The Fantastic Freshman

Newbery Honor winner Brittain offers up some good plain fun in this latest work. Stanley wishes he could be a Very Important Person, but everyone knows that high school freshmen are nobodies. But suddenly, scrawny Stanley defeats the school bully, leads the varsity football team, dates the head cheerleader and academically tops all of his classmates. Life is bright until misfortune casts a shadow on Stanley's VIP-hood. Is it all a coincidence, or is a mysterious force involved? When Stanley discovers the unusual circumstances surrounding his success, he sets out to right matters. Humorous and entertaining, the story is an easy blend of real life and offbeat fantasy. Ages 10-14. (September)