Dweeb

November 1, 2009
Gr 4-8-This fun romp is a break from the often-heavy realistic fiction that is omnipresent in today's literature. Denton, Wendell, Eddie, Elijah, and Bijay, collectively known as DWEEB, are eighth graders at Ho-Ho-Kus Junior High School in New Jersey. Just before the Idaho Tests, they are abducted by the vice principal as part of an evil plot to]well, no one is sure at first, but eventually it all becomes clear. Each of the boys is gifted in a different way, and together they solve the mystery of why all the students at their school are suddenly extremely focused, and, of course, the DWEEBS save the day. Engaging, but definitely on the fluffy side."Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2009
Grades 5-7 As an important standardized test approaches, evil Assistant Principal Snodgrass locks up a multicultural cast of gifted misfits (Denton, Wendell, Eddie, Elijah, and Bijay; ergo the title) on spurious grounds. While incarcerated in the school basement, the five New Jersey eighth-graders investigate Snodgrass exact plan for their disturbingly dronelike fellow students. Each kid draws on his particular skill as a charmer, computer whiz, athlete, writer, or actor to solve the mystery, and there are a few red herrings thrown in along the way. With a fairly standard style and a lackluster denouement, there is little to distinguish this from scores of other school stories. However, if so many readers can relate to these guyspeer, Greg Heffley, the star of Jeff Kinneys Wimpy Kid books, there are undoubtedly those who will find companionship and commiseration in these more intellectual characters adventures and will embrace their own, and the books, dweebishness.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)