The Homework Strike

October 31, 2016
Pincus’s The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. found Gregory Korenstein-Jasperton wrestling with math, and in this follow-up the seventh grader struggles with too much homework, particularly in history class. Despite the study group he has established with three friends, homework takes up all of Gregory’s free time—something many readers will relate to—and keeps him from his writing (his poems open each chapter). When Gregory’s low history grade threatens his opportunity to attend an open mike night with his favorite author, he takes on an extra credit project researching the history of homework. What he learns inspires Gregory to go on a “total, complete homework strike,” with his history teacher both supporting and challenging him along the way. Pincus writes about middle school life with empathy as he explores the longing to find one’s own place and the feeling of having little control over one’s life. While there are laughs to be had as Gregory’s crusade gains steam, readers will also get a sense of American labor history and the real stakes involved in standing up for one’s beliefs. Ages 8–12.

October 1, 2016
In this humorous sequel to The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. (2013), the white seventh-grader realizes that his monstrous amount of homework gobbles all his after-school time, interfering with his writing and the other things he loves to do. Although not the exceptional student that his older brother and younger sister are, Gregory actually likes school and works hard; immediately after school he and three friends have a homework club. But Gregory has no time to write poems for open mic night at the local bookstore or to work on the book he is writing. Other kids are missing out doing what they love: painting or building websites. Gregory decides that action is needed, and, with the encouragement of his history teacher, his research into the issue leads him to a homework strike and a resulting notoriety as other kids join and a media blitz occurs. Gregory stays respectful but firm, learning a lesson in civic involvement, standing up for what one believes in, and negotiating. Each chapter begins with one of Gregorys poems. Gregory is a resourceful, likable narrator with kind friends and a supportive family. The absence of racial or cultural clues will lead readers to infer that the principal characters are white. Readers will be drawn to the anti-homework cause and, while they may well find the realistic resolution disappointingly tame, will enjoy the high jinks along the way. (Fiction. 9-12)

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January 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Gregory Korenstein-Jasperton flies under the radar at Morris Champlin School, and that is all right with him. He has his small group of friends and his poetry, but the obscene amount of homework-about three hours a night-is really beginning to cramp his style. History teacher Dr. Bankster is the true source of the homework problem and has been the bane of the middle school for years. So when Dr. Bankster issues a bargain-no homework but a three-point grade deduction-Gregory takes him up on the offer. Gregory notices that while his in-class work is at an A level, his decision not to do homework is putting him in danger of not passing, and he finds this deeply unfair. Why is it that work done at home, sometimes not even meaningful work, counts more than classwork? This starts Gregory on his great homework strike, and he makes some surprising allies, and enemies, along the way. Gregory's homework strike, and the battle he wages in order to be understood at home and in school, is a classic middle grade conflict. His fight to stand out among his brilliant siblings and at school is relatable, especially to this novel's target readership. Little new ground is covered, but Gregory is a solid narrator, and his voice has pathos and humor. VERDICT This title is not a must-buy, but it would be a good addition to medium and large middle grade collections.-Morgan Brickey, Arlington Public Library, TX

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