Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie

It's been decades since my freshman year in high school (and, yes, the cliche "where did the time go?" applies), so a book about that fated year in student life doesn't generally flip my "must read" switch. But my niece, who will be frosh in a matter of weeks, convinced me, via a glowing telephone review, not to pass up David Lubar's SLEEPING FRESHMEN NEVER LIE. This novel about Scott Hudson's first year in high school features a kid with a blessedly even keel, a refreshing openness to acquiring learning, and the ability to pile on after-school activities without clobbering his grades. For Scott, Spanish turns out to be his most incomprehensible class because a series of teachers with heavy accents from countries like France and Australia teach it. But English is his favorite class, as his teacher, Mr. Franka, introduces word play "Tom Swifties" and tosses out an enigmatic hint about a poem about vampires. Franka deepens Scott's already present love of language; at one point Scott declares, "Words were too important to be used like blobs of paint. I mean, when someone can come up with stuff as amazing as 'caverns measureless to man,' people have no excuse for spouting gibberish and calling it art." Bravo, Scott. Lubar winningly incorporates many nuggets to entice young readers to read other works. Scott is enthusiastic about THE PRINCESS BRIDE, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and ENDER'S GAME, not to mention that mysterious vampire poem that Scott tracks down. And the author turns SLEEPING FRESHMEN into a lively demonstration of various writing styles as Scott, in his lists, journal, and articles, puts into practice many of the things Mr. Franka teaches. People (young and not so young) who read this book will, it's hoped, also catch some of the joyful verve of the written word. I think I'll check out THE PRINCESS BRIDE, the one of the three above I haven't read yet. But SLEEPING FRESHMEN is more than a promoter of love for language. It is also a guide of sorts for those making their way through that crucial, formative year of high school. Although this novel doesn't tackle the harsh realities that students in some high schools face; it provides sensible, solid values. Values which Scott basically works out for himself. He begins the year with a certain group of friends and with a crush on one girl, but as he progresses, he realizes that being tugged toward other people isn't the downer he feared at all. He also faces change in his own home with a sense of wry humor and increasing acuity of "vision." SLEEPING FRESHMEN NEVER LIE isn't pat or superficial. It certainly isn't unbearably weighty or tragic. It's a gallop through Scott's freshman year, and it's witty, light on its feet, and just a pleasure to read. If you are about to embark on the freshman adventure or if you've been there and done that, this book has something for you.

One rather lazy summer day, I went to the library. On a lark I picked up this book from a display shelf, opened it when I got home, and read the entire thing. I've checked it out 3 times since then. This novel is filled with wry, subtle humor which is an unusual find in a young adult book, whose preoccupations usually don't stretch farther than skinny girls in bikinis and getting drunk. The very character is very amusing and I laughed quite a bit, and smiled at every sentence. I also shared with him a love of reading and English class. I even made up some of my own "Tom Swifties"(you'll have to read the book) because that's just the kind of weird person that I am. But I digress, anyone who enjoys wry humor(me) and love to writes or just loves English(guess who) you will definitely enjoy this novel.

Sleeping Freshman is a great book for any Young Adult to read. It is an interesting and funny perspective of Freshmen trying to fit in at the high school level. The main character, Scott, realizes that people change and grow up as he does throughout this novel. As Scott matures, he outgrows some of his friends and realizes others are better friends than he could ever imagine. This book is just fun and funny. As icing on the cake, Scott gets involved in everything and realizes that is one way to avoid being on the outside looking in; he is actually a somebody by the end of this year. He learns that sometimes the ideal person, like a potential girlfriend may be there all along, and once Scott stops dreaming and starts living he learns this lesson very abruptly. What a funny and interesting view of Freshman year. I would recommend this to students, parents and teachers. This is a great book by David Lubar.

This is an entertaining novel about a guy's first year of high school. The main character is kind of an average joe who learns he excels at some things such as writing and fighting. His confidence leads him to stand up for himself and his friends and family when it matters. I laughed out loud several times and smiled throughout. I liked not only the main character, but also his girl friend full of piercings and weird hair, and his guy friend who didn't always obey the law but usually meant well. A Very fun book.

"They can't expect me to be a sports writer," Scott said jocularly. "I'm never going to survive freshman year," Scott said gravely. "All the older kids pick on the freshmen," Scott said sophomorically. Welcome to Scott Hudson's freshman year of high school. He isn't the handsomest or most popular guy around, and he doesn't have a clue as to how to talk to Julia, who once shared his peanut butter crackers and has morphed into the hot chick over the summer. Seniors smack him on the head on the bus. He doesn't have classes with his best friends. His Spanish teacher has a thick French accent. On top of his woes, his parents have announced that they're having a baby, he loses out on a book reviewer's position for the school newspaper, and he gets roped into running for the student council. Mix in a gym teacher who's Satan in Nikes, some eyeroll-worthy Tom Swifties, and a sign on a locker that says, "This is not a locker," and you have a hilarious and bittersweet story about one freshman finding his place and becoming his own person almost completely by accident. For all of us who started (or will start) high school feeling overwhelmed and out of place, Scott is a hero. Like all of us he has his strengths and weaknesses, but most importantly he keeps his sense of humor, shown through his letters to his brother and sister-to-be, and his oddly useful Guides to Surviving the perils of high school. Supported by his family and a few close friends, Scott discovers there's a lot to get out of freshman year, assuming he doesn't sleep right through it. --- Reviewed by Carlie Webber