Chillax

Gr 6–9—Chillax shares the humor and heart of the popular comic strip. An engaging and fast read, the book is chock-full of the black-and-white illustrations that "Zits" enthusiasts love. Readers follow Jeremy to his very first rock concert and watch him figure out how to deal with the illness of a friend's mom, all while learning how to communicate with his girlfriend. Throughout the story, even in the more serious parts, hilarious high jinks ensue, and readers will get a kick out of Jeremy's exaggerated teenage antics, including a bedroom so messy that he does not know where his bed is, and a van that can only be started with a smelly retainer (the wires are just the right length). Although the characters drive and attend concerts, the book will appeal to a younger audience as the treatment of the more mature themes may be too shallow for older teens. Reluctant readers of all ages, however, will enjoy the book, and it's a great recommendation for kids who have graduated from "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (Abrams) and are looking for something similar, if a bit more mature.—Sharon McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA