Big Nate: Blasts Off

Plot

Nate and his class changes seats for social studies. Nate is seated in front of his new crush, Ruby, and shows her an insulting comic about Mrs. Godfrey. Mrs. Godfrey sees Nate's comic, and he is sent to detention, again. After detention, Nate and his friends decide to play ultimate Frisbee. On the way to Nate's house. Deedee tells Francis and Teddy that Nate has a crush on Ruby. In Nate's home, Teddy tells Nate's dad that they are going to practice for the Mud Bowl. Nate's dad tells them that he invented it and won the first Mud Bowl against Jefferson. The next day at school, Deedee tells Nate that she accidentally told her friends that Nate has a crush on Ruby. The whole school finds out and Randy, who also has a crush on Ruby, bullies Nate. At lunch time. Nate gets hired to write a column of the school paper. Nate's dad packs Nate another disgusting lunch, and no one is willing to trade lunches with him. Ruby feels bad for Nate and gives Nate her root beer. Nate opens the can, not knowing what Randy did, and gets sprayed with root beer. Deedee tells Nate that Randy shook the can before Ruby gave it to Nate. Nate clashed with Randy at the boys' bathroom, and Principal Nichols enters the boys' bathroom. Nate isn't sent to detention but he will get other means of discipline. Nate goes home, his dad goes to work and Nate's sister, Ellen, finds out about Nate's crush. Nate writes an insulting column about Randy for revenge and Randy, yet again, clashes with Nate. The boys are sent to detention, and Principal Nichols send the boys to Peer Counseling with Gina. This means Nate wont be able to practice for the Mud Bowl with his friends. When Nate goes home, Nate's dad tells Nate and his sister that he lost his job, and that the family might have to move to California. Nate meets his friends and Deedee tells Nate that Ruby likes him. Because he is moving to California, Nate tells his friends isn't interested and doesn't tell them the news. Nate goes on a field trip to a science museum and gets paired with Randy to do an assignment. Nate sees a Jefferson student, and they fight about the Mud Bowl. Randy helps Nate and Nate tells Randy about him moving away. After the field trip, Nate and his friends practice for the Mud Bowl and Nate asks Randy to join the team. After a while, Nate's dad tells him that he got another job where they live, and that they don't have to move. Nate tells the news to his friends and Ruby kisses Nate. Then, it begins to rain and the Mud Bowl starts. Nate's team come up with a plan and beats Jefferson. The next day, Nate and his team read the school paper: "Betancourt & Wright team up to win the first mup bowl in 37 years" as they head to social studies. Nate shows his friends another insulting comic about Mrs. Godfrey and says "I've got a feeling my cartooning career is about to BLAST OFF!" without noticing Mrs. Godfrey behind him.

Reception

The book was critically acclaimed, with many fans and critics saying that it was the sendoff the series needed.