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How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get A Life (and A Dog) (2010)

by Art Corriveau(Favorite Author)

3.83 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0810982986 (ISBN13: 9780810982987)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

Harry N. Abrams

review 1: How I Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (And a Dog)By: Art CorriveauThe book How I Nicky Flynn Finally Get a Life (And a Dog) was a bad book in my opinion. I disliked this book very much. Some reasons for that were that the main character,Nickey, was very annoying. Nicky doesn’t really understand the meaning of think before you say or think about how actions can sometimes affect other people. For example, Nicky just blurts out that, he hates the Frisbee that an old man had generously given him because he can’t throw it right. An example of saying stuff that sometimes can affect other people was that, when Nicky met these three old men when he was walking his dog they thought that he was Alf Santorello’s grandson because, Reggie, Nicky’s dog, used to belong to Old Al... moref. He just goes along with it and it ends up making everyone in the town, because he told everyone that he was Alf Santorello’s grandson, mad at him and got him in a lot of trouble. The example that I have just listed are just the beginning of what Nicky does that makes me dislike this book. I disliked this book for several other reasons as well. Nicky made me mad, when he doesn’t get concepts or situations, and pictures them differently. For example he runs away because, Reggie, his German Shepherd, tackles his mom because she raised her hand to give Nicky a high-five. Reggie, who used to be a guide-dog and who is a German Shepherd, one of the best breeds to be guard dogs in the world, misunderstood the situation. So he runs away because he didn’t want his mom to give Reggie back to the pound. So after a day passes, he tries to go back to his apartment, but he sees two police talking to his mom. Instead of using common sense and thinking that the police are going to look for him, he thinks that the police are going to track down Reggie. This makes no sense to me at all, and makes me wonder how he even got that conclusion. Another reason that I disliked this book was he forgets the most important information, the minute after he hears it. For example, everyone in the town that knows Reggie, tells Nicky that Reggie looks a lot better from his hip injury. Nicky a week later, hops a high fence in the grave yard to spend the night. He tells Reggie to hop the fence to, but when Reggie hops and land he lands hard on his bum leg. Reggie then is in extreme pain and has to walk on his leg for another day. What Nicky doesn’t even care about is that Reggie, when he goes to the vet will be close to death and will need an operation to give him an entire new hip. This all could have been avoided if Nicky remembered the most important information.Personally, I really disliked the book. The only reason that I kept going was that I wanted to see what else Nicky would do that would screw his life up even more. If you like books, though, that don’t move at a fast pace and are mildly interesting, then this book would be for you. This book in my opinion was terrible. Do you want to find out if you like this book? You will have to read to find out.
review 2: Nicky's mother is starting over without his father... a new life, a new job, a little too much wine, and a new dog for Nicky, who's not all that interested in having to get up in the morning and take the dog for a walk. He's got other things to worry about, like his new school. It's scarier than his old one, what with the metal detectors and the tough kids, and not as academically challenging. Then there's Rita, who wants to hang out with him. He starts to enjoy having a dog a little bit when he takes Reggie to the park, where the dog is recognized as the guide dog of Art, a blind Korean war veteran. Nicky starts hanging out in Art's neighborhood and leading people to believe that he is Art's grandson, in order to find out more about why Reggie ended up at the pound. This slightly humorous and well-paced story uncovers several mysteries about the twists and turns that life can take with delightful realism.Strengths: This is one of those rare books that both students AND teachers would like. Therefore, it should win the Newbery, but it won't because it is too good. Nicky is such a great character, the descriptions of place (near Boston) add a lot to the story, and the dynamics between the various characters, including Reggie, are painfully true. I just wish I had read this before the book fair, because I would have made sure we sold out of the copies!Weaknesses: Slightly long for the target audience, and the print was a bit small. Seems silly, but this is a HUGE deal for boys this age who want funny books. less

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