Space Station Seventh Grade : The Newbery Award-Winning Author of Maniac Magee

Rating:
Summary: Middle School Revealed
Review: "Space Station Seventh Grade" tells the story of one boy named Jason Herkimer in his seventh grade year. Truthfully, Jason could be any boy or girl of that age. This is an honest look at what seventh graders experience and go through, and although some references are a bit outdated (the book was printed in the early 80s), the basic concepts remain unchanged. Readers of the same age as the main character will ultimately sympathize with him, while older readers will find themselves laughing and shaking their heads as they read about incidents they very well could have been involved in back in the "good old days". This is good stuff. Among other adventures, Jason fights pimples, finds himself lost in the local ghetto at Christmastime, and accidentally injures his hopeless crush during a wild snowball fight- an incident that will certainly make everyone cringe and chuckle at the same time. There is good moral value as well- throughout the course of his year, Jason grows mentally and emotionally and finds himself re-evaluating the way he looks at the world, especially after a tragedy occurs. For a truthful look at the world of seventh grade boys, and girls as well- come on, what kind of story about middle school guys doesn't have chicks as well?- look no further than this book. Jerry Spinelli comes through again with "Space Station Seventh Grade", which will delight readers of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: A mom rates it PG-13
Review: I am the mom of a 6th grader. This book contains a good deal of profanity and mature themes, such as pubic hair and girls getting their periods. My son read it for school. I couldn't image ever being asked to read something like that in middle school in the 70s.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book For Teens To Read!
Review: I read this book before, during, and after seventh grade. Each time it made a little more sence. This is the best book in the world for teens going into or in 7th grade. The begining is a little boring and there are certain parts that bore you out of your mind, but just keep reading no matter what. I garentee you will love this book. I'm a former 7th grader and I will keep it with all my other favorite books. If you love this book, then you read Jason and Marclien. Enjoy it!

Rating:
Summary: Life in Seventh Grade
Review: Space Station Seventh Grade is about a boy's life in seventh grade. His name is Jason Herkimer, and hes got a REALLY WEIRD life. His stepdad is named Ham, and he gets really dramatic when Jason or whoever steals his lunch. His real dad wants to become a Jew but is failing miserably. He has a crush on a girl named Debbie Breen but why would she want him? Richie is his best friend, along with Peter Kim, the Korean; Calvin, the doctor; Dugan, the guy who shows up; and that's all. Jason is in the process of making a space station with all the essentials of a city. But, I really don't know why this book is called Space Station Seventh Grade when barely of it is about it. He has an annoying brother that steas his dinasaurs. This book has absolutely no story and is only about the events in this kid's life, but this book is hilarious. READ THIS BOOK. Also, read Jason and Marceline, the direct sequal. And read any other books by Jerry Spinelli.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book For Teens To Read!
Review: This book is based around Jason, and his life while he is in 7th grade. It is well-written, and is at teen reading level. It has funny parts, and serious parts. Over all, this book was excelent, and is one of the best books I have read!

Rating:
Summary: The Unbearable Lightness of Being Adolescent
Review: To start off, this book is utterly hilarious. Spinelli's wit has never been more refined. Whether you are 14 or 44, only the most dour of induviduals be able to help laughing at the situations Jason and friends find themselves in. Admittedly, some of the humor is scatalogical and other bits deal with the unrefined attitude twelve year old boys have to women, but one never loses the sense that Jason has a conscience or that, with Spinelli as our storyteller, we are in good hands.

Jason's quest for understanding in a hostile environment (ninth graders stalk the halls with shooting-gallery eyes) will resonate with anybody who had tough times growing up. The setting, outside the school, it's true, is a comfy suburban locale, but we never feel stifled; indeed, in this lost age before megasprawl, the countryside and adventure is only a bikeride away. Jason struggles to understand girls, friends, and himself. I appreciate the plot more than some may because it mirrors my own struggle, but I again emphasize that the novel does have a certain universality.

Parents and teachers should be relativley unconcerned about the content; there is little in the book to offend and still less that the average twelve-year old has not heard in the hallways or on substitute teacher day. Far better that your child or student should take the time to read and inso doing raise an eyebrow at Jason's antics than spend that same time watching the jazzed-up carnality that dominates most TV.

Overall, reading the book makes one wish for a return to the days when the greatest concerns were "does Debbie Breen like me?" But such is the nature of life, that literature becomes our surest and most solid way of reminiscing a time that has gone.