Antsy Does Time

Starred review from September 1, 2008
Gr 7-10-In this sequel to "The Schwa Was Here" (Dutton, 2004), Brooklynite Antsy Bonano, 14, finds another peculiar friend, a Swedish import named Gunnar Ümlaut. When a balloon from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade gets away, Antsy and his friends Howie and Ira head into Manhattan to follow the debacle. On the way, they run into their classmate Gunnar. Watching the catastrophe unfold, he confides to Antsy that he's been "coming to disasters" lately, and that he's dying of Pulmonary Monoxic Systemia. Gunnar says he has only six months to live, so Antsy gives him one of his own, drawing up a legal-looking document, and, before he knows it, the whole school's giving Gunnar months of their lives. Spending more time at Gunnar's house, Antsy falls for his friend's older sister, and also notices that things seem off. Gunnar's obsession with his presumed imminent death is largely ignored. When Antsy discovers that Gunnar is not going to die, that he was "diagnosed" by a fake online doctor, he wonders why the boy lied. As Antsy uncovers the truththat Gunnar's dad has gambled away the family's money and they're headed back to Swedenhe learns more about the meaning of the time you have on Earth. This novel is as cleverly plotted and well paced as "The Schwa"; it is brimming with amusing secondary characters and situations that add depth and interest. Fans won't be disappointed, and newcomers won't have any problem jumping right in."Jennifer Barnes, Homewood Library, IL"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2008
The wisecracking teenage Brooklynite introduced in Shustermans award-winning The Schwa Was Here (2004) takes a second ride on the emotional roller coaster in this equally screwball sequel. When classmate Gunnar mlaut announces that he is going to die in six months from a rare disease, Antsy Bonnano prints up a formal contract that signs over a month of his own life to his gloomy buddy. This impulsive gesture of comfort unexpectedly nets Antsy a series of dates with Gunnars hot older sister Kjerstenbut also takes on a life of its own when everyone who finds outabout the good deed wants to get into the act. Meanwhile, Antsy and his closest friend (and ex-girlfriend), blind Lexie, plot to kidnap Lexies irascible grandpa Creepy Crawley (again), and Antsys father works his way toward heart-attack country struggling to get the Bonnano familys new restaurant on its feet. Featuring a terrific supporting cast led by Antsys wise, acerbic mother, an expert blend of comedy and near tragedy, and the wry observations of a narrator whose glib tongue and big heart are as apt to get him into trouble as out of it, this will keep tween readers hooked from start to finish.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)