Peanut
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4.6 • 10 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
"Before you write me off as a delusional psycho, think about what it's like to be thrown into a situation where everyone knows everyone . . . and no one knows you." Sadie has the perfect plan to snag some friends when she transfers to Plainfield High—pretend to have a peanut allergy. But what happens when you have to hand in that student health form your unsuspecting mom was supposed to fill out? And what if your new friends want to come over and your mom serves them snacks? (Peanut butter sandwich, anyone?) And then there's the bake sale, when your teacher thinks you ate a brownie with peanuts. Graphic coming-of-age novels have huge cross-over potential, and Peanut is sure to appeal to adults and teens alike.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Inventing a deadly peanut allergy isn't the first thing the average teenager would think of to make herself more interesting, but Halliday (Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo) takes the idea and runs with it. The moment that sophomore Sadie Wildhack puts her scheme into action, tension starts to build. Chatter from new classmates ("I'm like Oh my God, stop acting like you've got cancer!' ") makes it clear Sadie will find little sympathy. Commentary from homeroom teacher Mr. Larch provides just the right ironic counterpoint: "Ladies, please! This is algebra, not some tatty Guy de Maupassant story." The story's arc is a long, slow fall into public embarrassment; only the attention of Chris "Zoo" Suzuki, a Luddite who hand-delivers his love notes because he doesn't have a cellphone, saves Sadie from complete social failure. In loose gray cartoons accented with coral, Hoppe (Hat) provides maximum visual information without drawing attention to himself, nailing sequences like one in which Sadie imagines confessing, but struggles to find the words. It's not easy being both hip and life-affirming, but this team has the secret formula. Ages 11 14.
