Larger	Bucking the Sarge Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
	Book Information Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books Book Type: Hardcover Rating: 2 ISBN-13: 9780385323079 - ISBN-10: 0385323077 Publication Date: 9/14/2004 Pages: 272 Reading Level: Young Adult

Fifteen-year-old wannabe philosopher Luther T. Farrell knows a few things about life. He knows the Sarge (his rich, shrewd, slumlord mom) is tougher than nails and that he better not cross her. He knows that despite his goal to attend Harvard, he may end up stuck in Flint, Michigan, cleaning toilets in his mom's loathsome empire.

Luther spends much of his time helping the Sarge run "Happy Neighbor Group Homes" around the city, including shaving and bathing elderly men and driving residents around with an illegal license. In spare moments he tries to win first place in the science fair at school and hang out with his best friend Sparky, all the while fantasizing mightily about his one true love, the beautiful Shayla.

Christopher Paul Curtis, winner of the Newbery Medal for 'Bud Not Buddy' tells a warm, witty, heart wrenching story where the good guy gets his due. Teens will enjoy the funny, first-person narrative; crisp, often hilarious dialogue; and wonderfully vivid characters. (Ages 12 and older)