Lenny Cyrus, School Virus

Gr 6–8—Lenny Cyrus, 13, may be a genius, but he doesn't know the first thing about getting his crush, Zooey Andrews, to like him. After discovering how to miniaturize the atoms in a living organism, he is able to shrink lab rats to microscopic size and feels certain he could shrink himself as well. His plan is to travel through Zooey's body and change her mind about him from inside her brain. His friend Harlan tries to be the voice of reason and talk Lenny out of his dangerous, and morally questionable, plan, but Lenny won't be gainsaid, and Harlan reluctantly agrees to help to keep both Lenny and Zooey safe. His job is further complicated when Lenny's Nobel Prize-winning parents turn up at school looking for their son, who is otherwise occupied trying to figure out a way past Zooey's blood-brain barrier. Meanwhile, Zooey is behaving erratically. The fast-paced story unfolds through the alternating viewpoints of the three eighth graders. As the narrative moves quickly into Lenny's "fantastic voyage," a subplot involving the inattention of his parents lacks development, given the role it plays in Lenny's decisions. Illustrations scattered throughout highlight the various anthropomorphized cells, molecules, and viruses Lenny encounters on his adventure. Though readers will likely guess the true culprits behind Zooey's life-threatening illness, the humor and quick pace may be enough to keep them reading.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL