Thursday, January 24, 2008

Zen and the Art of Faking It


Sonnenblick, Jordan. 2007. ZEN AND THE ART OF FAKING IT. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439837071 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-8]

REVIEW
Nerdy new kid San Lee experiences new-found popularity and attracts the attention of cute girl Woody when he reinvents himself as a Zen master after he arrives in his new middle school. However, San must face the music when his classmates discover his fabrications.

Sonnenblick creates an identifiable plot, sympathetic characters, and a realistic ending wrapped up with a strong dose of humor. Middle schoolers looking for their place in the world may identify with San’s attempts to find a place in his and understand the fallibility of his efforts at self-discovery.

CONNECTIONS
Readers may want to study the art of Zen and learn more about the history of this Buddhist tradition of meditation and study.

RELATED BOOKS
Other humorous books about middle school boys:
Mackey, Weezie Kerr. THROWING LIKE A GIRL. ISBN 0761453423
Yoo, David. GIRLS FOR BREAKFAST. ISBN 0385731922


By Donna Woody

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