Slugfest - by Gordon Korman

About the Book

"Forced to take Physical Education Equivalency, aka "Slugfest," in summer school so he can maintain his star spot on the JV football team, Yash recruits his fellow PE rejects to train with him and pass this course, an endeavor that turns into a summer he'll never forget"--

Book Synopsis

From Gordon Korman, the New York Times bestselling author of Restart, comes a hilarious new story about a group of underdogs who come together when they are forced to attend summer school--for failing PE.

Yash is the best athlete at Robinette Middle School--so good, in fact, that he's already playing on the high school's JV sports teams. Imagine his shock when he learns that his JV practices have kept him from earning a state-mandated credit for eighth-grade PE. To graduate, he has to take Physical Education Equivalency--PEE, also known as "Slugfest"--in summer school.

Yash gets to know his fellow "slugs" Kaden, an academic superstar who's physically hopeless; twins Sarah and Stewart, who are too busy trying to kill each other to do any real PE; Jesse, a notorious prankster; Arabella, who protests everything; and Cleo, a natural athlete who has sworn off sports.

But when one of them tries to blow the lid off a scandal that could make all their time in summer school a waste, Yash is forced to take drastic action.

Teaming up with the most hapless crew in school can really surprise a person. And their teacher might be hiding the biggest surprise yet. . . .

Review Quotes

"A rousing tale filled with hilarity and heart." - BookPage (starred review)
"Yash learns the value of friendship and teamwork in this big-hearted novel." - Horn Book Magazine
Praise for Slugfest: Winner of the 2025-2026 Junior Tome Book Award - 2025-2026 Junior Tome Book Award
"This fast-paced, funny friendship story will delight realistic fiction readers and fans of Korman's work." - School Library Journal
Praise for THE SUPERTEACHER PROJECT: "In this funny and provocative outing...Korman, as usual, takes the side of the kids. Relayed by multiple narrators, the tale offers both different perspectives on effective teaching methods and food for thought about the notion of "personhood." - Booklist (starred review)
Praise for UNPLUGGED: "A provocative take on the redemptive power of friends and pets." - ALA Booklist (starred review)
"A middle school romp that takes the "Bad News Bears" premise for a wild ride. The pastries aren't all that's sweet in a tale rich in wins both public and personal." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"The first-person narrative rotates chapter by chapter among members of the Slugfest team. While not every writer can use this technique successfully, Korman makes it look effortless, [with] his ability to create memorable individual characters. There may be some surprises along the way, but fans can count on a satisfying conclusion." - ALA Booklist
"Korman balances humor and heart, delivering a tale that is both plausible and a little outlandish, realistic and just a bit goofy. Snappy dialogue, idiosyncratically depicted characters, and a madcap plot keep this lively story moving at a brisk pace." - Publishers Weekly
"A keenly rendered, fast-paced read." - Publishers Weekly
Praise for OPERATION DO-OVER: "Korman brings smart plotting to an absorbing time travel narrative that examines the long-term impact of actions....Given [the] opportunity for a do-over, [Mason] seeks to right wrongs as well as try new things, leading to a climax in which both he and readers see what, if anything, has changed. Full of warmth and middle-grade humor." - Publishers Weekly
"Korman brings his usual humor and heart to this well-plotted mystery... that sensitively explores themes of friendship and family." - Publishers Weekly
Praise for THE UNTEACHABLES: "Korman infuses such humanity into this tightly controlled ensemble piece and so deftly skewers school politics and classroom management eccentricities that middle-schoolers will recognize and appreciate both the absurdities and the frustrations." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for NOTORIOUS: "Korman is reliably at the head of the pack in middle-grade quirkiness, and his fans will be well pleased with this fresh title." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Just plain fun from start to finish, this story will appeal to Korman's many fans and others who enjoy humorous fiction." - School Library Journal
"Watching Mason learn from mistakes and explore new aspects of himself (especially with a 17-year-old consciousness trapped in a preteen body) is vicariously satisfying, and the sheer fascination of his predicament will keep readers turning pages, anxious to find out if he succeeds." - Kirkus Reviews
"A school story with a twist, told with humor, insight, and empathy." - Kirkus Reviews