Hacking Harvard [Paperback]

Robin Wasserman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 2007

It's the ultimate challenge: breaking into the Ivy League.

The hack:

To get one deadbeat, fully unqualified slacker into the most prestigious school in the country.

The crew:

Eric Roth -- the good guy, the voice of reason.

Max Kim -- the player who made the bet in the first place.

Schwartz -- the kid genius already on the inside...of Harvard, that is.

Lexi -- the beauty-queen valedictorian who insists on getting in the game.

The plan:

Use only the most undetectable schemes and techno-brilliant skills. Don't break the Hacker's Code. Don't get distracted. Don't get caught. Take down someone who deserves it.

The stakes:

A lot higher than they think.

They've got the players, the plot, and soon -- the prize.

It's go time.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Eric, Max, and Schwarz—best friends, brilliant teens, hackers extraordinaire—plan their coup de grâce hack: getting slacker Clay Porter, Eric’s third-grade nemesis, into Harvard. The boys intend their plan to take revenge upon the aging, white male admissions officers who determine every overachieving teen’s future financial and mental health. Then the perpetually money-hungry Max reveals that he has bet the threesome’s archenemies, the Bums, thousands of dollars that Max and his friends can pull of their hack, and the stakes rise dramatically. Wasserman, author of the novels in the Seven Deadly Sins series and a Harvard alumna, writes a story that is harsh, funny, sophisticated, unpredictable, and edgy. The carefully crafted story line is full of twists and turns, concluding with a surprising ending, and the central characters are multidimensional and multitalented young people who speak in authentic, clever dialogue. The vivid Cambridge, Massachusetts, setting and an ironic “don’t-try-this-at-home” introduction add to this memorable reading experience. Grades 8-11. --Frances Bradburn

About the Author

Robin Wasserman's teen novels include Skinned, Crashed, Wired, Hacking Harvard, and the Seven Deadly Sins series. She lives in Brooklyn. Visit her at robinwasserman.com, friend her at facebook.com/robinwasserman, and follow her at twitter.com/robinwasserman.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (September 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416936335
• ISBN-13: 978-1416936336
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #923,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real-life thriller, September 19, 2007

By 

Mette Ivie Harrison (Layton, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hacking Harvard (Paperback)

This book is a thriller that matters. It has lots of things to say about the college admissions system, but none of it feels like it's being spooned to you.

As I read the first 75 pages or so, I thought this is great plot, but is there going to be a heart to the story. And then there was one. I liked that. I wanted to care for the characters more as the story went on, to be really involved in their plot, and I did.

I also liked that they began to question themselves more and more, and I loved LOVED the ending (but I won't spoil it for you). I also liked the descriptions of some of the slimier characters in the book. Real people who only think of themselves are exactly like this

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It was good, I would definitely recommend it., October 17, 2007

By 

Bri Dank "Bri" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hacking Harvard (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book a lot, but the plot is a bit unbelievable. I mean, how likely is it that three seventeen year old super-geeks would be able to hack into Harvard and get a complete slacker in? But even with that said, I still thought it was a very good book. The four main characters balance each other out nicely and I like the pace at which the author develops the plot. Overall, it was a good book that I would recommend.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opener to the world of college applications, November 4, 2007

By 

Jenny "Jen" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hacking Harvard (Paperback)

As a student not yet in high school, it was interesting to read about the whole application process to the best college in the country - Harvard. Basically this whole plot is about how three very intelligent boys try all the tricks up their sleeve to get one fully unqualified slacker into Harvard. From the beginning to the end, Robin Wasserman will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. Wasserman also does a very good job making the three main characters in the book realistic and human. It made it easy for me to relate to the characters, especially Eric Roth.

All in all, this book was eye-opening and funny. I would suggest it to any teenager from ages 12 and up. Happy Readings!