Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Book Reviews · November 26, 2020

Review | Slider by Pete Hautman

Book Review | Slider by Pete Hautman

Summary: Slider

In Slider, 14-year-old David is a quintessential middle child. His sister Bridgette is in college and the family’s academic success story. Mal, his younger brother is on the autism spectrum, although his family prefers not to use the autism label. Mal is almost non-verbal and only says the word “okay.” David has always has a large appetite and an interest in competitive eating, but after he accidentally leaves a $2000 bill on his mother’s credit card, he’s forced to join a pizza eating contest to win the grand prize of $5000.

In between finding his place in the family and trying not to ruin his internal organs by overeating, David also has to navigate the fact that his two oldest friends Cyn and HeyMan might be dating each other. Where does that leave him? As the third musketeer still, or an unwanted third wheel?


The Good

I was surprised by how much I liked this story. David is a funny, insightful, lovable character, and I liked his family a lot too. The author manages to create parents who are not bumbling fools but still grant an a believable amount of leeway to allow David enter competitive eating. I’m not a huge reader of books with male protagonists — something about the voice doesn’t quite do it for me. But I got into this one much quicker than I usually would. Maybe it’s because it’s so funny and the audiobook narrator does an excellent job.

Although, this isn’t an OwnVoices book where neurodiversity is concerned (as far as I know), the autism rep is thoughtful and seems realistic. I liked that Mal doesn’t become “miraculously” verbal by the end of the book. The center of this book is competitive eating — something I didn’t even know existed. It is both mouthwatering and nauseating how much food David eats in the course of this book. Yet, the author makes it a fun, eye-opening experience.

Finally, I liked the narrative arc of Cyn and HeyMan. Feeling like a third wheel can be challenging for anyone, but it was endearing to see how all three kids figured it out with minimal drama.


Overall: Slider

Slider is an engaging, funny, true-to-life story about competitive eating, navigating friendship dilemmas, understanding an autistic sibling, and finding one’s place in their family. David is easy to love and the family dynamics in this story are truly heartwarming. I would totally hand this to anyone looking to read more “boy books.” If you enjoy middle-grade books about food, friendship, or those with thoughtful neurodiversity rep (although not OwnVoices), this is one I would recommend.


Buy This Book

slider
buy on amazon

More Middle-Grade Books for Boys (with Male Protagonists)

  • How to Make Friends with the Sea by Tanya Guerrero
  • One Last Shot by John David Anderson
  • Dough Boys by Paula Chase
  • Things You Can’t Say by Jenn Bishop

Have you read this book or any others by Pete Hautman? Which other funny middle-grade books have you read and loved lately? I’d love to hear your recs!

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Book Reviews · Tagged: autism rep, boy books, food books, siblings, upper middle grade

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

Review | In the Beautiful Country
Review | Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes
Review | Karthik Delivers

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

8 Books Like… Homegoing

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd


Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos 📸
✨a suspenseful middle grade book✨ ✨chapter books worth reading!✨ Welcoming a second baby? Here’s a delightful picture book with tips for big kids. Although there’s more text in this one than I’d like for a typical picture book, I love that the information is factual and can be very helpful for parents tackling these specific questions with their big kids ❤️ ❓What happened to Rachel Riley❓ As much as I love new releases, I like to make room in my reading plans for books released a couple (or more) years before. Here’s my current backlist stack for 2023. ✨life’s easier when you can be yourself ✨
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...