Family

Leo, member of the young Republicans and Ivy League-bound, finds out that his biological father is actually a punk rocker known as "King Maggot" and spends the summer before college touring around the country with him.

This book was a ride. For starters, I was used to Korman's middle grade readers so when this one opened by talking about cavity searches, I was surprised. The book takes several turns (a couple of them predictable, but interesting nonetheless) and ends up telling a compelling story as a result. Things tie up a little too neatly perhaps, but this was a satisfying read for some light escapism with a touch of heartfelt moments.

The audiobook version included some effects such as guitar music between chapters, distorted voices to indicate a PA system or a telephone conversation, etc. Hammond was a great reader for distinguishing the large cast with a variety of voices. ( )

Narrated by Billy Hammond. Leo Caraway, a Harvard-bound young Republican has known since he was 10 that his dad is not his biological father. What he did not expect to learn as a graduating senior is that famed ‘80s punk rocker King Maggot is his bio-dad. A job with the band during a summer concert tour is an opportunity for Leo to get to know King, real name Marion X. McMurphy. And perhaps to get King to fund his Harvard education, given that Leo has just lost a major scholarship in a cheating incident at school. The tour experience is somewhat disillusioning: King doesn’t seem interested in getting to know Leo and Leo is fed up by the self-destructive behavior of the crew. Additionally, Leo learns that King isn’t his father, it’s Bernie, King’s lecherous manager. But the experience opens Leo’s eyes to new worlds and shifts his perspective; in the end King does save Leo’s Harvard education.

Another winner from Gordon Korman. The audiobook is particularly enjoyable, and the mini rock-music interludes are fun, if not exactly edgy enough to reflect the punk scene portrayed in the book (and I'm no punk fan!). ( )

This book has a very good plot and many unique insights into different types of people. 4Q4P The cover art is awesome and I'd recommend this book for high school students. I chose this book because I thought it had a cool cover and title. BenA

Leo is a good kid. He is a Young Republican, and has early acceptance to Harvard. He has always had a rebellious side that he calls McMurphy after his biological father. Little did he know... that his bio dad is King Maggot the front man for the angriest band in America. The story follows Leo's adventures in getting to know his father along the band's comeback tour.

I got a kick out of this book. It was funny seeing an everyday guy's reaction to the world of Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll.

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