Bubble Sheet Blues — William Durbin

Inspired by a dead man, his 8th grade English teacher, and the school librarian, Luke Collins, gets involved in a research project that puts his reputation as a slacker at risk, draws him closer to a girl he has long admired, and to his astonishment, generates excitement that reverberates beyond his school and community. A self-confessed slacker, Luke Collins, is an eighth grader enrolled at Palm Ridge Middle School in South Florida. When Luke is assigned an I-Search paper, he tries to take the easy way out and write about subject he's used twice before-manatees. However, his English teacher and the school librarian, push him to choose a more challenging subject. When Luke reluctantly begins his research project, he finds himself engaged in a sequence of events that reverberate far beyond his school and his community. Not only does Bubble Sheet Blues take a critical look at the use of high-stakes standardized testing in schools, but it also explores a range of important themes including the following: censorship/banned books, the effects of divorce on kids, and what makes a good teacher. As a bonus, the book introduces a supporting cast of colorful student characters, incompetent administrators, and soccer coach with an affinity for philosophy. The book also includes a first for the author-a light touch of middle school romance. But the strongest element of all in Bubble Sheet Blues is its humor.