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Word Nerd
Twelve-year-old Ambrose is a glass-half-full kind of guy. A self-described “friendless nerd,” he moves from place to place every couple of years with his overprotective mother, Irene. When some bullies at his new school almost kill him by slipping a peanut into his sandwich — even though they know he has a deathly allergy — Ambrose is philosophical. Irene, however, is not and decides that Ambrose will be home-schooled.Alone in the evenings when Irene goes to work, Ambrose pesters Cosmo, the twenty-five-year-old son of the Greek landlords who live upstairs. Cosmo has just been released from jail for breaking and entering to support a drug habit. Quite by accident, Ambrose discovers that they share a love of Scrabble and coerces Cosmo into taking him to the West Side Scrabble Club, where Cosmo falls for Amanda, the club director. Posing as Ambrose’s Big Brother to impress her, Cosmo is motivated to take Ambrose to the weekly meetings and to give him lessons in self-defense. Cosmo, Amanda, and Ambrose soon form an unlikely alliance and, for the first time in his life, Ambrose blossoms. The characters at the Scrabble Club come to embrace Ambrose for who he is and for their shared love of words. There’s only one Irene has no idea what Ambrose is up to.In this brilliantly observed novel, author Susin Nielsen transports the reader to the world of competitive Scrabble as seen from the honest yet funny viewpoint of a boy who’s searching for acceptance and for a place to call home.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2008
100 people are currently reading
2117 people want to read
About the author
Susin Nielsen
28 books620 followersSusin got her start feeding cast and crew on the popular television series, Degrassi Junior High. They hated her food, but they saw a spark in her writing. Nielsen went on to pen sixteen episodes of the hit TV show. Since then, Nielsen has written for over 20 Canadian TV series. Her first young adult novel, Word Nerd, was published in 2008 to critical acclaim. It won multiple Young Readers’ Choice Awards, as did her second novel, Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom. Her third novel, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen, was published in August 2012. It went on to win the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award, the Canadian Library Association’s Children’s Book of the Year Award, and a number of Young Readers’ Choice Awards. Author Wally Lamb named it his top YA pick for 2012 in his “First Annual Wally Awards,” and recently Rolling Stone magazine put it at #27 in their list of “Top 40 Best YA Novels.”
Her books have been translated into multiple languages. Susin’s new novel, We Are All Made of Molecules, will be published in Canada, the US and the UK in Spring of 2015. She lives in Vancouver with her family and two naughty cats. She is delighted to have finally figure out how to "claim" her author profile on Goodreads!
Her books have been translated into multiple languages. Susin’s new novel, We Are All Made of Molecules, will be published in Canada, the US and the UK in Spring of 2015. She lives in Vancouver with her family and two naughty cats. She is delighted to have finally figure out how to "claim" her author profile on Goodreads!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews
March 22, 2024
This book was just as enjoyable the second time around, and although I'd remembered some things, I'd happily forgotten plenty with all the books I've read in the past 2.5 years. I'm not going to reiterate anything from my original review which happens to be more informative than many of mine are. I'm a kitchen table Scrabble player only and in my family we freely moved letters around to save what we were planning to do; I guess we're not cut out for the big leagues. Even if you don't care for Scrabble, it's still a lovely story about a boy finding his niche.
Original Review:
This was an unexpected pleasure. Fact: I found this, plus another book of the same title, when doing a DuckDuckGo search for "word nerd." This was not because I was looking for books, but you are not likely to be interested in that story. If you don't know DuckDuckGo, it's an alternative to google.
Ambrose is one of the most delightful nerds I have ever read about in fiction. He nearly dies when a trio of bullies slip a peanut into his sandwich, is switched to correspondence school and befriends Cosmos, the recently returned ex-con son of their Greek landlords who live upstairs. With some fun, almost-only-in-y/a middle-grade fiction, scenes, they become allies and form a rather delightful friendship.
This is set primarily in the Kitsilano (aka Kits, although Kits isn't used in the book) area of Vancouver, one of the neighbourhoods I lived in during my university, etc, years, so he visits some of my old stomping grounds from that year and of course other years. But even better, he loves to play Scrabble, and, it turns out, Cosmo likes it as well.
Original Review:
This was an unexpected pleasure. Fact: I found this, plus another book of the same title, when doing a DuckDuckGo search for "word nerd." This was not because I was looking for books, but you are not likely to be interested in that story. If you don't know DuckDuckGo, it's an alternative to google.
Ambrose is one of the most delightful nerds I have ever read about in fiction. He nearly dies when a trio of bullies slip a peanut into his sandwich, is switched to correspondence school and befriends Cosmos, the recently returned ex-con son of their Greek landlords who live upstairs. With some fun, almost-only-in-y/a middle-grade fiction, scenes, they become allies and form a rather delightful friendship.
This is set primarily in the Kitsilano (aka Kits, although Kits isn't used in the book) area of Vancouver, one of the neighbourhoods I lived in during my university, etc, years, so he visits some of my old stomping grounds from that year and of course other years. But even better, he loves to play Scrabble, and, it turns out, Cosmo likes it as well.
November 6, 2016
Определено не очаквах, че книжката ще ми хареса толкова много, защото самият й сюжет не е нищо особено или оригинално, но пък стилът на писане беше просто невероятен!
Влюбих се в гласа на главния ни герой - Амброуз - който е толкова забавен, саркастичен, леко параноичен на моменти и много странен :D Имаше толкова много комични ситуации, които ме накараха да се усмихна широко.
Всички останали герои в книгата бяха изградени много добре и ми беше любопитно да чета за тяхното участие в историята. Много ми хареса, че авторката е включила гръцко семейство, както и араби, в историята, а не са само типичните американски герои.
Много ми хареса също, че настолната игра Скрабъл заема такова централно място в сюжетната линия.
Ако си търсите нещо леко, което да ви ободри, то дайте шанс на Word Nerd.
Влюбих се в гласа на главния ни герой - Амброуз - който е толкова забавен, саркастичен, леко параноичен на моменти и много странен :D Имаше толкова много комични ситуации, които ме накараха да се усмихна широко.
Всички останали герои в книгата бяха изградени много добре и ми беше любопитно да чета за тяхното участие в историята. Много ми хареса, че авторката е включила гръцко семейство, както и араби, в историята, а не са само типичните американски герои.
Много ми хареса също, че настолната игра Скрабъл заема такова централно място в сюжетната линия.
Ако си търсите нещо леко, което да ви ободри, то дайте шанс на Word Nerd.
January 5, 2023
Grappig concept maar niet heel amazing of super interessant. Hoofdpersoon is wel ook een strijder tegen pinda's 💪🏼
June 16, 2016
This book was absolutely amazing! The main character - Ambrose - had a really interesting character, and the way the story evolved was really interesting. I really enjoyed following Cosmo's story as well, as his past experiences had played a big role on his present. I would recommend this to people who want a just-right book, but want a good book too. It really portrays the connection between two people very well and shows how two totally different people all have something in common.
July 24, 2016
Review originally posted on bbliophile.blogspot.com
Word Nerd is possibly the most heart-warming story I've read this year, and made me remember why I loved middle-grade books in the first place.
Word Nerd is about a 12 year old boy named Ambrose, whose dad died before he was even born, and he never really fits in. After an incident at school with his bullies, his overprotective mom decides to home-school him. The only people Ambrose has any contact with are his mom and his landlords, the middle-aged Greek couple who live upstairs. When the landlords son Cosmo suddenly arrives home after being discharged from prison, Ambrose and Cosmo form an unlikely friendship over their shared love for scrabble.
This book made me feel so so happy. It's a very character-driven story, and the author really get's into each and every character, which makes you fall in love with every single one of them. I loved Ambrose's quirks, the way Cosmo treated him and the way the adults were portrayed. The story was told in a very wonderful way, and I loved to see the character- and relationship-development. There is also quite a lot of talk about food in this book, which was wonderful and made me very hungry.
Word Nerd is perfect for when you just want to sit down and get lost in a simple book for about 2 hours. You'll finish it with a big smile on your face.
Word Nerd is possibly the most heart-warming story I've read this year, and made me remember why I loved middle-grade books in the first place.
Word Nerd is about a 12 year old boy named Ambrose, whose dad died before he was even born, and he never really fits in. After an incident at school with his bullies, his overprotective mom decides to home-school him. The only people Ambrose has any contact with are his mom and his landlords, the middle-aged Greek couple who live upstairs. When the landlords son Cosmo suddenly arrives home after being discharged from prison, Ambrose and Cosmo form an unlikely friendship over their shared love for scrabble.
This book made me feel so so happy. It's a very character-driven story, and the author really get's into each and every character, which makes you fall in love with every single one of them. I loved Ambrose's quirks, the way Cosmo treated him and the way the adults were portrayed. The story was told in a very wonderful way, and I loved to see the character- and relationship-development. There is also quite a lot of talk about food in this book, which was wonderful and made me very hungry.
Word Nerd is perfect for when you just want to sit down and get lost in a simple book for about 2 hours. You'll finish it with a big smile on your face.
May 8, 2016
Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen is a very cute book. It is about Ambrose, a boy who's father died while working on a construction site. Ambrose has gone through a lot with bullies at public school, so decides to be home schooled. The only people who can really be considered Ambrose's friends are his mom and the landlords (barely). Then, Ambrose meets Cosmo, the landlords' son (who happens to be an ex con and a "druggie". Cosmo likes Scrabble, just like Ambrose and they become very good friends. The only problem is that Ambrose's overprotective mother doesn't approve of Cosmo.
This book is pretty good. It is a cute story of an ex con and a twelve (and 3/4) year old becoming friends through Scrabble. Their friendships have some ups and downs, but in the end, it turns put okay.
I would recommend this book because it is a good book, actually relatable book, with no "corny" events. As mentioned, it has a cute story, and you can really understand all of the events. Toward the end (maybe the last 50 pages or so), there's quite a bit of action. This is a good book to read, and most types of readers would enjoy this book. Happy Reading!
-Madelyn
This book is pretty good. It is a cute story of an ex con and a twelve (and 3/4) year old becoming friends through Scrabble. Their friendships have some ups and downs, but in the end, it turns put okay.
I would recommend this book because it is a good book, actually relatable book, with no "corny" events. As mentioned, it has a cute story, and you can really understand all of the events. Toward the end (maybe the last 50 pages or so), there's quite a bit of action. This is a good book to read, and most types of readers would enjoy this book. Happy Reading!
-Madelyn
October 24, 2023
4,5 Sterne
In den letzten paar Jahren habe ich einige Jugendbücher von Susin Nielsen gelesen, und sie waren alle richtig gut. Die Autorin schafft es immer noch, tolle Jugendbücher zu schreiben. Auch wenn sie selbst schon fast 60 ist und bereits seit den 80ern in diesem Genre schreibt, als sie für die kanadische TV-Serie "Degrassi Junior High" Drehbücher schrieb. Diese Serie hab ich damals sehr gern geschaut (sie kam auf einem der dritten ARD-Programme), und auch dort bestand die Schülerschaft aus vielen verschiedenen speziellen Charaktern. Genau diese porträtiert Nielsen nun auch in ihren Büchern
Auch "Peanuts..." beginnt in einem Schul-Setting, das jedoch abrupt endet als Ambrosius - der unter einer starken Erdnussallergie leidet - eben genau so eine in sein Pausenbrot geschmuggelt bekommt von seinen blöden Mitschülern, die ihn für ein leichtes Mobbingopfer halten. Leider ist Ambrosius wirklich stark allergisch, überlebt den Vorfall aber und wird nun nur noch zu Hause unterrichtet. Heutzutage, nach Corona, für uns alle gar nicht mehr so ungewöhnlich. Das Buch ist allerdings schon von 2008, aber auch da war es in Nordamerika durchaus üblich. Ambrosius findet die soziale Abschottung aber gar nicht gut. Und findet sich schon bald heimlich neue Freunde.
Nielsens Bücher schlawinern sich immer durch so eine ganz dünne Lücke zwischen lustig und dramatisch hindurch. Man hat sehr oft Mitleid mit den Protagonisten, die nie ein leichtes Leben und meist Geldsorgen haben. Und hofft dann immer auf ein wenigstens versöhnliches Ende.
