Oggie Cooder by Sarah Weeks

Over the years, Oggie's teachers had found all kinds of interesting ways to describe him -- unique, quirky, one-of-a-kind. Last year, in third grade, Oggie's teacher, Mrs. Stifler, had said that Oggie marched to the beat of a different drummer. Oggie had found that comment surprising, considering the only instrument he knew how to play was the kazoo..." (19)

Fourth-grader Oggie Cooder is slightly odd, whether it be in his choice of patterned clothing from his parent's resale shop, or his sentences dealing with a failed bagel naming contest cropping up in a spelling test. Since life can be stressful, Oggie deals with it in a unique way, "charving." Charving is carving cheese into shapes, and Oggie particularly enjoys making the shapes of the United States. When a television talent show rolls into town for auditions, he gains fame, a manager, and the popularity he had been missing. But does Oggie really want what comes with his new found fame? Does Oggie win the contest with his charving talent, or will the kid who can make his rabbit faint with onion breath win the top cash prize? Find out when you read Oggie Cooder by Sarah Weeks.

AMY