You're not supposed to love school. You just do it, says Katya Antonucci's classmate on the bus ride to the first day of eighth grade. That might be true for some students, but once Katya gets to school, she ditches class, claiming, I learned more in a month at Wilderness Discovery Camp than I learned in seven years at school. Thus, Katya convinces her parents to let her be homeschooled. Initially her parents agree, but when they realize that they are unprepared for the challenge, they send her back to school where she gets into trouble. Meanwhile, Katya meets Milo, a cute, homeschooled violinist, and a sweet romance blooms. For Katya, homeschooling means freedom from meaningless assignments and inflexible schedules; for Milo it means rigorous violin practices and zero social life. Frank skillfully explores the need for individualized education in this narrative. Teens will identify with Katya's frustration and be impressed by her resourcefulness and persistence in getting what she wants. A smart read for teens questioning the status quo.--Garnick, Kimberly Copyright 2009 Booklist

(Middle School) "Too wrong to bear" is how thirteen-year-old Katya describes her standard education at Martin Van Buren Middle School. After an eye-opening summer at camp, Katya has discovered a passion for science and the natural world and hopes that homeschooling will help her pursue her interests. She wants the freedom to learn on her own (which includes rescuing beavers trapped under trees, researching plants' medicinal qualities, and taking violin lessons from musically gifted -- and cute -- homeschooled Milo). Her parents agree to try it, but they make Katya complete worksheets, assist in her mom's salon, and follow a Daily Instructional Matrix. And so the Homeschool Liberation League, dedicated to "doing whatever it takes...so that your curiosity and imagination stay alive," is born. Katya's determination and enthusiasm are refreshing -- she works hard to accomplish her goal, and fights for Milo to accomplish his. Her parents are sympathetic characters, too, in their struggle to figure out what's right for their daughter. While Frank presents "unschooling" as best for independent Katya, she doesn't denigrate traditional school: Milo's sister is happy at MVB Middle, for example. Frank depicts education in its purest form -- an unencumbered, joyful quest for knowledge. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 6-8-After an awesome summer at Wilderness Discovery Camp, eighth-grader Katya dreads going to public school, which she finds "stupefying." She convinces her parents to homeschool her so she can enjoy her newfound interests in science and nature. Their idea of homeschooling is very different from hers. She spends most of her days working in her mother's beauty shop and doing lessons from the incredibly boring DIM (Daily Instructional Matrix) instead of wandering the area examining plants and animals. She begins dating Milo, a violin prodigy who is homeschooled as well and hates it, and they form the Homeschool Liberation League in order to change their parents' approach to education. With the help of Katya's friend Francesca, a reporter for the school paper, Katya and Milo work to achieve the outcome that they desire. Various local residents assist with Katya's schooling, particularly Eddie Horton, a regular customer at the beauty shop. The main characters are engaging, and the teens' actions and emotions realistically show the struggles that come with adolescence. Frank includes text messages and emails, which lend authenticity to the way these teens interact. The story is well crafted and moves at a good pace.-Laura Amos, Newport News Public Library, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.