49 pages • 1 hour read
Lincoln PeirceBig Nate: In a Class by Himself
Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Middle Grade | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Literary Context: The Lincoln Peirce/Jeff Kinney Connection
The most common criticism of Lincoln Peirce’s Big Nate: In a Class by Himself is that the book copied and took advantage of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. There are some notable similarities. Both books focus on domestic, everyday matters. Both are written in first person with direct addresses to the audience, though Diary of a Wimpy Kid states explicitly that it is a journal, while Nate’s reason for writing is more uncertain. Most strikingly, both books use a combination of prose and comic strips to tell the story. However, Diary of a Wimpy Kid came out in 2007, whereas the “Big Nate” comic, on which the book is based, was first published in 1991. How could Peirce be copying when his work came out first?
There are several reasons for the similarities in style between Peirce and Kinney. The most glaring one is that Peirce mentored Kinney for a few years. When Kinney was 19, he was struggling to become a cartoonist. He wrote to several cartoonists looking for advice on how to break into the field. Lincoln Peirce was the only one to write back. At the time, Peirce had just syndicated “Big Nate.” Kinney and Peirce wrote to each other for over two years, offering advice and drawings. Kinney eventually gave up on cartooning, and the two lost contact.
Kinney went on to develop a children’s educational website, Poptropica. The same year, he published Diary of a Wimpy Kid. At this time, Kinney reached out to Peirce again. The two writers discussed Kinney’s newfound fame and Peirce’s struggles. Big Nate was popular but never reached the same popularity as some other cartoons. Kinney decided to put a Big Nate zone in Poptropica. This area was so popular that it crashed the server within two days. This new platform drew thousands of new fans to Big Nate, and this new popularity spurred HarperCollins (the publisher of Diary of a Wimpy Kid) to offer Peirce a book deal for Big Nate.
Though there are some similarities between Big Nate: In a Class by Himself and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, they are mainly stylistic and thematic. These similarities can be attributed to the friendship between the authors. The characters and plots of the two works are very different.
Series Context: The Big Nate Universe
Big Nate: In a Class by Himself is the first of eight books based on Lincoln Peirce’s comic. Though the series ended in 2016, Nate’s comics continued beyond the book series’ publication. There is also a musical and a television series based on Nate’s story.
Big Nate: In a Class by Himself sets up the Big Nate universe and introduces the cast of characters. Primarily, it focuses on Nate and how his personality is the cause of and solution to all of his problems. Big Nate: Strikes Again focuses more on Nate’s strengths (cartooning and sports) and weaknesses (schoolwork, particularly social studies). This book explores the dynamic between Nate and Gina and finally sees Nate get some retribution from this classmate.
Big Nate: On a Roll focuses on another of Nate’s more complicated relationships. Throughout this story, Nate continually tries to beat Artur, finally reaching a peace in their relationship. Big Nate: Goes for Broke introduces a new character, Dee Dee, and elaborates on Nate’s competitive nature. Nate and the rest of P.S. 38 compete against their rival school, Jefferson Middle. This book also sees Nate cartooning as his path toward greatness.
Big Nate: Flips Out focuses on the relationship between Nate and Francis. This book also uses hypnotism to fix Nate’s disorganization, with mixed and fleeting results. Big Nate: In the Zone focuses on Nate’s band, Enslave the Mollusk, and Nate’s superstitious and unlucky nature.
Big Nate: Lives It Up focuses on the nature of friendship and makes Nate break out of his comfort zone. Finally, Big Nate: Blasts Off sees Nate get a new crush, worry about a possible move to California, and compete with Jefferson Middle, again.
Big Nate: In a Class by Himself sets up the succeeding works. This book introduces Nate’s family, and Nate explicitly explains his feelings toward them. The story sets up the dynamics of P.S. 38, including Nate’s schedule and his teachers. It shows Nate’s relationship with his friends and enemies. The books of this series can be read individually without losing too much of the story, but they shine together. Big Nate: In a Class by Himself is baseline Nate. The rest of the stories see him grow.
