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Book Reviews, Young Adult · February 8, 2021

Review | Charming As a Verb

Charming As a Verb - Book Review

Summary: Charming As a Verb

Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger’s mom says he’s “charming as a verb” — and she’s right! Henri’s parents are Haitian immigrants. While his dad is their building’s Super, his mom is studying to become a firefighter. He’s popular at his high school and runs a successful dog walking business. The thing is: he tells customers that there’s an entire network of dogwalkers, of which he’s just one. When his neighbor and fellow high schooler Corrine’s mother hires him to walk their dog, Corrine quickly uncovers his sham of a company.

Corrine then essentially blackmails Henri into helping her get a social life (to look good on college applications) in exchange for keeping quiet about his fake company. It turns out Corrine is the only one who can seem to see past Henri’s charms. Henri is also hustling to get into Columbia, his father’s dream college. Together, Henri and Corrine form a friendship that eventually blossoms into something more.

The Good

This book was so sweet. I really liked Henri and Corrine too. Both characters were realistic and believable, and very much human and messy. A major theme in this book is the college admission hustle. I love when YA books touch on this subject because it’s such a big deal for many kids at this age — getting the right scores, choosing the right universities, and even funding their education.

Henri has an active social life and is on the debate team. He also has super supportive parents. Yet, he has his issues. For one, he won’t let anyone from school come to their tiny apartment. He’s also DESPERATE to get into Columbia just to fulfill his father’s dreams. Still he is a sincere character that many will root for. I also loved his friendship with Ming, who is a trans-racial adoptee and Henri’s best friend.

Corrine is an interesting character. She seems very prim and proper, but readers quickly learn that there’s more to her than meets the eye. Her steadiness balances out Henri’s personality, and I liked reading about their relationship and the way it grew over time. I liked the way the parents were included in this story. The two also take a fun trip to Montreal and spend a lot of time with Corrine’s Border Collie.

Overall: Charming As a Verb

Charming As a Verb is a charming (pun intended), realistic young adult novel about finding one’s place in the world. Ben Phillipe’s sophomore YA book tackles several themes from the immigrant experience, familial expectations, the pressure of college admission season, and finding a person with whom we can be our truest selves. The protagonist and his love interest are dynamic and relatable — you’ll be rooting for them by the end of the story.

Buy This Book

charming as a verb - book review

Have you read this book or Ben Philippe’s debut? What did you think? Find 60+ more YA books by Black authors in this post.

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Posted In: Book Reviews, Young Adult · Tagged: black authors, boy ya, college admission, friends to lovers, immigrant, romance, set in canada, set in nyc

About the Author

Afoma Umesi is the founder and blogger at Reading Middle Grade. She's a writer and editor with a deep love for children's literature. Her favorite genre is contemporary realistic fiction, but she'll never say no to a graphic novel. Read More…

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Comments

  1. Sam@WLABB says

    February 10, 2021 at 12:19 pm

    I agree. This book was super charming. Henri disappointed me a bit, but I was glad he learned from it. Corrine was a star. She surprised me in the best way.

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      February 10, 2021 at 1:52 pm

      He did!! That last move was SHOCKING! I was so upset, but kids eh?

      Reply

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🕵️‍♀️ a new mystery for spelling bee fa 🕵️‍♀️ a new mystery for spelling bee fans

If you’ve been looking for more high-stakes mysteries for tweens, let me introduce you to THE WINTERTON DECEPTION! Meet 13-year-old twins Hope and Gordon. They’ve just found out that their dad was Brandon Winterton (of the wealthy dictionary magnate family). Unfortunately, Hope can’t stand rich people, especially since the twins and their mom are barely making ends meet and living in a motel. But their fortune is about to change.

When Gordon enters the family into the Winterton Bee, they’re thrust into into the midst of family’s secrets, with a deadly enemy, and a scavenger hunt set up by the family’s dead matriarch. 

This is a fast-paced mystery with plenty to gnaw on between the twin relationship, family drama, character development, and flashbacks that help readers learn more about the Winterton family.

So happy that more and more mysteries are coming out for readers in the 6th-8th grades. This one does touch a bit on addiction and there’s a scene where the kids’ lives are in danger but all ends well!

It’s out at the end of October! 🤩

#mysteriesforkids #middlegradebooks #bookstagram
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Which middle grade twin stories have you read and loved? 😍 

#middlegrade #twinbooks #mglit #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks
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Although, this book is closer to fantasy (but without magical elements), it’s set in a Renaissance-style Italian village, so it could work for lovers of realistic fiction too.

Look out for it in November! Have you read this graphic novel? Thoughts? Is it on your radar already?

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This book focuses on Monique (Mo) and Rasheeda (Sheeda)’s friendship and how it changes over a summer when both girls are drawn into different pursuits. Mo is off at a ballet intensive with Mila, while Sheeda is stuck at church (with her church “friends”) feeling like she has no life.

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🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides I’d seen this b 🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides

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Twins Luisa and Fernando find their paths diverging as they’re entering sixth grade. Luisa will be attending middle school in the US just across the border from Fernando’s school in Mexico. There, they come to face to face with different, but equally pressing challenges that threaten to tear them apart.

I really enjoyed this book. The side by side depictions of both kids parallel lives, the way the illustrations celebrate Mexican culture, living, and traditions, and the heartwarming way the twins find their way back to each other. 

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There’s SO MUCH going on in this story, but the author does a stunning job of keeping all the threads in place. I was very surprised by all the protagonist has to manage at his age and the fact that it all remains believable. The story is told by Ant’s ancestor, lending a touch of magic realism. There are also many details about playing a game of spades and I loved, loved the audiobook narrator.

If you’re looking for a meatier middle grade book perfect for kids ages 9-12 (and older, really—love the cover!) looking for books that balance levity and relatability with real issues like toxic masculinity, parental addiction, friendship issues, and crushes.

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❤️ a protagonist for the times Willow (Lolo) ❤️ a protagonist for the times

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