FINISHED:

Lieb, Josh. (2009). I am a genius of unspeakable evil and I want to be your class president. New York: Razorbill/Penguin.

[Review forthcoming...

Seventh-grader Oliver Watson has everyone fooled: while it would appear that he’s just shy of being a complete moron, in reality Oliver is the 3rd richest person in the world (although it is a recovering alchoholic named Lionel Sheldrake who acts as figurehead for Oliver’s business dealings) with a secret lair under his parents house and countless minions (many of whom he doesn’t even know) who will do ANYTHING that Oliver wishes with just a whisper. What Oliver wants right now is to be 8th grade class president in order to stick it to his distant father who brags about having been class president back in his schooling days. Former “Daily Show” producer Lieb has crafted a laugh-out-loud debut novel loaded with hilarious footnoted asides, bizarre situations, unbelievable gadgets, and a teacher who Oliver messes with by having messages printed on the teacher’s cigarettes. Although, for many, Oliver may come off as a bit nihilistic, despicable, and narcissistic, he is somewhat redeemed in a heartwarming ending. Perfect for any young adult (or adult) who feels like an outsider and wishes they could rule the world.]

STARTED:
Standiford, Natalie. (2009). How to say goodbye in robot. New York: Scholastic.

[Reviewing for ACL.]

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