Summary: Slugfest
Star athlete Yash is shocked to discover that he won’t be able to graduate middle school because he missed most of his PE classes while playing for the high school team. There, he meets Jesse, Sarah, Stewart, Arabella, Cleo, and Kaden, who are also re-doing PE for different reasons. When these seven (very different) middle schoolers are forced to share space in summer school for failing PE, they experience a mindset-altering summer and find unexpected friendships and team spirit.
The Good
This is a Gordon Korman book (I mean, that’s the first thing), and it has many of his trademark story elements, like multiple narrators. I listened to this on audio, and the multiple narrators in this full-cast audiobook really brought this story to life. At first, it’s a bit overwhelming, especially if you skip reading the synopsis like I did. I just kept meeting kid after kid and it took a while to sink into the story and figure out the plot.
There’s a fair bit of sports in this book–it might be Korman’s sportiest book yet! I loved the way Korman explores how sports can become tied into kids’ identities when they’re young and what it means when they can’t perform at the level they’re used to anymore. With Yash, we see what life is like when he can’t play front and center and be hailed as the super sports star he’s used to being and with Cleo recovering from an injury, we see her relationship with sports evolve.
Finally, this book is funny and full of antics and suspense with some of the plot points, particularly with the PE teacher and all her baking. Korman really nails middle school voice, and all of these kids felt like real kids, with some being more over the top than others. It may not be my favorite Korman book, but I enjoyed reading it.
Slugfest
Slugfest is a funny, thoughtful exploration of identity and what it means to be part of a team. Full of Korman’s trademark story elements, this book especially shines for its incorporation of sports, teamwork, and navigating new friendships across middle school social ranks.
Star Rating
Content Notes
Here are some specifics to know about the content.
Content Warnings
- Death
- Alcohol/substance abuse
- Sexual content: A tween boy pecks a girl on the lips
Diversity
- Ethnic
- Sexual orientation
Recommended for ages: 10+
Good for kids who like:
- Books by Gordon Korman
- Stories with multiple narrators
- Full-cast audiobooks
- Sporty tween books
- Funny stories
Publisher Details
Buy This Book
More Book Reviews
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