Warp Speed
As he starts seventh grade, Marley Sidelski knows he is a loser. A Star Trek geek, he hangs out with other sci-fi tech nerds, and he gets beaten up by bullies, including Digger, who steals Marley�s homework and copies his tests. The cast is huge in Yee�s fourth stand-alone book about the kids of Rancho Rosetta Middle School, from  the nerds and dorks to the in-group members, and the sheer number of characters may feel overwhelming. But Marley�s funny, present-tense narrative will hold readers with its moving realism about friends and enemies. Marley may not be able to catch a ball, but his coach shows him that he can run, and he wins a race, even if he feels he is running away from trouble more than towards the finish line. Most touching is the way Yee humanizes the bully. As the principal drones on with fake platitudes about tolerance, Marley discovers Digger�s brutal secret and helps him. The fast action, with lots of bloody fights, will hold readers, who will stay for the authentic resolution. Grades 4-7. --Hazel Rochman