Slacker

Slacker 
by Gordon Korman
Scholastic Press, 2016. Intermediate Fiction, 320 p
Cameron Boxer is not only a slacker, he is the Michelangelo, the Mozart, the Einstein of slackers. He has absolutely no interests except playing computer games. He gets so engrossed playing online one day that he almost allows his home to burn down.  In response, his parents challenge him to join some kind of extracurricular group unrelated to gaming.  Cameron and his friends decide to create a fake service club at their school with themselves as its only members.  Their plan backfires when other people in the school, including the school counselor, get involved.

Here is another funny school story by the guy that brought us Ungifted and Restart.  As always, Korman is right on target with his depiction of junior high interactions and social quirks. The obsessed crusaders, the hopeful administrator, the brainy side kick, the skeptical sister, they are all here, but Korman lifts them above stereotypes.  Instead they are funny, likable people feel like you have known all your life.  This is the great choice for Korman fans, or for anyone who likes a light, funny, fast, read with a little heart.