Peg Glisson (Children's Literature)
Fifth-grader Cody Carson is new to town and determined to become a "new me," a changed kid. The old Cody found himself caught in one embarrassing situation after another, most notably being sprawled onstage in his underwear. The new Cody is determined to be cool and makes some real strides in building friendships, improving grades, and acting responsibly. Of course, he slips along the way, making for some believable situations and realizations. The journal format allows him to include feelings, not just events, and is painfully honest about the ups and downs of preadolescence. As the title suggests, there is a good deal of " bathroom" humor, including stinky feet and burping contests; but that, too, is reflective of Cody's age. Some parts of the book become tedious, like his on-going battles with his sister, especially over cleaning the cat's litter box, while other parts are downright hilarious (his 12-step guide to "Creating a Really Good Disaster) or poignant (his wishing some of his classmates would invite him to shoot hoops). Cody is a real kid and readers (especially boys) will identify with him. Both the title and cover will draw readers to this book. 2003, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 9 to 12.

Krista Hutley (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, January 2004 (Vol. 57, No. 5))
Cody Lee Carson’s family has just moved, and Cody relishes the chance to have a "New Life" as a fifth-grader in the "Nobody-Knows-About-the-Old-Cody town." Leaving behind such incidents as getting his head stuck in the school-bus window, baring his Tweety Bird underwear on stage during the school play, or diving out of a tree wearing a bungee cord, the New Cody is determined to avoid groundings, bad grades, and the principal’s office. This isn’t as easy as he thought, however: he does his homework wrong, he runs away from his election speech for class president, he ruins the school talent show, and his crush, Amy, stops liking him after he mistakenly gives her the trick Valentine’s Day present he intended for his little sister. Finally, Cody’s teacher says he can’t go on the end-of-the-year camping trip unless he gets his act together. Cody, who writes in journal format with plenty of exclamation points, is naïve and exuberant, if not particularly thoughtful, and his slice-of-life stories are worthy of both laughter and sympathy. Birdseye has a feel for the high-stakes life of the nearly-teen set, where embarrassment (the kind that can kill you) lurks in even the most unlikely places and the opinion of your peers is all that matters. The flaws of this book are, in many cases, flaws appropriate for a fifth-grade journal: the writing is sometimes repetitive and, when nothing much is going on, dull; and characters and elements are introduced only to be left behind as Cody’s interest moves on. Still, Cody’s excitement is contagious, and as he is a genuine character, kids will find him an easy one to empathize with as they grow up in their own uniquely embarrassing ways. Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2003, Holiday House, 199p, $16.95. Grades 3-5.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2004)
After moving to a different town, fifth-grader Cody Carson vows to cultivate a new persona. In his "New Me Journal," he records the ups and downs of fifth grade, which include falling for a girl in his class, blundering through the school talent show, and becoming a hero during a camping trip. Kids will relate to Cody's humorous attempts at self-improvement, though the narrative is generally prosaic. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2003, Holiday, 199pp, $16.95. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.