ZEN AND THE ART OF FAKING IT

Thirteen-year-old San Lee has just moved to another new middle school, where he has no friends and no prospects until he answers a few questions about the finer points of Zen Buddhism and his teacher and the prettiest, most mysterious girl in class take notice. Suddenly, fudging a few personal facts and passing himself off as a Zen master doesn't seem like a bad idea. Mike Chamberlain delivers an endearing and mortifyingly honest performance as he narrates a story filled with humor, innocence, and teen angst. One can't help but root for a book that combines Eastern philosophies with Woody Guthrie and basketball. A listening treat. B.P. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2009]