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Arthur Bean #2
Scenes from the Epic Life of a Total Genius
Lights. Camera. Action! Arthur Bean’s life has taken a turn for the adventurous — two girlfriends to deal with, and a blockbuster film to co-write, produce and direct. How crazy can one school year get?
Arthur and Robbie have called a truce now that the writing contest and school play are over…but plans go astray when Arthur’s new girlfriend Anila gets jealous of his friendship with Kennedy. And then there’s that little problem of the movie camera Arthur and Robbie borrowed to film their upcoming blockbuster movie.
As Arthur’s life goes off the rails all over again, laughs for the reader are right on track. Emails, doodles, texts, newspaper articles, AV Club rules (which Arthur and Robbie usually break) give the story the same engaging look as A Year in the Life of a (Total and Complete) Genius.
Arthur and Robbie have called a truce now that the writing contest and school play are over…but plans go astray when Arthur’s new girlfriend Anila gets jealous of his friendship with Kennedy. And then there’s that little problem of the movie camera Arthur and Robbie borrowed to film their upcoming blockbuster movie.
As Arthur’s life goes off the rails all over again, laughs for the reader are right on track. Emails, doodles, texts, newspaper articles, AV Club rules (which Arthur and Robbie usually break) give the story the same engaging look as A Year in the Life of a (Total and Complete) Genius.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 26, 2018
I'm sure upper elementary and middle years students would enjoy it but it wasn't for me. I don't think it needs to be in a YA section in a school library but some may chose otherwise.
May 12, 2019
Although I find the climax of the story to be a little too overwhelming, I still find the book to be very enjoyable when everything falls into place at the resolution.
December 7, 2018
I loved the first book of this series. Loved it, it was so funny but also dealt with topic like death and bullying in such a good way.
So, I was sadly disappointed when I realized that this follow up was going to be nothing more than the main character being shallow, stubborn, and self centred. All the growth that Arthur achieved in the last book was quickly wasted the minute he got a girlfriend. Which he treated like crap, it seemed like no one in this book was the same person. Robbie started stealing for attention, and Kennedy became manipulative and played with Arthur’s affections to the point that it caused him his girlfriend.
This book was so infuriating to read, that I was almost relieved when it was done. Not sure if I will continue on with the series, but I am curious to see how everything wraps up. Plus I really hope Arthur’s dad gets a girlfriend in the next one. He needs more to his story.
So, I was sadly disappointed when I realized that this follow up was going to be nothing more than the main character being shallow, stubborn, and self centred. All the growth that Arthur achieved in the last book was quickly wasted the minute he got a girlfriend. Which he treated like crap, it seemed like no one in this book was the same person. Robbie started stealing for attention, and Kennedy became manipulative and played with Arthur’s affections to the point that it caused him his girlfriend.
This book was so infuriating to read, that I was almost relieved when it was done. Not sure if I will continue on with the series, but I am curious to see how everything wraps up. Plus I really hope Arthur’s dad gets a girlfriend in the next one. He needs more to his story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2023
Arthur and friends are back and just as funny as they were in the series opener. In this installment, Arthur and Robbie have "borrowed" a video camera from their summer camp and aim to make an epic movie. Arthur, now in grade 8, is also experiencing love for the first time. Which friends will he choose? Will the movie get done? How is Arthur's writing career going?
A fifth-grader recommended the first book to me because she found it so funny. I also found it funny, but I think she found the students hijinks funny while I find the adults reactions to the students funny. She loaned me Scenes from the Epic Life of a Total Genius over the holidays and I read it in two days. I can hardly wait to read the next one. This series can definitely be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
A fifth-grader recommended the first book to me because she found it so funny. I also found it funny, but I think she found the students hijinks funny while I find the adults reactions to the students funny. She loaned me Scenes from the Epic Life of a Total Genius over the holidays and I read it in two days. I can hardly wait to read the next one. This series can definitely be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
June 7, 2019
This book walks through another school year with Arthur Bean. It is written as notes to a journal, submitted assignments, grades for the assignments, etc. It has some pretty humorous moments. I'd consider a Diary of a Wimpy Kid type of book without the pictures. I didn't think this book was as good as the first one. However, if you liked the first one, you'll probably enjoy this one as well.
March 15, 2018
sometimes you just need a sweet easy book to read. loved both of these books by Matson
December 29, 2016
Beware the perils of relationships in middle school ... they are filled with bad choices, misinterpretation of events and immaturity.
Arthur Bean is back from camp and full of news. He has an enviromentalist, vegan girlfriend named Anila who lives in Calgary. He and Robbie Zack plan to work together on the next blockbuster screenplay. He still plans to be a part of the Newspaper Cub with Kennedy. It seems like it's going to be a great year. But there are some complications. Arthur can't help but feel guilty about the camera he and Robbie "borrowed" from Arts Camp to help them film their movie. And now that Arthur has a girlfriend, Kennedy seems more interested in hanging with him. What's that about? And why is this annoying kid named Von barging into the middle of Arthur and Robbie's movie? He's such a jerk!
Arthur tries to sort through this life, but things are just so confusing. He'd like to be able to discuss things with his Dad, but his dad is still emotionally unavailabe. All he seems to care about is his Yoga. To make matters worse, Arthur dumps Anila for Kennedy. But then Kennedy suddenly doesn't have the time of day for Arthur and wants to be "just friends." Finally, best friend Robbie is having all kinds of turmoil in his life with his brother, Mom and Dad and seems to withdraw from Arthur.
The story is told in journal writings, class assignments, newspaper articles, emails, texts and other forms of written communication.
Arthur Bean is back from camp and full of news. He has an enviromentalist, vegan girlfriend named Anila who lives in Calgary. He and Robbie Zack plan to work together on the next blockbuster screenplay. He still plans to be a part of the Newspaper Cub with Kennedy. It seems like it's going to be a great year. But there are some complications. Arthur can't help but feel guilty about the camera he and Robbie "borrowed" from Arts Camp to help them film their movie. And now that Arthur has a girlfriend, Kennedy seems more interested in hanging with him. What's that about? And why is this annoying kid named Von barging into the middle of Arthur and Robbie's movie? He's such a jerk!
Arthur tries to sort through this life, but things are just so confusing. He'd like to be able to discuss things with his Dad, but his dad is still emotionally unavailabe. All he seems to care about is his Yoga. To make matters worse, Arthur dumps Anila for Kennedy. But then Kennedy suddenly doesn't have the time of day for Arthur and wants to be "just friends." Finally, best friend Robbie is having all kinds of turmoil in his life with his brother, Mom and Dad and seems to withdraw from Arthur.
The story is told in journal writings, class assignments, newspaper articles, emails, texts and other forms of written communication.
December 14, 2015
i ran into kennedy and her stupid bro at the mall today. i thot he was gone for school. that familly sux. hes such a turd.
Well, maybe he's not the greatest - person, but Kennedy is pretty nice. I
don't know why you're mad at her. - It's
not her fault who her brother is.
shes the 1 who called my bro a looser
1st. bad jeans run in the familly. wanna
come over? i got a new game.
(pg. 75)
Yeah. I'l be there in 30. And it's genes. Jeans are pants.
keep that up and ur JEANS will make a great wedgie...
July 28, 2016
Another hilarious middle-school book from Stacey Matson!
If you read this as an adult, you are reminded of the horrors of hormones, egocentric single-mindedness, and how silly and/or awful teenagers are to each other.
As a younger reader reading this, I hope they relate to Arthur and his cohorts, and understand that this AWESOME time in their life is but a brief moment in their lifetime.
As with Matson's previous book, there's awkwardness and real-life hardships. It didn't quite have the same heart-strings being pulled, but still an awesome continuation of the Arthur Bean trilogy!
Woot Calgarian author!!
If you read this as an adult, you are reminded of the horrors of hormones, egocentric single-mindedness, and how silly and/or awful teenagers are to each other.
As a younger reader reading this, I hope they relate to Arthur and his cohorts, and understand that this AWESOME time in their life is but a brief moment in their lifetime.
As with Matson's previous book, there's awkwardness and real-life hardships. It didn't quite have the same heart-strings being pulled, but still an awesome continuation of the Arthur Bean trilogy!
Woot Calgarian author!!
September 7, 2015
I thought this book was good, it did not make me laugh as much as the first one and I think it might have been better off if it was only one book.
November 30, 2015
I think that the book was a really good book because it talks about a teenager called Arthur Bean that atfirst has one girlfriend but then in a part of the story he then gets another one and he
August 27, 2017
It is really good. It is about a kid named Arthur who is making a video with a friend, when people find out he stole a camera from video camp and everyone hates him.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews