Overview
Leo Caraway—high school senior, president of the Young Republicans club, 4.0 GPA, future Harvard student—had his entire future perfectly planned out. That was, until the X factor. As in Marion X. McMurphy, aka King Maggot, the lead singer of Purge, the most popular, most destructive band punk rock has ever seen. He's also Leo’s biological father.
When Leo discovers that his real father is a punk rock legend, he is disgusted. Not only is Leo not a punk rock fan, but he believes the X factor (the Maggot blood that is running through his veins) is a dangerous time bomb just waiting to explode. And sure enough it does—Leo stubbornly defends the unlikeliest of people, thereby getting himself falsely accused of cheating on a test.
Because of the blemish on his record, the once star pupil finds his scholarship to Harvard taken away. So he hatches the crazy plan of going on tour with King Maggot for Purge’s summer revival tour, all the while secretly hoping to convince Maggot to pay for his tuition. But life on the road is even crazier than Leo ever bargained for, and before the summer is out, he will finally discover the surprising truth about his dad, his friends, and most important, himself.
Synopsis
Leo Caraway—high school senior, president of the Young Republicans club, 4.0 GPA, future Harvard student—had his entire future perfectly planned out. That was, until the X factor. As in Marion X. McMurphy, aka King Maggot, the lead singer of Purge, the most popular, most destructive band punk rock has ever seen. He's also Leo’s biological father.
When Leo discovers that his real father is a punk rock legend, he is disgusted. Not only is Leo not a punk rock fan, but he believes the X factor (the Maggot blood that is running through his veins) is a dangerous time bomb just waiting to explode. And sure enough it does—Leo stubbornly defends the unlikeliest of people, thereby getting himself falsely accused of cheating on a test.
Because of the blemish on his record, the once star pupil finds his scholarship to Harvard taken away. So he hatches the crazy plan of going on tour with King Maggot for Purge’s summer revival tour, all the while secretly hoping to convince Maggot to pay for his tuition. But life on the road is even crazier than Leo ever bargained for, and before the summer is out, he will finally discover the surprising truth about his dad, his friends, and most important, himself.
Publishers Weekly
Though Hammond gets off to a slightly bumpy, halting start, he soon catches the fun rhythm and youthful energy of Korman's latest novel, a fresh spin on the fish-out-of-water tale. Leo Caraway leads a charmed life as a fairly straight-laced Young Republican and A-student headed for Harvard on a scholarship. But then he finds out that his biological father is none other than Marion X. McMurphy (aka King Maggot), lead singer of the wildly popular punk band Purge. As Leo expects, this shocking bit of information brings with it some bad karma, and a misunderstanding costs him his Harvard scholarship. Only one out-there option makes sense at this point: Leo will work as a roadie for Purge, and get his father to cough up the tuition money. But life on a rock tour is even freakier than Leo imagined, and the truth he learns about dear old dad is freakiest of all. Rock fans will appreciate the short riffs at chapter breaks and the intriguing music-centric premise. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Though Hammond gets off to a slightly bumpy, halting start, he soon catches the fun rhythm and youthful energy of Korman's latest novel, a fresh spin on the fish-out-of-water tale. Leo Caraway leads a charmed life as a fairly straight-laced Young Republican and A-student headed for Harvard on a scholarship. But then he finds out that his biological father is none other than Marion X. McMurphy (aka King Maggot), lead singer of the wildly popular punk band Purge. As Leo expects, this shocking bit of information brings with it some bad karma, and a misunderstanding costs him his Harvard scholarship. Only one out-there option makes sense at this point: Leo will work as a roadie for Purge, and get his father to cough up the tuition money. But life on a rock tour is even freakier than Leo imagined, and the truth he learns about dear old dad is freakiest of all. Rock fans will appreciate the short riffs at chapter breaks and the intriguing music-centric premise. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
Leo Caraway has an imp hiding inside him, just waiting to explode. His name is McMurphy. Unfortunately for Leo—Young Republican, accepted early to Harvard, and future stocks annalist—it chooses to explode in his senior year of high school. Can buttoned-down Leo survive learning that the true identity of his birth father is the punk rock star King Maggot? Can Leo pry his first year's tuition out of Maggot by signing on to his nationwide summer tour as a roadie? Can anyone who hates punk rock as much as he does stand the physical and aural pain? Korman gives Leo's voice his usual sardonic cast as our hero narrates his escalating woes. Along the way the grungy world of comeback stars is unveiled in full glory. The reader also has the pleasure of meeting the gothic Melinda, the hapless and gay Owen looking for true love, and most especially, Leo's marvelous mom, who deals with her repressions by building miles of jigsaw puzzles through the ever-narrowing passageways of home. With such a sharp, wry mix, it is obvious Gordon Korman has another hit on his hands. 2006, Hyperion, Ages 12 up.—Kathleen Karr
VOYA
Leo Caraway, high school senior and staunch member of the Young Republicans Club, takes more than one hit in this book suitable for readers in grades seven through ten. His acceptance to Harvard and subsequent dream of a future six-figure income have been derailed. Caught in an exam-cheating technicality, Leo's Ivy League fast track fizzles, but that is just one problem. McMurphy, a mysterious name haunting him, finally becomes clear. Leo discovers that his biological father is Marion X. McMurphy, aka. King Maggot, front man for Purge, the legendary 1980s punk band. Leo's mother admits being with King Maggot, shattering the teen's image of his middle-class parents. Finally Gothgirl Melinda-on whom Leo has a crush-informs him, "I would never date a Republican." Refusing to let these troubles destroy him and needing cash for Harvard, Leo confronts King Maggot and scores a summer roadie job with Purge on their reunion tour. From city to city, Leo observes the punk band's on- and off-stage nastiness. Purge is the Angriest Band in America, and their habits sear Leo's Republican persona. Should he be like bio-dad and ascend to Prince Maggot status? A baby sporting a Mohawk is great cover art and the familiar theme of not fitting in with unsavory family members will attract readers. Reminiscent of Son of the Mob (Hyperion, 2002/VOYA February 2003) and its sequel, Hollywood Hustle (2004/VOYA December 2004), this fast-moving and readable book is recommended but lacks the magic of Korman's two previous hits. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P J S (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, Hyperion, 272p., Ages12 to 18.—Rollie Welch