BOOK REVIEW

Curtis, Christopher Paul
Bucking the sarge
In ten words or less: Teen crosses loan shark mom.

Fifteen year old Luther T. Farrell runs a group home for elderly men in need of care—and he’s been doing it since he was 13, when his mother put him in charge. His mom, referred to as “Sarge,” is a loan shark, slumlord, and not above scamming the government and insurance companies to add to her profits. Not only does Luther have to look after his guys, but he’s going to school and trying to win the science fair for the third year in a row.
Luther tells his story with humor, and tries to be the voice of reason when his friend Sparky starts hatching schemes to get rich quick by suing someone with the help of a dubious neighborhood lawyer. Does Luther win the science fair? Does he get the girl? Does Sarge get her comeuppance? Author Christopher Paul Curtis, winner of both the Newbery Award and the Coretta Scott King medal for his previous books, tells the story of a teen determined to get more out of his life in Flint, Michigan.

Why bother? Luther is an engaging teen, one who shoulders far too much responsibility at his early age. The reader hopes he will succeed, and enjoys cheering him on.