Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Fun concept and interesting characters, but the protagonist wasn't entirely likable, which made the book a struggle to get through.

A wonderful story to make you think about what it really means to be "the greatest" and how one might find that greatness in their everyday life. Do you really need to be extraordinary to be "great"?

My students will love this! I There is a mystery, a mischievous kiddo, and some laugh out loud moments. This will make a great read aloud, but will also engage students when reading independently.

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Zeke is a pretty average kid, and that's why he and his family are shocked when he is nominated for The Greatest Kid in the World contest. He wouldn't mind winning, but true story is in his growth and figuring out if it's really so important to win?

At first funny and slowly opening up to become a more tender story of a family navigating loss and trying to support each other in the limited ways they each know how. This one had an immediate hook, a competitive element to keep younger readers moving through the pages, and a very satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended for all middle school libraries.

Another winner from Mr. Anderson. What’s not to love about a kid who frequently makes not the greatest choices being chosen to compete in a worlds greatest kid contest?! Perfect for all middle grade readers (of all ages). Full of heart and humor. I will definitely be recommending this book.

This book deals with things a lot of kids face in their middle years, but I appreciate how the world of social media is also incorporated. Readers will relate to Zeke's desire to prove he's good enough in comparison to the other contestants in the Greatest Kid contest.

There is more than one way to be great. This is a concept that kids have a hard time seeing (and adults!). For example, the kid who gets the highest grades may be great, but a kid who watches his siblings and takes care of his house while his adult works is also great. But what makes THE greatest? That is the question within John David Anderson’s newest book. Zeke knows he is not the greatest, but maybe he doesn’t know him self too well since he is chosen to be a finalist in the World’s Greatest Kid competition. Can a kid who causes trouble, does pranks, gets sent to the principals office, and torments his oldest sister be a great kid?

Just like every other Anderson book I’ve ever read (which is most of his!), I found the story to be unique, well written, and engaging. He always surprises me because his books differ so tremendously from each other! This time, what made the story for me was the characters. Everyone had flaws but everyone was loveable: Zeke reminds me of so many kids I know and have taught–wonderful and exhausting; his sister, Jasmine, was dealing with her own transitions much like most teenagers; Logan, the cameraman, was the surprise favorite character (read & you’ll see why!); Nate, Zeke’s brother, is just a ball of joy; and Zeke’s mom is one that any adult with empathize with, and I want to give her a hug! The story itself is quiet, but these characters are loud and will fill your heart as you read.

Zeke is known for being the trouble maker, so he is beyond shocked to receive a letter informing him he's a contestant int he World's Greatest Kid Competition. He's ready to laugh it off and say no way, but then he hears about the $10,000 cash prize. His family could really use the money. Can he somehow prove he can truly be a "great" kid? A heart-warming read that many kids may relate to!

Zeke tries to be a good kid, but most days, he can’t resist pulling a great prank or instigating his classmates into mayhem. So, imagine his shock when he gets an invitation to join The Greatest Kid in the World contest. As a camera follows him and his family for days, Zeke gains a new perspective on life and what it means to be a “great” kid. Surprisingly profound and ridiculously funny.

Wonderful, humor-filled exploration of greatness and its many forms. Zeke is relatable in so many ways that I know readers will see bits of themselves in him.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, Walden Pond Press for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

John does it again with this fantastic middle grade story. The Greatest Kid in the World is such a heartwarming story that students across the world will find relatable.
The characters were well developed and John did a great job of writing the entire plot seamlessly. This is a great story to add as a read aloud to your 4th or 5th grade classrooms any time of the year. Even though there is a loss in the story, kids will find themselves loving the humor that is woven throughout.

Thank you to #NetGalley, John David Anderson and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Zeke Stahls, a normal but trouble making 12-year-old, somehow finds himself in "The Greatest Kid in the World" competition. Zeke is no where near the good kid the others in the competition are, but he's determined to try to start doing better. If he wins, he will win $10,000. Money his family desperately needs since his family is on a single family income. Will this competition teach Zeke that there's a different way to be "great"?

I loved this book! I think Zeke's situation is very similar to what kids are going through today. I really liked all the characters and Zeke really grew on me as the story went on. I also enjoyed Logan's character. I hope that if there is a sequel, Logan will make another appearance.

This book started out a little slow, but ended up being such a great read! I absolutely loved it. Zeke, an ordinary twelve-year-old kid who is generally up to no good, gets nominated as one of the "Greatest Kids in the World". He will be filmed over the course of a week and people will vote to decide which of five kids would be deemed the greatest. The winner will receive a trip to Hawaii and $10,000. Zeke is determined to be great and win the prize for himself and his family, who can really use the money. Zeke needs to show his best self, and will learn what it truly means to be great along the way. An awesome read for MG kids and beyond.
Some of the language used in the book may be better suited for middle school and up, but the story itself is great for mature third graders and up

Thank you for an ARC of this book! I have been a huge fan of John David Anderson from the beginning and have read all his books. This one is among my favorites of his. I loved the humor, the storyline and the family. I lovedZeke's heart and his relatableness (is that a word?). I like the feel this book left me with... and the question it asks. What does it mean to be great?

I'm a big fan of John David Anderson's work but this was not my favorite. I thought the premise was entertaining (a kid who is a very creative thinker but not very good at seeing consequences) is one of five kids who is nominated for the greatest kid award. Except it never tells who nominated him or why, out of the entire pantheon of kids in America, he was chosen. I kept waiting for the story to come together, but it never really did for me. It was ok and I finished it but I don't think it's going to find a place in my library.

While this was an entertaining premise and main character, it took way too long to "get good." By that I mean interesting and action-filled. The book also felt a bit cliche at times; however, the final third picked up the pace and entertainment level quite a bit.

My first John David Anderson book was Ms. Bixby’s Last Day back in 2017. I was not planning on reading this book, it wasn’t on my TBR, but one listen to the sample of the audiobook and I was intrigued.

It was one of my favorite books of that year. And now, I’ve read 9 of his 13 books.

And I’ve loved every single one.

This, of course, was no exception. While I don’t think it was quite as good as the likes of Ms. Bixby and Posted, it still had all the same heart and humor that Anderson has become a master at.

Of all his books, it probably reminds me most of Finding Orion (which I *highly* recommend if you haven’t read it) with its focus on family and grief (+whacky and zany antics the protagonist gets into while still balancing it perfectly with the angst).

And yes, I’m definitely reading it again when it releases in May.

Another incredible John David Anderson best!! Zeke is a creative, reckless troublemaker, who is named Top 5 Greatest Kids- winning would mean a lot to his beleaguered family, but- how to win? This book had me laughing out loud, crying, wincing, cheering… Zeke’s gotta win, right??