Mickey wants everyone to go away. His mom, his dad, his big sister, his dog, his sister's annoying boyfriend and his best friend, the kids at school, the new people his parents are dating, and anyone else in his life. He doesn't want to deal with this, and finds a coupon in his bubblegum to get a free anti-book. He gets embarrassed by his dad, who is also his health teacher, and the school counselor, and so when he finally gets his Anti-Book, he starts writing everything and everyone. Then he goes to sleep. In the morning he wakes up and he's late for school, and his mom and her new girlfriend aren't there, his sister is gone and so is there dog. Mickey realizes that the book has removed everything. He finishes writing down all the other things that bug him, and discovers himself in Anti-World, which is like the opposite, but also, even worse. He discovers Felicity the flyhouse, and his little Big Sister, and they adventure through Anti-World, where Mickey slowly starts discovering why he is so angry at everyone. It has a happy ending and a great point about communicating, but I think that if the parents had actually parented at the very beginning, Mickey wouldn't have had to erase his world. A middle school book about dealing with big emotions and how it's not always better to make the problems disappear.

Great read! It'll be a wonderful addition to our library catalog this fall. I think kids will connect with the main character and be able to see themselves in the story.

I loved the overall message of this book to be true to yourself; deal with the bad times in life to eventually get to the good. But, it was also like too much was trying to be crammed into the one book. Too many difficulties/confusions within one book became overwhelming.

I had a hard time reading this title. While the concept was good, it didn't carry my attention thoroughly.

I had a difficult time with this book. I found the main character to be somewhat unrelatable, and sometimes had difficulty following his path. When it was compared to The Phantom Tollbooth I was very excited, but found this book to not quite hold up to my expectations.

With nods to The Phantom Tollbooth and Coraline, this darkly funny fantasy is a classic-in-the-making--the story of a boy who wants the world to disappear . . . and what happens when it does.

This book definitely gives me Death Note vibes except at the middle grade level. Our main character is pretty much mad all the time and sends away for this book called the Anti-book. If you write things in the Anti-book they disappear. So similar - except in Death Note someone dies. So this is a bit less gruesome. Our main character is dealing with a lot (divorce, bullying, and more things that frustrate him about life). He goes on a journey a la Wizard of Oz to fix the mess that he has made of the world. Mikey is not careful with what he wishes for....

Trigger: Divorce, Bullying

As much as I had wanted to read this book, I had a hard time buying into the story. I do think the premise was a good one, but it did take a while to get into it. I still look forward to seeing what other books this author produces in the future.

The Anti-Book by Raphael Simon, narrated by Jorjeana Marie. 320 pages. Dial (Penguin), 2021. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

12yo Mickey’s life feels like it is in shambles - divorced parents both remarrying to women named Charlie; his 15yo sister dating a 17yo “carboy” who keeps calling Mickey “gay”. He thinks that writing everything he hates in the Anti-Book will solves his problems, but instead everything is actually gone! And erasing it brings things back, but in totally weird ways. Now Mickey, a teeny tiny house that flies, and his now tiny “big” sister are Following the Shadow, who looks awfully familiar, on a quest to find the Bubble Gum King, who may be able to set things right.

Mickey’s anger may be very familiar to upper elementary/middle school kids who don’t even feel right in their own skin. Mickey’s personal identity is a small side note to the more prominent theme of self-discovery.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Middle school is hard. Mickey wishes everyone would just go away. And then he gets his chance to make his wish come true. When he gets the Anti-book, anything he writes in it goes away or at least changes. Then he realizes – that’s not want he wants. How can he fix it?

Fun adventure with family and finding oneself.

I read about a quarter of this, but just couldn't get into it. Not sure why. I was reading on my phone though, and I loved the concept, so maybe if I can get ahold of a hard cover copy, I'll try to finish it. I loved the world building!

The Anti-Book is a lesson in be careful what you wish for. On the surface, this is a light, funny story will enjoy. But there is more to the surface and Simon inserted tough topics and themes perfectly. Mickey as a protagonist is relatable and kids will enjoy the over-the-top characters in the anti-world. The pace is quick-paced and filled with adventure and funny moments that lighten the heavier themes. Yet, at some points in the book, it was hard to follow everything in the anti-world and keep things straight. These points may give some readers a hard time in following the plot.

Mickey is mad because his parents are getting a divorce and for a lot of other reasons. One day he sees an advertisement in a pack of gum that promises if he buys the AntiBook that he can make people go away. Mickey writes the names of all of his family, teachers, friends etc and suddenly he's transported to a fictional world where none of these people exist. When Mickey tries to undo it, he's sent on a fun journey. Absolutely loved this book. It is darling!

Oh wow, THIS BOOK! I will be recommending this to fans of low fantasy and classics like Phantom Toll Booth. This "be careful what you wish for" style book should be read by all.

This was a great MG read about the consequences of hiding from our problems and how dealing with them can be very scary, but also very necessary. A very compelling and relatable story, this will be a great addition to any child's bookshelf.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title, all opinions and mistakes are my own.

I loved this story! It's right up my alley- the sarcastic British type wit is the best. Add in a dog that is a god and I was sold. The third-person narrator was a fantastic choice. While the anti- book seemed like an amazing chance to right the wrongs that Mickey felt needed to be fixed- he also has to live with the changes he creates.

Creative and unique, this book for young readers gives new meaning to the phrase "be careful what you wish for." A clever and pun-ny adventure.

Having a hard time dealing with his parents’ divorce, Mickey is angry all the time and wishes everyone would go away. When he discovers a book called The Anti-Book, he opens up and starts writing in it what he wishes would disappear. After a while, however, he starts wishing the people and things would come back. He tries to erase what he wrote, but everything comes back in reverse. Can Mickey figure out how to bring back his world? Readers interested in fantasy and adventure or who have ever wanted to be alone will enjoy reading this book. 4.5 stars, Grades 4 to 6.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

Kids are going to love this book! Great characters on a journey unlike any other! I was laughing out loud!

This was a fantastic kids' book that I would recommend for any middle-grade readers!

The premise is fun and interesting (what kid doesn't want to wish away all their problems?). The setting and characters are both fun and hilarious. The writing style is easy, whimsical and undoubtedly would have any child in giggles.

A fantastic book all-around.