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Sign up todayThe Next Great Paulie Fink
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Learn moreIn this acclaimed novel by the author of the award-winning, bestselling The Thing About Jellyfish, being the new kid at school isn't easy, especially when you have to follow in the footsteps of a legendary classroom prankster.
When Caitlyn Breen begins her disorienting new life at Mitchell School--where the students take care of real live goats and study long-dead philosophers, and where there are only ten other students in the entire seventh grade--it seems like nobody can stop talking about some kid named Paulie Fink.
Depending on whom you ask, Paulie was either a hilarious class clown, a relentless troublemaker, a hapless klutz, or an evil genius. One thing's for sure, though: The kid was totally legendary. Now he's disappeared, and Caitlyn finds herself leading a reality-show-style competition to find the school's next great Paulie Fink. With each challenge, Caitlyn struggles to understand a person she never met...but it's what she discovers about herself that most surprises her.
Told in multiple voices, interviews, and documents,this funny, thought-provoking novel from the bestselling author of The Thing About Jellyfish is a memorable exploration of what makes a hero--and if anyone, or anything, is truly what it seems.
Ali Benjamin is a New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award Finalist for The Thing About Jellyfish, and the co-writer for HIV-positive teen Paige Rawl's coming-of-age memoir Positive as well as Tim Howard's national bestseller The Keeper. She lives near Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Reviews
*"Just-right pacing, authentic voices and characters, beautifully crafted plot, and superb writing. Readers will find that this story lingers with them after the book is closed."โVOYA, starred review Praise for The Next Great Paulie Fink:A ParentsMagazine 30 Best Kids' Books of 2019
A PublishersWeekly Best Books of 2019
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for April 2019
โBooklist Praise for The Thing About Jellyfish:
A New York Times Bestseller
โThe New York Times "An inspirational story about finding your place in an unfamiliar community and learning that normal is not always better."โThe Denver Post "Laugh-out-loud funny."โHorn Book "Takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery."โSchool Library Connection * "A story with massive heart... A book to make readers think, question, reach, laugh, and strive harder."
โKirkus Reviews, starred review "Benjamin strikes a nice balance of goofy, often physical comedy...with introspection...for a look at shifting middle-school identities and the strange chaos they bring."
โBCCB * "A witty, tender, and utterly engaging modern school story that draws on the wisdom of the ages."โSchool Library Journal, starred review "A middle school story to top all middle school stories."
โThe Buffalo News "You'll love this new favorite about being the new kid at school, and dealing with bullies, and becoming something different."โRomper * "Genuinely original, the novel offers thoughtful perspectives on friendship, accepting change, and the many rewarding guises of storytelling, as well as a fully gratifying ending that the characters don't see coming."
โPublishers Weekly, starred review *"Authentic and poignant...[a] superbly written, heartfelt novel."โSchool Library Journal, starred review *"Reminiscent of works by Jennifer L. Holm and Sharon Creech...a shining example of the highs and lows of early adolescence."โPublishers Weekly, starred review Expand reviews