The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow by Lorin Barber is hilarious from page one. Copernicus (Nick) is witty, sarcastic, and a genius powered by Twinkies. Imagine his devastation due to the recent Hostess closure! An especially enjoyable chapter is the one about jogging on page 176. I’m talking laugh-out-loud humor. I haven’t read a book this funny in a while. Nick’s vocabulary is outrageous so if you’re looking to learn a few new words, this is the book for you. It will also keep you on your toes as there are several storylines happening at the same time. Lorin Barber does a great job of making it easy to follow though, while keeping things interesting. He gets the pages turning between the suspense, tear-jerking events and even a high-speed chase in what is reported as a “rocket car”! There are also two big surprises at the end that wrap things up very nicely. If you’re looking for a light-hearted yet heartwarming read, check out the fabulous The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow!

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Cedar Fort

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:None

Violence/Gore: Several (11) brief incidents including verbal and physical threats; character pulls a gun on another; physical spousal abuse; non-life threatening wound from gunshot; fantasy violence; character accidentally kills a bird; character witnesses parent shoot other parent; character’s dead body found; accidental death.

Sex/Nudity: Several (20) brief instances such as kissing; holding hands; hugging; dancing closely; snuggling; teen pregnancy; innuendo.

Mature Subject Matter:

Spousal abuse, murder, teen pregnancy, death; cancer, kidnapping, divorce, gang-related crime mentioned.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Character addicted to nicotine; two characters have an alcoholic father; discussion of adult and child that it’s bad to buy drugs.