By: Gordon Korman
Rate: Very good
Meet Cameron Boxer. Cameron is a professional at doing all his homework but not standing out or anything; he’s the king of all slackers. Instead, he spends most of his time sitting on the couch in the basement that’s been smushed by his bottom, playing video games with his buddies Pavel and Chuck.
But his gaming goes overboard when he accidentally almost burns his house down. Wow. His parents firmly decide that he has to do something. Contribute. Participate.
Cameron, to solve this problem, comes up with a “perfect” idea: To create a random club that makes it look like he’s doing something, but actually, he’s still playing video games and hanging out. He decides on the P.A.G, which stands for Positive Action Group, pretending it is for helping the community.
The plan seems amazing… until Daphne Leibowitz sees the club website page and signs up to save a beaver named Elvis. Soon, more and more people sign up.
Now Cam’s got himself into a mess he can’t clean up. He’s the president of the P.A.G and he needs to actually lead this time. His “lifestyle” has been totally, thoroughly wrecked.
This is another classic Gordon Korman novel. Cameron, a slacker, now is expected to lead a group of people to help a beaver. Although no Korman books ever disappoint me, this and its sequel, Level 13, is definitely one of my favorite ones; it is thrilling and hilarious.
I am brought into Cameron’s shoes in Slacker. He is like a ghost, merging in and barely visible. He needs fresh air and participation. I am similar to him in some ways, but different in others; I am curled up at my own little corner 24/7 reading, and I have smushed the couch below me when I do so like he has when he plays video games. But I do participate and I wish to do good and stand out, unlike him.
I hope and I believe that this book will inspire and help other people like him.
At the sight of the beaver Elvis on the cover, I was skeptical. I had no interest in beavers. But I decided to try the book.
And I don’t regret my decision at all.
Leave a Reply