5^th Grade and Up

Devin wants to hit it big on the internet by pulling a stunt at an NBA game – one the entire nation will be watching. Addison can’t turn Devin down, but he can barely manage talking to his teachers without freezing up. How’s he supposed to handle the possibility of being a viral sensation?
Addi’s not sure why Devin is bent on pulling off this almost-impossible feat. Maybe it has something to do with Devin’s dad’s hospital bills. Maybe it all goes back to the Double-Barreled Monkey Bar Backflip of Doom. Or maybe it’s something else entirely. No matter what, though, it’s risky for both of them, and when the big day finally comes, Devin’s plan threatens more than just their friendship.

First off, Devin is the one on the left with the glasses and Addison/Addi is the one on the right with the black eye.

Jake Burt is an author who knows how to tell a story that is well-paced and has strong amusing characters. I especially loved Devin’s grandma (57), great grandma (79), and great-great-grandma (96), appropriately named G, Double-G, and Triple-G.

Addison and Devin are a true example of opposites complementing each other. Addison is tall while Devin is small, Addison has social anxiety while Devin’s a smooth talker. As the story goes, you learn just how much both of them depend on the other.

With Devin and Addi’s families both struggling financially, Addison with his apartment falling apart and Devin’s dad in the hospital, both boys are dealing with things that are beyond their control.

As far as stories about kids scheming to make money go, this one’s plot weighs heavily on viral videos and the impact social media has on our lives. Devin is convinced that if he can become a star on the internet, he’ll get followers on Twitter and then profit off the video’s success. After reading this story, I still don’t understand how people make money posting videos. I wish the story had gone into more detail on how that works.

In conclusion, this is a humorous story full of family, anxiety, and the challenges of friendship. It’s also one of those books where you won’t understand the books’ title until half way through the story.

And remember, having lots of social media followers is nice but it shouldn’t take the place of the real people in your life who always have your back.