Warp Speed

Publishers Weekly

Yee (Bobby the Brave ) offers another empathetic portrayal of an outsider with unique attributes in this story about seventh-grader Marley Sandelski, an admitted geek, who loves Star Trek, old movies, and his Technical Sciences class. Having been spit on, punched, and stuffed in his locker, he spends a lot of time running from trouble; when Coach Martin notices his speed, Marley receives an enticing offer to join the track team. Becoming a runner would earn him popularity points in a school where "jocks rule," but Marley isn't sure he has the killer instinct to compete ("Being on the track team is all about winning, which means that someone would have to lose"). Featuring appearances from some of Yee's previous heroes and heroines—Millicent Min, Stanford Wong, and Emily Ebers—this slice-of-life novel focuses on themes that will likely hit home with readers. If Marley's athletic ability appears too large for life (given the fact he has earned the reputation of being a klutz in P.E. and is usually picked last for teams), his internal conflicts and emotions ring true. Ages 10–13. (Mar.)

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder

Marley Sandelski, self-proclaimed Star Trek devotee, has plenty of problems, starting with his name. As he puts it, the only commonly known Marleys are a Dickens' character, "dead, to begin with," from A Christmas Carol, and a book/movie dog. His parents named him after a famous writer, now dead. "So there you have it. I share my name with a dog, a dead guy and a ghost. Is it any wonder my life sucks?" He may have a point. Marley is not part of the popular crowd. Instead he is a geeky audio visual club member and target for bullies (the "Gorn") who routinely shut him in his locker and leave daily bruises. Digger, the school bully no one should mess with, absconds with his homework. Marley and his parents live in an apartment above the Rialto, the town's historic theater, which they own and run, barely getting by. Aside from his family, Marley has a couple of anchors in his life. First, he can run fast to escape the Gorn. Second, the "gospel" of Star Trek gives him strength: "What would Spock Do?" is his motto. Arguing the greatness of the Starship Enterprise crew with his equally geeky friends—fans of Star Wars and Batman—gives life zest, and he writes about his days (in Star Trek-speak) in his notebook (Captain's Log). The log's first page contains one word: "invisible." But things are about to change. His extraordinary running speed gets the attention of the track coach and a new girl actually smiles and talks to him! This book is full of adolescent angst, memorable characters, and plot twists that help Marley realize that popularity may not be the most desirable goal. Read to find all the circumstances that lead to his last log book entry: "invincible." Well recommended! Reviewer: Judy Crowder

School Library Journal

Gr 5–9—Marley Sandelski is invisible. At Rancho Rosetta Middle School, he's chased by bullies, threatened into sharing his homework, and ignored by everyone else. An admitted geek, he loves Star Trek, AV Club, and the Rialto, an old movie theater that serves as both his home and his parents' business. His empathetic nature shines through, and he's not without allies, including his closest buds Ramen and Max. And of course, there's always the Trekkie action figure of the day in his pocket to help him out of jams (he frequently asks himself, "WWSD—What Would Spock Do?"). Though he's resigned to hiding behind the shadows of those standing on the sidelines, his ability to outrun bullies catches the track coach's eye. During the school's annual Tiggy Tiger Turkey Trot race, Marley finds himself running for his life, away from the Gorn (a trio of tormentors nicknamed after the "evil, slow-moving beasts" in a Star Trek episode), and accidentally winning the trophy. Suddenly sky-rocketed into the spotlight, Marley's the star of the school. As his external universe alters, he must re-evaluate himself and set a new course for his place in the cosmos. Yee's previous protagonists, Millicent, Stanford, and Emily, all make cameo appearances. Once again, the author addresses a serious issue with a light touch. An entertaining read and a solid example of bibliotherapy.—Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY