Milo Moss Is Officially Un-Amazing

by Lauren Allbright

Overview

"A winning new book about losing." --Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Modern Family meets The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl in this humorous and heartfelt story about a boy desperately trying to break a world record and ultimately discovering what winning really means along the way.
Twelve-year-old Milo Moss has been on a mission to achieve his family's lifelong goal: breaking a world record. It's why he and his parents, along with thousands of others, are standing in the middle of a football stadium dressed as human-sized cockroaches.

But when the record attempt doesn't exactly go as planned, Milo and his family are failures once again. Now more than ever, Milo needs support from his best friend, Jesse (who also happens to be his nephew -- don't ask, it's complicated). But when Jesse discovers the truth about Milo's record attempt, he pressures him to come clean to the whole school.

Desperate to avoid public humiliation, Milo must team up with an unlikely ally to stop the record madness once and for all. Will Milo be able to leave behind his dream of breaking a record? Or will he learn that sometimes there's more to life than winning?
"Hilarious and bursting with hijinks from beginning to end." --Stacy McAnulty, author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316428781
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	09/01/2020
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Lauren Allbright is the author of the middle-grade novel, Exit Strategy. When she is not writing (or failing in her attempts at Mom of the Year), she teaches seventh graders who might earn a record for some of the World's Coolest Kids Ever. She lives in Dallas with her awesome husband and her three epic children.

Editorial Reviews

"From Milo's adorably quirky parents to his family's outrageous attempts to break a Guinness world record, I couldn't stop smiling from the first page until the last."—Dusti Bowling, author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

"A funny, heartwarming tale about family, friendship and finding your significance. I found Milo Moss to be officially amazing!"—Melissa Savage, author of Lemons

"Hilarious, offbeat, and often moving."—Kirkus Reviews

"A fun outing with a somewhat ordinary character who may resemble not just people we know, but ourselves — if we're honest."—School Library Journal

"A climax that is 'officially amazing.'"—Booklist

From the Publisher

09/01/2020

Gr 3–7—Encouraged by his supportive parents, Milo is obsessed with getting into The Guinness Book of World Records. His best friend is his nephew Jesse, who is the same age since his older sister and his mom were pregnant at the same time. Jesse is the golden boy in this family, which may be partial motivation for Milo to make his mark on the world. His feud with nemesis Brandon also provides a reason to stand out. The adults here are often clueless while being caring, and the regularity of life is contrasted with the Guinness obsession. Milo is white and middle class; his rapport with family and friends makes for a humorous plot that holds interest in the midst of the daily routine. People change, and that includes Milo. Debut author Allbright has a firm grasp of how seventh graders think and talk. Her ability to turn the mostly mundane into material that has depth while retaining humor is a good sign for things to come. Kids obsessed with something like Guinness World Records may or may not recognize themselves, but they'll surely enjoy watching Milo's journey unfold. The deeper lesson here is that we're all okay just being ourselves, but this message isn't heavy-handed even in the rousing conclusion. VERDICT A fun outing with a somewhat ordinary character who may resemble not just people we know, but ourselves—if we're honest.—Carol A. Edwards, Formerly at Denver P.L.

School Library Journal

2020-06-30
Milo’s family is different and wildly eccentric, but until recently he’s been cool with that.

Milo’s best friend, Jesse, is also his nephew. Milo’s parents are obsessed with setting a Guinness record, including a usually eager Milo in their adventures but always failing in their attempts. Results of past failures decorate their home, including a toilet-paper tower, outlandish costumes, a huge rubber-band ball, and way more. Now Milo has promised everyone a record, but the failure is even more bizarre than usual, involving insect costumes and food poisoning. He lies, forges a certificate, and starts a whole series of misadventures, betrayals, and strange alliances, causing him to feel that he is the real failure. He and Jesse become estranged, and he forms a very tentative friendship with his archnemesis, Brandon. Eventually they form a shaky triumvirate dedicated to sabotaging future record attempts, ultimately planning and carefully executing an amazing event involving their whole community. It is Milo’s tale all the way, narrated with a combination of bravado, self-pity, and self-absorption along with a large amount of middle school angst. But he is also a caring, loving son, brother, uncle, and friend who gradually understands some of their worries and feelings. Readers will root for him all the way. Jesse, presumably biracial, is described as having his father’s darker skin while all other characters present White.

Hilarious, offbeat, and often moving. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews