This book was read by my sons. Both of them enjoyed the storyline and finished it in a couple of days (it was engaging). They particularly enjoyed the main character. Definitely a series worth checking out at the library.

Tom is looking forward to going on the school activity trip, however, because he forgets much, he may have to miss out on it. This is an easier book for young readers that is full of doodles through the book. It is a fun story that children will really enjoy. This is the second book in the series. ( )

The adventures and laughs continue in this fifth diary in the Tom Gates series. Remembering things has never been Tom’s strong suit and once again, his forgetfulness is bringing all kinds of commotion and frustration into his life. An “accidentally” forgotten permission slip for the school activity trip to Tidy Camp means that Tom won’t be tagging along with his classmates doing all those fun things like swimming, kayaking, and building cool stuff unless he can find a way to get his name on that list before they leave, and as Marcus points out, “They’re all booked up now. Bad luck.” How is he going to pull this one off? Mom and Dad are too busy trying to figure out why Delia won’t tell them where her new job is at and even worse, Delia is threatening to paint Tom’s room a horrid colour if he actually does go to camp. How is he going to pull this one off?!

Filled with Tom’s usual “funtastic” doodles of monsters, aliens, friends, and family his newest dilemma is sure to entertain readers right from the first doodle filled page!

Liz Pichon has written and doodled her way to another engaging Tom Gates success! ( )

The fun illustrations made this one a winner for the eight year old niece. She's read one or two of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and I think this would be great for fans of that series. It's a great transition from picture books to chapter books. ( )

With random thoughts in the ridiculousness of every day adventure, this is a fun tale with tons of illustrations and zest.

Tom forgot to get his form filled out for the three day school trip, but with everything going on in his life, that isn't surprising. His sister, Delia, is a pain, his grandparents sweet but odd, and his own parents...well, let's not even go there. The daily school drama doesn't help things either. But after a lot of effort and even more forgetting, he finally gets his form in and snags a spot thanks to a cancellation. But once the bus is underway, he's in for anything but a boring adventure.

While a few nice messages are wrapped up in this tale, the book centers around one thing—silly fun. Tom is pretty normal for his age, and his mind wanders everywhere but in the responsible direction. He's a nice guy and simply tries to get through the chaos called life as best he can, which makes him easy to relate to. The situations he runs into come from daily life and reflect those which average kids will face. And while all of it seems dramatic at times, it's Tom's very honest, uncensored thoughts, which make it a hilarious read.

This is not a fast-paced book into adventure, but rather humor with spice. It takes a heavy several chapters before Tom's trip gets underway but anticipation is always half the fun. The author brings even the smallest things into a new light thanks to Tom, one that ensures giggles and chuckles. After all, many kids have the exact same thoughts even if they don't say it.

Of course, the heaps and mounds of small and large doodles and illustrations are probably the key factor in these pages. Not a sentence goes by without a funny, scribbled edition...one that adds snorts and giggles along the way. The book might seem thick, but it's perfect for reluctant readers who aren't thrilled by seas of words. The story is there, and it is funny, but without these doodles, it wouldn't be anything exceptionally special.

I recommend this book to especially middle grade boys who love a little fun because they will definitely find it here.

I won a complimentary copy through Library Thing and found this book so fitting for the intended audience that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts. ( )