06/05/2017
In Colfer’s YA novel, four teenagers, diehard fans of the sci-fi TV show Wiz Kids, embark on a road trip and get the surprise of their life when the star of the show, Cash Carter, accepts their invitation to join them. They are disconcerted when Cash turns out to be more troubled, reckless, and cynical than the heroic character he plays on TV, but his blunt truth-telling brings up secrets the four have been keeping from each other, and his devil-may-care attitude encourages them to loosen up, have more fun, and take more risks. Author Colfer narrates with a lighthearted, engaging tone that brings out the humor and evokes sympathy in the more poignant moments. He deftly differentiates the characters’ voices. It’s a fun listen that will appeal to teens as well as anyone who is involved with online fandom communities. Ages 15–up. A Little, Brown hardcover. (Feb.)

02/20/2017
In Colfer’s (the Land of Stories series) first YA novel, four Illinois teens join the 20-something star of their favorite TV show, Wiz Kids, on a road trip. Topher Collins never expected Cash Carter to respond to his invitation to accompany him and three friends on their post-graduation tour of tourist attractions between Illinois and California, and he certainly didn’t expect Cash to be so reckless and candid. As the five veer from their carefully planned itinerary, hidden truths emerge, threatening to ruin their friendship, but eventually bringing them closer. Colfer touches on sexuality, identity, familial expectations, and acceptance through his characters, but many discussions feel rushed and deserving of deeper consideration, including when one character comes out as transgender. Attempts to make the characters relatable can turn cringe-worthy; during a confession while high, Topher confesses that he once dosed his younger brother, who has cerebral palsy, with cough medicine in order to sneak out and watch an episode of Wiz Kids. The book succeeds as offbeat escapism, but it doesn’t adequately address the serious topics it introduces. Ages 15–up. (Feb.)

"This quick read touches on many current trends, using teen jargon and references while also tackling identity issues of gender, race, and sexuality, among others."—School Library Journal

"[Colfer] has a flair for combining poignancy and hilarity so that readers find themselves laughing even as their hearts break a little bit."—Booklist

12/01/2017
Gr 10 Up—Six years ago, the cult TV phenomenon Wiz Kids brought four wallflower middle school fans together. Now, with high school behind them and college looming ahead, best friends Topher, Sam, Joey, and Mo are set to begin a two-week cross-country road trip. Their route is mapped in precise detail yet fails to account for Topher's tongue-in-cheek email to Wiz Kids icon Cash Carter accepting an invitation to join them. The startstruck Wizzers quickly realize that pill-popping, chain-smoking Cash is nothing like his nerdy quantum physics expert character. No one understands that better than Cash himself. He is fiercely protecting a deep secret—and he is not alone. Comfort zones are broadened, secrets are revealed, and friendships are tested…and strengthened. The author does not provide a great deal of character distinction in his reading, but he still manages to provide enjoyable, solid narration. VERDICT Colfer opens doors to the serious topics of transgender identity, sexuality, and self-worth. He successfully reminds readers "it's a tough world to find yourself in, but an even tougher one to be yourself in."—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City School District, OH

2017-02-04
A young, white television star breaks away from Hollywood to go on a cross-country road trip with four of his biggest fans.Cash Carter, with his good looks and celebrity status as the lead on the wildly successful television show Wiz Kids, seems to have it all. The only problem is that he is miserable. Tired of feeling that he has no control over his life, he answers a fan letter inviting him to accompany four friends on their pre-college road trip from Illinois to California. While Colfer has some good insights into the realities of dealing with fame, this latest novel is a paint-by-numbers coming-of-age story with cringeworthy dialogue and a cast of stock characters whose racial and sexual diversity feels forced and provides little three-dimensionality. Every character-stereotype box is checked, from the mixed-race closeted preacher's son to the Japanese-American girl whose father barely understands English and is intent on pushing her into Stanford. The author clearly understands the downside of becoming a young TV sensation but struggles to translate that experience to Cash's character in a way that generates empathy. The supporting characters have their own struggles but are off on their road trip before those can resonate with readers. The novel's best scene is when Cash helps the closeted character accept himself. A standard novel about being true to who you are. (Fiction. 15-17)