Devon, who is fifteen, starts a new prestigious prep school during mid-year. He is obsessed with sorting things out into groups of four.

Recommended Ages: Gr. 7-10

Plot Summary: Devon's parents just moved the family to help Devon start with a clean slate, hoping the move will get rid of Devon's "tendencies," including always eating everything in fours, being bothered by a poster being crooked, and refusing to sit on his psychologist's couch. But instead, Devon refuses to eat in the school cafeteria and doesn't make friends. But slowly, he starts to become friends with Tanya, who also doesn't like to eat in the cafeteria, and Ben, who convinces Devon to come with him to the janitor's closet when Ben smokes pot and come to school after-hours when Ben spray paints the nazi symbol all over school. Devon finds himself being accused of the crime and must earn back his parents and principal's respect.

Setting: moved from Greater Amherst to Belford

Characters:
Devon Brown - 15 y/o, anxiety, thinks it's his fault his grandpa died, OCD
Mom
Dad - embalmer
Grandad - dies
Tanya - eats lunch outside with Devon
Ben - tries to befriend Devon, smokes marijuana in janitor's closet, paints nazi symbols all over the school
Dr. Wasserman - psychologist

Recurring Themes: family, OCD, death, family, friendship

Controversial Issues:

pg 6 Devon notices his mom "she leans over...and I see the sharp angle of her breasts pressing out against her white blouse. I wonder if she leans over much in the courtroom, and do the jurors think she's hot?"

pg 10 "I know there are kids in other countries who are forced to be slaves or prostitutes or soldiers."

pg 27 "the black kids and white kids are eating together, which is strange"

pg 68 "I don't listen to porno music or swear at them or stage out late or hang with kids who smoke or drink."

pg 76 mom walks into Devon's room and his "boxers are sticking straight out in front"

Ben smokes marijuana, find out he's abused by his dad, paints nazi symbols all over school as an act of rebellion

Devon went to Intercourse Elementary

Personal Thoughts: While Devon is mostly a good kid, he does have a little teen angst and is very anxious around his father. I enjoyed this book, but I have to admit it's not too memorable. ( )

Hands down the greatest book I've ever read!

- Ashleigh B.

This was a quick, entertaining read. **SPOILER** I liked how the book managed to end on a positive note, without going completely "happily ever after" on me. ( )