A Year in the life of a Total and Complete Genius
Publisher: Andersen Press
Arthur Bean is a self-professed genius; a best-selling author in training, a witty reporter and an Oscar-worthy actor. He's probably also a brilliant singer and dancer too, but he'd need to find the time between writing his copious amounts of novels in progress, emails to the girl he fancies, his reflective homework journal and the short story that is going to win him $200. Arthur's also coping with the recent death of his Mother, and the grief that's turning his Dad into a statue at home.
Arthur's year is told through his own creative writing and the written exchanges with his teachers, Kennedy - the girl of his dreams - and Robbie Zack, his arch nemesis. Artie's over-confident attitude is non-stop, to Kennedy it's flirtatious and charming, to Robbie it's aggressive and confrontational, and to his sympathetic teacher it's a cover up that is hiding the pain of his loss. As his outlandish claims and cheeky assignments get him into more and more trouble at school he realises that maybe just being himself might be a little easier.
A fun angle on the ever-popular diary format that continues to convert reluctant readers. A Year in the Life of a Total and Complete Genius will appeal to those with a love for literature, looking for longer laughs. It's great to see a main character who is so enthusiastic about reading and writing.
