Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages) [Hardcover]

Denise Vega (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2009 | Grade Level: 5 and up

Computer whiz Erin Swift is ready to start eighth grade. The Year of Humiliating Events (aka, seventh grade) is behind her and she's ready to rule the school. But eight grade comes with its own set of problems for Erin to navigate, including her first boyfriend, her first break-up, and the fact that her mom has been treating her more like an eight year old than an eighth grader. Even worse, there's a new girl at Molly Brown Middle School who is determined to remake Erin in her bad-girl image, and former crush Mark "Cute Boy" Sacks has been acting strange lately.

But as Erin's school year once against hurdles toward disaster, a personal tragedy forces her to realize that things, and people, aren't always as bad as they seem. Can she save what's left of eighth grade before it's too late?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After surviving the "Year of Humiliating Events (YOHE)" in Click Here (To Find Out How I Survived Seventh Grade), Erin Swift, Web site-designer extraordinaire, is ready to make a fresh start. But in eighth grade, she faces a new set of boy problems, trouble with friends and a painful loss that makes her rethink her priorities. Clearly in tune with adolescents' roller coaster emotions and their numerous challenges, Vega's sequel is accented with excerpts from Erin's "new and improved, totally secret & private home page" that convey her triumphs and anxieties. Erin's on-again, off-again crushes-especially with basketball buddy Mark-are entertaining; her more complex relationships with aging custodian, Mr. Foslowski and new student, Reede, who does "a lot of things against the rules," add depth. As before, Erin proves to be a good girl who sometimes finds herself in awkward situations. Accurately mirroring middle-school life, the story should hit home with tweens. Ages 12-up.
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From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—This is a fast-paced, engaging sequel to Vega's Click Here (to Find Out How I Survived the Seventh Grade) (Little, Brown, 2005). Erin Swift is a funny, bright girl who encounters some of the most typical (yet poignant) trials and tribulations that early adolescence has to offer. An overbearing, overprotective mother makes Erin chomp at the bit for freedom and adulthood. A first boyfriend (who she doesn't really like very much) and a breakup leave her confused about her tastes and judgment. A wild, intriguing new girl at school challenges her ideas about fun and friendship. Finally, a tragedy introduces the teen to loss, grief, and regret. Added to the mix are Erin's tech-savvy humor and matter-of-fact inner dialogue. Although some of the tech terms may soon be outdated, it is fun to read about a computer- and gadget-loving girl protagonist.—Nora G. Murphy, Los Angeles Academy Middle School END

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316034487
• ISBN-13: 978-0316034487
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,338,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I love reading, camping, hiking, music of all kinds except country, french fries, chocolate, and guacamole (separately, not together). I can't stand cheese of any kind--that means I don't like pizza, lasagna, and lots of other things that most normal people like. I live in Colorado and love hanging out with my family and friends.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Review: Access Denied, July 22, 2009

By 

Enchanting Reviews "Lisa" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages) (Hardcover)

ACCESS DENIED (and other eighth grade error messages)

DENISE VEGA

Contemporary YA

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Erin P Swift is a 13 year old, who survived her seventh grade year of embarrassing events and is now starting eighth grade. She is into sports like basketball and hockey, IM, building websites in computer club, and blogging. She wants a little more freedom from the restrictions her mother has had in place since she was a `little' kid.

Erin's friend, Mark, whom Erin had a crush on last year, is also into basketball and they play together even though Kara, Mark's new girlfriend is suspicious of their friendship.

Erin is trying to get through school successfully, be a good friend to Mark, Jilly, and Rosie, and lead a team for the I-club website. She is also searching for a BF (boyfriend.) Saddled by her teacher Ms. Moreno, with a goal to be a `good influence' on Serena and Reede, Erin tries in spite of her misgivings. She also relies on advice and a friendly ear in Mr. F, the school janitor.

An enjoyable read, this book is filled with the anxieties of middle school along with the thrills of new experiences. I like that the book has some realistic choices and dilemmas in it and still manages to stay appropriate in content for teen readers. Erin combats her `good' image by hanging out with Reede at the mall to pick up boys and going to a party while her parents think she is spending the night at Jilly's house. While she doesn't immediately get caught by her parents, she ends up making some regrettable choices and having to come to terms with herself, the choices she made and some grief-making results. Her ups and downs with friendships are very true to life.

Erin is a very likable teen and I enjoyed reading about her adventures and misadventures with both her friends, boys, and not-quite friends.

Denise Vega has written computer books for adults. She has `always' wanted to be a writer and has written several other books for tweens and teens which you can find more information about at her website at [...]

Kathy Johnson

ENCHANTING REVIEWS

July 2009

5.0 out of 5 stars Access Denied, September 29, 2011

By 

A. Perry (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages) (Kindle Edition)

This is such a fun book! I loved it! Erin is like a typical eighth grader so teens can relate to her. I suggest this book to all. I have to paperback and my bestie is currently reading it. She said she loves it too!

5.0 out of 5 stars like a gossip book, January 1, 2011

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages) (Kindle Edition)

i know gossip is wrongbut this book is more like reading a diary with subjects that can be easily relatied to i could stop reading this