I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
Author Biography:
Josh Lieb is an Emmy-winning Executive Producer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and has worked on such shows as The Simpsons and NewsRadio. I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President is his first novel. He lives in New York with his wife and family. Information retrieved from Goodreads.com.
Published by: Razorbill
ISBN: 1595143548
Genre: Comedy
Reading Level: Grades 7-9
Reader’s Annotation:
Twelve-year-old secret multibillionaire Oliver Watson plays the part of a dullard at home and at school, but is actually a genius dedicated to ruling the world. Everything is on track until Oliver’s father – his secret arch nemesis – provokes him over his decision to run for class president. Determined to not only become class president but destroy its very meaning in his father’s mind, Oliver set his sights on ruling the school.
Plot Summary:
To all but a few, Oliver Watson is a chubby oaf with an IQ hovering somewhere between mold and gooey protoplasm. He never has the right answer when questioned during class, cries at the drop of a hat, and seems oblivious to his tormentors bullying. Except things go horribly awry for those who bully him as they somehow always end up humiliating themselves. The last few bullies, for example, suddenly became incredibly sluggish and flatulent, turning themselves into instant outcasts who dropped any desire to harass Oliver. The reason behind their sudden eruptions of gas? A special formula Oliver developed as a child to deter his bullies – which he then equipped his hidden bodyguards with to shoot at his enemies. In reality, Oliver is horrifically rich and frighteningly intelligent, and only acts like a fool to not draw attention to his true identity.
Oliver acts like a moron at home as well, much to his father’s shame. His father, whom Oliver affectionately calls “daddy” because he hates it, works at a public broadcasting company and has high ideals and hope for the democratic process. When Oliver is elected by his class to run for president and he declines because he knows it is a joke, “daddy” is disappointed. Enraged by his father second-guessing his decision and seeing a way to destroy his dear principles of government, Oliver uses his vast fortune to hire a public relations operative to create an ad campaign for a patsy that he can easily defeat. Once the campaign is in full swing, the operative can then sabotage the patsy’s campaign, enabling Oliver to score a decisive win and prove to his father that the democratic process is inherently flawed. Many elements of Oliver’s plan go terribly wrong, however, making what should be an easy kill a hard fought battle that Oliver may not actually want to win in the end.
Critical Evaluation:
I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President is full of dark humor, political commentary, and vicarious fantasy realization as Oliver cripples his bullies and moves mountains with his vast fortune and intellect. In some ways, Oliver’s power and victories seem too easy and complete, which may lead readers to believe that maybe the “real” Oliver is actually the fake one. On a number of occasions, Oliver mentions he doesn't care about his father or his opinions, but his actions speak otherwise. Readers will then have to struggle with Oliver as an unreliable narrator. Is he only lying about his love for his father, or about other matters?
I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President is written by Josh Lieb of The Daily Show, a political news and comedy show. The book, therefore, is full of low brow jokes, sneering comments, mean-spirited acts, and poorly veiled commentary on United States politics. The book is brash, harsh, and darkly funny with a disgusting antihero that teens will likely laugh with and at, making this a fine read for someone interested in comedy.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talk Ideas:
You're a secret genius and rich beyond anyone's dreams and a few people are picking on you? Do you: 1. Tell them to stop. 2. Fight them. or 3. Act like you don't know what's going on while your secret powerful bodyguards close in on the bullies and publicly humiliate them.
Why This Book?
I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President questions if the American political system is as strong as we are taught in school, forcing many teen readers to ask themselves what they believe. It is also a work of comedy, full of outrageous situations and potty jokes that will appeal to a readers’ more lowbrow sense of humor, making for an easy and quick read.
Josh Lieb is an Emmy-winning Executive Producer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and has worked on such shows as The Simpsons and NewsRadio. I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President is his first novel. He lives in New York with his wife and family. Information retrieved from Goodreads.com.
Published by: Razorbill
ISBN: 1595143548
Genre: Comedy
Reading Level: Grades 7-9
Reader’s Annotation:
Twelve-year-old secret multibillionaire Oliver Watson plays the part of a dullard at home and at school, but is actually a genius dedicated to ruling the world. Everything is on track until Oliver’s father – his secret arch nemesis – provokes him over his decision to run for class president. Determined to not only become class president but destroy its very meaning in his father’s mind, Oliver set his sights on ruling the school.
