Oggie Cooder

March 1, 2008
Gr 3-5-While Oggie's teachers have described him as "quirky" and "one-of-a-kind," his peers are less than complimentary about his hand-crocheted shoelaces and wardrobe from his parents' secondhand store. It is easy to see that the fourth grader is destined to become famous for some offbeat skill. Oggie's talent happens to be "charving" cheese slices, which is a cross between chewing and carving. His ability to charve the outlines of different states could land him on an "American Idol"-like television program called "Hidden Talents," but before the audition, he captures the interest of Donnica Perfecto, who has great ambition but no claim to fame. She decides to steal her classmate's unusual talent; when that doesn't work, she takes over as his manager. Pushed to the limit, Oggie finally makes some decisions about what's important to him. The protagonist's endearing cluelessness and spoiled Donnica's over-the-top conceitedness are well described, making this a fun, high-interest read."Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2008
Quirky fourth-grader Oggie Cooder is considered the class weirdo, but he remains blissfully unaware of his fellow students opinions as he engages in a host of eccentric activities, including charving (nibbling on slices of cheese until they form the outlines of the states). Donnica Perfecto is Oggies chief nemesis, but she changes her tune when a talent show turns up for auditions, and charving becomes a possible ticket to Hollywood. A chipped tooth deters Donnica just moments before the audition, and Oggie takes the lead in the talent show, making him the coolest kid in town. Still, Oggie stays true to himself, turns down his chance to be on television, and teaches some lessons to his classmates along the way. Weeks, whose previous books include So. B. It., a 2004 Booklist Editors Choice selection, delivers a funny and fast-paced story, with the likable Oggie at its center. Oggies fascination with cheese nibbling doesnt seem all that implausible; hes from Wisconsin, after all.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)