Sophie Washington: The Gamer

This book was such a fun, exciting, entertaining, enjoyable read!

This book mostly revolves around the main character, Sophie Washington, and her family. Sophie is a bright, fun-loving, sixth grader who can’t seem to stop tattling. Her brother Cole, a second grader, seems to be addicted to playing video games. However, all of that is about to change. Sophie and her family are at church and with the Lent Season about to start the sermon is directed towards resisting temptations and indulgences. On the way home Sophie and Cole’s parents talk to them about Lent and pick out the item that each of them should abstain from for the forty days. Their parents choose no tattling for Sophie and no video games for Cole. However, as soon as Lent starts Cole secretly checks out a tablet from his school and accidently loses it. He goes to his sister for help. Now Sophie must decide whether she should break her Lent promise and tell her parents what Cole did? Or secretly help Cole find the tablet and get it back to the school before their parents find out?

I absolutely remember having to give something up every year for Lent! Usually it was candy, junk food, or eating out, or keeping no secrets from mom, or no white lies. However, I do remember a couple times it was no oversharing, which was like tattling. I remember getting in trouble for telling people things that were supposed to stay private (sorry mom lol)!! And of course, my mom’s best friend’s daughter and I hated each other so whenever we got the chance to get each other in trouble we totally did lol. There were many Lent years of abstaining from “Trying to Get Deena Into Trouble,” the best friend’s daughter lol and vice versa. So, I when I heard about this book I was thrilled to read it since it sounded like a great read and I thought I could relate to it!

I loved the main character, Sophie Washington. She sets a wonderful, positive role model for girls. At a time when young girls are carefully watching and following the lead of their role models it is important that we are providing them with ones that are not only realistic, but also ones that demonstrate confidence and leadership skills.

I also really enjoyed getting to know Cole more this time! In the previous books in this series, he’s been more the annoying, pesky brother. And in this book, I felt like he really came out of his character shell. He was more developed and really owned up to the bigger role he received in this book. Plus, it was great to see this other side to him and see how he loves Sophie and really looks up to her. I look forward to seeing more of him in the future! Also, my newest favorite family member was Bertram! He is so cute! He is a stray Portuguese Water Dog that the family takes in.

This book series are just filled with so many life lessons and morals and this particular book did not miss the mark!

I really liked that this book had so many underlying messages. For example, this book focused on hard work, faith, hope, respect, determination, positive attitudes, self-improvement, self-evaluation, abstinence, moderation, growth, appreciation, overcoming obstacles, team work, and so much more.

I liked this book focused on a Lent aspect. I think there are quite a few children that participate in Lent and will be able to easily relate to this book. They may also find some better understanding of what Lent is and why people celebrate it.

I loved that the author used so many Houston and Texas references throughout the book since the book does take place in the Houston Suburbs. I have been to Houston many times, and I have lived in several parts of Texas before. So, I really enjoy when I read a book from there that the real Texas is found in the pages – and it sure was! The author did a great job listing things like restaurants, local spots, and culture references.

I think the best part of this book being for middle graders, is that it’s a fun, cool, intriguing, suspenseful book for them! It’s not a dumbed down kid’s book and it’s not a book that a parent can be worried that their kid is reading. It’s a book that a kid will want to read, won’t be embarrassed to read in front of their friends or their parents. It’s the right kind of a book a kid should be reading and the right kind of book their parent will be glad they are reading!

This book is book four of the Sophie Washington Book Series. Although I have read other books in this series, this book can absolutely be read on its own as a standalone without any fear of getting lost or confused. However, I am really enjoying this book series, and would totally recommend the whole series!!

This book is “G” rated as there is no swearing, no violence, no adult situations, and no sexual content. However, I would like to point out that this particular book in the series does have a strong faith element as this plot line wraps around the Lent Season which is strongly celebrated in the Christian Community.

I would absolutely recommend this recommend for middle graders as I think they would love this book and the Sophie Washington Book Series!

This book is marketed towards middle grades and I totally agree! However, I might even go as far as to suggest this book for readers in third grade to seventh grade as they too would also easily enjoy this book and book series as well!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**