Resolving to become the world's greatest stand-up comedian despite less-than-funny challenges in his life, wheelchair-bound middle school student Jamie Grimm endures bullying from his mean-spirited cousin and hopes he will be fairly judged when he entersa local comedy contest. - (Baker & Taylor)

Resolving to become the world's greatest stand-up comedian despite less-than-funny challenges in his life, wheelchair-bound middle school student Jamie Grimm endures bullying from his mean-spirited cousin and hopes he will be fairly judged when he enters a local comedy contest. 600,000 first printing. - (Baker & Taylor)

James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author. The creator of the Max Einstein and Middle School series, he founded JIMMY Patterson to publish books that young readers will love. He lives in Florida with his family. - (Grand Central Pub)

James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977 James Patterson's books have sold more than 300 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.
- (Hachette Book Group)

Booklist Reviews

Built around the notion of a middle-grade stand-up comedian who delivers jokes sitting down because he is confined to a wheelchair, this tale is written as an extended monologue in which Jamie Grimm (get it?) introduces loyal school friends, his mostly loving adoptive family, and Stevie—his new brother, who is also a vicious bully both online and in person—then proceeds to savage them all indiscriminately from a talent-contest stage. Playing readers' heartstrings like a banjo, Patterson and Grabenstein also chuck in two girlfriends and a first kiss, hints of a family tragedy strung out until near the end, an uplifting spontaneous routine delivered to the patients of a children's rehab center, and, both in the narrative and in the line drawings on almost every page, dozens of gags both classic (Do zombies eat doughnuts with their fingers? No. They usually eat their fingers separately) and not so much (When kids in Grossville say, ‘Mommy, can I lick the bowl?' their mothers say, ‘Be quiet, dear, and just flush'). In all, a brimming bucket of ba-da-bing! that hardly needs a celebrity author to crank up the audience numbers. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Patterson's full-court press to capture the attention of every market in the reading public continues—and 25 million books sold for young readers proves it's working. Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

James Grimm is a "sit-down" comic--he uses humor to cope with his new life in a wheelchair, the result of a car accident that killed his parents and sister. His humorless aunt and uncle, whose son is the school bully, provide little solace. Despite lots of jokes (some from famous comedians) and a wise-cracking tone, this silly story strains for meatier substance.

Kirkus Reviews

Middle school student Jamie is an aspiring comic. Referring to the fact that he requires a wheelchair, Jamie challenges readers: "So, can you deal with this? Some people can. Some can't." Frequently quoting his favorite comedians, Jamie reflects on life, using his forthright observations to hone his own comedic skills. Jamie relies on his quick wit and sometimes-audacious jokes to deflect inquiries about his circumstances. Recently adopted by his aunt, Jamie's new family includes Stevie, a bully whose callous cruelties often take advantage of Jamie's physical condition. Seeking refuge at his Uncle Frankie's diner, Jamie regales the customers with his humor. Uncle Frankie's suggestion that Jamie enter a local comedy competition tests Jamie's determination to become a comedian. Patterson and Grabenstein balance Jamie's humor with a poignant storyline. Through Jamie's evolving relationship with the intriguing Suzie, aka Cool Girl, readers learn about his devastating loss and recovery from a tragic event. Park's humorous spot illustrations complement the text. The affecting ending, which reveals a more vulnerable Jamie behind the guise of his humor, celebrates Jamie's resilient spirit. (Fiction. 10-13) Copyright Kirkus 2012 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

The broad humor that runs throughout this heavily illustrated story from Patterson and Grabenstein masks personal pain, demonstrating resiliency in the face of tragedy. Wheelchair-bound middle-schooler Jamie has recently moved in with his aunt's cheerless family, including—a bit too conveniently—school bully Stevie, Jamie's new "adoptive brother." Despite Jamie's desire to be treated like an ordinary kid (one of the more important themes the authors emphasize) and a dark, lingering unknown (only late in the novel does Jamie reveal the reason for his paralysis and his parents' absence), humor abounds. Much of it derives from Jamie's comedic aspirations (he calls himself a "sit-down comic"), which are fueled by his friends' reactions to his one-liners and the encouragement of his warmhearted uncle. Park's wisecracking cartoons (not all seen by PW) play an integral role in the storytelling, laying bare Jamie's fears, triumphs, and sense of humor. Not all the jokes land, but plenty do, and the value of having an author with as vast a reach as Patterson put a disabled character in the spotlight shouldn't be underestimated. Ages 8–12. Agent: Robert Barnett at Williams & Connolly. (Dec.)

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 4–7—Jamie Grimm is a funny guy, obsessed with creating and collecting joke material. He studies all of the top comedians and tries out his jokes on everyone, be it his classmates or the customers at his Uncle Frankie's diner. He hopes to enter the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic Contest even though just the thought of it makes him a nervous wreck. Readers learn that humor for Jamie is a means of survival-things aren't easy for him. He doesn't like to talk about why it all happened, but he had to move to a new city, to live with "the Smileys," his very unfunny aunt and uncle. At Long Beach Middle School, he is treated horribly by the resident bully. Steve Kosgrov is not only a notorious meany, but is also Jamie's new adoptive brother. Steve gets his kicks by locking him out in the cold and leaving him stuck in a sand dune unable to move. Jamie isn't able to move because he uses a wheelchair-he can't walk at all. The grimness of his situation is relieved by two good buddies, his encouraging Uncle Frankie, and his ever-present ability to see humor in every situation. Patterson's tale includes twists and turns that make for an engrossing read. Readers will be on Jamie's side all the way, cheering him on in the comedy contest, and also to win the girl of his dreams. Line drawings are sprinkled throughout, adding more humorous details.—Diane McCabe, John Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA