BERTICUS

A boy braves the perils of fifth grade in Silbert’s debut middle-grade novel.

It’s safe to say that Gilbert “Berticus” Icusberwitz isn’t a fan of school. It doesn’t help that his birthday always falls on the first day of the new school year, and his annual, unfulfilled wish is simply not to have to go. He begins fifth grade with his familiar dread of being bored in the classroom. His classmates include Farley Finnigan, a smart girl who enjoys one-upping him and getting him in trouble, as well as Crazy Bobby Bigglia, a bully who’s rumored to have served time in a maximum-security prison. Luckily, Berticus can rely on his best friend, Robert “Thatch” Daniels, who willingly goes along with whatever new scheme Berticus dreams up. Most of those ideas are a bit too ambitious, such as the two of them growing beards together or attracting members to a “super-secret club” without any real purpose (except, perhaps, collecting membership dues). Berticus’ greatest challenge, however, is paying attention in class. He tends to lose himself in daydreams until a teacher calls on him, forcing him to guess at the lesson’s topic: “Math problems? Holy cow! I thought we were learning about cross-pollination.” Still, grade school isn’t all doom and gloom: There’s also a girl he likes and may “actually like like.” He just needs to figure out why she’s suddenly ignoring him, in between all the big plans that take up his and Thatch’s time.

Silbert’s tale is endlessly amusing, thanks to the charm of its titular hero. Berticus’ narration makes his typically zany plans seem perfectly reasonable. Over the course of the book, it also reveals what life is like for a boy who has an awful lot of difficulty staying focused. Berticus’ mind frequently wanders while he’s sitting at his desk, during which he stares out the window or imagines something much more entertaining, such as playing video games. In some instances, it’s obvious that the boy is trying his very best to pay attention but can’t stop his thoughts from drifting into new territory. Silbert also makes clear his desire to successfully complete his schoolwork; for example, he works hard to make up a test after flubbing it the first time. Thatch stands out among the supporting cast, due to his characteristic “unruly hair,” his strong loyalty, and his own propensity for getting sidetracked. However, even minor characters prove to be hard to forget, such as Mary M’Gerkin, whose whistling nose is a veritable musical instrument, and Joey “Wrong Way” Rooney, who’s known for always having the incorrect answer to any question. Although it’s fun to watch Berticus stumble upon an interest that keeps his attention, his best moments are when he tackles unforeseen complications while camping or in the school restroom (the latter of which is definitely not Berticus’ fault). Young readers are sure to demand that Berticus and Thatch’s adventures continue—starting with, say, sixth grade.

A kid’s rough school days make for a rollicking and often endearing story.