Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar

I think I've read this book before, but I gave it a five out of five. Scott Hudson and his friends are starting high school, and they face the fears that most freshman experience. Will we get picked on by seniors? Will the classes be harder? Should I get involved in sports and clubs? Will I get a girlfriend? The answer to all of these questions, for Scott, is yes. Many of Scott's decisions about school activities center around Julia, a classmate from elementary/middle school who is now gorgeous. He becomes the sports reporter for the school paper, is elected to student council, and works on the acting crew all because of Julia. Later, a new girl with pierced ears, eyes, and tongue enrolls at the school, and she gets Scott's attention too. The big twist in Scott's life is the announcement that his mother is going to have a baby. Scott decides that he will write messages to his unborn brother, or sister, to give advice about surviving high school and life. The first entry in his notebook begins, "Listen, you microscopic intruder." Later in the entry he writes "...Do babies float? Just kidding. Ha-ha. Of course you'll float. Everyone knows babies are about 90 percent gas..." Scott uses his humor and creativity to survive his first year of high school.

This book is funny. The descriptions of Scott's thoughts and actions are realistic, as I remember, and they're amusing. His plans to speak to Julia never seem to work out, and Lee, the new girl, has a totally different outlook on life. The advice to the unborn baby is a mixture of seriousness and sarcasm. Scott also writes lists on various topics: of perfect baby gifts, guide to lethally hot foods, guide for spotting unpredictable people. The plot begins with a great deal of humor as Scott adjusts to life in high school. Later, the plot becomes more serious as he is assaulted by a senior and a fellow student attempts suicide.

Lexile level from lexile.com 560