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Jordan feels doomed to a life of wallowing in the vast, soggy middle. So she makes a goal: By the end of the year, she will discover her great talent. By the end of the year, she will no longer be average. She will find a way to become extraordinary, and everyone will know about it! Well known for his expert ability to relate to kids in a school setting, bestselling author Andrew Clements presents a compelling story of the greatest achievement possible—personal acceptance.
Hardcover , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about About Average , please sign up. Lists with This Book. Dec 20, Calista rated it liked it Shelves: Usually, I am very engaged with Andrew's books. My mind wandered a bit with this one. I did enjoy that Jordan was in the band. She feels very average but she is good in a crisis.
The biggest scene in the book felt rushed at the end. I feel like this could have used more development or something. The book is about average. Andrew Clements delivers a pitch-perfect novel for elementary-aged readers here. It works on so many levels - it addresses trendy issues like the unrealistic focus on fame in youth culture and bullying, but it also speaks to kids who just aren't too comfortable in their own skins, and who are trying to discover who they are and who they want to be.
About Average [Andrew Clements, Mark Elliott] on www.farmersmarketmusic.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Can average be amazing? The bestselling author of. Jordan Johnston is average. She sees evidence everywhere - on TV, in movies and magazines, and even in the email blasts that fill her inbox. Jordan feels doomed to a life of wallowing in the vast, soggy middle.
Clements does all this with a masterful hand that is never too heavy or preachy, but always simply and in a relatable way. But wait, there's more! Al Andrew Clements delivers a pitch-perfect novel for elementary-aged readers here. Jul 24, Krista the Krazy Kataloguer rated it really liked it Shelves: Jordan Johnston feels that all her sixth-grade schoolmates are talented or pretty or somehow above average, while she is just Throughout the story other characters point out to her what she's really good at, but she either doesn't believe them or doesn't understand what they're hinting at.
I guess it's human nature to compare ourselves with others, but I learned a long time ago that, if you do that, you'll never come out on top. It's much better to look at what you are good at and can Jordan Johnston feels that all her sixth-grade schoolmates are talented or pretty or somehow above average, while she is just It's much better to look at what you are good at and can do well, at your positive qualities, as Jordan does when she makes her list of things she's good at.
And sometimes we're stronger or braver or better at something than we think we are, or have hidden strengths or skills that only reveal themselves in time of crisis, as happened to Jordan at the end of the book. What I liked best about the book was Jordan's determination to be genuinely nice to Marlea, the bully. It wasn't easy, but her efforts paid off. The story stands as a great way to show kids a different approach to dealing with bullies.
I just wish the story had been longer! Dec 15, Barb Middleton rated it liked it Shelves: No superstar in 6th grader Jordan. Just your super average run-of-the-mill kid. When you read as many fantasy books as I do it is refreshing to get a normal protagonist once in a while which is what I liked best about this book. While Clements descriptions bring alive the story and characters, the forced plot kept it from standing out in a crowd.
Jordan is finishing up the school year and is in the orchestra, but struggles a No superstar in 6th grader Jordan. Jordan is finishing up the school year and is in the orchestra, but struggles at being a good instrument player. She bemoans the fact that she is average at so many things and dreams of being a superstar. What she doesn't realize is that she is good at organizing and one of her responsibilities is to set up and take down the music stands and chairs before and after orchestra practice.
She's trying to deal with a bully in school and she just isn't sure what to do. When she decides to try and be nice to the bully, it seems to help her attitude and surprise the bully. When a disaster strikes the school, it is Jordan's superior planning skills that come to the rescue. Clements mentions the build up of heat throughout the novel, that reflects the changing weather conditions and mirrors Jordan's boiling anger toward the girl who is bullying her and the impending disaster. I like his word choices when he writes, but it confused me in the chapter titled, "Furious," because Jordan's emotions were so extreme.
The previous chapters paint this picture of a sweet girl and then "Bam! I think Clements was having too much fun creating beautiful sentences and didn't realize the character was I reread the previous chapter to see if I'd missed something about Jordan having a personality disorder. The next chapter explains her over-the-top anger. If the chapters had been switched and if Jordan had tried to hide her anger I would have been able to buy her extreme behavior. I see that Clements was trying to put suspense into the chapter and wanted the reader to wonder why Jordan is angry but it came off more confusing than suspenseful.
It is obvious, Clements knows his craft as pieces of the plot are pulled together such as Jordan at the start on the stage pretending to be in front of an audience imagining them clapping, to her actually being in front of a clapping audience at the end.
But in other parts the story didn't flow smoothly and it felt forced such Jordan being on a winning soccer team but not getting a trophy. Instead she gets a whistle. I've been coaching soccer for 20 years and I played as a kid and every participant whether they are a manager or player gets a trophy or ribbon. The whistle is critical to the disaster, but the author should have had it given to Jordan in addition to the trophy.
