Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Cosola
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny, charming look at ups and downs of boy's second year.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
High school sophomore Scott Hudson's a word nerd who loves reading, writing, and wordplay. He thinks that having survived a bewildering first year at Zenger High means he knows the ropes. Unfortunately, that's not the case. In addition to learning how to navigate much harder classes and some unforgiving teachers, Scott's trying to figure out how to take his relationship with smart, quirky Lee from friendship to dating. His arrogance and overconfidence in school causes him problems, as does his lack of confidence when it comes to telling Lee how he feels. Other factors complicating Scott's sophomore year include problems with his dad's business and funding issues for the school newspaper -- working there is his favorite activity. Through it all, Scott learns a lot about life and himself, and he manages to forge new friendships and repair some old ones. As he did in the previous book, Sleeping Freshman Never Lie, he puts these life lessons into a journal that will one day be read by his baby brother, Sean.
Is It Any Good?
This humorous and charming story follows Scott Hudson as he discovers sophomore year isn't going to be the joy ride he was expecting. Scott's a smart kid, and sometimes he's too smart for his own good. In his determination to show off to teachers or write the best paper, he overlooks details and instructions, which turns out to be his academic undoing. The lesson here is that confidence is good, but arrogance can lead one to be narrow-minded and can get in the way of learning. He isn't a total jerk, though. He's sweet with his family and friends, especially Lee, a girl he'd like to be more than friends with.
SOPHOMORES AND OTHER OXYMORONS is most entertaining when Scott is interacting with his friends and family or when he's writing in the journal he's keeping for his infant brother to read one day. The dialogue between the characters hums along well, and many of the scenes are funny. Scott's a witty, sarcastic narrator, but his overconfidence wears thin after a while. Even though the book is entertaining, it could use a little more action in terms of plot, especially given that it's such a long book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about procrastination. Have you ever had trouble with time management? How have you dealt with it, or what ideas do you have for tackling it?
How does Sophomores and Other Oxymorons compare with other high school novels you've read? Do you think it's a realistic portrayal of high school?
Do you keep a diary or journal? Why, or why not? Do you think it would be interesting to go back and read about what you were going through and your emotional state from years past? What could you learn about yourself?
Do you have any fun inside jokes, bets, or games you play with your friends? How did they come about? Do think these are good ways to bond?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Dutton Books
- Publication date : August 18, 2015
- Number of pages : 432
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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