Twerp

Bullying, pride, love, peer pressure, and shame all come together for Julian %E2%80%9CTwerp%E2%80%9D Twerski in sixth grade. Ordered to keep a journal as an act of contrition for bullying, Twerski comes to record and eventually reflect on the ways in which he acts toward the people around him. Everette Plen does a fantastic job as the first-person Twerski. His voice is young and energetic, with a slightly nasal quality. This sounds perfect for the young tween protagonist. Furthermore, Plen does character voices well, creating authentic and consistent voices that are quickly recognizable for the rest of the cast. The narrator%E2%80%99s pacing and inflection capture the changes and developments in Twerski. Ages 9%E2%80%9312. A Random House hardcover. (May)