Timmy Failure: We Meet Again

Pastis’s lovely balance of quirky cartooning and quick-moving text makes this an enjoyable, laugh-out-loud read. Highly recommended for kids who love Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes,” Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” Lincoln Peirce’s “Big Nate” Rachel Renée Russell’s or “Dork Diaries.” This book and the entire series are a perfect go-to for reluctant readers.

Pastis’ supporting cast of characters are ... effective narrative foils for [Timmy], rather than speechless bystanders to his quirkiness. ... [T]here are signs that, with the support of people who find him lovable in spite of himself, Timmy Failure will not live up to his name.

There are several moments where Timmy is unironically sweet. Anyone familiar with the previous books in the series may be surprised at the genuine sentiment in a few scenes. There are actual hugs, and there's a deeply touching conversation with a very unlikely person. ... Timmy Failure is a classic antihero: Some readers will be drawn to the book because of him; others will be drawn to it in spite of him.