About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
Josh Johnson's mother wants him to run for class president. Josh just wants to run and hide. If only there were a club to help downtrodden eleven-year-olds escape their parents' ambitions! But since no such club exists, Josh has to invent one—he calls it Dunces Anonymous, and before he knows it, the membership is up to three.
Magnolia and Wang help Josh lose the school presidential election, but that's just the beginning of the club's activities. Magnolia, pressured by her mom into trying out for the role of Juliet in the school's play, finds herself fending off the advances of an overly amorous Romeo. Wang's father has forced him to join the school chess club, but Wang desperately wants to take fencing lessons instead.
As the three friends try to free Magnolia from the school play, liberate Wang from the chess club and get rid of horrible Stacey Hogarth, who has vowed to become the new president of Dunces Anonymous, they realize that they all have talents—if only their parents could see them.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- , Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Award
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- , Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (MYRCA)
- Short-listed, Ottawa Book Awards
Editorial Reviews
"Delightful, quirky fiction...[The] characters are funny, entertaining and endearing. Dunces Anonymous is a strong reminder that the power of friendship can move mountains, and it will leave you with a smile on your face."
— St. Albert Gazette
"With the media full of super-achiever kids, Dunces Anonymous is refreshing fun and a good read."
— Canadian Children's Book News
"Cleverly plotted and well-paced."
— CM Magazine
"The adventures and intrigues that Josh, Wang, and Magnolia plot to get out of doing what their parents expect are quite entertaining...A nice read, which captures the spirit of children first learning to branch out. Recommended."
— Library Media Connection
"Such a fun read, with memorable characters and fast-paced action. I can guarantee that many kids in grade four and up will love it!...Josh, Magnolia and Wang may not want to live up to their parents' expectations but they are smart, resourceful and very supportive of club members. Kids will enjoy the relationship and strength they find in each other's difficulties and inventive, if unconventional, solutions."
— Sal's Fiction Addiction blog
"The concept for this novel is one that many overachieving students can relate to."
— School Library Journal
"Very humorous."
— Puget Sound Council
"Loved it. Spot-on plotting, and a great cast of characters."
— Gordon Korman
