From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-Josh, an overweight sixth grader, isn't happy about starting a new school in northern Idaho three months into the school year, but he quickly makes friends with Mark and Skye. Much to Josh's delight, one of the cool kids, smooth-talking Corey, also seems interested in being his friend. Skye and Mark don't trust Corey and warn Josh that he is only being nice to him because his dad is the new high school coach. As the weather grows colder, the kids venture over to the pond despite their teacher's warning that the ice is not thick enough. Corey pressures Josh to be the first one out on it; when he refuses, the bully sends out one of his cronies, Alex, who also happens to be overweight, and Josh gets some quick lessons in friendship and courage. As expected, Alex plunges through the ice, but Josh, Mark, and Skye are able to rescue him before it's too late. This fast-moving story is simple, straightforward, and effective, and has characters who are true to life. Anyone who has ever been new to a school, dealt with bullies, or just not known whom to trust will relate to Josh and his dilemmas.Karen T. Bilton, Somerset County Library, Bridgewater, NJCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. When Josh Showalter, a self-described "okay student, okay athlete, kind of overweight but okay looking" sixth-grader, starts at a new school, he is pleasantly surprised by flattery and friendly overtures from seventh-grade hotshot Corey Kitchens. Another new student, a girl named Skye, who is frequently bullied by Corey because of her great soccer skills, warns Josh that Corey must have an ulterior motive. She suspects that Corey, a star basketball player, has befriended Josh because Josh's dad is a coach at the high school. In fact, Corey's interest in Josh is much more sinister, as is revealed in a dramatic, heart-pounding scene that will stay with readers long after they put down the novel. A sensitively handled subplot about an autistic classmate gives more depth to this thought-provoking story. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

ANNOTATION

Josh Showalter, an insecure and overweight sixth-grader, hopes for a new start when he transfers to a school in northern Idaho, but he and his new friends are soon the target of a cold-hearted bully.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Janet L. Rose

Josh clearly wants to be accepted by the popular seventh graders as he starts sixth grade at his new school, but also knows the other new students, Skye and Mark, have more integrity and enduring friendship qualities. The ring leader, Corey, butters up Josh and convinces him he is the perfect choice to play on their hockey team, but he really only wants Josh to test the ice of the near frozen pond before they risk their own lives. Corey teases Skye unmercifully and bullies his "friends" into doing what he wants. Mark, who is borderline autistic, is often in his own world, but comes through in emergency situations. His voice is usually an octave above normal and he endlessly takes photos with his digital camera. Hockey skates show up mysteriously on Josh's doorstep just a few days before the pond freezes over. Even though the ice may not be solid, Corey is ready for practice and has the team meet at the pond. When Skye and Mark convince Josh not to go out on the ice, Corey turns mean and shoves Alex out, throwing stones to get him to move to the middle of the lake. When the ice breaks, Corey and his cohorts flee, but Josh, Skye, and Mark (after Mark has documented the whole situation with his camera) make their way out onto the ice and rescue Alex. Josh learns who his real friends are and Mark basks in his new superhero role. 2003, Albert Whitman & Company, Ages 11 to 14.

School Library Journal