Auch dieses Buch hat mich nicht enttäuscht, es liest sich Klasse - und zwar nicht nur für Jugendliche.
In den letzten paar Jahren habe ich einige Jugendbücher von Susin Nielsen gelesen, und sie waren alle richtig gut. Die Autorin schafft es immer noch, tolle Jugendbücher zu schreiben. Auch wenn sie selbst schon fast 60 ist und bereits seit den 80ern in diesem Genre schreibt, als sie für die kanadische TV-Serie "Degrassi Junior High" Drehbücher schrieb. Diese Serie hab ich damals sehr gern geschaut (sie kam auf einem der dritten ARD-Programme), und auch dort bestand die Schülerschaft aus vielen verschiedenen speziellen Charaktern. Genau diese porträtiert Nielsen nun auch in ihren Büchern
Auch "Peanuts..." beginnt in einem Schul-Setting, das jedoch abrupt endet als Ambrosius - der unter einer starken Erdnussallergie leidet - eben genau so eine in sein Pausenbrot geschmuggelt bekommt von seinen blöden Mitschülern, die ihn für ein leichtes Mobbingopfer halten. Leider ist Ambrosius wirklich stark allergisch, überlebt den Vorfall aber und wird nun nur noch zu Hause unterrichtet. Heutzutage, nach Corona, für uns alle gar nicht mehr so ungewöhnlich. Das Buch ist allerdings schon von 2008, aber auch da war es in Nordamerika durchaus üblich. Ambrosius findet die soziale Abschottung aber gar nicht gut. Und findet sich schon bald heimlich neue Freunde.
Nielsens Bücher schlawinern sich immer durch so eine ganz dünne Lücke zwischen lustig und dramatisch hindurch. Man hat sehr oft Mitleid mit den Protagonisten, die nie ein leichtes Leben und meist Geldsorgen haben. Und hofft dann immer auf ein wenigstens versöhnliches Ende.
Auch dieses Buch hat mich nicht enttäuscht, es liest sich Klasse - und zwar nicht nur für Jugendliche.
May 22, 2015
Brilliant. I loved Cosmo's shady past, Ambrose's quirkiness, Irene's overprotectiveness and of course, Mrs. E's food.
This book kept me glued to it and I was done in two sittings, craving more Susin Nielsen. This is definitely one of the books that I would love to read again. Not only was the plot great, the characters were so real. Truly was one of the books that I felt I had slipped into. Recommend it to everyone, it's two hours well spent.
This book kept me glued to it and I was done in two sittings, craving more Susin Nielsen. This is definitely one of the books that I would love to read again. Not only was the plot great, the characters were so real. Truly was one of the books that I felt I had slipped into. Recommend it to everyone, it's two hours well spent.
October 17, 2008
"This book is peanut-free" is what made me pick it up in the children's section at the library. It's about a scrabble playing misfit with a deadly peanut allergy but totally inappropriate for children because of "crass boy language." This should be in the YA section.
June 6, 2016
This book was nasty and greasy! - Dylan
This book was so much about pity, the main character was bullied and had no personality, all he liked to do was play scrabble.
This book was so much about pity, the main character was bullied and had no personality, all he liked to do was play scrabble.
October 25, 2021
Ambrose had moved many times in his short life, and therefore, struggled with fitting in. Then the universe sent him a sign in the form of a flyer for Scrabble club. It was there that Ambrose found his people and a place to belong.
This book had all the elements I have grown to expect and love in Susin Nielsen’s books. Quirky characters, unlikely friendships, and great dialog wrapped up in lots of humor and warmth. I loved Ambrose so much and was over-the-moon to see him form meaningful friendships because he was lonely. His loneliness emanated from the page and washed over me as I read about this charming little boy who was seeking connection.
His struggles at school and the bullying he endured were heartbreaking. Though I understood his mother’s choices, I did find her to be a bit over-the-top overprotective. As the story played out, I do think I understood her actions came from a place of fear, pain, and love, and were also a result of some of her own unresolved personal issues.
