The Next Great Paulie Fink

Starred review from February 4, 2019
A wildly imaginative but never mean-spirited prankster, Paulie Fink was the life of Mitchell School. When he doesn’t appear on the first day of seventh grade, his classmates (called the “Originals,” since they are the school’s inaugural class) are bereft and largely ignore new-girl Caitlyn. Missing her old friends, play-by-the-rules Caitlyn scoffs at her classmates’ eccentricities and those of the easygoing school, located in an old Vermont mansion whose lawn boasts dilapidated statues of gods and where goats trim the overgrown soccer field. To “pull Paulie back to us,” the Originals stage a reality TV–style competition to “find someone to play the role of Paulie. Someone whose official job it is to make school... memorable,” and they recruit Caitlyn to concoct challenges that reflect Paulie’s spirit. Benjamin (The Thing About Jellyfish) adroitly fleshes out her witty premise—and Paulie’s charismatic personality—through Caitlyn’s narration, interviews with Originals and administrators, and reflections on the ancient Greek beliefs taught in class. Genuinely original, the novel offers thoughtful perspectives on friendship, accepting change, and the many rewarding guises of storytelling, as well as a fully gratifying ending that the characters don’t see coming. Ages 8–12.

Four narrators bring to life an unusual rural school in Vermont. When legendary prankster Paulie Fink doesn't return for seventh grade, his classmates miss him so much that they hold a contest to name the next great Paulie Fink. The new girl, Caitlyn, acts as organizer and judge. Narrating from Caitlyn's perspective, Cassandra Morris engagingly carries most of the performance, giving Caitlyn a cynical tone as she interviews her classmates. We hear the other kids' voices as they tell their stories about the infamous Paulie, and teachers chime in, too. Most notable is Zach Villa's delivery of Diego's hyperventilating laughter as he recounts a particularly funny escapade. A relatable story with wit and heart, this audiobook will make listeners think about philosophical questions as well as laugh. S.C. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 1, 2019

Gr 3-7-Caitlyn was apprehensive of moving to remote Mitchell, VT, and she doesn't feel any better about it on the first day of school. Classes at Mitchell School are held in a ramshackle, well-worn mansion and the Originals, her seventh grade classmates-all 10 of them-are given additional character-building responsibilities: lunchtime with kindergarteners and feeding the school goats. However, it is the absence of the Great Paulie Fink that causes chaotic ruckus among the Originals. Paulie's wildly imaginative, pushing-the-envelope antics were legendary among his classmates; he was the glue that held the Originals together. The solution? Find the Next Great Paulie Fink. Unbiased and rule-driven Caitlyn is chosen to be the contest creator, judge, and jury. In the end, they succeed, but in ways they never imagined. Threads of ancient Greek culture are cleverly woven throughout this poignant and humorous coming-of-age novel that tactfully showcases tougher topics such as bullying and accepting change. Gold star narration provided by Cassandra Morris, Zach Villa, Cameron Bowen, and Adam McArthur perfectly capture each well-developed character. VERDICT A top pick for tweens.-Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City School District, OH

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