
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.
Protagonists use manipulation, fake IDs, and eavesdropping to achieve their goals.
A post-game 'joyous riot' involves property destruction and chaotic behavior.
The approach is purely secular and satirical. While there is student rebellion and a 'joyous riot' involving property damage, the tone is lighthearted and consequences are largely filtered through a comedic lens.
A middle schooler who feels disillusioned with school rules or social structures. It's for the 'class clown' who is smarter than their grades suggest and likes to see how systems can be poked and prodded.
Read cold. Parents should be aware that the book glorifies mild subversion of authority (masks, roller skating in halls, fake addresses) as a means of social engagement. A parent might notice their child becoming cynical about school spirit or feeling like their voice doesn't matter in a large institution.
Younger readers will enjoy the slapstick and the 'getting away with it' aspect of the prank. Older readers (14-15) will better appreciate the satirical commentary on political manipulation and the fickle nature of fame.
Unlike many school stories that focus on cliques or bullying, this focuses on apathy as the villain. It treats student power as a tangible, almost magical force that can be conjured out of thin air.
Paul Abrams moves to NYC and enters Don Carey High, a school defined by extreme student apathy. Seeking to disrupt the boredom, Paul and his friend Sheldon nominate the reclusive, mysterious Mike Otis for student council president. Through a series of increasingly elaborate stunts, newsletters (The Otis Report), and fabricated legends, they turn the uninspiring Mike into a cult icon. The plan works too well, leading to school-wide mobilization, a chaotic basketball victory, and eventually a showdown with the school administration.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review