The Duke of Bannerman Prep

Gr 9 Up—Tanner McKay transfers to Bannerman Prep, an elite private school to which he has been awarded a scholarship after his public school's debate victory. Once there, he is paired up with the rich and popular student called the Duke. The Duke is well liked for his easy manner, parties, connections, and ways of getting things for his friends, but doesn't pull his weight when it comes to debate. When Tanner gets pulled into the Duke's glamorous lifestyle, everything comes crashing down around him. Facing the consequences and learning about the Duke's secrets almost cost Tanner everything he's dreamed about. The realistic novel set in present-day California is a retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Tanner is well developed, but the supporting characters are less so. The language is realistic given the setting, and the plot is nicely paced and well developed. High school students who love Gatsby will enjoy this novel, and it may encourage others to give the original a try.