Harold Schernoff, 14-year-old science whiz and social nerd, has a theory for every problem, from dating, to bullies, to making money, to sports, to how to buy a car when you're underage. When he and his buddy team up to put his theories to the test, nothing goes according to plan. A ski lesson becomes: Mass x Acceleration x Slope of hill = eeeAAGGHHH. As for first dates, only Harold could mastermind such disaster. Only Harold could go fishing and get caught by the fish. And only Gary Paulsen could write such a wonderfully funny story of friendship.
© Tim Keating
Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. Among his Random House books are Road Trip (written with his son, Jim Paulsen); Family Ties; Vote; Crush; Flat Broke; Liar, Liar; Paintings from the Cave; Woods Runner; Masters of Disaster; Lawn Boy; Notes from the Dog; The Amazing Life of Birds; Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day; How Angel Peterson Got His Name; Guts; and five books about Francis Tucket's adventures in the Old West. Gary Paulsen has also published fiction and nonfiction for adults. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean. View titles by Gary Paulsen
  • WINNER | 1998
    ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • WINNER | 1998
    ALA Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers
  • NOMINEE | 2001
    Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award
"A rollicking tale...It's all flat-out goofy and great fun, as well as an inspiring story of shared experiences, that, weird as they are, form the basis of a strong and affectionate friendship."
--Kirkus Reviews, Pointer

"Paulsen captures adolescent feelings perfectly; indeed, the novel becomes a survival story with a twist--survival of adolescence... Simplicity of style, humor, and great characterization make this another winner from a popular author."
--School Library Journal

"A welcome boost to those who secretly fear that junior high uncoolness is a permanent state."
--Publishers Weekly

About

Harold Schernoff, 14-year-old science whiz and social nerd, has a theory for every problem, from dating, to bullies, to making money, to sports, to how to buy a car when you're underage. When he and his buddy team up to put his theories to the test, nothing goes according to plan. A ski lesson becomes: Mass x Acceleration x Slope of hill = eeeAAGGHHH. As for first dates, only Harold could mastermind such disaster. Only Harold could go fishing and get caught by the fish. And only Gary Paulsen could write such a wonderfully funny story of friendship.

Author

© Tim Keating
Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. Among his Random House books are Road Trip (written with his son, Jim Paulsen); Family Ties; Vote; Crush; Flat Broke; Liar, Liar; Paintings from the Cave; Woods Runner; Masters of Disaster; Lawn Boy; Notes from the Dog; The Amazing Life of Birds; Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day; How Angel Peterson Got His Name; Guts; and five books about Francis Tucket's adventures in the Old West. Gary Paulsen has also published fiction and nonfiction for adults. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean. View titles by Gary Paulsen

Awards

  • WINNER | 1998
    ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • WINNER | 1998
    ALA Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers
  • NOMINEE | 2001
    Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award

Praise

"A rollicking tale...It's all flat-out goofy and great fun, as well as an inspiring story of shared experiences, that, weird as they are, form the basis of a strong and affectionate friendship."
--Kirkus Reviews, Pointer

"Paulsen captures adolescent feelings perfectly; indeed, the novel becomes a survival story with a twist--survival of adolescence... Simplicity of style, humor, and great characterization make this another winner from a popular author."
--School Library Journal

"A welcome boost to those who secretly fear that junior high uncoolness is a permanent state."
--Publishers Weekly

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