Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

An 11-year-old wrestling fanatic transforms from scrawny to brawny in this series-launching debut.Despite his small frame, Ollie has wrestling in his blood. Though she now works as a referee, his mother reigned as the local scene's undisputed champion until the dastardly Werewrestler stole an underhanded victory. Ever since, Slamdown Town Arena has struggled to stay afloatand Ollie can relate. When he isn't daydreaming the sixth grade away, he's either grappling with big brother Hollis or struggling to keep pace with Tamiko, his brainiac best friend (Japanese American, she's the book's only significant person of color). Everything changes when Ollie discovers a piece of magic gum that turns him into a towering, muscle-bound contender. Eager to vanquish the Werewrestler, Ollie enters the ring as "Big Chew." His episodic matches pair with studying online instructional videos that explain the importance of captivating costumes, titillating trash talk, and sensational signature moves. Despite its larger-than-life personalities, this third-person narrative lacks compelling character: Attempts to lay the verbal smackdown fall flat ("moody music"?), and action sequences seem somewhat illogical (a leg drop into a bear hug?). Ollie earns a title shot, but along the way, his career takes its toll: His grades slip, he loses his dog-walking job, his friendship with Tamiko collapses, and Slamdown Town faces financial ruin. Can Ollie save the squared circle and repair his personal life without breaking kayfabe?Not a curtain-jerkerbut more a formulaic midcard than a marquee match. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

School Library Journal
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Gr 3–6—Ollie is a small, white kid who has wrestling in his blood. His mother was once a pro wrestler who was on her way to stardom when Werewrestler (actual name), cheated and stole a major victory from her. Because of this fateful event, she is now an overworked, underpaid referee at Slamdown Town, the local wrestling arena. His mother is, for lack of other words, miserable, and Ollie can relate. Being a sixth grader isn't going very well. He daydreams too much, and his big brother, Hollis, tortures him regularly. Ollie wishes he could hang Hollis from the roof by his tighty-whities. His whole world changes when Ollie discovers a piece of gum that, when chewed, transforms him into a towering, muscle-bound, lean, mean, wrestling machine. Entering the ring as "Big Chew," Ollie's only mission is to defeat the Werewrestler in his mother's honor. Despite the description of captivating costumes and amazing signature moves, this narrative is somewhat lacking. The plot lines are not very believable or logical. VERDICT Readers who don't mind formulaic text might stick with this one. However, with its length, the reluctant reader will likely lose interest quickly. Not recommended.—Amy Caldera, Dripping Springs M.S., TX

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

In a tale that carries all of its themes and life lessons on its sleeve, 11-year-old Ollie gains insight into what it means to be a good friend and brother after acquiring a used wad of bubble gum that transforms him into a hulking pro wrestler whenever he chews it. Happily, the authors rescue what would otherwise be an earnest, values-driven exercise in telling, not showing, by positively packing in hilarious caricatures and wild, exciting wrestling action. Ollie's brother Hollis has turned into the worst sort of eighth-grader who wants nothing to do with him, so Ollie relies on ultrasmart, ultramotivated best friend Tamiko to join him every Saturday at seedy Slamdown Town Arena to watch Werewrestler defeat all comers often by cheating. Will anyone ever be able to give Werewrestler the smackdown he deserves? The gum offers Ollie a golden opportunity if only he can resist becoming so obsessed with his new skills that he, in turn, alienates everyone. A surprise ending adds extra crunch to the climax. Finished art not seen.--John Peters Copyright 2019 Booklist