The co-op bookstore for avid readers
Book Cover for: Einstein the Class Hamster and the Very Real Game Show, Janet Tashjian

Einstein the Class Hamster and the Very Real Game Show

Janet Tashjian

Janet and Jake Tashijan, the author and illustrator team behind the My Life series, deliver a hilarious sequel to the illustrated chapter book Einstein the Class Hamster.

We follow Ms. Moreno's class as they face off against the students of Crackerjack Elementary on the hit game show Kids Know Stuff. But when Principal Decker sneaks Twinkles the python into the studio, there's widespread panic; the show's host is afraid of snakes and walks off the set. Now is Einstein's chance to shine! With the assistance of a sound engineer who can also hear Einstein, Ned and Marlon help Einstein get ready to host the show and save the day. But something goes wrong. Does Einstein have... STAGE FRIGHT? Oh no! Ned and Marlon must find a way to help Einstein and win the game show in Einstein the Class Hamster and the Very Real Game Show.

"Jake Tashjian's manic, kid-scrawled spot illustrations have an energy that matches Einstein's, and there's an abundance of humor (generally goofy or gross-out) in both his artwork and in Janet Tashjian's writing." --Publishers Weekly

"A kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun and more plot." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on 'My Life as a Book'

Book Details

  • Publisher: Square Fish
  • Publish Date: Jun 20th, 2017
  • Pages: 192
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.00in - 5.40in - 0.50in - 0.20lb
  • EAN: 9781250114983
  • Recommended age: 07-10
  • Categories: Humorous StoriesSchool & EducationPerforming Arts - Television & Radio

About the Author

Tashjian, Jake: -

Jake Tashjian is the illustrator for the My Life As a...series, including My Life As a Ninja and My Life As a YouTuber. Jake also created and illustrated the Einstein the Class Hamster series. He collaborates on his novels with his mother, author Janet Tashjian. He has also illustrated several books for the author P.T. Evans.

Fun fact: Jake is a visual learner. When Jake was in elementary school, he used to draw his vocabulary words on index cards. This later became the inspiration for the main character, Derek, in the My Life As series.

In 2016 Jake co-founded Workshop 2.0, a non-profit foundation to train and hire other young artists on the Autism Spectrum.

Jake grew up in Massachusetts and currently lives in Los Angeles. He is an avid surfer and filmmaker.

Tashjian, Janet: -

Janet Tashjian is a middle-grade and young adult novelist who's been writing books for children for over two decades. Her first novel Tru Confessions was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry series is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her bestselling My Life As a Book series is illustrated by her son, Jake. They also collaborated on the Einstein the Class Hamster series.

Janet collaborated with fellow Macmillan author Laurie Keller on the chapter book series Marty Frye, Private Eye. Janet currently lives in Los Angeles and made her new home city the setting of the Sticker Girl series, which details the adventures of Martina who overcomes being shy with the help of her magical stickers that come to life.

Praise for this book

"Cute, pop-eyed cartoon illustrations add to the book's sense of silliness . . . This early chapter book contains an enticing mix of information and fun that is sure to please." --Booklist

"Jake Tashjian's manic, kid-scrawled spot illustrations have an energy that matches Einstein's, and there's an abundance of humor (generally goofy or gross-out) in both his artwork and in Janet Tashjian's writing." --Publishers Weekly

"Give this to kids who think they don't like reading. It might change their minds." --Booklist, starred review, on 'My Life as a Book'

"A kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun and more plot." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on 'My Life as a Book'

"Sure to engage fans of Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid books as well as those looking for a spunky, contemporary boy with a mystery to solve." --School Library Journal on 'My Life as a Book'

"Another fun, emotionally resonant read for the Wimpy Kid set and beyond." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on 'My Life as a Stuntboy'

"A fast-moving plot and relatable protagonist make this stand-alone sequel a good choice for boys who, like Derek, would rather reach for a TV remote or game controller than a book." --School Library Journal on 'My Life as a Stuntboy'

"Fans of the first will be utterly delighted by this sequel and anxious to see what [Derek] will turn up as next." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books on 'My Life as a Stuntboy'

"This is a great package for kids, especially those like Derek who don't think they like to read." --Booklist on 'My Life as a Stuntboy'