About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is feeling like a small fish in a giant pond or struggling with a sense of apathy in their school environment. Gordon Korman delivers a quintessential 80s satire that explores how a little bit of creative rebellion and the power of social engineering can transform a stagnant community into one brimming with school spirit. It is a perfect fit for the student who feels like a square peg in a round hole or the one who is beginning to question the social hierarchies of high school. The story follows Paul, a newcomer to a New York City high school where the students are so indifferent they have earned the nickname Don't Care High. To shake things up, Paul and his friend Sheldon manufacture a legendary persona for a reclusive student named Mike Otis. What begins as a prank evolves into a fascinating study on leadership and group psychology. While the tone is humorous and highly exaggerated, it offers a great entry point for discussing influence, the difference between fame and substance, and the way students can take ownership of their own environment.
