Bigger, Badder, Nerdier

May 1, 2019

Gr 4-7-The League of Average and Mediocre Entities (LAME) is back, this time going up against enemies that are LAMER: four jocks masquerading as our medium-powered heroes. But wait-why would anyone want to be LAME? Not surprisingly, the shadowy figure behind the plot is their nemesis Darth Susan, still looking to bring about the closure of Otto Waddle Jr. High and thus her own early retirement. As the kids track down the clues and lay their plans to thwart Darth Susan, they have no idea that they could actually be saving the entire town of Piggsburg from destruction. As in the first entry, readers looking for character development (or even a substantial plot) should look elsewhere. However, for the students who read Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" exclusively, this dystopian riff on funny stories with simple cartoon illustrations will provide a diversion without breaking the bounds of the genre. VERDICT Purchase where the first volume is popular or where funny, illustrated fiction flies off the shelves.-Elizabeth Friend, Wester Middle School, TX

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