I was fully enthralled with the competitive Scrabble portion of this tale, but I also adored the brotherly friendship that developed between Ambrose and his landlords’ son, Cosmo. Cosmo was in a bit of a transitionary phase in his life, and many, including Ambrose’s mother, quickly judged him without getting to know him. For me, the friendship between these two represented so much. It was about not making snap decisions about people and also about second chances. Seeing it through the eyes of a tween broke it down to its most basis level and was a good reminder of how important those second chances can be.
Overall: Another charming and heartwarming book from Nielsen. I adored the characters, their dynamic, and all the Scrabble. This story was about the importance of standing up for yourself, being a better person, finding your “people”, and allowing for second chances. It was wonderfully told and warmed my heart.
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This book had all the elements I have grown to expect and love in Susin Nielsen’s books. Quirky characters, unlikely friendships, and great dialog wrapped up in lots of humor and warmth. I loved Ambrose so much and was over-the-moon to see him form meaningful friendships because he was lonely. His loneliness emanated from the page and washed over me as I read about this charming little boy who was seeking connection.
His struggles at school and the bullying he endured were heartbreaking. Though I understood his mother’s choices, I did find her to be a bit over-the-top overprotective. As the story played out, I do think I understood her actions came from a place of fear, pain, and love, and were also a result of some of her own unresolved personal issues.
I was fully enthralled with the competitive Scrabble portion of this tale, but I also adored the brotherly friendship that developed between Ambrose and his landlords’ son, Cosmo. Cosmo was in a bit of a transitionary phase in his life, and many, including Ambrose’s mother, quickly judged him without getting to know him. For me, the friendship between these two represented so much. It was about not making snap decisions about people and also about second chances. Seeing it through the eyes of a tween broke it down to its most basis level and was a good reminder of how important those second chances can be.
Overall: Another charming and heartwarming book from Nielsen. I adored the characters, their dynamic, and all the Scrabble. This story was about the importance of standing up for yourself, being a better person, finding your “people”, and allowing for second chances. It was wonderfully told and warmed my heart.
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December 30, 2017Zo leuk! :)
April 14, 2020
Excellente histoire à la fois dramatique et humoristique. J’ai aimé que l’autrice soit capable de mettre une touche d’humour dans les moments tristes (par exemple le moment où Ambroise est en grosse chicane avec sa mère et qu’il nous rappelle qu’une couille sort de son pyjama p.191). D’ailleurs, ce jeune protagoniste, malgré son manque de filtre, m’a beaucoup plu par son ouverture et sa témérité. Même si sa maman le surprotège, il prend les devants pour mener une vie normale.
June 27, 2015
Meh. Based on the title alone, I should have loved this book. But I couldn't get past my profound dislike for Ambrose's mother and the vague but persistent sense that the author just couldn't pull off her attempts at creating an authentic voice for her adolescent boy character.
For the most part, he was sweet and eccentric. But then she'd try to insert some pubescent male lewdness, and it just didn't work. I get that she was aiming for a realistic narrative, and since she was writing from the perspective of a middle grade kid, it would make sense. For some reason, though, these interludes came across as cheap and disjointed. The story itself was enjoyable, but Nielsen-Fernlund just doesn't have the skill or the subtlety to handle adolescent lust. Especially with a character as puerile as this one.
For the most part, he was sweet and eccentric. But then she'd try to insert some pubescent male lewdness, and it just didn't work. I get that she was aiming for a realistic narrative, and since she was writing from the perspective of a middle grade kid, it would make sense. For some reason, though, these interludes came across as cheap and disjointed. The story itself was enjoyable, but Nielsen-Fernlund just doesn't have the skill or the subtlety to handle adolescent lust. Especially with a character as puerile as this one.
August 6, 2015
I loved this book so much because of it's simplicity in terms of the way its written, but the depth that the author goes into for the characters. The aspect of Ambrose's life that I could relate to the most was the "protection" that his mom put him under. As an only child, my parents do the same and I can relate to how it felt. After a while, this protection becomes a cage and you want to escape - but your parents aren't willing to let go. I would recommend this book to anyone because I enjoyed so much and I think that anyone who reads it, can find a way to relate to it.
