I Am Fartacus

“When you are a bald sixth grader with a little bit of a Polish accent, blending in isn’t an option.” Maciek Trzebiatowski, aka Chub, has been an outcast since second grade, following an incident involving lice killer that left Chub without hair and led his pal Archer to dump him as a friend. When Archer runs for student body president, Chub knows that he will use his power to make Chub’s life miserable. So Chub, sidekick Moby, and an eventual cadre of supporters set out to take down Archer once and for all. Debut author Maciejewski gives Chub colorful commentary (“I have about as much interest in drama club as I do in helping my mom shop for bras”) that, along with his glum backstory and details about being the son of Polish immigrants, makes him a highly sympathetic narrator. Chub learns a few things about himself, being a real friend, and the person he’d like to be in this humorous and touching coming-of-age story. Ages 9–13. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. (Apr.)