Into the Wild Nerd Yonder

By Julie Halpern
(YA F Halp)
245 pages 2009 Humorous Fiction

Jessie has always had the same two best friends and has been crushing on the same guy for years. However, when she starts her sophomore year of high school, her friends turn into punk wannabes and go after her would-be boyfriend. Unwilling to be a poseur, Jessie sets out to find new friends. To her surprise and dismay, she realizes the ones she likes to hang out with the most are the school’s “nerds” and spend their weekends playing Dungeons and Dragons. And what will Jessie do when she just can’t help but like a boy who wears too short pants and too white shoes? Follow Jessie on this hilarious journey “into the wild nerd yonder,” where she realizes what others think is not nearly as important as being with the people who make her happy and accept her as she is. (Grades 9 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Sara H.

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Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have

By Allen Zadoff
(YA F Zado)
311 pages 2009 Humorous Fiction

Meet Andrew Zansky. He’s fifteen years old and weighs 307 pounds. As he puts it, “Fat runs in the family.” His mom tries to micromanage his life, his dad is mostly absent, and his classmates bully him. But when he is recruited to play on the football team, things begin to change. April, the girl he has a crush on, begins to notice him, he becomes popular with his classmates, and he gains more self confidence. Life should be good, right? But Andy’s not feeling it. Before he can be happy he has to figure out, “who do I want to be?” A funny and insightful read. (Grades 8 & up)

Reviewed by Teen Librarian Kay G.

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