Schooled By Gordon Korman

What happens when you take a 13 year old who has been raised in a commune by his grandmother who has kept him sheltered from the modern conveniences of life and thrust him into middle school? This is what happens in Schooled, a novel by Gordon Kormon.

Home schooled on an isolated "alternative farm commune," which has dwindled down to two members, 13-year-old Cap is forced to find out when his grandmother is hospitalized following an accident. Smart and capable, innocent and inexperienced, Cap already knows how to drive, but has never seen a television show, watched a movie, or interacted with other kids. Add in the fact that he wears homemade clothes and shoes, has long hair, and practices tai chi on a daily basis, and his weirdness makes him the biggest nerd on campus. When the most popular kid named Zach nominates him as class president, znhonor traditionally given to the biggest loser in the school. But naive Cap has no idea it's all a joke and takes his duties seriously.

What's really interesting about this book is the chapters are told from the perspectives of different characters, so readers see Cap's story from different points of view. Moments in the story make you feel really sorry for Capricorn, like when the popular kids place a dead bird in his locker (Cap hold a funeral for it in front of the school) or give him ridiculous assignments like memorizing the name of every student in the school (Immediately Cap begins studying the yearbook). But readers also find themselves rooting for Cap as he starts to make friends and the kids begin to realize just because someone is different, does not mean he can't be cool in his own way.

This is such a great read for pre-teens. Parents of home schooled kids have criticized the book as being unrealistic because home school kids are not that isolated these days and they do have social interactions outside of the home, but this book has a really good message for all kids, whether they are in the in-crowd or taunted by it.

This is a great read for any middle school student. The book is funny and the characters are ones kids can relate to. Even kids who don't like to read this much will probably enjoy this book. I read it in just a few hours as I had a hard time putting it down once I started reading it.