Old School - by Gordon Korman (Hardcover)

About the Book

Twelve-year-old Dexter Foreman has lived at The Pines Retirement Village with his grandmother since he was 6 years old, homeschooled by the residents until he's forced to attend middle school, where he sticks out like a sore thumb.

Book Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unteachables comes a hilarious story about a boy who is homeschooled in his grandmother's retirement community...until he is forced to go to public school.

Dexter Foreman is twelve going on eighty. He has lived at The Pines retirement village with his grandmother since he was six years old, and as a result he gets along better with senior citizens than kids his own age. He's homeschooled by the residents up until the day the county's truancy officer shows up and announces that Dex has to go to a "real" school, to the local middle school.

At school, Dex sticks out like a sore thumb. He dresses like a grandpa (and can be just as cranky). His taste in movies and music is decades out of date. Only a few students--like Gianna Greco, a reporter at the school's newspaper--find him intriguing. For most, he is either a weirdo or a target.

Dexter would do anything to return to his old life at The Pines. But when his wish finally seems to be coming true, his old and new worlds collide in a way that surprises everyone--Dexter most of all.

Review Quotes

"Watching Mason learn from mistakes and explore new aspects of himself (especially with a 17-year-old consciousness trapped in a preteen body) is vicariously satisfying, and the sheer fascination of his predicament will keep readers turning pages, anxious to find out if he succeeds." - Kirkus Reviews
"A school story with a twist, told with humor, insight, and empathy." - Kirkus Reviews
Praise for UNPLUGGED: "A provocative take on the redemptive power of friends and pets." - ALA Booklist (starred review)
Praise for OLD SCHOOL: "This quick-paced, absorbing narrative encourages readers to consider different varied perspectives on people and events." - Booklist
Praise for OLD SCHOOL: "resonates with good-natured humor." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for OLD SCHOOL: "Wry, provocative, and shot through with cogent issues." - Kirkus Reviews
Praise for OLD SCHOOL: "In this novel that brings middle schoolers and retirees together, Korman perfectly captures young peoples' discontents and their growth. There's also, as expected, plenty of laughs, history, and relatable middle school moments. A fun romp that encourages tween and teen readers to give new situations--and people--a chance." COMMON SENSE SELECTION - Common Sense Media
Praise for NOTORIOUS: "Korman is reliably at the head of the pack in middle-grade quirkiness, and his fans will be well pleased with this fresh title." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Just plain fun from start to finish, this story will appeal to Korman's many fans and others who enjoy humorous fiction." - School Library Journal
"This fast-paced, funny friendship story will delight realistic fiction readers and fans of Korman's work." - School Library Journal
"A rousing tale filled with hilarity and heart." - BookPage (starred review)
Praise for THE SUPERTEACHER PROJECT: "In this funny and provocative outing...Korman, as usual, takes the side of the kids. Relayed by multiple narrators, the tale offers both different perspectives on effective teaching methods and food for thought about the notion of "personhood." - Booklist (starred review)
Praise for SLUGFEST: "A middle school romp that takes the "Bad News Bears" premise for a wild ride. The pastries aren't all that's sweet in a tale rich in wins both public and personal." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Korman balances humor and heart, delivering a tale that is both plausible and a little outlandish, realistic and just a bit goofy. Snappy dialogue, idiosyncratically depicted characters, and a madcap plot keep this lively story moving at a brisk pace." - Publishers Weekly
"A keenly rendered, fast-paced read." - Publishers Weekly
Praise for OPERATION DO-OVER: "Korman brings smart plotting to an absorbing time travel narrative that examines the long-term impact of actions....Given [the] opportunity for a do-over, [Mason] seeks to right wrongs as well as try new things, leading to a climax in which both he and readers see what, if anything, has changed. Full of warmth and middle-grade humor." - Publishers Weekly
"Korman brings his usual humor and heart to this well-plotted mystery... that sensitively explores themes of friendship and family." - Publishers Weekly
"The first-person narrative rotates chapter by chapter among members of the Slugfest team. While not every writer can use this technique successfully, Korman makes it look effortless, [with] his ability to create memorable individual characters. There may be some surprises along the way, but fans can count on a satisfying conclusion." - ALA Booklist
Praise for THE UNTEACHABLES: "Korman infuses such humanity into this tightly controlled ensemble piece and so deftly skewers school politics and classroom management eccentricities that middle-schoolers will recognize and appreciate both the absurdities and the frustrations." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books