Matthew Meets the Man

Gr 5–9—High school freshman Matt has his first run-in with "The Man"—the system of authority that keeps him from having too much fun—when his parents won't buy him a drum set. He is then left to his own devices to realize his plan to start a band and become famous. Fortunately, he has plenty of devices, including determination and ingenuity, to help him get what he wants. The teen's cocky self-confidence also gets him his dream girl, Hope, and a spot in the town's big battle of the bands. Even though Matt's group doesn't win, he shows what he's learned at the end of the novel when he advises a friend to work for what he wants: "Your problem is you let The Man run your life." Matt is a likable protagonist with enough brashness to appeal to reluctant male readers. His sweet, mostly chaste (they "make out") romance with Hope is the most developed relationship in the book. Matt's caring parents and gamer friends get less attention. Nichols writes in a snappy, conversational style; the plot moves as quickly as Matt's ever-scheming brain. Illustrations are a bit juvenile for this audience: one-dimensional figures have enlarged, round heads and dot eyes, reminiscent of Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" series (Scholastic). A light, fun read.—M. Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY