Warp Speed

January 17, 2011
Yee (Bobby the Brave ) offers another empathetic portrayal of an outsider with unique attributes in this story about seventh-grader Marley Sandelski, an admitted geek, who loves Star Trek, old movies, and his Technical Sciences class. Having been spit on, punched, and stuffed in his locker, he spends a lot of time running from trouble; when Coach Martin notices his speed, Marley receives an enticing offer to join the track team. Becoming a runner would earn him popularity points in a school where "jocks rule," but Marley isn't sure he has the killer instinct to compete ("Being on the track team is all about winning, which means that someone would have to lose"). Featuring appearances from some of Yee's previous heroes and heroines—Millicent Min, Stanford Wong, and Emily Ebers—this slice-of-life novel focuses on themes that will likely hit home with readers. If Marley's athletic ability appears too large for life (given the fact he has earned the reputation of being a klutz in P.E. and is usually picked last for teams), his internal conflicts and emotions ring true. Ages 10–13.

technewbie - This preteen drama set in Anywhere, USA is a classic story of cliques and social hierarchy, nerds, geeks, dweebs, jocks, cheerleaders, brains, and kids from every "planet" in between. Marley happens to be stuck in the middle of the plantary galactic forces as he plods through the perils of Middle School at WARP SPEED. This Trekky teen isn't the coolest kid in school by any means. In his search for significance, he learns some tough lessons about what really matters in life and what doesn't. Popularity maybe overrated, and being invisible might not be so bad after all. Read Warp Speed to step into a world of confusion, weird, awkward, and growth. Growth. What an awkward word that is. Maybe you should pass on this book...or maybe not? Is that you I sense a growing desire to find out more about Marley and his story.