Don't Call Me Ishmael

Don't Call Me Ishmael
by Michael Gerard Bauer

Ishmael Lesuer feels like he is the most unlucky student in year nine.  Not only is he the target of the school bully, but he does not have many friends and also has a name that makes almost all of his classmates giggle.  With the help of the fearless Scobie, the new kid to school, Ishmael manages to rise from humiliating situations to being an important member of the forensics team.  Ishmael also falls fate to the beauty and brains of Kelly Faulker, and you cheer for him until the end to get the girl. 

I literally laughed out loud during much of this book and it left me with a smile on my face.  I find this novel entertaining and hilarious for a number of reasons.  First of all, it has amazing English-class humor.  From speech team to Miss Tarango's class, Ishmael is constantly battling his self diagnosed "Ishmael Lesuer Syndrome," a condition he suffers from that means he can turn and regular situation in an utterly embarrassing event that makes him look like an imbecile.  Also, Everyone can relate to the bullies and "weird" kids in this novel.  If you're looking for a relatively easy read, Don't Call Me Ishmael is for you.