Stanford Wong Flunks Big-time

CRITICS HAVE SAID

There’s much here for boys to identify with, including Stanford’s need for parental approval and his single-minded pursuit of the sport he loves. His growth as a person as the summer unfolds is warmly satisfying.
Faith Brautigam, School Library Journal

Young readers will find themselves chortling over comedic scenes, delivered in Stanford’s genuine, age-appropriate voice, even as the well-drawn, authentic heartache about family, friends, and integrity reaches directly into their lives. Young sports fans, particularly boys, will appreciate a portrait of a wholly likable underachiever in the classroom who shines on the court.
Gillian Engberg, Booklist

Watch Stanford become a champ in more ways than basketball. Watch reluctant adolescent male readers gobble up Stanford’s story.
Kathleen Karr, Children

This follow-up novel about her friend is equally humorous and entertaining, but because it is centered upon a less exceptional preteen, it will be appreciated most by its natural audience of upper elementary and middle school readers.
Walter Hogan, VOYA

IF YOU LOVE THIS BOOK, THEN TRY:

Codell, Esmé Raji. Sahara Special. Hyperion, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0786816118

Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Farrar, 1998. ISBN-13: 978-0064408332

Gauthier, Gail. A Year with Butch and Spike. Putnam, 1998. ISBN-13: 978-0399232169

Gorman, Carol. Dork on the Run. HarperCollins, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-0064409704

Himelblau, Linda. The Trouble Begins. Delacorte, 2005.

Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. Miramax/Hyperion, 2005. (And others in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series). ISBN-13: 978-0786838653

Shreve, Susan. Jonah the Whale. Scholastic, 1998. ISBN-13: 978-0590371346

Spinelli, Jerry. Crash. Knopf, 1996. ISBN-13: 978-0440238577

Spinelli, Jerry. Loser. HarperCollins, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-0060540746

Yee, Lisa. Millicent Min, Girl Genius. Scholastic, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0439425209

Yee, Lisa. So Totally Emily Ebers. Scholastic, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0439838481

Yep, Laurence. The Star Fisher. Morrow, 1991. ISBN-13: 978-0140360035