A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag [Library Binding]

Gordon Korman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1987

When luckless Raymond Jardine becomes Sean Delancey's eleventh-grade-English project partner, he persuades Sean's grandfather to pose as a long-deceased, obscure Canadian poet, in an effort to pass the course and win a vacation to a luxurious Greek island.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sean Delancey, high school basketball star, is just an ordinary, popular guyuntil he meets eccentric Raymond Jardine, a boy with absolutely no luck. Although reluctant at first, Sean is drawn into Raymond's wacky scheme to secure a spot on the school-sponsored trip to Theamelpos, the fabulous Greek island that grants good luck to everyone who visits it. Through his friendship with Raymond, Sean learns to value individuality and independent thinking. And in the book's hilarious climax, it is Sean himself who engineers the showdown between the student body and SACGEN, the principal's pet projecta virtually useless Solar/Air Current Generating Machine that supposedly powers the high school. Smooth, skillful writing and an engaging cast of quirky characters will keep readers chuckling to the very end of this thoroughly enjoyable book. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 257 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (August 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590406949
• ISBN-13: 978-0590406949
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,525,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gordon Korman has written more than fifty middle-grade and teen novels. Favorites include the New York Times #1 bestseller The 39 Clues: One False Note, The Juvie Three, Son of the Mob, Born to Rock, and Schooled. Though he didn't play football in high school, Gordon's been a lifelong fan and season ticket holder. He says, "I've always been fascinated by the 'culture of collision' in football and wanted to explore it-not just from the highlight films but from its darker side as well." Gordon lives with his family on Long Island, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Greatest, July 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag (Library Binding)

This book is one of the greatest. Gordon Korman is, in my opinion, the best fiction author of the 20th and 21st centuries. I LOVE his books, and wish all the great old ones were back in print. I highly recommend his books to all the readers I meet. Thankfully, among my siblings and I, we have several of the old books, but I wish they were all more readily available, as we don't have some of our favorites. I don't think words can adequately express how beloved these books are; they are a delightful read. The person who decided they should go out of print must be insane or have no taste. If I were a school administrator, I would have all the children read these books, especially this one. They are a shining star among the trash that is out there today for young people.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have ever looked up @ the sky in grievious complaint, April 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag (Library Binding)

Gordan Korman is a brilliant writer from way back...His characters are always getting into trouble (and out of it!), and through romance, parents, and stupid teachers, all of his books will make you laugh out loud (over and over and over...). _Semester in the Life.._ is his longest book, and it is also the best! If you are looking for a laugh, try to find this book... Korman presents real life with believeable characters, even though some are a few nuts short of a fruitcake...trust me...If you are drinking something while reading these, read at your own risk, for it may shoot out your nose, you will laugh that hard!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stands the test of time, June 28, 2011

By 

Elif Batuman - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag (Point) (Paperback)

i loved this book at age 12, and i just reread it now - it's extremely good. raymond jardine is a top-rate literary character. i might not be able to go so far as the reviewer who called Gordon Korman "the best fiction author of the 20th and 21st centuries," but he definitely has something really special.