This Again?

White-cued seventh grader Noah Nicholson has a “Plan to Become Wildly Happy and Successful,” a scheme that culminates in him attending Harvard like his physics professor parents and older brother Paul. The next major step in his ploy: become class president. So, when Noah from nine days in the future arrives in present-day Noah’s bedroom—an event aided by his parents’ eventual success with time travel—with a plan he claims will ensure victory, current Noah eagerly accepts the help. But Future Noah’s instructions are mysterious, even ludicrous. Purposefully get detention? Learn to like black tea? Dress like a leprechaun? With each accomplished task, Noah’s notoriety grows; he even spends time with his crush. But his campaign takes a toll on his existing friendships, and he soon wonders if winning the election is worth it—and if Future Noah is telling the whole truth. As Noah’s self-centered actions jeopardize the best parts of his life, he must step back and reevaluate his priorities. In this whip-smart comedy, Borba (Outside Nowhere) examines the cost of ambition and cheating one’s way to victory, and while the plot beats are tonally dissonant at times, they never overshadow the novel’s emotional center. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Agent: Janine Kamouh, WME. (Apr.)