121 Express

The students of the 121 Express are infamous for bad behavior and Lucas knows his role on the bus will determine his social standing at his new school. Lucas is tired of being one of the nerds. When he attracts the negative attention of the cool troublemakers, he saves himself by teasing another kid. His ploy works and soon Lucas is right in the center of the mayhem on the bus. He loves his new found popularity, but when the fun and games push the bus driver to a nervous collapse and hospitalizes an elderly lady, Lucas begins to question his choices.

Children's Literature

Lucas Sampson, new to Lorne Crest Academy, is looking to change his reputation as the "brainiac" to something much different. After he is assigned to ride the 121 Express bus home from school every day, Lucas finds that the only way to gain this much coveted popularity is to stir up a little mischief. The 121 Express has a long standing record of misbehavior, and the Montreal Transit Corporation has even threatened to suspend its services in response. Despite his conscience nagging him to do the right thing, Lucas begins to join in the fun with the troublemakers in the back of the bus. His plan to shed his past and hide his brilliance goes according to plan until one of his pranks goes too far. Covering the pages with teen angst and the ultimate internal conflict of Lucas finding out who he is, Monique Polak shares with us the many mischievous adventures of the 121 Express. Addressing some of the struggles most tweens face while growing up, this book helps shed light on these topics from a point-of-view with which readers can identify. With a plot containing lessons in self-confidence, morals, and values, this book can be utilized in Health and Science classrooms to address emotional and mental health issues that plague adolescents in today's schools. Reviewer: Ashley Beck