One Man Show

December 1, 2005
Gr 5-8 -Poor Dustin wants to be a professional actor when he grows up, but his sixth-grade class can't seem to get through a single performance of their play, "The Castle of the Crooked Crowns", without the fire alarm going off or parts of the scenery crashing down. Dustin's life is further complicated by the fact that his father has run off to be a traveling stand-up comedian. If his mother finds out that there's another performer in the family, it may break her heart. When the child star of Dustin's favorite TV series moves to town, it could solve everyone's problems. Then again, that would be too easy. In the end, Dustin must rely on his own charm, talent, and chutzpah to extricate himself from his various crises and ultimately save the day. Bonk's novel is so lighthearted and uproarious that its serious underlying themes -the nature of true friendship, integrity, and trust -almost slip by unnoticed. Dustin is an eminently likable narrator. He is sarcastic and funny, but always comes across as a genuine 11-year-old boy with all of the insecurities and hopes that go along with early adolescence. Though some of the other characters are slightly overdrawn, most of them are recognizable caricatures of the eccentric grandmothers and hapless principals whom kids have encountered. The fast pace and good-natured humor will appeal to a wide range of readers." -Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2005
Gr. 4-6. Sixth-grader Dustin Grubbs has the starring role in the school play, but the production seems doomed: the first show is interrupted by a fire and evacuation of the building, and the second ends abruptly when a stumbling princess precipitates a chain of events that includes collapsed sets and a wrecked piano. The principal is not amused. When it's announced that there will actually be a third show, Dustin is thrilled, and he's absolutely ecstatic when he learns that he will be performing alongside Jeremy Wilder, the star of his favorite TV show, and now (amazingly) a student at Dustin's school. But that's before Jeremy stabs him in the back, and Dustin wrecks his relationship with his best friend, his estranged father fails to attend the play, and he gets the best kind of revenge on Jeremy. Bonk must have had a wonderful time writing this story: quirky characters (even minor one) have great lines; there are plenty of hilarious scenes, occasionally interrupted by thoughtful, bittersweet moments; and everything is wrapped up with a very satisfying ending.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)