debut novel is a refreshing take on middle-school lifeāsmart kids who know they are going places but learn to take care of one another along the way." āHorn Book
"Thomas uses wacky humor to deliver a light but laudable message about teamwork and friendship being more important than placing first." āSchool Library Journal
āBeing a middle school kid isā¦ Complicated. And author J.E. Thomas knows how to show readers just how much is going on in a tweenās world, in a fun and engaging way. Rich characters, realistic portrayal of middle school life, and action surrounding a STEAMS Competition makes CONTROL FREAKS a perfect book for kids, parents, and educators alike.ā āFleur Bradley, author of Midnight at the Barclay Hotel
This book title, Control Freaks, ISBN: 9781646144518, by J.E. Thomas, published by Levine Querido (August 13, 2024) is available in paperback. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
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