The Real Question

November 20, 2006
Fogelin (The Big Nothing
) delivers another smart tale about nerdy Tallahassee teenagers. Narrator Fisher Brown, 16, has aced school since sixth grade. Indeed, a week before the SATs, Fisher is painfully aware that his academic excellence substitutes for a relationship with Dad: "As long as I'm the A man, we're okay. In his mind we've survived Mom's desertion. Faulty logic, but it's a prime reason why I work so hard. It seems like the least I can do for him." Cracks appear in the façade, however. Fisher panics during a chemistry exam. Desiree, his unlovely, loyal friend, wants more than a platonic relationship. And Lonny, a drifter temporarily ensconced in Fisher's neighborhood, dares Fisher to challenge the status quo. With Dad off to Miami for a week to move Nana into new housing, Fisher accepts Lonny's offer of adventure: a weekend bus trip to Chiefland, Fla., to reroof his ex-girlfriend's house. The ensuing events—combination vocabulary learning curve and comedy of errors—engender a bond between Fisher and Lonny's hardworking ex and sweet young son. A few twists and Lonny's fecklessness strand the pair with no cash. Desperate after three consecutive unexcused absences, Fisher finds aid from the best kind of youth services librarian and dear Dez, who trundles down in an unreliable Crown Vic. Fisher's delightfully telegraphed epiphanies, the funny, harrowing road trip, and a satisfying showdown with Dad yield a novel that may well appeal to teens of both sexes. Ages 12-16.

November 1, 2006
Gr 7-10-Fisher Brown is a typical overachiever, stressed out about his grades and his future. His compulsive father, who happens to be his guidance counselor, leaves index cards with pointers around his room, such as, read above and below target area. When the 16-year-old encounters Lonny Traynor lounging on a discarded sofa in the street, he wonders why he cant live the easy life, too. Lonny delights him with stories of dropping out of school, getting tattoos, and traveling the world. When he invites Fish to join him in doing a roofing job for a friend over the weekend, the teen sees an opportunity for adventure, and they hop on a Greyhound bus. The friend turns out to be the mother of Lonnys son, Charlie. Fish finds himself helping her make ends meet, fixing up the house, and being a role model for the child. He stays longer than planned, but needs to get back to school before hes in trouble. Despite his disappointment in Lonnys character, Fish learns to do the right thing and to help his new friends in need. He sets a good example for students who can get so stressed about school that they forget that other people have problems, too. Fellow overachievers will relate to Fishers drive to help his new friends, and will be satisfied when he finds a way to work out his own problems as well. A short, satisfying lesson in caring."Jane Cronkhite, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.