I have always viewed Korman as being a guaranteed good read. A lot of his books are perfect reads for middle schoolers since there is often very little to worry about when it comes to content. And they are always good for a pretty upbeat ending.

His newest novel introduced the homeschooled Capricorn "Cap" Anderson, who has grown up on a hippie commune with just his grandmother Rain. The commune was originally filled with people, but the population dwindled in the decades since his founding.

Cap is forced to join the rest of the world when Rain falls and breaks a hip. As a result, he finds himself in the eighth grade at nearby Claverage Middle School, which is referred to as C Average Middle School by the students. He is staying with a woman who also grew up on the commune. She is now a divorcee raising a hip teen daughter on her own.

Before he knows it, Cap has been elected 8th Grade President, an honor traditionally reserved for the biggest social outcast in the class by the "in" crowd as a joke. The ironic thing is that Cap's unique world view lets him connect with the students as he strives to do a good job and learn the names of all 1,100 of his schoolmates.

The chapters rotate through the perspectives of many of the major players in the story, which allows the reader to better see the influnce Cap is having on those around him, even as he is oblivious to the harsh treatment and his own effect on others because of his naivete.

This reminded me so much like an episode of Saved by the Bell, which I grew up with. In a sense, the reader has dispense some handle on reality to accept the premise. I am not sure that is really a problem since that show was so popular. That shows they are willing to do just that. This is definitely a feel good read.