Perhaps Clements wanted the unappreciative coach to look like a bully; but it was too unbelievable for me. Jordan being a type of assistant coach in soccer organizing the whole team practices was unbelievable as well. First, she's not going to know drills as a sixth grader that she can teach others. I see that Clements is showing her to be exceptionally strong in organizational skills, but it doesn't reflect the age.
I could maybe buy a high-schooler doing that who had been mentored by a parent in youth coaching, but not an year-old. I also was wondering Jordan's long slightly boring interior monologue regarding babysitting. Clements is showing that she is responsible and a planner and it ties in with the tornado but it seemed forced. Good discussions can happen around the theme of bullying and if someone is suffering from it and this story has a good message on how to handle a person who is verbally abusive.
Jordan decides that saying nice things to this girl bully in her class is the way she is going to react to her ugly comments. But the strength of the message is that by being nice, Jordan's attitude changes and allows her to not take the nasty girl's comments seriously or lose her temper. When a bully can't get a reaction, then he or she usually finds a new victim.
While the plot has flaws, this story will entertain most and at pages it is a good addition to an elementary library. Oct 28, Steven R. McEvoy rated it it was amazing Shelves: I have read 14 books by Andrew Clements in the last 8 months. With each book I have a greater appreciation for him as an author, and for his understanding of children and their development. Most of his books are wonderful realistic reads, and this book lives up to all my expectations.
Andrew Clements is one of my all-time favorite authors for children's books or middle grade reads. And this book will speak to everyone who thinks they are not the star, the athlete, in the in group. But it deals w I have read 14 books by Andrew Clements in the last 8 months. But it deals with both a girl's self-image and how she decides to handle being bullied. Jordan Johnson has a very realistic outlook on life. She has come to the conclusion that she is average.
She sees herself as middle of the road in all things. Not overweight and not underweight, neither tall nor short, and not blond nor brunette. She does not excel at school, but she is also not towards the bottom of the class. She sees herself as ordinary, and she compares herself with others, other people at school, images from magazines and television. Other people are remarkable, incredible, beautiful, talented, and some even gifted. But she worked hard, maybe harder than most and that discipline could possible take her further than natural gifting. But she has also been bullied for a number of years and she has decided to conquer the bulling with kindness.
But making that decision and sticking with it are two very different things. But sometimes in a moment a person's life can change. And that is exactly what happens to Jordan. For as the Tornado warning sirens are blaring Jordan see's the big picture and steps up to take charge. So everyone will know that she is special and why. Andrew Clements does an amazing job of capturing the experience of children; their emotions, their experiences, their hopes and their fears.
In this book he captures the internal dialogue, dreams, hopes and aspirations that can cross children's minds. And maybe even adults who read the books also. This is another excellent read by Andrew Clements and I highly recommend it. Oct 14, Kyle rated it liked it. Part of our new Interactive Read Aloud program. Good story with a good message. All I have time for is new school books Oct 01, Liaken rated it did not like it Shelves: I am usually a fan of Andrew Clements' work.
I enjoyed Frindle and The Landry News as well as others. But this book really didn't work. The premise, of having an average female protagonist, is good. But the execution doesn't work. The antagonist is a girl who is bullying the main character. It is very typical Female Relational Aggression, which is a cutting and damaging. The heroine muses to herself that the physical bullying she was aware of was brought to the school authorities and then halted I am usually a fan of Andrew Clements' work.
The heroine muses to herself that the physical bullying she was aware of was brought to the school authorities and then halted, but this bullying that was happening to her, she was sure it was all up to her to deal with it because if she asked for help, it would only make it worse. There are an increasing number of programs and so forth designed to address FMA. I hope her school gets on board soon. So, what does she decide to do? Well, be really, really nice to the girl bullying her.
Does this stop the bullying? The climax of the book is a freak weather incident that puts the children of the school's band in danger.
Our heroine thinks quickly and gets everyone safe until the danger is past and help arrives. At the end, she is applauded by everyone. So, the entire tension of the story is totally eclipsed by the dramatic ending. This sends a terrible message, in my opinion. It says, "If you're being bullied in this way, be really nice.
And then someday maybe you'll have a chance to prove how great you really are. And then your bully will cheer for you. The bully would still continue the bullying. Maybe even amp it up out of jealousy with the way the character is portrayed, I could see this happening. Also, the pacing of the book is drawn out and slow. I think it needed more events spread over a greater amount of time.
Because too much of it was internal, and the bulk of the story took place in one day. Lastly, I don't feel like the protagonist ever really came to peace with who she was. She wanted the praise and recognition from everyone, and she got it. But will she ever get it again? Will she then feel unfulfilled the rest of her life? I wish this story had been properly developed.
