Frederick Douglass “Doug” Zezzmer is a student at Benjamin Banneker College Prep middle school – a school for exceptional and gifted students. He’s competitive and ambitious. In fact, all students at B-B are. And he has a clear cut plan to earn a spot at an esteemed summer science program. But in order to earn a recommendation from his principal, he needs to win the week-long STEAMS competition. He just has to find a team of four other students and compete against 50 other teams to win first place. And the team he finds himself in doesn’t look promising. Plus he faces pressure from his father and struggles with his relationship with his step brother. Doug certainly has his work cut out for him if he wants to win the competition and earn his spot at camp. Control Freaks by J. E. Thomas is a middle-grade novel that follows Doug and his team of misfits as they work together against all odds, and learn life lessons in the process.
Book
The 6th-8th grade students that complete team Doug and his best friend Huey’s team couldn’t be more random. Travis Elizabeth Cod is 9-year old advanced student who has dreams for the moon. Plus Noble-Prize seeking Paige Babineaux and uncoordinated “sportster” Liam Murphy. Not to mention that the STEAMS competition includes challenges in Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math, and Sports. To say that no one has an upper hand would be an understatement.
On the home front, Doug’s step-brother, T. W., is the sports star at his school. And his step-dad/Doug’s father will see to it that both he and Doug follow the right path to sports stardom. But while T. W. is interested in sports, he’s also interested in other things. But he knows he needs to do well in school either way. Unfortunately he has trouble putting his thoughts to paper. So he reluctantly relies on shortcuts – meaning Doug – to get there. When things don’t go as planned on his latest assignment, both of them find themselves in a situation they’re not sure they can get out of. Oh and Doug still has to win STEAMS.
Review
J. E. Thomas delivers a heartwarming and thoughtful read with Control Freaks. Told through multiple POVs and various formats (i.e. prose vs emails), readers get a week in the life of the entire B-B community – students, parents, and school admins. I loved that we get a well-rounded and well-paced sequence. Not only are the characters unique and multidimensional, but they face relatable problems for readers of any age. I could understand and relate to the personal issues that the adolescent characters faced. And I bet other readers will too.
J. E. Thomas joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about how her background in education helped her write for a middle-grade audience. Keep an eye out for the interview and get a copy of Control Freaks, available now.
