Praise for Josh Baxter Levels Up : * "Smartly paced and emotionally engaging, a book even those who have never held a controller will enjoy." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review "Brown includes countless gaming references that will delight in-the-know readers. It's a light, fun approach to typical middle-school struggles from an author who gets his audience and knows his games." -- Publishers Weekly "The gamer theme and the inclusion of various digital diversions add a charge to this upbeat fitting-in story." -- Booklist "Readers will be engaged in this likable lead's quest to solidify burgeoning friendships via a school video game decathlon. Secondary peer characters of both genders and diverse backgrounds add texture. VERDICT: Recommended as an enticing addition, especially for middle school gamers and reluctant readers." -- School Library Journal "Gamers will appreciate that each chapter ends with a full-page recap of Josh's current experience level, health, lives remaining, and new skills unlocked (clever summaries of major events he successfully navigated).

Even non-gamer kids will likely appreciate Josh, however, as he is earnestly interested in but not always adept at navigating the often baffling social flow of middle school." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books " Josh Baxter Levels Up is an epic boss battle of a book. Set in a terrain more intense than any video game -- middle school -- it deploys a triumphant combo of humor, high-stakes, and heart. Read this book: It's a winning move!" -- Michael Northrop, New York Times bestselling author of the TombQuest series.