Apr 06, Elizabeth rated it really liked it Shelves: I really enjoyed this book and honestly wish it was around when I was younger. The book is about a girl named Jordan who is seemingly average at everything, and how she gets bullied by a more popular girl named Marlea. Jordan makes a list of things she is good at, including gardening and babysitting, and her list is found by Marlea and gets her teased by many kids.
To sum it up, Jordan eventually realized her talents and starts to find her identity and own talents, and realizes she is better tha I really enjoyed this book and honestly wish it was around when I was younger. To sum it up, Jordan eventually realized her talents and starts to find her identity and own talents, and realizes she is better than average.
This book is great for students in 3rd grade to probably 6th grade, and can teach children a lot in my opinion. The language used in this book is very good, and helps make the reader feel like they are standing and actually listening to conversations happening, or are watching what is happening. This book is very relatable to kids too, because everyone has dealt with finding their own 'thing', or what they are good at, along with their own identity.
This is also relatable because of how often kids are bullied and too scared to say anything or don't want to fight back. About Average seems like it is about a girl that could very easily be in your classroom, and is easy to relate to on any level and I would definitely teach it.
I would use this book to teach about moral lessons, such as being kind, or things having to do wit personal struggles, like finding yourself, or finding out the things you like and are good at. Many young kids have moments of not feeling good enough at something, or not fitting in, and teaching them that those feelings are normal and okay to have will benefit them in the long run, and make them more confident, or at ease with themselves.
I would have students read this in groups, and maybe journal as if they were Jordan, and then talk about it with group members. I think this would be beneficial for students because they are journaling about situations and feelings they have probably experienced themselves, but it makes it easier to talk about because it isn't actually their own journal, but it is "Jordan's".
It would help students talk about their feelings or hard experiences, such as being bullied or not feeling confident or good at anything they do, without them realizing they are doing so. Jun 02, Cheryl rated it really liked it. A bit implausible, but that's ok. The thing is, not everyone is a Stargirl, a bookworm, or a misfit And at some point they'll find their niche, or prove their worth, or discover their special talent.
This is a much easier and shorter book than I expected, given that the characters are finishing their 6th-grade year. And sometimes they act and even think like third-graders. But given tha Sweet. But given that Jordan is a babysitter, she has to be older than 8. And if 8 yo's can learn from Jordan how to react to mean girls, before 6th grade, that's a good thing.
I just wish I could figure out what motivates mean girls. How are they spawned? Jul 03, Karen Arendt rated it really liked it Shelves: This is a warm tale about Jordan, a girl who feels she is just average or below average in almost everything she does. She even makes a list of her above, about, and below average things she can do. A mean girl, Marlea, finds the list in the trash and begins to bully Jordan. While this could have been a story about bullying and dealing with being bullied, Clements chooses to have Jordan rethink her own thoughts to deal with the bully.
She focuses on positive thinking and tries niceness with Ma This is a warm tale about Jordan, a girl who feels she is just average or below average in almost everything she does. She focuses on positive thinking and tries niceness with Marlea. Then an unexpected twister hits the school and Jordan finds out what she is really good at. A good story for girls, I doubt most boys would gravitate to this one, but full of heart and knowing yourself. Apr 01, Alison rated it liked it Shelves: I absolutely loved the first half of the book.
With a daughter that is at an age where you worry how they are fitting in and a society that is so focused on bullying I thought this would be the perfect book. It goes a long way in showing that everyone can find things that they are good at. I am also very fond of Jordan's plan to counter Marlea's bullying with niceness. I just wish that the book had ended with Jordan finding her own place without the help of a natural disaster. Some way that othe I absolutely loved the first half of the book. Some way that other kids could possibly find their own ways.
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Column 4 Our impact report: How Tech Is Changing Childhood. Want personalized picks that fit your family? Set preferences to see our top age-appropriate picks for your kids. Inspiring story of sixth grader solving her bully problem. Andrew Clements School Sign in or join to save for later. Parents say No reviews yet Add your rating.
Based on 1 review. Get it now Searching for streaming and purchasing options Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Get it now on Searching for streaming and purchasing options A lot or a little? The parents' guide to what's in this book. Jordan's nemesis, Marlea, calls her a "total loser" at one point. What parents need to know Parents need to know that About Average , by bestselling children's author Andrew Clements Frindle , deals with bullying -- specifically mean-spirited verbal teasing.
Continue reading Show less. Stay up to date on new reviews. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. User Reviews Parents say Kids say. There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title. Teen, 13 years old Written by Kimmy June 5, Very Intriguing It says a lot about most people in the world, from Jordan's main character brother dies, to her dealing with school and a bully.
Is it any good? Talk to your kids about Has anyone has ever teased you about something?