The Homework Strike - Hardcover

Pincus, Greg

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0439913012 ISBN 13: 9780439913010

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2017

Synopsis

Gregory K., overwhelmed by homework, decides to make a stand -- but the stand takes on momentum of its own and Gregory has to live with the consequences.

Gregory K. has too much homework.Middle school is hard work, and Gregory tries to be a good student. He participates in class, he studies for his tests -- he and his friends even help each other with their assignments. But no matter what he does, there's never enough time to finish all his homework. It just isn't fair.So Gregory goes on a total, complete homework strike. No worksheets, no essays, no projects. His friends think he's crazy. His parents are worried about his grades. And his principal just wants him to stop making trouble. Can Gregory rally his fellow students, make his voice heard, and still pass seventh grade?Find out in this book for anyone who thinks school is stressful, gets headaches from homework, or just wants to be heard.

About this title

About the Author

Greg Pincus is a children's poet and novelist, a screenwriter, a former volunteer elementary school librarian, and a social media strategist. He is also an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and can be found online at gottabook.blogspot.com, or on Twitter as @GregPincus.

From the Back Cover

Gregory K. has way, way too much homework.
 
I mean, he knew middle school would be hard work, and he wants to do well. But no matter what Gregory does, homework is the voracious time-eating monster that gobbles all things. It just isn't fair.
 
So Gregory decides to do something radical: civil disobedience! In other words, he goes on a total, complete (but well-reasoned) homework strike. His friends think he's making a huge mistake. His parents are worried about his grades. His principal just wants him to stop making trouble. And the news media sniffs a story!
 
Can Gregory rally his fellow students, make his voice heard, and still pass seventh grade?

From the Inside Flap

Gregory K. has way, way too much homework.
 
I mean, he knew middle school would be hard work, and he wants to do well. But no matter what Gregory does, homework is the voracious time-eating monster that gobbles all things. It just isn't fair.
 
So Gregory decides to do something radical: civil disobedience! In other words, he goes on a total, complete (but well-reasoned) homework strike. His friends think he's making a huge mistake. His parents are worried about his grades. His principal just wants him to stop making trouble. And the news media sniffs a story!
 
Can Gregory rally his fellow students, make his voice heard, and still pass seventh grade?

Reviews

Gr 4–6—Gregory Korenstein-Jasperton flies under the radar at Morris Champlin School, and that is all right with him. He has his small group of friends and his poetry, but the obscene amount of homework—about three hours a night—is really beginning to cramp his style. History teacher Dr. Bankster is the true source of the homework problem and has been the bane of the middle school for years. Gregory decides to go on a homework strike, devoting his effort to maintaining good grades via his work during class time. Unfortunately, his decision not to do homework is putting him in danger of not passing, and he finds this deeply unfair. Gregory notices that while his in-class work is at an A level, his decision not to do homework is putting him in danger of not passing, and he finds this deeply unfair. Why is it that work done at home, sometimes not even meaningful work, counts more than classwork? This starts Gregory on his great homework strike, and he makes some surprising allies, and enemies, along the way. Gregory's homework strike, and the battle he wages in order to be understood at home and in school, is a classic middle grade conflict. His fight to stand out among his brilliant siblings and at school is relatable, especially to this novel's target readership. Little new ground is covered, but Gregory is a solid narrator, and his voice has pathos and humor. VERDICT This title is not a must-buy, but it would be a good addition to medium and large middle grade collections.—Morgan Brickey, Arlington Public Library, TX

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

“Look at all this,” said Gregory. He held up a sheaf of papers. “We have no rights. We’re the Colonists, people. And our teachers are Kings.”“And Queens,” Ana added.“I want to write poetry today,” Gregory said. “And I want to read a book for myself.”“And I want to fly to Hollywood and meet Darth Vader. What’s your point?” Alex asked, neatening his piles.“My point is that it doesn’t have to be like this,” Gregory said.“It largely does,” Benny replied quietly.“No. I mean, seriously, we’ve all given up stuff because of this. Lots of stuff we liked, even if you pretend it’s just cuz you’re busy with other things, Alex. And people keep telling us we don’t have a choice. We don’t have power, right? But that’s what they said to the Colonists and to all sorts of other people all through history. It’s just not true,” Gregory said, standing up and waving his pile of papers. “We do have power. We just have to grab it.”“And how do we do that, GK?” Ana asked.“Fail all our classes so we can bother our teachers until they give up?” Alex grinned.“This is pointless, Gregory K. You’re fighting the school. And parents,” Benny said kindly. “We can discuss it over the weekend, but it’s eating into our time now. Let’s start our homework.”Benny, Alex, and Ana pulled out their science books, but Gregory didn’t move.“No. No more homework.”Gregory tossed his handful of papers into the air. While he hoped they’d spread out dramatically, they simply fell with a thump on the dining room table. Still, it was a solid thump.“Dude, what do you mean?” Alex asked. “You quitting school?”“Nope. I’m on strike.” Gregory sat down triumphantly. “I am on a total, complete homework strike.”

Edition details

• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0439913012
• ISBN 13: 9780439913010
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272