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Tommy Greenwald
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Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading (Charlie Joe Jackson Series, 1) Hardcover – July 5, 2011

by Tommy Greenwald (Author), JP Coovert (Illustrator)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 358 ratings
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Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant reader ever born. And so far, he's managed to get through life without ever reading an entire book from cover to cover. But now that he's in middle school, avoiding reading isn't as easy as it used to be. And when his friend Timmy McGibney decides that he's tired of covering for him, Charlie Joe finds himself resorting to desperate measures to keep his perfect record intact.

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald is the hilarious story of an avid non-reader and the extreme lengths to which he'll go to get out of reading a book.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 - 12 years, from customers
  2. Book 1 of 6
    Charlie Joe Jackson
  3. Print length
    224 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    4 - 6
  6. Lexile measure
    830L
  7. Dimensions
    5.93 x 0.91 x 8.47 inches
  8. Publisher
    Roaring Brook Press
  9. Publication date
    July 5, 2011
  10. ISBN-10
    1596436913
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1596436916
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“In author Tommy Greenwald's raucous debut…this comedy of comeuppance shows its true colors, and, irony of ironies, is impossible to put down!” ―Disney's Family Fun

“A perfect book for the non-reader or reluctant reader in your life...Laugh-out-loud funny, clever, and relevant, I believe Tommy Greenwald has written a book that will appeal to kids of all reading tastes.” ―ReadKiddoRead.com

“This is a fun, fast-moving look at middle-school life through the eyes of a kid who would rather clean his room than pick up a book. Reluctant readers will be pleased.” ―SLJ

“A delightful choice for reluctant readers...Tommy Greenwald's writing style is breezy and accessible without being too easy. It is also extremely funny and hard to put down. If the book's cover showed something blowing up, every reluctant boy reader in middle school would be proud to carry it around while secretly enjoying the nonviolent, straightforward story. Bookworms won't care; they'll love it either way.” ―BookPage

“Kids who do peruse the book will enjoy Charlie Joe's chuckleworthy tips on keeping reading at bay, even if they take exception to his list of "helpful oxymorons: 1. good book, 2. happy reader, 3. important author, 4. nice library, 5. favorite bookstore.” ―BCCB

“Charlie Joe's insider knowledge of the inner machinations of middle-school cliques will make younger readers smile in anticipation, and his direct address to readers makes make him feel like an older buddy showing the way…Slackers everywhere have a new, likable hero in Charlie Joe Jackson.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Hilarious...This debut is filled with passages that beg to be shared...With its subversive humor and contemporary details drawn straight from kids' worlds, this clever title should attract a wide following.” ―Booklist, STARRED review

“Greenwald pulls off a clever bit of reverse psychology in his debut, first in a series starring a cheeky middle grader who goes to great lengths to avoid reading--and whose humor and rapid-fire delivery should draw in like-minded kids.” ―Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Tommy Greenwald has enjoyed reading all his life, which is why he's appalled that his kids Charlie, Joe and Jack, would prefer getting a dental check-up to checking out a book. After years of pleading, threatening, and bribing, Tommy finally decided the only way to get his kids to read was to write a book about how to get out of reading. The result was Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading. And they read it! (So they say.) The Executive Creative Director at SPOTCO, an entertainment advertising agency in New York City, Tommy lives in Connecticut with his wife, Cathy; his non-reading sons, Charlie, Joe and Jack; and his dogs, Moose and Coco.

JP Coovert lives in Cincinnati, Ohio where he uses his time making as much rad artwork as possible. On the side, he co-runs a record and comic label called One Percent Press. He's written and drawn almost 50 comics, including his ongoing series, Simple Routines. JP Wants to create cool stuff forever, like illustrating every animal on the planet, creating a library full of kids books, and painting a mural on the moon!

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Roaring Brook Press (July 5, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1596436913
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1596436916
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 830L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.93 x 0.91 x 8.47 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 358 ratings

About the author

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Tommy Greenwald

Tommy Greenwald

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Tommy Greenwald is the author of many books for children and young adults, including GAME CHANGER, which was a YALSA Top Ten Pick for Reluctant Readers, an Amazon Best Book of The Month, a Junior Library Guild Gold Premiere selection, and the winner of the Connecticut, Kentucky and Rhode Island Middle School Reading Awards; RIVALS, an Amazon Best Book of The Month and Junior Library Guild Selection; and DINGED, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. His new book THE RESCUES: FINDING HOME is a collaboration with his son Charlie, and illustrator Shiho Pate.

Tommy is also the author of the CHARLIE JOE JACKSON, CRIMEBITERS, PROJECT Z and GOOD SPORTS LEAGUE series, the Co-Founder of Spotco Advertising, an entertainment advertising agency in New York City, and the lyricist and co-bookwriter of JOHN & JEN, an off-Broadway musical.

