The Schernoff Discoveries

Starred review from July 30, 2012
Fourteen-year-old Harold Schernoff has a scientific theory for just about everything—from skiing and playing sports to illegally purchasing a car. With close friend Gary, Harold navigates the social minefield that is high school and tests his theories (many of which often end in disaster) in Paulsen’s novel about friendship. MacLeod Andrews delivers a pitch-perfect performance in this audio edition. The novel is told from Gary’s point of view, and Andrews narrates in a high, nasal voice, sounding like a boy on the verge of puberty, but regulating his pitch so that his reading never becomes cloying. Andrews also excels at other characters’ voices, deftly differentiates between Gary and Harold, and creates such a natural rapport between the two boys that listeners may forget he’s the only narrator. Ages 10–up. A Yearling paperback.