The Duke of Bannerman Prep

When Tanner McKay, the 16-year-old son of a struggling single mother, receives a scholarship to Bannerman Prep School, he believes that it’s his ticket to a brighter future. Paired with Andrew “the Duke” Tate to lead the debate team to victory, Tanner is initially put off by the Duke’s cocky and seemingly lazy attitude. But Tanner slowly gets sucked into the Duke’s flashy world, full of fast cars, partying, trading favors, and money. Little does Tanner realize that the Duke isn’t who he says he is, and it isn’t long before Tanner must figure out how to save himself. In an effective contemporary update of The Great Gatsby, debut novelist Nelson accurately reflects the stresses high school students face in both academics and extracurricular activities. Through Tanner’s realistic voice and the situations he faces, readers comes to believe that a place like Bannerman and a boy like the Duke could actually exist, though Nelson is careful not to romanticize the Duke’s criminal behavior or Tanner’s role in it. Ages 14–up. [em]Agent: Kirsten Carleton, Prospect Literary. (May) [/em]