King Dork By: Frank Portman

Reviewed by: Mr. Wolk

Plot: Life at Hillmont High is no picnic for Tom Henderson. He's an outcast, picked on by the principal and banished to the “Dud list” by the popular girls. He must also decipher a set of mysterious clues left behind by his deceased father in an old copy of Catcher in the Rye. Along with his only friend Sam, Tom attempts to cope with his lowly status by playing music, writing songs and constantly changing the name of his band.

Why read? We’ve all had our humiliating moments (years?) in high school. Tom's original/observant/often funny voice makes King Dork a great companion piece to Catcher. The wacky songs, wild band names, awkward romantic encounters and poignant social observations all contribute to a great read.

Code of the Woosters By: P. G. Wodehouse
Recommended by: Mr. Moran
Plot: You may have heard of Ask Jeeves, but this is the real thing. Wodehouse wrote many novels about Bertie Wooster, a lovable scatterbrain who is always rescued from trouble (involving the police and the threat of matrimony) by his man, Jeeves. Like the James Bond movies, they are mostly interchangable and mostly terrific. (This one is.)

Why read? Wodehouse is laugh-out-loud funny. His plots are the most complex ones you will ever read that don’t involve murders or government conspiracies. Instead, they revolve around things like the theft of a silver-plated cow creamer or a suitor’s desire to impress his girlfriend by faking a daring rescue. (The Mating Season, Jeeves and the Tie that Binds and Joy in the Morning are all great, too.) For light reading with an edge (if that’s not too much of a contradiction), check out PGW.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy By: Douglass Adams
Recommended by: Mr. Moran
Plot: Arthur Dent wakes up one morning to learn that his house is about to be demolished to make way for a highway bypass; minutes later, he learns that the earth is also going to be demolished for an intergalactic bypass. On his journey through the galaxy, he meets a two-headed rocket thief, scheming mice and manic-depressive robots.

Why read? Adams is a terrific comic writer. After reading this book, you will also know the meaning of life, the universe and everything—as a computer in the novel is programmed to reveal.

Wyrd Sisters By: Terry Pratchett
Recommended by: Ms. Vaks
Plot: When a king is murdered, his crown and a baby are given by an escaping servant to the three witches. The witches hand the crown and the child to a troupe of traveling actors trusting in destiny. But with the kingdom not willing to wait, the witches take action.

Why read? This book is hilarious. Not only does it introduce you to the formidable Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, the matriarch of the Ogg tribe and originator of The Hedgehog Song, and Magrat Garlick, whose unfortunate name is a testament to teaching spelling, but also kings, actors, and most importantly Death himself! This book will introduce you to parody, satire, and literary and cultural allusions.

Marley & Me By: John Grogan

Recommended by: Mrs. Moran

Plot: Two lovebirds adopt a neurotic dog—and their lives are never the same.

Why read? If you love dogs, this is the book for you! Funny and heart-wrenching at the same time. A great read!

Holidays on Ice By: David Sedaris
Recommended by: Betsy W.
Plot: This is a collection of Christmas themed stories written by one of the funniest contemporary writers in America. The best story recounts his experience as an elf in Macy’s Santaland in New York City.

Why read? It addition to being a very funny group of stories, Mr. Sedaris is a witty commentator on our contemporary culture.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency By: Douglas Adams
Recommended by: Mr. Szalecki
Plot: Dirk Gently is a holistic detective, which means that when he's investigating a crime, he doesn't rely solely upon earthly clues; nor does he follow merely terrestrial leads. His investigations take into account time travel, alternate planes of existence, displaced Norse Gods, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Why read? It’s hilarious. The characters and situations are great, but like Wodehouse, Adams’ genius lies in his unique style of narration, which is alternatingly satirical and warmly sympathetic.

Nobody's Fool By: Richard Russo
Recommended by: Mr. Cibrian
Plot: This novel tells the story of Sully, a down-on-his-luck member of a quirky small town. Sully, who has a number of financial and legal problems, gets an extra headache when his son arrives, newly separated from his wife.

Why read? This is a wonderful book about characters. It’s hard to describe the plot (although there is one) because this book is about the strange and humorous relationships between Sully, his landlady, his friends, and his family.

Acceptance By: Susan Coll
Recommended by: Mr. Wolk
Plot: A.P. Harry is obsessed with getting into Harvard. Maya K. is blessed with unlimited funds, but her “acceptance” may hinge upon her swimming prowess. Taylor Rockefeller just wants to find a school with quality private bathrooms. Acceptance follows students, parents, teachers and admissions personnel as they brave the rough waters of the college admissions process.

Why read? Susan Coll’s wicked satire will have you both laughing out loud and cringing in horror at the bizarre lengths that people will go to in pursuit of their goals. Acceptance delivers well-drawn characters, imaginative/ironic/surreal plot developments and a worthwhile message regarding what’s truly important when all is said and done.

Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America
By: Steve Almond
Recommended by: Betsy W
Plot: This is a non-fiction book about candy. The author confesses right off the bat; he has between 3-5 pounds of candy in his house at any given moment. He is serious about sweets!! He gives the reader a history of candy in the USA and travels to independent candy makers to sample their products and learn about the history of their wares.
Why read? I couldn't have said it better than the Boston Globe reviewer; "Combines the patter of a stand up comic with the soul of a 10 year old whose allowance is burning a hole in his pocket." Steve Almond is a funny guy. If you like candy and you like to laugh, this is the book for you!

Dunk By: David Lubar
Recommended by: Tina L.
Plot: This book is about a young boy, named Chad who lives on a boardwalk with his mother. The one thing he wants to do this summer is the one thing his mom wont allow. He wants to get a job. Not just any job, he wants to be the Bozo.
Why read? This book is worth reading because it is so funny, and you see the difficulties of being a teenager. Also, you see true friendship being tested.