About This Book
Reach for this book if you have a reluctant reader who feels overshadowed by peers or struggles with traditional academics. This story follows Derek Fallon, a boy who prefers drawing to reading, as he lands an incredible opportunity to be a stunt double in a Hollywood movie. It explores themes of self-confidence, the pressure of high expectations, and navigating the social minefield of middle school popularity. Parents will appreciate how it validates different types of intelligence while encouraging perseverance. It is perfectly suited for children aged 8 to 12, especially those who enjoy visual storytelling and humor but need a narrative that acknowledges the frustrations of being a 'non-academic' student.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. While there is mild peril during stunt training (falls, wire work), it is presented in a controlled, professional environment with safety gear.
Ideal Reader
A 10-year-old boy who finds books intimidating and would rather be skateboarding or drawing. It is perfect for the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' graduate who is ready for a slightly more mature look at friendship and identity.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss learning differences and the idea that academic struggles do not define a person’s intelligence. Because Derek grapples with feelings of inadequacy regarding his schoolwork, this book provides a natural opening to talk about self-worth and different types of talent. A child expressing that they 'aren't smart' because they struggle with reading or standardized testing.
Age Experience
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the slapstick humor and the 'cool factor' of the stunts. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the nuance of the changing friendship dynamics and Derek's anxiety about his reputation.
What Makes It Special
The integration of vocabulary-building through margin illustrations makes it a rare 'educational' book that children actually want to read. It treats Derek's learning differences as a natural part of his life without making them the entire plot.
Read plot summary
Derek Fallon is thrilled to leave his academic struggles and learning differences behind for a summer at stunt camp. When he gets the chance to be a stunt double for teen sensation Tanya Billings, he thinks he has it made. However, the reality of stunt work is physically demanding and socially complex. Derek must balance his desire for fame with his loyalty to his best friend, Matt, while dealing with the return of a former friend who is now a professional actor. The book utilizes a hybrid format with stick-figure illustrations in the margins that define vocabulary words.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Derek is excited to be a stuntboy, but it’s harder than he expected. Which of his training exercises sounded the most difficult to you?
2
How does Derek's relationship with his friend Matt change when Derek starts getting attention for the movie? Have you ever felt left out when a friend got a new hobby?
3
Derek uses his drawings to help him understand big words. If you had to draw a picture for the word 'perseverance' based on this book, what would it look like?
4
Why do you think Derek felt embarrassed about being a stunt double for a girl, and do you think his feelings changed by the end of the story?