April 22, 2015
Loved this book as something to just ease up during the holidays. All of us have lately been reading a lot of complex books and it was fun to just relax and let loose with this book. But still this book I felt was solid. Great plot line, simple characters and touching issues of independence, liberty, how protective your parents should be and other issues that almost every teenager is concerned about. If you want a simple book to relax and read, this is the book for you.
October 9, 2015
Un coup de coeur! Comment ça, je ne connaissais pas cette auteure avant la semaine dernière?? Si vous avez des jeunes entre 10 et 15 ans, garrochez-vous sur ses livres!! Je l'ai lu en français, et wow! Rachel Martinez, quel travail! La v.o. n'aurait pas été meilleure. Chapeau à la Courte Échelle d'avoir demandé et/ou accepté une traduction vraiment québécoise (wô les moteurs, jamais dans cent ans, se bourrer la face, gnochon, etc.)
Un gros gros "j'ai aimé"
Un gros gros "j'ai aimé"
October 17, 2014
Great book - one of those page turners that is all heart. Couldn't agree more with Jabiz and Paula's reviews.
February 9, 2018
2,5/3 sterren
Zoals de goodreads rating aangeeft bij 2 sterren: it was ok. Twee sterren wil in dit geval niet zeggen dat ik het slecht vond, het boek was oké, maar eerlijk gezegd had ik er toch iets meer van verwacht.
Het boek leest als een trein, het verhaal is origineel en leuk uitgewerkt. Een boek met het onderwerp scrabble op de voorgrond ben ik nog nooit tegengekomen en ook de hoofdstuktitels zijn erg passend.
Hetgeen wat ik storend vond in dit boek was de seksuele ontwikkeling van Ambrose, naar mijn idee hoefde dit niet eens in het boek verwerkt te worden.
Daarnaast was de moeder van Ambrose ontzettend beschermend naar hem toe en dat hoorde wel bij het boek, maar op een gegeven moment begon ik mij daar alleen maar meer aan te storen. Aan de andere kant is zij dus wel goed uitgewerkt ;)
Kortom: een origineel verhaal en leuk uitgewerkt, maar naar mijn idee wel een paar overbodige/storende dingen waardoor ik het minder leuk vond. Voor mij zal het geen boek zijn wat ik heel lang zal onthouden
Zoals de goodreads rating aangeeft bij 2 sterren: it was ok. Twee sterren wil in dit geval niet zeggen dat ik het slecht vond, het boek was oké, maar eerlijk gezegd had ik er toch iets meer van verwacht.
Het boek leest als een trein, het verhaal is origineel en leuk uitgewerkt. Een boek met het onderwerp scrabble op de voorgrond ben ik nog nooit tegengekomen en ook de hoofdstuktitels zijn erg passend.
Hetgeen wat ik storend vond in dit boek was de seksuele ontwikkeling van Ambrose, naar mijn idee hoefde dit niet eens in het boek verwerkt te worden.
Daarnaast was de moeder van Ambrose ontzettend beschermend naar hem toe en dat hoorde wel bij het boek, maar op een gegeven moment begon ik mij daar alleen maar meer aan te storen. Aan de andere kant is zij dus wel goed uitgewerkt ;)
Kortom: een origineel verhaal en leuk uitgewerkt, maar naar mijn idee wel een paar overbodige/storende dingen waardoor ik het minder leuk vond. Voor mij zal het geen boek zijn wat ik heel lang zal onthouden
July 7, 2018
Such an entertaining read about an endearing boy named Ambrose who is the target of school bullies and then nearly dies as a result of a "prank." His overprotective mother withdraws him from school and attempts to isolate him from all sources of harm.
Ambrose, in his boredom and loneliness, strikes up an unlikely friendship with an ex-con, who shares his love of Scrabble, and it is this bond between them that leads Cosmo down a better life path and allows Ambrose to feel accepted and valued - just as he is.
I just loved this book - smiled my way through it - and will definitely read more of Susin Nielsen's novels.
