Gordon Korman has demonstrated a penchant for championing misfits. Slugfest introduces a new group of lovable underdogs in a summer gym class. Yash is his middle school’s most talented jock, which has actually kept him from properly earning his PE credits, so he’s stuck with a bunch of fellow “slugs” in Physical Education Equivalency (PEE) class. Knowing Korman, there’s much more to this mishmash of personalities than what’s apparent on the surface.
Bye Forever, I Guess
Jodi Meadows’ middle grade debut, Bye Forever, I Guess, is a well-written, winning coming-of-age tale with loads of hilarity, empathy and heart.