Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie MP3 CD – Unabridged, February 10, 2015

It's been decades since my freshman year in high school (and, yes, the cliche "where did the time go?" applies), so a book about that fated year in student life doesn't generally flip my "must read" switch. But my niece, who will be frosh in a matter of weeks, convinced me, via a glowing telephone review, not to pass up David Lubar's SLEEPING FRESHMEN NEVER LIE.This novel about Scott Hudson's first year in high school features a kid with a blessedly even keel, a refreshing openness to acquiring learning, and the ability to pile on after-school activities without clobbering his grades. For Scott, Spanish turns out to be his most incomprehensible class because a series of teachers with heavy accents from countries like France and Australia teach it. But English is his favorite class, as his teacher, Mr. Franka, introduces word play "Tom Swifties" and tosses out an enigmatic hint about a poem about vampires. Franka deepens Scott's already present love of language; at one point Scott declares, "Words were too important to be used like blobs of paint. I mean, when someone can come up with stuff as amazing as 'caverns measureless to man,' people have no excuse for spouting gibberish and calling it art." Bravo, Scott.Lubar winningly incorporates many nuggets to entice young readers to read other works. Scott is enthusiastic about THE PRINCESS BRIDE, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and ENDER'S GAME, not to mention that mysterious vampire poem that Scott tracks down. And the author turns SLEEPING FRESHMEN into a lively demonstration of various writing styles as Scott, in his lists, journal, and articles, puts into practice many of the things Mr. Franka teaches. People (young and not so young) who read this book will, it's hoped, also catch some of the joyful verve of the written word. I think I'll check out THE PRINCESS BRIDE, the one of the three above I haven't read yet.But SLEEPING FRESHMEN is more than a promoter of love for language. It is also a guide of sorts for those making their way through that crucial, formative year of high school. Although this novel doesn't tackle the harsh realities that students in some high schools face; it provides sensible, solid values. Values which Scott basically works out for himself. He begins the year with a certain group of friends and with a crush on one girl, but as he progresses, he realizes that being tugged toward other people isn't the downer he feared at all. He also faces change in his own home with a sense of wry humor and increasing acuity of "vision."SLEEPING FRESHMEN NEVER LIE isn't pat or superficial. It certainly isn't unbearably weighty or tragic. It's a gallop through Scott's freshman year, and it's witty, light on its feet, and just a pleasure to read. If you are about to embark on the freshman adventure or if you've been there and done that, this book has something for you.

You've seen it before: boy goes to high school; boy faces upper classman bullies; boy yearns for cute girl; cute girl ignores boy; boy gets buried by inordinate work demands. And yada yada, high school without end, amen.Nevertheless, David Lubar goes where angels fear to tread, breathing new life into an old formula. And he pulls it off with minimal plot to carry his narrative, instead counting on a winsome protagonist named Scott Hudson who writes diary (though he loathes the word) entries to his as-yet unborn baby brother (yes, his mom has shocked the household by announcing she is pregnant for the first time since Scott himself was born).Characterization and humor carry the day in this book. Scott's voice is beguilingly frank and funny. He writes lists that roll off the pages like David Letterman "Top Ten" lists. He refers to his embryonic brother as "smelly" and "stomach virus." He takes a run at running for school office, winning a part in the school play, and writing Pulitzer dispatches for the school newspaper's sports section (trying not to insult the football team's 0-for-Forever pigskin player/goons).The book has its serious undercurrents, too. A suicide attempt by a fellow classmate gives Scott pause over his own behavior toward the desperate student. A girl with more hardware (studs, pins, and assorted other alloys) on her face than True Value's tool aisle burrows her way into his conscience as he continues his quest for the princess-from-afar character, Julia. Old friends (Kyle, Patrick) are lost, and new friends (Wesley the Terror of J.P. Zenger High) emerge from unexpected quarters.Best of all, for my money, is the wordplay and educational tour de force provided by a series of scenes in Scott's English class with Mr. Franka. Allusions are abundant to great books, engaging poems, and all manner of word play (euphemisms, Tom Swifties, oxymorons, etc.). You'll feel like you're going to school again (or, if you're already there, like you're sitting in a GOOD teacher's class for once). School -- and a terrific little book -- is in session! Recommended, this book has appeal to boys and girls alike from Grades 7 on up.

This YA novel is about Scott, a freshman, up until now the only child in his family. But now his mother is pregnant, which means a huge change in Scott's life. And so he decides to keep a journal during his freshman year: a journal of advice for the baby brother or sister, when he or her reaches the teen years. Scott becomes a reporter for the school paper and becomes interested in a girl who is very unlike him. Because he's small of stature and not athletic, Scott is plagued by bullies. He writes down his thoughts and his advice for his soon-to-be sibling. Funny and witty, an enjoyable read.

This was a required summer reading for my incoming 8th grader. She loved it, stating from the first chapter it was very interesting. It’s not a long book so she finished it in about 4 days.

I read this in high school and just found out that there is another one. So i re-read it, God, 15 years later. Its jusy as good as i rememberit being. Hilariously outrageous at times and scarily true to real life in others. Its fantastic and literally had me laughing out loud as i read it. Can't recommend it enough.

My son needed this for highschool

This book is by far my favorite. It's funny, it is relatable especially to freshman (of course) ,and it is constantly flowing there is not a single part in this book when it isn't entertaining. I highly recommend this book.