The Boomerang Effect

Gr 9 Up—After getting stoned and causing a ruckus at a school assembly, Lawrence Barry avoids expulsion by cutting a deal with his guidance counselor to mentor Spencer, a Norwegian freshman transfer student. Up to this point, Lawrence's life's aim had been "to sit around [with his friends], smoke pot, and play video games." Now he has to focus, change his habits, and become "a man with a purpose." That's easier said than done, especially when the whole school thinks he's out to sabotage homecoming and his on-again, off-again ex wants to take him to the dance in a dog collar. This laugh-out-loud YA debut offers a profound meditation on the narrow definitions of "normal," how "to stand out and simultaneously blend in," and how growing up means valuing difference and looking at the world with more self-aware eyes. Some of the funniest scenes include a battle for the ages between vampires and LARPers (live action role-players).