The Trouble with Mark Hopper

Synopsis: Mark Hopper is the smartest student in the sixth grade, and he knows it. When another Mark Hopper moves to town (the same age, with similar looks), Mark Hopper makes trouble for Mark Hopper. The Mark everyone knows isn’t very nice, so the other Mark finds no one will talk to him. The new Mark isn’t very brainy, so the other Mark worries that people will think he’s a dummy. When a teacher forces them to be study partners, they realize that they can benefit from one another’s strengths—and maybe win the Mastermind Challenge together. Trouble is, one of the Marks wants to win so badly that he’s willing to steal from Mark.

Review: This book's key market is for mainly middle school boys: with that said I am neither a boy or in middle school. So I'm going to try to give my opinion based with this in mind.

The storyline had a unique quality to it, maybe a bit unbelievable at times but it kept my interest. When you read this book you have to be paying attention, it's not one of those books you can quickly skim over.

You have to keep paying attention to little details, if you don't you won't know what Mark Hopper you're reading about. Yes, you heard me right There are two characters with identical monikers and physical characteristics, to the point each one has a sister sharing the same name. That's what made this book confusing and unbelievable, but it kept me on my toes, so to speak. The difference comes in their personality traits and this is what fuels the plot and drives the storyline.

The characters are a bit predictable at times but they're also well developed. I gave this book to my sister to read after I was finished and she agreed that the book was enjoyable also.

All around I would recommend this book to old 7th or 8th grade middle school student because of the journey each character takes.

I give it 3 stars.