DONUTHEAD
by Sue Stauffacher
Knopf
ISBN: 0375824685
Ages 8-12
160 pages

• Read an Excerpt

Franklin Delano Donuthead has a problem or two --- his name, for starters. He also worries constantly about his own health and safety. One side of his body is growing faster than the other. It's less than an inch, yet Franklin measures every day. He memorizes the probabilities of his death in different ways --- car accidents, drowning, etc. --- and is on first-name terms with Gloria, the chief statistician for the National Safety Department. He calls her frequently.

Franklin's concerns never stop: he stresses over girls and ponders the possibility of his mother finding a husband. She points out that she is hampered by his habit of interviewing her dates and handing them medical questionnaires.

New kid Sarah Kervick slouches into Franklin's ordered and hygienic world. She doesn't brush her hair, has a few brown teeth, and doesn't bother to wear warm clothes or mask her attitude. He hasn't known Sarah ten minutes before she's socking the school bully. Franklin's teacher assigns him to help Sarah adjust to her new school. Soon, Sarah and Franklin's mother become friends, and his mom even hires Sarah to help teach Franklin to play baseball.

Before Franklin can say "please wash your hands before touching me," he is involved with "rude, law-breaking and violent" Sarah. He is disgusted with this state of affairs. However, Franklin soon discovers a hidden side to Sarah. Her dreams, abilities and home life challenge his opinion of her. Sarah's life makes him view his own problems in a new light.

Franklin tells his story so humorously that his self-centeredness is quirky rather than obnoxious. The comic tone is balanced by a few surprisingly sad moments. The conclusion, demonstrating how Franklin has changed, is hilarious yet sweet.

Anyone hungry for a helping of belly laughs plus a tender side dish of unexpected friendship should find DONUTHEAD a tasty read.

   --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

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