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Overview
While navigating his first year of high school and awaiting the birth of his new baby brother, Scott loses old friends and gains some unlikely new ones as he hones his skills as a writer.While navigating his first year of high school and awaiting the birth of his new baby brother, Scott loses old friends and gains some unlikely new ones as he hones his skills as a writer.
Synopsis
Starting high school is never easy. Seniors take your lunch money. Girls you've known forever are suddenly beautiful and unattainable. And you can never get enough sleep. Could there be a worse time for Scott's mother to announce she's pregnant? Scott decides high school would be a lot less overwhelming if it came with a survival manual, so he begins to write down tips for his new sibling. Meanwhile, he's trying his best to capture the attention of Julia, the freshman goddess. In the process, Scott manages to become involved in nearly everything the school has to offer. So while he tries to find his place in the confusing world of high school, win Julia's heart, and keep his sanity, Scott will be recording all the details for his sibling's—and your—enjoyment.
Rebecca Aicher - Alan Review
Scott Hudson's life is busy enough—avoiding lunch-money-stealing upperclassmen, finishing loads of homework on time, and impressing an old kindergarten pal turned hot; the last thing he has time to deal with is a baby. Unfortunately, there's not much he can do; his mother is expecting a child who will be fifteen years younger than Scott. How's a guy to deal? Scott takes the reader humorously through his freshman year of high school, recording his thoughts, fears, and wisdom in a journal he plans to give to his new sibling. Little does he know that in the process of trying to get by, he is learning what it means to be a friend, an honorable man, and a brother. Through an uplifting story, David Lubar shares a true teenager's perspective. The familiarity and honesty of the characters allows the narrative to unfold with startling realism. Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie is a recommended read for those searching for laughs and a genuine voice in young adult literature. 2005, Dutton Children's Books, 279 pp., Ages young adult.
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Shortly after Scott Hudson begins his freshmen year in high school, his mother announces that she is pregnant. Scott vents his frustrations in an advice journal to his unborn sibling. One morning he notices how gorgeous his kindergarten friend Julia has become. Conversely, Scott's stomach turns when he sees Lee, the new girl with green hair and multiple facial piercings. But Scott slowly notices that he and Lee share similar interests. Scott invites Lee to the last dance of the year. When Scott picks her up, he does not recognize Lee without her weird hair and facial metal. Lee encourages Scott to ask Julia for a dance. After their dance, he realizes that Lee is the girl for him. Later that night, Scott meets his baby brother. This unabridged recording by Full Cast Audio is a touching, amusing, and professional production with many beneficial aspects. Listeners will sense how the Hudson family members truly care about one another. Even though Scott's journal includes insults, it is obvious that his intentions are good. Since Scott's favorite subject is Honors English, the listener will be entertained while learning about poetry, short stories versus novels, and the value of books. On the other hand, Lubar addresses illiteracy through the difficulties that Scott's older brother faces. Scott is a positive role model for young adult listeners because he is sensitive, intelligent, motivated, creative, and a good friend.From The Critics
Scott Hudson's life is busy enough—avoiding lunch-money-stealing upperclassmen, finishing loads of homework on time, and impressing an old kindergarten pal turned hot; the last thing he has time to deal with is a baby. Unfortunately, there's not much he can do; his mother is expecting a child who will be fifteen years younger than Scott. How's a guy to deal? Scott takes the reader humorously through his freshman year of high school, recording his thoughts, fears, and wisdom in a “journal” he plans to give to his new sibling. Little does he know that in the process of trying to get by, he is learning what it means to be a friend, an honorable man, and a brother. Through an uplifting story, David Lubar shares a true teenager's perspective. The familiarity and honesty of the characters allows the narrative to unfold with startling realism. Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie is a recommended read for those searching for laughs and a genuine voice in young adult literature. 2005, Dutton Children's Books, 279 pp., Ages young adult.—Rebecca Aicher