"The Accidental Genius of Weasel High" falls into the category of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" wannabes. Both books are told from the perspective of an adolescent boy whose life features unusual characters and where many things go wrong. Both books feature comic illustrations throughout.
In all, "Accidental Genius" is, well, just OK. It's not bad, but it just doesn't have as many outright laughs as "Diary of a Wimpy Kid."
Main character Larkin Pace, age 14, is certainly likeable and I can see how boys that age could relate to his issues and problems. In fact, I might say that author Rick Detorie has made "Accidental Genius" maybe a little too realistic. The problems Larkin faces with an annoying sister, troublesome classmates and doing chores for an older lady all sound pretty plausible.
But most young readers aren't looking to see real life repeated in a book; they want something different. Detorie needed to throw in a some truly outrageous events to really grab readers and get us laughing.
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