Donuthead

October 16, 2006
The obsessive-compulsive hero of Donuthead
, now in sixth grade, finds that the social and microbial challenges of middle school are nearly enough to do him in. Sarah, Franklin's unlikely best friend from book one, also faces tests: hers may be scarier, but she talks about them less. The author spends a bit too much time reviewing old material, and the story doesn't ignite until halfway through, when Sarah, who has learned how to figure skate faster than you can say "flying camel," soars in her first exhibition. The scatological humor may well appeal to the elementary school crowd, but the overarching message here is about maturity: Stauffacher charts that big leap from boy to man as Franklin blushes at his young teacher's bare shoulder, and sizes up his unrequited love for the perfect Glynnis Powell. As Gloria (his contact from the National Safety Department, first met in Donutheart
) points out, "It's called 'growing up,' Franklin. You are beginning to notice that other people have needs wholly unconnected to your health.... It's a good sign.'' Franklin shows he understands when he does something to help Sarah that violently clashes with his ironclad policy of risk-avoidance. Those who loved the first book will want to read this one, and since many issues (Sarah's messy home life, Franklin's mystery sperm-donor dad) remain unresolved, they'll hope for a third to tie things up. Ages 8-12.

Starred review from December 8, 2003
Narrator Franklin Delano Donuthead deals with all the normal pressures of fifth grade, as well as a fairly advanced case of obsessive-compulsive disorder and a most unfortunate name. Franklin's fears control his every move and thought, and one of the book's most enjoyable sidelines is Franklin's friendship with Gloria, the chief statistician at the National Safety Department in Washington: "I avoid motor vehicles whenever possible. According to the National Safety Department, this is by far the most likely way to die as a kid. I also avoid all bodies of water (drowning's number two)." The 11-year-old is convinced that his arms and legs are slightly different in length, and keeps a daily log of their measurements. Into his extremely insular world comes a new classmate, Sarah, a rough tomboy who is his opposite in every way. Franklin's attempt to put distance between them are foiled by his mother's desire to help the girl, who clearly has a rough home life. Soon it is Franklin's turn to help Sarah who, like her father, cannot read. If the trajectory of this tale of empathy and growth is familiar, it's Franklin's engaging narration that will keep readers enthralled. Stauffacher's (The Angel and Other Stories
) insightful novel offers a good-natured optimism as well as some hilarious asides from the obsessive hero. Ages 8-12.