Sleeping Freshman Never Lie

Review of Sleeping Freshman Never Lie

by Frances K

Earlier this year, I read the novel Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar. This book shows 14-year old Scott’s crazy transition into high school. And while he knew the classes would be harder and the hallways more packed, the fall brings him even more changes than he thought possible.

With a new sibling on the way, the girl of his dreams, Julia, getting further out of his reach, and his friends all seeming to be going in different directions, Scott finds himself a little lost. Yet he finds ways to navigate through his first year in high school. Along the way, he meets unexpected friends, and finds himself immersed in every school activity known to man. In his spare time (or in the middle of class) he takes to writing advice for his unborn little brother or sister, so that they have an easier time adjusting to the crazy world of high school better than he did. This advice includes things like, “Keep away from seniors. Keep away from Juniors. It’s probably a good idea to avoid sophomores, too, since most of them seem to want revenge for what happened when they were freshman.” Scott learns to be himself and not care whether the kids stare at you in the halls for being strange or different.

The book tells a hilarious story with great themes of coping with change and finding your own path. The character is a relatable teenage boy with a loving yet really ignorant family that simply doesn’t realize everything that’s happening in Scott’s life. Everything is new for Scott: new friends, new school, new bullies, new crush, new family members and new insomnia. If the true and funny advice dispersed throughout the book doesn’t help you, at least your life will seem more normal and less hectic than Scott’s life does. I also found this book encouraging to me, because the beginning of my freshman year felt crazy enough without all the activities Scott takes part in (including but not limited to student council, the school play, and the school newspaper). I think a lot of new freshmen could relate and would find the novel really fun.

This is a book all freshman should read––in class or on their own. I would also say if you are older and still haven’t read it, you should, just for laughs. It’s not a very long book, but Lubar does keep you up late wanting to read the next chapter. I can only hope that other students find it as funny and satisfying as I did. However, I must warn anyone who usually reads fast-paced action books: this story is about a semi-normal high school with kid semi-normal high school problems. Don’t expect car chases and crazy action scenes. But I’d say Sleeping Freshman Never Lie doesn’t need all of that; the book is full of fun, bizarre characters and a great plot. Students new to high school who read this will be able to realize that “flux rox.”