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When eighth-grader San Lee moves to a new town and a new school for the umpteenth time, he doesn't try to make new friends or be a loner or play cool. Instead he sits back and devises a plan to be totally different. When he accidentally answers too many questions in World History on Zen (only because he just had Ancient Religions two schools ago) all heads turn and San has his answer: he's a Zen Master. And just when he thinks everyone (including the cute girl he can't stop thinking about) is on to him, everyone believes him . . . in a major Zen way.
kurtguz
Posted November 9, 2008
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I skipped through this book in two days! It was VERY good. I highly recommend reading it, it is one of those books that you will always remember and...it's funny so that makes it even better!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cpjack23
Posted October 7, 2009
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Zen and the Art of Falking It by Jordan Sonnenblick is a good book it has to do with a boy who trys to fake his life and really is having a hard life living his own. Zen is a regligous type of buddishm and it really intrests this boy named San Lee so he starts to do a project out. I can't tell you who he is partners with, what he does or the trouble he goes through because I would spoil the book but I can tell you one thing he may be taking his Zen Obseesion a little to far. And you will have to read it to find out the rest.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Author Jordan Sonnenblick has done it again. ZEN AND THE ART OF FAKING IT gets the up and downs and total frustration of being a teen just right. <BR/><BR/>San Lee's life has been full of new towns and new schools, but this one upsets him more than all of the others combined. This time, instead of having his dad uproot the family in search of his latest scheme, it is just San and his mother because his dad is in prison. <BR/><BR/>Not particularly successful at anything in the past, San has frequently used negative behavior to get attention. Being Oriental and adopted by a white couple has not always made things easy. Now with his father serving time for his shady business dealings, San finds himself feeling the need to get things right this time. <BR/><BR/>Faced with not only a new school and trying to fit in, but also with Wednesday night phone calls from a convict father he never wants to talk to again, San is ready to try just about anything. With his mother working long hours to make ends meet, he decides he needs a gimmick to win some friends and positively influence some people. Thanks to his new social studies teacher, the door to Zen Buddhism opens wide. <BR/><BR/>San's well-worn clothes and tattered sandals become a great disguise as he steps into his role as the Zen expert of the eighth grade. With help from the local library, the perfect "meditation" rock right outside school, and his new friend, Woody, San fools everyone into believing his Buddhist philosophy. Although he seems to be fitting in and gaining popularity, he worries that faking it may make him like the father he has learned to detest. <BR/><BR/>Sonnenblick uses his humorous, straight-forward style to grab readers on page one, and whisk them into San's world. There are crazy antics, a touch of romance, family frustrations, and quite a bit of Buddhist information packed into this fast-paced read. If you haven't read Sonnenblick's other books, be sure to check out DRUMS, GIRLS, & DANGEROUS PIE and NOTES FROM THE MIDNIGHT DRIVER.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 29, 2007
This book is a must if you have a child in middle school. My child is in middle school and he cant stop reading this book.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 7, 2007
When San lee moves to Nowheresville, Pennsylvania, he's tries to fit in, get the girl of his dreams, and not get up by her big, evil friend. This is a great book for middle school students.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 3, 2012
Hope you like it
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 14, 2011
I coudn't stop readin it.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 8, 2008
This book was an interesting twist of funny and really really heart-touching good. I highly reccommend it. 5 stars- this book was OUTSTANDING!!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 17, 2013
Dude shut the f... up if u just read the sample u dont know a thing bout the book
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 28, 2012
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Anonymous
Posted June 4, 2012
Don't read! It sucks!
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 12, 2012
1 heck of abook for kids
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 8, 2011
i loved this book, couldnt stop reading it!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 2, 2011
cant put the book down!!!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 25, 2010
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I recently finished Zen from my all school book read and to tell the truth...I was VERY bored.It was a random topic and wasn't very entertaining. The end got better but still wasn't that satisfying.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 7, 2013
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Anonymous
Posted December 25, 2011
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Posted January 18, 2013
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Posted August 17, 2011
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Posted May 14, 2011
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Overview
From masterfully funny and poignant Jordan Sonnenblick, a story that will have everyone searching for their inner Zen.
When eighth-grader San Lee moves to a new town and a new school for the umpteenth time, he doesn't try to make new friends or be a loner or play cool. Instead he sits back and devises a plan to be totally different. When he accidentally answers too many questions in World History on Zen (only because he just had Ancient Religions two schools ago) all heads turn...