Weirdo's War

When likable egghead Daniel Edwards (otherwise known as ""Weirdo"") is thrown together with a group of brawnier guys and a sadistic P.E. teacher named Axelmann at a survival camp, the result is predictably disastrous. Daniel weathers routine taunts and various forms of humiliation before one particularly cruel prank puts him in real danger: one of the kids tampers with their map, and when Daniel and his partner ""Monkey"" (another outcast and one of Daniel's chief taunters) follow the wrong course during a hike, they fall into a cave and cannot find a way out. As their hope for rescue grows as dim as their flashlight beams, they begin talking honestly for the first time, sharing their fears and vulnerabilities. The bond of trust formed in the cavern ultimately becomes a lifeline; by setting aside their animosities and working together cooperatively, Daniel and Monkey not only manage to save themselves but also the unconscious Axelmann, who also has stumbled into the trap. Juxtaposing Daniel's memories of ridicule with his more immediate problem of finding an escape route from the cave, Coleman (the Internet Detectives series) produces a story well suited for adventure lovers. His water and rock metaphors, symbolizing Daniel's conflicts with his tormentors, prove to be more compelling than the somewhat stereotyped characters. There is little doubt that the protagonist will find a solution to both his internal and external conflicts, but readers will be eager to witness the hatching of his brilliant scheme and the emergence of his courage. Ages 9-13. (Oct.)