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40 pages 1 hour read

Slob

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009

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Book Brief

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Ellen Potter

Slob

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009
Book Details
Pages

199

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • Contemporary

Publication Year

2009

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

Lexile Level

740L

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Super Short Summary

Slob by Ellen Potter follows 12-year-old genius Owen Birnbaum, who, while dealing with bullying at school due to his obesity and intelligence, struggles with the trauma of his parents' murder. He endeavors to invent a device, Nemesis, to catch their killer and uncovers unexpected truths about his peers, leading to personal growth and recovery. The novel explores childhood obesity, bullying, and trauma.

Emotional

Challenging

Inspirational

Bittersweet

Humorous

Reviews & Readership

4.1

4,255 ratings

64%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Ellen Potter’s Slob garners a mix of positive and negative feedback. Readers praise the novel for its engaging protagonist and inspiring themes of resilience and intelligence. The book’s humor and emotional depth resonate well, though some find the pacing uneven and certain plot elements implausible. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read for middle-grade audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Slob?

A reader who would enjoy Slob by Ellen Potter is typically a middle-grade to young adult reader who enjoys emotionally rich, character-driven stories. Fans of Louis Sachar’s Holes and Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree, which also explore themes of overcoming adversity, bullying, and resilience, will find this book appealing.

4.1

4,255 ratings

64%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

199

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • Contemporary

Publication Year

2009

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

Lexile Level

740L

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