Student Council Smackdown!

January 1, 2014

Gr 5-7-Seventh-grader Trevor Jones is back, a few days after dousing his nemesis, Corey, with soda at a school dance in The Classroom (Hyperion, 2012). The stunt instantly makes Trevor popular. After a series of mishaps, his status plummets, which makes him think he's the perfect candidate to run for class president, confident he'll lose so that his friend Libby will win. The extremely slow pace will discourage reluctant readers: the first half of the book spans one day, with lots of conversation and internal musings among the characters but not much action. Trevor is such an Everyman that he lacks distinguishing qualities that would make him a protagonist engaging enough to lead a book series. He finally gains some depth when he stands up to Corey in a realistic confrontation that also demonstrates a practical way to handle a bully. The rest of the students are characters readers have seen before and the school staff, with the exception of the janitor, are stereotypical dolts. Gilpin's detailed illustrations add interest, varying from full-page scenes to amusing sketches from characters' notebooks. Readers who enjoy silly middle school fiction will find some laughs; otherwise purchase only where the first book is popular.-Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

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