Reading Metrics
Description
Having an 85-year-old as a best friend and always being bullied, Wilbur sees himself as a loser. Things start to look up when he falls in love with his French exchange billet, Charlie, and he agrees to a life makeover. Will the course of love run smooth?
Quick Summary
Wilbur's life isn't exactly going great he's got a best friend who's 85, he gets bullied constantly, and he sees himself as a total loser. Then everything changes when a French exchange student named Charlie arrives and Wilbur falls head over heels. The catch? Charlie only agreed to date him if he commits to a complete life makeover, which means actually talking to people, joining activities, and pretending to be someone he's not. What follows is a story that's genuinely funny in parts (Wilbur's voice is sharp and self-deprecating) but also surprisingly tender when it shows how hard it is to feel like you don't belong. It's one of those books that makes you laugh out loud on one page and feel a little emotional on the next, which is exactly what made it stick with me. Teens who loved "The Duff" or anything by Sarah Dessen will probably connect with Wilbur's awkward journey toward self-acceptance, though this one has a lighter touch and more comedic energy. There's nothing too heavy in terms of content just some mild teen slang and the usual middle/upper school social drama but it's a really solid pick for kids who think they don't like reading because it moves fast and feels like it was written by someone who actually remembers what it was like to be that age. If you want something quick, funny, and quietly sweet about learning to like yourself instead of just pretending to be someone else, this one's definitely worth picking up.