May 1, 2018
Gr 4-6-Sixth-grader Stu is a butcher's son who enjoys avoiding homework, killing video game zombies, and making good-natured fun of his friends. His world is shaken when a cute new girl joins his class. Suddenly, he finds himself agreeing to things like a square dance performance, attending a school dance, and saying that his family is vegetarian. This last one gets him into trouble when his dad creates a butcher-themed parade float. Stu's first-person narration is consistent, snarky, and genuinely funny. There is warmth among family members and within his circle of friends. The setting is modern but feels much older; friends call each other's houses on the phone to talk. Some stereotypes about family life and gender roles feel as if their lifted from the 1950s: Mothers are responsible for dinner and for reigning in daffy dads; girls care about lip gloss and dancing while boys daydream about zombies; kids use the word "lame" to describe something unpleasant; and vegetarians eat exotic food and organize protests. VERDICT Despite the antiquated tropes, the overall storyline is pleasant and humorous. A secondary purchase.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 15, 2018
One little lie can't hurt...it wasn't even told on purpose!Sixth-grader Stu Truly accidentally staples his finger to his history assignment when new girl Becca meets his eyes for the first time. But it wasn't locking eyes with her that caused the stapling incident, because a "new girl at school [is] about as interesting as, well, another girl in school," right? Then why does it feel as if there is a "zombie warlord in [his] chest" trying to escape whenever he has to interact with Becca? And why, oh why, does he tell her his family is vegetarian like hers--especially since his dad (and his grandfather before that) is a butcher?! Stu can't seriously, um, like her, can he? And how can he compete with tall, muscle-y, nice-guy Jackson? (Does Stu even want to?) And now his father has a harebrained idea to have a float in the Irrigation Festival parade to promote the family butcher shop, with Stu dressed like a slab of ribs; Becca will discover his lie for sure now. Richards' first novel utterly charmingly and convincingly depicts a boy's first crush on a female peer. Stu's confusion at his own actions leaps off the page, and many readers will identify. The supporting cast consists of everyday kids, and Stu realistically deals with the repercussions of his lie. The book subscribes to the white default.A promising and funny debut. (Fiction. 8-12)
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May 1, 2018
Grades 4-7 Sixth-grader Stu Truly, trying to live up to his last name, does his best to always tell the truth. So when Becca, the new girl, says that she's a vegetarian, why does he tell her that he and his family are vegetarians, too? For one thing, Stu hates vegetables. For another, his father has a butcher shop in town. Stu makes a concerted effort to appear vegetarian, which means not eating bologna sandwiches and gagging down some of the things Becca offers him. He even agrees to help Becca with her cafeteria protest to have more vegetarian options. When Stu finds out his father is building a float representing the butcher shop and expects Stu to dress up as a rib roast, he just knows that Becca will find out. Narrator Stu's over-the-top descriptions are often laugh-out-loud funny. His buddies have distinct personalities, and their approaches to the girls they suddenly notice are unique and representative of each one. Richards nails middle-school angst perfectly in this amusing, lighthearted novel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)