Double Take (A Teen Review and Librarian Review): The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Teen Review

The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller was a funny, but predictable book. It started out with Madelyne Summers, a seventeen year-old cheerleader with an embarrassing secret. She’s a nerd! And no one knows except Logan an employee at the local comic book store. Together, through the summer, they go through comic conventions, role playing, and video games, but in secret of course. No one can know she is a nerd with a passion for comic books. But while they have fun, Madelyne’s life becomes more and more of a lie-filled mess. With jealous ‘friends’ trying to figure out where she is spending her summer, and rude fairies trying to tear her and Logan apart, her secret is close to becoming uncovered, but maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing... This book shows what it’s like to be pressured into being someone you’re not. Which is what almost every human in the world is going through right now. Even though the story line was a little predictable at times, it had relatable characters and all the goblins and mythical creatures that you could handle, which made it very fun and exciting. This book gets a 4/5 stars in my opinion.     

(Reviewed by Gingerbread637, 13, Western Middle School)

Librarian Review

Summary:
Maddie is a cheerleader, dating the star football player, pretty, popular, and so afraid that people will find out the truth…she is really a nerd. She loves comic books and even keeps a comic book journal, but she is terrified that her friends will find out and then shun her. Then she meets Logan, the son of the owner of the local comic shop. As she gets to know him, and share her inner geek, she wants more. If her friends find out they will reject her. Her only choice is to keep her love of comics and Logan a secret, and lead a double life.

Review:
This is the perfect summer read; light, entertaining, and funny. Maddie struggles with the age old problem of accepting herself. She is so worried about what other people think that she forgets to be true to herself. Although her dilemmas and escapades are quite predictable, you can’t help but enjoy the journey. 

Maddie is a likable, though somewhat frustrating character. I say frustrating because you spend the entire novel yelling at her to be herself. Realistically, being yourself isn’t always easy, as Maddie finds out as she tries to juggle her two lives. Despite this, I did find Maddie likable.

The supporting cast of characters are a lot of fun as well including Logan’s best friend Dan. I love how these characters complimented the story and made things more interesting—or in Dan’s case, bluntly told Maddie what he thought she was messing up.

Overall:
This light fun read is entertaining and enjoyable. While the reader will figure out the solution to Maddie’s problems long before she does, they will still enjoy Maddie’s journey.

Cautions for Sensitive Readers:
Sex: None
Drugs: None
Alcohol: None
Violence: None
Profanity: Mild. Dan’s vocabulary tends to be a bit vulgar, and he is periodically reminded to watch his language. The language does not offend or affect the reader’s enjoyment of the novel.
 
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