David Skuy

I couldn't quite place the genre on this book. I think the author intended realistic fiction, but it was sometimes so far-fetched I thought it should be fantasy. The story is about Boris Snodbuckle and his friend, Adrian. They are in middle school at Bendale Public School--a K-8 school. Boris has detention/suspension about 4 times/week and they always play dodgeball in gym. K-8 public schools are rare. No PE teacher does nothing but dodgeball. And someone who has detention/suspension this often will be placed in an alternative school. All of these are reasons I feel the book is not at all realistic. The class bully, who is also the most popular kid in the grade, decides to run for student council president so he can "rule the school", "do whatever we want", "we're gonna' be going to a lot of football and baseball and hockey games with that (student council) cash.". Middle school presidents have no power and do not have access to student council cash. This is all silly. Boris decides to run against the most popular guy in class. He makes a list of voters he can win and sets out to earn their votes with schemes that always get him in trouble. He tries to earn the "green" vote by sitting in a tree that was going to be cut down. This is a noble action with non-noble intentions. All of his schemes are about getting votes and not about making the school better. I don't like the main character and I don't like the unrealistic ideas in the story. If the author was trying for fantasy--it missed that mark too.… (meer)

This first-person narrative, from the point of view of a 12-year-old homeless kid (Jonathon a.k.a "Mouse")has its flaws, sure--a fairytale ending for one. That said, the experiences Jonathon relates about life on the street and an invitation to play AA hockey are well told for the 9-12 year-old-boy crowd. Many young boys I know love and devour this book. It's the story of an underdog with talent who finds the love of a good family and learns something about being a member of a team--lessons kids can genuinely relate to. The author manages to address some of the grittiness and danger of the streets without lapsing into the profanity which would deny the book a place in many school libraries. The writing is not extraordinary but the topic appeals. Recommended.… (meer)