This book is definitely one that would appeal to middle and secondary school students. While there is much fun and adventure, life lessons are clear and valuable. The ending is not perfect and everyone doesn't become friends, but it is happy and everything works out well. The Nerd Girls come out ahead but not in the way you might expect. The descriptions of the scholastic competition so very true to life, and I say that as a former teacher of gifted/talented classes and academic coach. Situations like in the book really do happen and there are frustrations in academic competitions just like in sports. The humor will catch the attention of students and the story is far from preachy. ( )

There are three reasons why I loved this book. The first reason are the characters Sitomer creates within her story. Her characters, for example: sickly Alice, overweight Maureen,clumsy Barbara and the popular "ThreePees" ,are so relatable and are made so realistic. They are so believable. from the way they talk to their feelings and emotions, I thought I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. Any middle schooler reading this book can find a connection to any character within this book which will peak their interest and make them want to continue reading or even go on to find another book within the series and read that too. Another reason I liked the story is language and writing of the story. Sitomer captures the characters real voices, thoughts and emotions in her writing. From the dialogue between characters to the thoughts within their heads, the words flow and are clear as the story builds. This is important for older readers because it helps keeps their attention. If the book is boring or too hard for them the reading and understand they won't read or won't be excited about reading. Lastly the book really encourages its readers to take a look at themselves and their peers. Pointing out the girl who eats lunch by herself quietly or the popular who smiles on the outside but frowns on the inside, these are kids that go to your schools, and how the reader should think how they would feel in their shoes; maybe even cause them to act on their feelings. The book sends a good message on acceptance and friendships and how crucial they can be at the age. ( )

Nerds and bullies. Pranks and slam books. Just another day in eighth grade. Maureen (Mo) knows she’s a nerd. She describes her friends, Barbara (Bean Pole) and Alice (Q), and herself as quirky, do-well-in-school, socially awkward, and get laughed at by other kids. On the outside, she’s loud and opinionated. On the inside, she’s insecure and dealing with not only the bullies at school but her divorced mom who is now re-dating her re-divorced father. Yeah, figure that one out.

Author Alan Lawrence Sitomer’s MG/Tween novel, NERD GIRLS, A CATASTROPHE OF NERDISH PROPORTIONS is a story of friendships, family, and consequences. From locking the Nerd Girls in the booby-trapped art room to booby-trapped cookies, the Three Pees (Pretty, Popular, Perfect Girls), Kiki, Brittany, and Sofes cause trouble. The Nerds plan revenge. Finally, the principal has had enough. He gives them one way they can get out of the punishment they deserve. I don’t want to spoil the fun, so I’m saying no more, except that I laughed. I cried. And I remembered my junior high days, the slam books especially.

I think NERD GIRLS will appeal to middle school students, especially girls, that may be going through similar challenges at school and/or at home. The author has captured those in-between years when life is a drama and every event a catastrophe. Every middle school library should have a copy of this novel. Of course you’ll want a copy for your personal library, too. The author provided me with a copy of the book for our Good Reads discussion group.
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From June 2011 SLJ:
Gr 5–8—Self-proclaimed dork-a-saurus Maureen tries to stay below the radar of the ThreePees (Pretty, Popular, Perfect) —Kiki, Brittany, and Sophia. But when they have fun with Allergy Alice by sitting next to her at lunch and eating foods Alice is allergic to, Maureen shocks herself by grabbing the peanut butter-laden sandwiches and stuffing them into her own mouth to protect Alice. Of course, Brittany gets the whole thing on video, and Maureen's heroic act becomes fat-girl YouTube fodder. As if that weren't bad enough, Alice is so grateful that she and Beanpole Barbara start joining Maureen at lunch and decide that the trio should take on the ThreePees in the school's annual talent show. Though she's initially resistant to their overtures of friendship, Maureen finally agrees that the ThreePees need to be brought down a couple of notches when their harassment shows no sign of stopping. As the newly christened Nerd Girls prepare for their act, Kiki, Brittany, and Sophia ramp up the pranks, and in the final hours before the talent show, things look bleak. While the narrative includes flashes of humor and unexpected twists, slapstick events and caricatured characters prove distracting. Sitomer's middle-school characters' voices never click: phrases such as "meanie snobs" and a tendency to give every character a nickname are too juvenile for 14-year-olds. Maureen's often-caustic narration will keep readers at arm's length. What could have been a touching, clever friendship story is an additional purchase at best.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA ( )

Yep, still love this series. I am convinced that it is the perfect read aloud for middle schoolers. Last year, I read the first book aloud and had a captive audience every day. Maybe it was due to my dynamic reading that could win a Grammy, or maybe it was the great characters. Either way, the kids loved the book. Nerd Girls: A Catastrophe of Nerdish Proportions is no different. This book should be read aloud!

Let me start by saying that the biting sarcasm of the narrator is fabulous. I love the self-deprecating humor and I think students can relate to it as well. Middle school is all about finding your self-esteem and your place in the food chain, which Mo does with biting sarcasm and “real” humor. I laughed out loud in so many places, I’m sure the people around me wondered whether I was really reading or not on my Kindle. I knew this would be another hit when I read Mo’s description of a “squeaker” in the first chapter! I nearly chocked on my tea I laughed so hard.

Like the author’s other novels, these fun, quirky books actually have a hard lesson hidden between the pages. As I said, middle school is a treacherous time and most kids have a hard time finding where they fit in. The characters in this book are no different. What is different, though, is the positive message that you will find. Do the three misfits transform from ducklings into swans? Hardly. They are still awkward and unpopular at the end, but that doesn’t matter because they have self-worth and a place. I really like how the group of three grew in this book. The fact that they accepted another member into the Nerd Herd was great. The side story dealing with Maureen’s (MO) absent-until-now father was also important. Many kids struggle with not knowing their fathers (or other members of their family) and it’s a hard thing to deal with. Mr. Sitomer does a nice job showing the struggles kids might have with this situation through humor. I think many kids will find themselves relating to Mo once again.

I highly recommend this book (and series). It’s fabulous! I’ve already ordered my copy of this book to read aloud again this year. I promise you will not be disappointed if you do the same. ( )