Game Over, Pete Watson by Joe Schreiber

Reviewed by Lori
 
Title: Game Over, Pete Watson

Author: Joe Schreiber

Illustrator: Andy Rash

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 97559

Description: When video game obsessed Pete Watson discovers his dad is not only a super-spy but has been kidnapped and is now trapped inside a video game, he has to use his super gaming skills and enter the game to rescue him.

Rubric Rating: Level 1 - Leave It

Why I Read It: Chosen as a Read Aloud

Notes:  When Pete sells his father’s old Commandroid 85 video arcade system in a yard sale in order to earn enough money to buy the new brawl-a-thon 3000 he has no idea the events that he has set in order.  His father is really a super-spy and he’s trapped inside the very video game he has just sold. Pete, along with his former best friend Wesley, must work to rescue not only his father but every other spy that has been endangered by his actions.  No one is who they seem and even the president gets involved. I found this story really far-fetched. It was supposed to be funny and while it was for my 12 year old, I didn’t find it entertaining at all. The premise of using video games as spy device is not new, and other books have done it better.  The illustrations in this novel were ok and definitely would appeal to boys – particularly those who like the Captain Underpants series.

Recommended Readers:  Grade 4 - 7, Avid Video Game Players

Themes:  Espionage, Video Games, Friendship, Families,  

Cross-Genre Links:
Media - Early Gaming Systems, Arcades
Movie: War Games
Movie: Ready Player One
Music: Pinball Wizard - The Who
Music: Games People Play - The Alan Parson Project

Inquiries and Activities:

  • What is your favourite video game and why? 
  • Have video games ever been used by the military? 
  • What are some of the benefits of playing video games and what are some of the negatives? 
  • Why does Pete sell his dad’s old video game? Should he have done that?
  • Why do Pete and Wesley stop being friends and what brings them together again? 
  • Is Pete a good friend?

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