Seriously, Norman!

School Library JournalGr 5–8—When 12-year-old Norman Normann "craps out" on a test, his successful businessman father says, "I want to see a turnaround in the fortunes of that hot little prospect I call my son." So Norman is sent to an eccentric but likable tutor named Balthazar Birdsong, who ends up entertaining and educating the boy and his three best friends. Before long, they learn that Norman's father sells bombers, not airplanes, and they set off on what becomes a worldwide mission to dissuade him from this risky business. This novel, the first for renowned picture-book artist Raschka, has a lot going for it, especially in its use of wordplay and the type of sarcasm middle-school kids enjoy. There are some great pieces of advice along the way, too ("If you want to avoid danger, don't get born").