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The Dumbest Idea Ever!


Summary: For some lucky people, knowing what they want to do in their life comes to them at an early age.  Jimmy Gownley is one such individual.  Having been an avid reader of comic books since his toddler years, Jimmy decides, during his middle school years, that he wants a career creating comics.  In The Dumbest Idea Ever!, Jimmy tells us of how he gets started, who were his influences, and where he gets his inspiration from.  Remarkably, the advice that he gets from a childhood friend, which Jimmy initially believes is the dumbest idea ever, is what leads to Jimmy to financial and worldwide success.  So, what is the "dumbest idea ever"?  That is for to us to read and find out.

Reference: Jimmy Gownley (2014). The Dumbest Idea Ever! Scholastic Graphix. New York. 

Why I Picked It Up: The title.  I know it's cliché, but I chose the book for it's title. It intrigued me enough for me to want to know what exactly was "the dumbest idea ever."

Why I Finished It: There are so many similarities between Jimmy's life and my own. Like Gownley, I fell in love with the game of basketball and I, along with some of my friends, created my own comic book super hero during my parochial middle school years, also.  Whereas Jimmy's initial creation was a cross between Star Wars and The Lord of Rings, mine was a cross between Star Wars and King Arthur.  However, a few major differences from his life and mine was that I didn't put together my own comic book issue and have it published nor was I the star on the school's basketball team.  But, reading Gownley's biography joyfully reminded me of those younger years.  Jimmy's biography is aided by his professionally simplistic yet keen illustrations.  It is not easy to draw simple scenes and characters while at the same time trying to convey vital moments of someone's life, yet Jimmy does exactly that.  With his deft combination of art and writing, The Dumbest Idea Ever! was a joy to read from beginning to end.

Recommendations: I envision people who are interested in creating their own comics or have a passion for them would be interested in reading about Jimmy Gownley, especially those who are already fans of his work.  Plus, anybody who enjoys reminiscing a little about their middle school days and how we as students were starting to grow into ourselves, discovering who we are individually, and what are passions were. All in all, The Dumbest Idea Ever! is a wonderful read destined for the living room sofa.

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