Popular Clone

January 1, 2012

Gr 4-7-Geeky Fisher Bas is trying to make it through middle school by avoiding bullies and befriending his science teacher. His parents are Nobel Prize-winning scientists and his mother has created Accelerated Growth Hormone (AGH), which has the potential to revolutionize medicine technology and has made her the target of evil scientist Dr. X. But before he can steal the AGH, Fisher decides to use it to grow his own clone. It will go to school for him and deal with the bullies and tedious teachers, and Fisher can stay at home and conduct important experiments. However, he didn't bargain on his clone, whom he refers to as "Two," earning a reputation as a troublemaker and becoming more popular than he could ever imagine. This leads to some interesting problems. When a popular girl comes to his home, hoping that they can become study buddies, he can't decide if he should be himself or substitute his more confident clone. Soon Fisher's social drama takes a backseat to Dr. X's dark scheming. When Two gets kidnapped by the evil mastermind, Fisher goes into complete Spy Kids mode, equipping himself with a popcorn gun and a flying pig sidekick. This fun novel is for kids who like Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider" series (Philomel) and can handle the challenging scientific vocabulary.-Kathleen Meulen Ellison, Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge Island, WA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 7, 2011
For 12-year-old science and math whiz Fisher Bas, a typical day at school means avoiding “The Vikings,” a trio of relentless bullies, and not living up to the ideals of his comic book hero, Vic Daring. His Nobel Prize–winning parents assure him that this phase will pass, but after a particularly humiliating day, Fisher vows never to go to school again. He steals his mother’s “Accelerated Growth Hormone” and creates a clone, Fisher-2, so he can spend his days eating junk food, living vicariously through his clone, and working on inventions that include a “social survival watch” (complete with “conversation topic generator” and “mint spritzer” for bad breath) and a Popcorn Gun, which are diagrammed throughout in sketchy line art. When Fisher-2 instantly becomes popular at school (as well as a troublemaker) and is “clone-napped,” Fisher and his flying pig must save the day. Fisher’s wild imagination and sincerity fuel Castle’s debut novel, first in a planned series. Heavy doses of self-deprecating humor, high-tech wizardry, and goofy middle-school antics add up to an amusing and action-packed adventure. Ages 8–12.