King Dork Approximately

In this sequel to KING DORK, Lincoln Hoppe does a fantastic job of giving voice to the thoughts of Tom Henderson, King Dork himself. His humorous and often sarcastic thoughts come through clearly as he embarks on the second half of 10th grade, complete with his "normal" girlfriend, his rock-and-roll band, and a centipede scar. Supporting characters, including his stepfather, Little Big Tom, not only have interesting nicknames but are also given unique voices to highlight their roles in Tom's world. Hoppe handles dialogue well, and his slight variations in tone and pitch add to the humor of the story. This entry contains many references to the earlier book (also narrated by Hoppe), so listeners may want to listen to that first before diving deeper into the teenage mind. E.N. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

October 6, 2014
Eight years have passed since King Dork appeared, but no time has elapsed as this sequel begins. Tom Henderson resumes his narration where the previous book ended, with his recovery from assault by tuba, a battery that inadvertently resulted in the exposure of a child pornography ring at Hillmont High. The ensuing scandal forces the school to close; in dividing its students between the town’s other schools, Tom is split from bandmate and alphabetical-order buddy, Sam Hellerman. This gives Tom a chance to reinvent himself, but he’s the same sarcastic, girl-obsessed, wannabe rock guitarist he was during the first semester of his sophomore year. He does make some friends, including his first real girlfriend, Pammelah, and play in the pep band, which requires him to wear a “Badger Power” T-shirt, white pants, and an orange beret to school on game days. This book doesn’t have the mysteries that kept the pages turning in the original, but Tom’s irreverent voice and sharply observed, deeply funny insights about public education and the teen social order carry the story. Ages 14–up. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.