Ambrose, in his boredom and loneliness, strikes up an unlikely friendship with an ex-con, who shares his love of Scrabble, and it is this bond between them that leads Cosmo down a better life path and allows Ambrose to feel accepted and valued - just as he is.
I just loved this book - smiled my way through it - and will definitely read more of Susin Nielsen's novels.
July 24, 2020
je retombe, chaque fois que je lis du Susin Nielsen, en amour avec son écriture et ses personnages toujours si attachants — Ambroise, c’est Ambroise. Il est doux et vulnérable à la fois, mais aussi bien fort et très attentionné. Il m’a un peu rappelé le petit garçon dans « Le coup de la girafe » ... 🤍 « Les maux d’ambroise bukowski » est à lire dans le cadre d’un réseau littéraire sur l’intimidation, en classe de français, ou pour le simple bonheur de lire du Nielsen tellement l’autrice est talentueuse. petit gros coup de cœur pour cette petite œuvre 213 pages 🌟.
August 4, 2020
Il s'agit de mon 2e roman de susinnielsen et, encore une fois, l'histoire est magnifique.
Ambroise est attachant (parfois à la limite du gossant!). Sa mère est tellement contrôlante qu'on a envie de la secouer et de lui donner un verre de vino !
J'ai aimé cette amitié particulière entre Ambroise et Cosmo et les parties de Scrabble !
Gros coup de 💙 pour les débuts de chapitres. On se laisse facilement prendre au jeu !
Ambroise est attachant (parfois à la limite du gossant!). Sa mère est tellement contrôlante qu'on a envie de la secouer et de lui donner un verre de vino !
J'ai aimé cette amitié particulière entre Ambroise et Cosmo et les parties de Scrabble !
Gros coup de 💙 pour les débuts de chapitres. On se laisse facilement prendre au jeu !
August 8, 2020
I have read a number of Susan Nielson's middle grade fiction books and I think this has to be my favourite so far. It will only take you a couple of hours to get through it but it is a heartwarming book about a bunch of misfits and about Scrabble.
March 25, 2024
This is my first Susin Nielsen book. My friend Jan (who knows how much I love Gary Schmidt books) recommended this Canadian author to me and was sure I would like her work. (You were right, Jan!) There are several similarities to Gary Schmidt books, particularly heart-wrenching experiences and laugh out loud humor. Word Nerd centers around Ambrose, a 12-year-old who has a hard time fitting in at school. The reasons are complex. He has a mom that loves him dearly but is overprotective after suddenly losing her husband before Ambrose was even born. For different reasons, they move around a lot as well. As the story begins, Ambrose and his mom are living in Vancouver, Canada and are neighbors to an elderly Greek couple (who are their landlords). The couple's adult son, Cosmo, has just moved home after being released from prison. You can imagine the concern of Ambrose's mother when she hears of this. Thus start the adventures and misunderstandings. There's also a fun connection with a Scrabble club (and I love Scrabble but rarely find anyone who wants to play!) I'd also like to share an author quote that in my opinion, tells what the book is really about, "...it dawned on me that this was what it was like to have friends. People who liked you for you. People you didn't have to try to impress." So if you like touching novels wrapped in humor (with some word fun woven throughout) give this Young Adult book a try!
January 22, 2025
FINALLY WE'RE DONE WITH THIS READ ALOUD!!!
November 25, 2023
Read this book in grade 6. Recently reread it. Very fun. Hard read. Cool.
December 21, 2018
12 year old Ambrose is home-schooled by his over-protective mother. But when she is at work, befriends the ex-convict son of his landlord, and, unlikely as it seems, discovers a world of friendship, independence and adventure through a scrabble club.
If you are a fan of Susin Nielsen, this book will not disappoint - it's written in her usual easy to read, funny style and has some quirky and lovable characters.
If you are a fan of Susin Nielsen, this book will not disappoint - it's written in her usual easy to read, funny style and has some quirky and lovable characters.
July 12, 2019
This book was on of my favorite books I have ever read. I loved the use of mystery and the way how scrabble helped build up the story of what happened. I was glad that he found his mum but was devastated that he lost in the final of the scrabble tournament. I totally recommend this book
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