Revenge of the Star Survivors

Gr 5–7—Clark has crash-landed on a hostile alien world. In other words, the eighth grader has transferred to a new school halfway through the year. With no friends, no transcript (he's assigned to remedial classes), and a reluctance to ask for adult help, Clark relies on his favorite TV show, Star Survivors, for spiritual and social guidance. Quotes from his favorite character, Captain Maxim, open every chapter—or, rather, every Expedition Log—of this epistolary novel. Unfortunately for Clark, he's targeted by two bullies: baseball prodigy Ty and Principal Denton. Clark does manage to find kindred spirits—Les, a tech nerd, and social misfit Ricki—but their "keep out of sight" coping strategy leaves Clark vulnerable at school. His physical and mental torment at the hands of Ty and Denton is extreme enough for some readers to wish Clark would ask for help (caring adults are present), but many will likely relate to the boy's desire to handle problems on his own. This character strength makes Clark's surprising decision in the novel's climax ring true. Minor quibbles: Denton's motives regarding Ty strain credulity, and recurring mockery of Clark's name feels out of place in the contemporary setting. However, these issues do not diminish debut novelist Merschel's skill in creating characters who are simultaneously recognizable and original.