Toby Scudder, King of the School

Overweight Toby Scudder, bully and class troublemaker, begins sixth grade fully intending to continue his reign of terror. His antics include swallowing an eyeball that was part of a science experiment and fighting with a classmate, but an astute new teacher and a school project pairing him with a first-grader help turn him around. Toby's rough exterior and coarse language (``butthead'' and ``jerk'' are two of his favorite words) belie his deep insecurity about his absentee father and his mother's new boyfriend. He also proves unexpectedly gentle, as in his fondness for his pet goldfish and his sensitivity to ``his'' first-grader, whose home life is fairly troubled. A gritty reality informs the dialogue as well as scenes of Toby's home and school life, although plentiful references to popular TV programs risk dating the story. And while Toby's problems are, to a believable extent, rooted and resolved, the predictable preadolescent humor through which his problems are manifested tends to weaken the narrative. Ages 9-12. (Sept.)