Zen and the Art of Faking It - by Jordan Sonnenblick (Paperback)

About the Book

When eighth-grader San Lee moves to a new town and a new school for the umpteenth time, he doesn't try to make new friends or be a loner or play cool. Instead he sits back and devises a plan to be totally different. When he accidentally answers too many questions in World History on Zen (only because he just had Ancient Religions two schools ago) all heads turn and San has his answer: he's a Zen Master. And just when he thinks everyone (including the cute girl he can't stop thinking about) is on to him, everyone believes him . . . in a major Zen way.

Book Synopsis

From masterfully funny and poignant Jordan Sonnenblick, a story that will have everyone searching for their inner Zen.

Meet San Lee, a (sort of) innocent teenager, who moves against his will to a new town. Things get interesting when he (sort of) invents a new past for himself, which makes him incredibly popular. In fact, his whole school starts to (sort of) worship him, just because he (sort of) accidentally gave the impression that he's a reincarnated mystic.When things start to unravel, San needs to find some real wisdom in a hurry. Can he patch things up with his family, save himself from bodily harm, stop being an outcast, and maybe even get the girl?

Review Quotes

Praise for Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie: "A brave book . . . Jordan Sonnenblick carries it off with such charm and elan, you forget for a moment your heart is breaking." --Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes* "Sonnenblick shows that even in the midst of tragedy, life goes on, love can flower, and the one thing you can always change is yourself." --Booklist, starred review"The reader falls in love with the brothers, laughing and crying by turns and rooting for both of them until it almost hurts." --Kirkus ReviewsPraise for After Ever After: * "As hilarious as it is tragic, and as honest as it is hopeful, don't confuse this book with inspirational reading. It's irresistible reading." --Booklist, starred review* "Sonnenblick's intimate first-person tale of survival . . . will leave an emotional, uplifting imprint." --School Library Journal, starred review"Jordan Sonnenblick continues Jeffrey's story in his signature style using an authentic teenage voice and laugh-out-loud humor." --TeensReadToo.comPraise for Notes from the Midnight Driver: * "[A] funny, bittersweet tour de force." --Booklist, starred review* "Readers [will be] nodding with recognition, sighing in sympathy, and gasping with laughter--often on the same page." --The Horn Book, starred review* "Sonnenblick revisits several key themes from his debut novel, Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, to even greater effect here." --Publishers Weekly, starred reviewPraise for Zen and the Art of Faking It: * "Wildly funny." -- Kliatt, starred review"This light-hearted situation comedy is peppered with genuine Zen insight." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Hilarious and heart-wrenching." --Kirkus Reviews"The writing is fresh, the characters appealing, and it looks like the author has another hit." --Oakland Tribune

About the Author

Jordan Sonnenblick is the author of the acclaimed Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, After Ever After, Notes from the Midnight Driver, Zen and the Art of Faking It, Falling Over Sideways, and The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade. He lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two children.