The Losers Club

May 29, 2017
Sixth grader Alec Spencer spends most of his time reading—in real life he’s harassed by his neighbor and former friend Kent, and books are a welcome escape. But Alec’s constant reading is putting him in the academic danger zone (summer school is a distinct possibility). At the after-school program Alec is participating in, the options are to do homework, join a club, or create one; just sitting and reading isn’t allowed. So he starts a club for silent reading and calls it the Losers Club to keep membership small, though he does invite new student Nina. But others soon want to join, and both Alec and Kent develop a crush on Nina. Inveterate readers will instantly relate to Alec’s passion and plight, and Clements (The Map Trap) once again effectively taps into the challenges of middle school social politics and mapping out one’s identity. This empathetic coming-of-age journey makes it clear how limiting and pointless labels can be, and that both books and real life have quite a bit to offer. Ages 8–12. Agent: Amy Berkower, Writers House.

May 15, 2017
There's no such thing as too much reading...until it gets you in trouble.Sixth-grader Alec loves to read. For the past five years he has been sent to principal Mrs. Vance's office multiple times for reading instead of paying attention in class. As sixth grade starts, Mrs. Vance gives the white preteen an ultimatum: stop reading when he should be listening or end up in summer school (which will destroy the annual family trip to New Hampshire). Worse than that, his parents will be spending longer hours at work, so he and his brother have to stay three extra hours in the Extended Day Program at school. According to EDP rules you either do homework in the library or you join a club. Happily, Alec learns he can actually start his own club, which he calls the Losers Club in order to scare kids away and ensure quiet reading time. Former best friend and now popular kid Kent delights in tormenting Alec, especially when the boys realize they both like new girl Nina (co-founder of the Losers Club). Can Alec navigate the rough waters of sixth grade, keep his grades up, and, most importantly, read? Clements adds to his growing oeuvre this tale peopled with likably familiar, mostly white kid characters in realistic situations; black Losers Club recruit Lily provides some diversity. Avid readers will cheer Alec on and wish their school bullies were as easily managed as Kent. Backmatter includes a list of the books, classics and popular, that the kids read throughout the story. Another upbeat, modern school story sure to please fans and teachers. (Fiction. 8-12)

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June 1, 2017

Gr 3-6-Sixth grader Alec, a true bibliophile, would rather read for pleasure than listen to his teachers, which often lands him in trouble with his parents, his teachers, and the principal. When Alec joins the after-school program, he is forced to pick a club, and quietly reading is not an option. Alec comes up with a plan to create a club that no kid would ever want to join, the Losers Club, where he can sit alone and read. He does not anticipate, however, that there are others like him who might want to join. Much to Alec's dismay, the Losers Club soon becomes the most popular group in the program. As the club thrives and Alec makes new friends and reconnects with old ones, he learns that while he does not have to change who he is, he should not let real life pass him by. Clements's latest is engaging and funny. Book lovers and reluctant readers alike will enjoy the relatable characters, realistic dialogue, and humorous scenes. Alec's confidence in himself and his ability to solve his problems while staying true to himself are refreshing. A list of the titles mentioned throughout the novel is included. VERDICT A laugh-out-loud first purchase for all middle grade collections, and a solid read-aloud choice for classrooms.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2017
Grades 3-6 A best-selling author of beloved school stories, Clements (Frindle, 1998) celebrates readers, inclusion, and the joy of discovering new books. Alec starts sixth grade with two problems: he's not allowed to read in class anymore, and he's consigned to the extended day program after school. Solving both problems at once, Alec forms his own club and dubs it the Losers Club so people will leave him to read quietly with just a few fellow bookworms. What starts as an excuse for isolation turns into a social experiment of sorts that brings the extended day program together as Alec triumphantly rebrands the club's image: books do thatthey make us lose some ignorance, and lose some fear. And losing fear might mean losing some anger, too. This may be more appealing to book lovers like Alec, rather than reluctant readers like athletic Kent, but Clements' portrayal of a sensitive, honest boy who delights in the comfort and familiarity of rereading favorite books is refreshing and empowering.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)