What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

was the narration in present tense? the cover being all black with the title in red makes me wonder if the style/design also hinted to any specific subgenre - horror, fantasy, sci-fi, special kind of school?

Ezri wrote: "was the narration in present tense? the cover being all black with the title in red makes me wonder if the style/design also hinted to any specific subgenre - horror, fantasy, sci-fi, special kind ..."

I think it was in present tense, now that you mention it. As for the cover...I'm not sure if I'd classify it as "horror" but it certainly unnerved me a bit. Though, admittedly, that could just be chalked up to me being an idiot 6th grader. As I said, my memory of the book's story is quite hazy...

Amphibian

It doesn't match your cover description but it does have two schoolkid friends, one of whom is called Bird...?

Jon wrote: "Amphibian

It doesn't match your cover description but it does have two schoolkid friends, one of whom is called Bird...?"

Unfortunately, it does not seem to be the book in question.

Juan is still looking for this book:

"Realistic fiction novel with a near completely black cover with only the name of the book on the front in red text. I don't remember much of the story though, unfortunately, as I never ended up reading the entire book. Read around 2016-2017. (Update)

A bit of a disclaimer: I opened a different thread awhile ago centering around the same book, but I deleted the topic because I didn't know how to bump a thread, and I made a few mistakes. But I've since read through the group rules and am ready to post a definitive thread.

This was a middle-grade book I picked up in around 2016-2017. The reason it jumped out at me was the black cover and the name of the book in red text on the front. Admittedly, my memory of the story is hazy at best. But what I do remember reading left a very powerful impression on me. The narration was in first person present tense and the narrator had a very cynical view of the world, from what I remember. His relationship with his father appeared rather poor, and he didn't seem to have a very enjoyable home life.

One of the things I remember clearly about the book is the narrator (presumedly middle school aged) having a friend named Bird, who was called that because of his large nose. But he was reluctant to call him his best friend because they both have a crush on the same girl and, as he states, "a best friend doesn't like the same girl as their best friend." But this is where the details become muddied for me. I read a lot of books around that time so there's a chance that some of the scenes from other books might have influenced my memory of this book. Though I feel it's still worth including, keep that in mind for this next paragraph.

I believe there was a scene in a mall with the narrator and his friend, Bird. This was where Bird was introduced, and it was explained that they both have a crush on the same girl. Just then, they see the girl they both like in the mall. Bird then rushes to her to do or say something (I don't remember) which would embarrass the narrator. The narrator is desperate to stop him and so he chases him. That's the last thing I remember of the scene.

Now onto what's more concrete. After the scene in the mall, it's back to the narrator's house. I vaguely remember some kind of altercation occurring between him and his father, but I could be wrong. What happened next is what really stuck with me though. The narrator walks into his room and sits down on his bed, talking about all these inconveniences in his life. But then he suddenly speaks to the audience, referring to the reader as "you" as if they're a character in the story. Unfortunately, that was where I stopped reading. I don't know if that was the end of the chapter or if I just stopped reading for one reason or another, but that sudden shift from solely first person to second person seriously threw me for a loop and stayed with me for years to come."

Just to clarify, Juan is the OP (original poster).

OP: 180391547

Juan, I copied some book details to the topic header. Feel free to edit it.

You Don't Know Me by David Klass? Friend Billy Beanman is nicknamed Billy "Beezer" on account of his big nose. They both have a crush on Gloria. Mother has a boyfriend which the main character doesn't like.

"He is not a friend because we are both in love with the same girl."

Google preview: https://www.google.com/books/edition/...

Juels wrote: "You Don't Know Me by David Klass? Friend Billy Beanman is nicknamed Billy "Beezer" on account of his big nose. They both have a crush on Gloria. Mother has a boyfriend ..."

By God, I think that's it! I guess I must have been misremembering the friend's name. I really wasn't expecting this to work, but I'm very pleasantly surprised that it did. Thank you so much.

You're welcome.