THE LOSER LIST by H.N. Kowitt (Scholastic, April 2011) is a logical progression for those who loved DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. Danny Shine is not quite wimpy, he is more of a nerdy geek. He loves to draw, hangs out in the comic book store, and has a best friend who wears a cape. So, how does he end up running with Axl's (aka Morris, but you'd better not call him that) gang? That is just part of the story within the pages of this book. Middle school hierarchy, boy-girl relationships, betrayals, and more reside in this book that appears to be Danny's diary and sketch book. <429>
Now, as the resident practies for region tryouts (they are in 28 days, she announced this morning), I will find another book on the new shelves and curl up and read on the front porch which now has SCREENS! Scout is still trying to figure it all out. He spent some time this morning meowing at the cat who sat on a neighbor's porch ignoring him. He has been doing a meerkat impersonation, standing on his hind legs and trying to peer over the wall. He is, after all, the ruler of this house and, ergo, the front porch as well.