Pack of Dorks

August 11, 2014
Fourth-grader Lucy’s life is unraveling before her eyes, and it all started with a kiss. One day she is given a plastic dollar-store ring by classmate Tom Lemming after kissing him on the playground. The next, she misplaces the ring, and Tom turns on her. Lucy’s best friend Becky, terrified of losing her social status, won’t stand up for Lucy, even though outside of school she assures Lucy she’s still her friend. Then, Lucy’s sister, Molly, is born with Down syndrome, and her parents’ behavior changes too (“I wasn’t sure she and Dad had room to worry about my problems any more now that they had a whole syndrome to manage”). A class project with a quiet boy named Sam and the company of exuberant, nose-picking classmate April place Lucy in the dangerous territory of “Dorkdom,” but these new friends are loyal and make Lucy smile. Lucy’s growth and smart, funny observations entertain and empower in Vrabel’s debut, a story about the benefits of embracing one’s true self and treating others with respect. Ages 8–12. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency.

Starred review from August 1, 2014
Debut author Vrabel takes three knotty, seemingly disparate problems-bullying, the plight of wolves and coping with disability-and with tact and grace knits them into an engrossing whole of despair and redemption. Popular fourth-grader Lucy and her best friend, Becky, kiss Tom and Henry behind the shed during recess as their class looks on, Lucy's brief, reluctant peck paling against Becky's smoldering "suction cup" smooch. When Lucy gets home, her mother's in labor; Molly is born later that day with Down syndrome. Back at school on Tuesday, everything has changed. Now disingenuous Becky is with Tom, and Lucy's being shunned by most of the class. Only then does she begin to understand life as an outsider and take a closer look at other bullying victims, each nicely depicted, both negative and positive characteristics colorfully drawn. Assigned to do a project about wolves with fellow victim Sam, Lucy gradually becomes friends with him, and they discover fascinating truths about wolf packs that give them insight into the behavior of their classmates. Simultaneously, Lucy and her parents slowly, believably come to grips with Molly's uncertain future. Useful tips for dealing with bullying are neatly incorporated into the tale but with a refreshing lack of didacticism. Lucy's perfectly feisty narration, the emotionally resonant situations and the importance of the topic all elevate this effort well above the pack. (Fiction. 8-12)

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October 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-Lucy is the second most popular girl in fourth grade. She maintains her social standing by obsequiously following her "best friend," queen bee Becky-even when that means succumbing to peer pressure and giving Tom Lemmings a quick kiss during recess. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself being made the butt of jokes and is no longer in her exalted position as a popular kid. When groveling doesn't work, Lucy opens up to spending time with other kids she had previously overlooked and finds herself making some real friends in the process. This book doesn't soft-peddle the strange cruelty that kids inflict on one another, nor does it underestimate the impact. At the same time, it does not wallow unnecessarily. Instead, Lucy finds joy in her new little sister and helps her family gain perspective as they struggle to come to terms with the baby's special needs. The challenging subject matter is handled in a gentle, age-appropriate way with humor and genuine affection. Lucy is likable even when she's not behaving well; just like a real kid. When things work out in the end, it feels as natural as two like-minded kids learning to trust one another.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

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