The loser list by H. N. Kowitt

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Scholastic Press, 2011. ISBN 978-0-545-24004-8.
(Age: 8-12) Nobody wants to be on the loser list, the infamous list written on the wall in the girl's toilets. Seventh grade Danny Shine is mortified when school bully Chantal decides to add his name. He feels he cannot slip further down the school 'food chain' and decides to remove his name from the wall. This is when his life starts to fall apart. Danny becomes alienated from his best friend Jasper, who is happy to be called a geek, and gets involved with the bad boys of the school, 'The Skulls'.
Danny's obsession is reading, drawing, trading and buying comics. It is his skill in drawing tattoos that stop him from being beaten up by the school bullies who eventually involve him in shop lifting. Danny must decide how to deal with all of the challenges and problems his new life as a delinquent creates as well as coping with his big crush on Asia O'Neill.
There are many similarities with Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The diary handwritten format peppered with comic style line drawings will appeal to Wimpy readers.
H.(Holly) N. Kowitt is an American writer. It is interesting that some female writers who aim their books strongly towards boys, do not identify themselves as male or female by using only first name initials. The Tom Gates books by L. (Liz) Pichon are another example of the non gender specific author name. Tom Gates books are also a great read for "Wimpy' fans.
The Loser List will appeal to 8 to 12 year olds, boys in particular. A book trailer is available here.
Jane Moore

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