Kirkus Reviews
Adolescence is a time when teenagers ask the all-important question, "Who am I?," but for San Lee, an adopted Chinese boy starting eighth grade in a new school, the question has particular urgency. Luckily, Sonnenblick pens this story, so all that soul searching is side-splittingly funny as well. San, suddenly poor due to his swindling father's incarceration, becomes the only Asian child at Harrisonville Middle School. That, combined with the fact that he once did a project on Taoism and Zen Buddhism at another school, causes him to come up with a new persona: Buddha Boy. Having learned the art of the con at his father's knee, San, now a "Zen Man with a Zen Plan," manages to convince almost everyone, most importantly the girl he likes, of his superior spiritual knowledge. The irony is that by allowing the lies to pile up, this faux Zen master becomes like the one person he doesn't want to be. Hilarious and heart-wrenching. (Fiction. 12-15)
From the Publisher
Praise for Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie:"A brave book . . . Jordan Sonnenblick carries it off with such charm and elan, you forget for a moment your heart is breaking." —Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes* "Sonnenblick shows that even in the midst of tragedy, life goes on, love can flower, and the one thing you can always change is yourself." —Booklist, starred review"The reader falls in love with the brothers, laughing and crying by turns and rooting for both of them until it almost hurts." —Kirkus ReviewsPraise for After Ever After:* “As hilarious as it is tragic, and as honest as it is hopeful, don't confuse this book with inspirational reading. It's irresistible reading.” —Booklist, starred review* “Sonnenblick's intimate first-person tale of survival . . . will leave an emotional, uplifting imprint.” —School Library Journal, starred review“Jordan Sonnenblick continues Jeffrey's story in his signature style using an authentic teenage voice and laugh-out-loud humor.” —TeensReadToo.comPraise for Notes from the Midnight Driver:* “[A] funny, bittersweet tour de force.” —Booklist, starred review* “Readers [will be] nodding with recognition, sighing in sympathy, and gasping with laughter—often on the same page.” —The Horn Book, starred review* “Sonnenblick revisits several key themes from his debut novel, Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, to even greater effect here.” —Publishers Weekly, starred reviewPraise for Zen and the Art of Faking It:* “Wildly funny.” — Kliatt, starred review“This light-hearted situation comedy is peppered with genuine Zen insight.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books“Hilarious and heart-wrenching.” —Kirkus Reviews“The writing is fresh, the characters appealing, and it looks like the author has another hit.” —Oakland Tribune
JULY 2009 - AudioFile
Thirteen-year-old San Lee has just moved to another new middle school, where he has no friends and no prospects until he answers a few questions about the finer points of Zen Buddhism and his teacher and the prettiest, most mysterious girl in class take notice. Suddenly, fudging a few personal facts and passing himself off as a Zen master doesn't seem like a bad idea. Mike Chamberlain delivers an endearing and mortifyingly honest performance as he narrates a story filled with humor, innocence, and teen angst. One can't help but root for a book that combines Eastern philosophies with Woody Guthrie and basketball. A listening treat. B.P. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
