Old School

by Gordon Korman Narrated by Rosemary Benson, Fred Berman, Michael Crouch, Vyvy Nguyen, Mark Sanderlin, Katie Anvil Rich

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Dexter is an old soul, and when he's forced to leave homeschooling behind, he learns seventh graders aren't known for being accepting. Beloved author Gordon Korman is back with a quirky and raucous romp through middle school alongside one of our new favorite characters.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unteachables comes a hilarious story about a boy who is homeschooled in his grandmother's retirement community...until he is forced to go to public school.

Dexter Foreman is twelve going on eighty. He has lived at The Pines retirement village with his grandmother since he was six years old, and as a result he gets along better with senior citizens than kids his own age. He's homeschooled by the residents up until the day the county's truancy officer shows up and announces that Dex has to go to a “real” school, to the local middle school.

At school, Dex sticks out like a sore thumb. He dresses like a grandpa (and can be just as cranky). His taste in movies and music is decades out of date. Only a few students-like Gianna Greco, a reporter at the school's newspaper-find him intriguing. For most, he is either a weirdo or a target.

Dexter would do anything to return to his old life at The Pines. But when his wish finally seems to be coming true, his old and new worlds collide in a way that surprises everyone-Dexter most of all.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for SLUGFEST: “A middle school romp that takes the “Bad News Bears” premise for a wild ride. The pastries aren’t all that’s sweet in a tale rich in wins both public and personal.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A rousing tale filled with hilarity and heart." — BookPage (starred review)

“Korman balances humor and heart, delivering a tale that is both plausible and a little outlandish, realistic and just a bit goofy. Snappy dialogue, idiosyncratically depicted characters, and a madcap plot keep this lively story moving at a brisk pace.” — Publishers Weekly

“The first-person narrative rotates chapter by chapter among members of the Slugfest team. While not every writer can use this technique successfully, Korman makes it look effortless, [with] his ability to create memorable individual characters. There may be some surprises along the way, but fans can count on a satisfying conclusion.” — ALA Booklist

Praise for THE SUPERTEACHER PROJECT: "In this funny and provocative outing...Korman, as usual, takes the side of the kids. Relayed by multiple narrators, the tale offers both different perspectives on effective teaching methods and food for thought about the notion of “personhood.” — Booklist (starred review)

“A school story with a twist, told with humor, insight, and empathy.” — Kirkus Reviews

"A keenly rendered, fast-paced read." — Publishers Weekly

Praise for OLD SCHOOL: “resonates with good-natured humor.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Praise for OLD SCHOOL: “Wry, provocative, and shot through with cogent issues.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for OLD SCHOOL:  “This quick-paced, absorbing narrative encourages readers to consider different varied perspectives on people and events.” — Booklist

Praise for OLD SCHOOL: "In this novel that brings middle schoolers and retirees together, Korman perfectly captures young peoples’ discontents and their growth. There’s also, as expected, plenty of laughs, history, and relatable middle school moments. A fun romp that encourages tween and teen readers to give new situations—and people—a chance." COMMON SENSE SELECTION — Common Sense Media

Kirkus Reviews

2024-10-11
A 12-year-old raised by senior citizens finds middle school a strange new world.

Korman’s cleverly chosen title plays on several themes explored in this outing. Left by his parents in the care of his grandmother and other residents of a retirement community, Dexter has acquired anachronistic manners, speech, and dress—and a broad education that sets him apart when social services force him into seventh grade. He must adjust—and so must his teachers and classmates at the run-down small-town school. They initially regard him as a weird outsider but eventually accept and even value his quirks and abilities. When Dexter uses a Swiss Army knife to repair a money-eating snack machine and falls afoul of the school’s zero-tolerance policy, his suspension touches off a wave of student protests that spill over into a school board meeting to debate the ongoing neglect of necessary school maintenance. Meanwhile, Dexter wrestles with conflicting feelings about whether he wants to be reinstated. The author stocks his cast of seniors with smart, capable elders and presents a picture of retirement-village life as practically paradisical. Conversely, though he does take a few swipes at the curriculum, he provides Dexter (and readers) with enough good reasons to go to school to make his protagonist’s eventual decision genuinely tough. Although names cue some ethnic diversity in the student body, the cast largely reads white, and race as a factor in draconian school disciplinary action goes unexplored.

Wry, provocative, and shot through with cogent issues.(Fiction. 9-13)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192678848
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/14/2025
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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