Plot Summary:
To all but a few, Oliver Watson is a chubby oaf with an IQ hovering somewhere between mold and gooey protoplasm. He never has the right answer when questioned during class, cries at the drop of a hat, and seems oblivious to his tormentors bullying. Except things go horribly awry for those who bully him as they somehow always end up humiliating themselves. The last few bullies, for example, suddenly became incredibly sluggish and flatulent, turning themselves into instant outcasts who dropped any desire to harass Oliver. The reason behind their sudden eruptions of gas? A special formula Oliver developed as a child to deter his bullies – which he then equipped his hidden bodyguards with to shoot at his enemies. In reality, Oliver is horrifically rich and frighteningly intelligent, and only acts like a fool to not draw attention to his true identity.
Oliver acts like a moron at home as well, much to his father’s shame. His father, whom Oliver affectionately calls “daddy” because he hates it, works at a public broadcasting company and has high ideals and hope for the democratic process. When Oliver is elected by his class to run for president and he declines because he knows it is a joke, “daddy” is disappointed. Enraged by his father second-guessing his decision and seeing a way to destroy his dear principles of government, Oliver uses his vast fortune to hire a public relations operative to create an ad campaign for a patsy that he can easily defeat. Once the campaign is in full swing, the operative can then sabotage the patsy’s campaign, enabling Oliver to score a decisive win and prove to his father that the democratic process is inherently flawed. Many elements of Oliver’s plan go terribly wrong, however, making what should be an easy kill a hard fought battle that Oliver may not actually want to win in the end.
Critical Evaluation:
I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President is full of dark humor, political commentary, and vicarious fantasy realization as Oliver cripples his bullies and moves mountains with his vast fortune and intellect. In some ways, Oliver’s power and victories seem too easy and complete, which may lead readers to believe that maybe the “real” Oliver is actually the fake one. On a number of occasions, Oliver mentions he doesn't care about his father or his opinions, but his actions speak otherwise. Readers will then have to struggle with Oliver as an unreliable narrator. Is he only lying about his love for his father, or about other matters?
I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President is written by Josh Lieb of The Daily Show, a political news and comedy show. The book, therefore, is full of low brow jokes, sneering comments, mean-spirited acts, and poorly veiled commentary on United States politics. The book is brash, harsh, and darkly funny with a disgusting antihero that teens will likely laugh with and at, making this a fine read for someone interested in comedy.
Curriculum Ties:
- American political system
Challenge Issues:
- Perceived leftist propaganda
Defensive Maneuvers:
- Have the library's collection policy on hand and memorized. Even though you may have it committed to memory, being able to show specific provisions as proof with strengthen your position.
- Be familiar with the book. Having great knowledge of it will prove you understand the content and the way the challenged matters interact with each other. There is never any mention of Republican or Democrat, or any political party whatsoever. The book is about an evil, intelligent little boy that is used to taking whatever he wants. That can be just about anybody, regardless of party affiliation.
- Cite any awards the book may have. Though the patron may disagree with the book, showing that it is well known and seen as having great literary merit will strengthen your defense.
- Have a few reviews ready from respected sources such as Amazon or VOYA. At the very least, you can prove you understand the material and reviews will corroborate that.
- Have a strong idea WHY that item is in the library. Explain its merits, who the intended audience is, and so on.
- State your library's commitment to providing intellectual freedom as written in the Library Bill of Rights.
- Stay calm. Getting defensive or hot under the collar will only weaken your position.
- And finally, be open to discussion and LISTEN. Even if you do not agree with the patron, their concerns are still legitimate and you should show that you are engaged with them. Listening to their concerns may be enough to take the edge off.
Book Talk Ideas:
You're a secret genius and rich beyond anyone's dreams and a few people are picking on you? Do you: 1. Tell them to stop. 2. Fight them. or 3. Act like you don't know what's going on while your secret powerful bodyguards close in on the bullies and publicly humiliate them.
Why This Book?
I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President questions if the American political system is as strong as we are taught in school, forcing many teen readers to ask themselves what they believe. It is also a work of comedy, full of outrageous situations and potty jokes that will appeal to a readers’ more lowbrow sense of humor, making for an easy and quick read.