From Gordon Korman, the New York Times bestselling author of Restart, comes a hilarious new story about a group of underdogs who come together when they are forced to attend summer school—for failing PE.
Yash is the best athlete at Robinette Middle School—so good, in fact, that he’s already playing on the high school’s JV sports teams. Imagine his shock when he learns that his JV practices have kept him from earning a state-mandated credit for eighth-grade PE. To graduate, he has to take Physical Education Equivalency—PEE, also known as “Slugfest”—in summer school.
Yash gets to know his fellow “slugs”: Kaden, an academic superstar who’s physically hopeless; twins Sarah and Stewart, who are too busy trying to kill each other to do any real PE; Jesse, a notorious prankster; Arabella, who protests everything; and Cleo, a natural athlete who has sworn off sports.
But when one of them tries to blow the lid off a scandal that could make all their time in summer school a waste, Yash is forced to take drastic action.
Teaming up with the most hapless crew in school can really surprise a person. And their teacher might be hiding the biggest surprise yet. . . .---from the publisher
304 pages 978-0063238091 Ages 8-12
Keywords: middle school, sports, school issues, humor, athlete, summer school, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, 11 year old, 12 year old
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I think if they asked Gordon Korman to write the instruction manual for a stand mixer he would make it one of the funniest things you've ever read. This story has the classic Korman quick pacing and the quintessential Korman sharp wit and stand up comedian humor. Thank goodness he is still writing for our kids.
So, it all begins when the JV star athlete, Yash, finds out he needs a PE credit to be able to graduate from middle school and he cannot practice with the football team until he graduates. Yash is headed to summer school and he just can't believe it. He also can't believe the other kids who are having to take PE along with him. As far as he can see, they can barely walk and talk much less play a sport.
To add to the surreal experience, the class is called PEE, and the teacher is assigning them to play Duck Duck Goose and tag. Yash cannot believe it.
Page by page we begin to meet the other students in the PEE class and at first it isn't pretty. Throwing and catching are not the strong suit for these kids. But you know, first impressions can change and for Yash, he slowly begins to learn these kids have more to them and he ends up taking the rag tag group and turning them into a flag football team overnight.... well, how about in two weeks.
And then.... the day comes when the team goes to play in front of the entire town and that includes a game against the team Yash should be quarterbacking.
Be forewarned: There are more baked goods in this book than in any other book I have ever read and they all sound amazing. Be forewarned: Brothers and sisters can be dangerous. Be Forewarned: It's harder than you think to do what is fair and right in every situation.
Characters you come to cheer for, hilarious cliffhangers solved through brownies and crullers, and a keen look at middle school friendship and loyalty. A great escape.
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