To read woefully outdated information about Tommy, visit tommygreenwald.com.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
358 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Megan Orme-Whitlock
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast and funny - great read
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
Charlie Joe Jackson is a young man with morals, scruples and a relentless determination NOT to read. He's a smart cookie. Smart enough to know where the lines in the sand are. He's worked out the rules to pretty much everything. How to keep the teachers happy, how to keep his parents happy, how to keep his friends happy, and most importantly, how to never read a book.

He reminds me of my 14 year old son. Which is why I read the book. I have to say, though, that I laughed out loud so often as I read the book, that my older son, 19, has stolen my Kindle, to read it. This is a great book. There is no hidden agenda to get anyone reading against their will (apparently) and there is an acknowledgement that reading isn't everyone's 'cup of tea' (you have to read the book). It confronts some pretty good topics, in a kind of slick 'don't look too hard or you might actually be thinking' kind of way.

Charlie Joe admits the adults in his life are human, and some of them are pretty cool. There's no generation war, just a battle of the wits. He's not about to argue, just to find another way...

There's a great little plot twist at the end, but from my point of view, the best thing about this book is that it is NOT preachy. Charlie Joe does not (sorry - slight plot spoiler) become converted to reading, but he does end up doing something pretty amazing.

Finally, I just love the irony of this book, and that's how I'm going to sell it to my ever so ironic middle school English class. You have to READ it...or maybe I could find the audio book...[book:Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading|9564947]
4 people found this helpful
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CBS MBA
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Reluctant Readers
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2019
Verified Purchase
Like the main character in this book, my son was a reluctant reader. He’s a proficient reader, but he hated to read. I got this for his seventh birthday and he tore through it in one sitting! Since then, he’s actually been reading for fun. This is great for kids who need a little extra motivation to read. The story is well-written, relatable for kids, funny, and entertaining.
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BLTampa
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read for a reluctant reader
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2016
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While our reluctant-reader grandson was staying with us this summer we all enjoyed this story, it's zany characters & fun plot. Although it's not an action book there was still enough to hold a male teen's attention. We recommend it to others who don't like to read & plan to try the other books in the series.
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Mandee J
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, Charlie Joe! You are a funny guy!
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2012
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Oh, Charlie Joe Jackson! You are a funny guy! I really enjoyed your guide to NOT reading!

What a great book! I love that it had elements of some of my favorite Middle Grade reads: The touching voice of The Wednesday Wars, the comedy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the silliness of Big Nate!

The advice is great...only read books with short chapters, reading won't help you succeed in life, never buy a book by someone whose name you can't pronounce (and many more awesome tips!). I also love your excellent taste in music, you keen observations of those around you: "Hurrican Eliza comin' in, the hottest hurricane in town" or "The think about dogs is, they pretty much reflect the mood in the house."

You are a smart guy, too, Charlie Joe. And I can't blame you for hating to read. Your dad really did ruin it for you when you were little. I did feel you pain! I, too, was jailed on a book-related infraction! I remember, with a shudder all these years later, being locked on the porch one Sunday afternoon and not being allowed to enter the house until I finished some Little House book that I TOTALLY HATED for a book report due Monday (I think I was allowed in to pee, but I'm not 100% sure).

But guess what! I love reading now! I even became a teacher so I could get others excited about good books! What do you think about that, Charlie Joe?

If you don't know Charlie Joe Jackson, you're going to want to meet him right away! I'm so ready for his next book, Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Extra Credit!
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Kris Werhope
5.0 out of 5 stars Middle Schooler review
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2012
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The book Charlie Joe Jackson guide to not reading is a great over all book. It is very funny I really, really like it. It was one of the best books I ever read about real life. It starts out like this:

My name is Charlie Joe Jackson, and I hate reading. And if you're reading this book you hate reading, too.

Awesome isn't it. If you haven't read it get the book.

The book is about a kid and his struggle to not read. Charlie Joe hates to read and he will do anything to not read. He said reading is evil and it makes you fat.

I loved the book and I think you should read it if you did not already.
11 people found this helpful
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Di
5.0 out of 5 stars Son loved it
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2023
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Child approved
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FredMA
3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good read
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2012
Verified Purchase
My son liked this book. Althought I would say the message it sends is not very good. The kid goes through a few years of school not reading, making others read for him and it's OK as long as he doesn't get caught? really??
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Katie Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
We loved this book! My 9 year old isn’t a big reader but needs to for school-he specifically asked for a humorous series and this was perfect. The story is funny and relatable. We really enjoyed reading it together. He also took an AR test on it and got a 90%. I’ve already ordered the next book in the series. This was a perfect fit for my son!
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Top reviews from other countries

Judge
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Hi/Lo books
Reviewed in Canada on November 19, 2015
Verified Purchase
12 year old son has a little trouble in the reading category...he loves these books. Has read like 4 of them since school began a coup months ago.
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