Capricorn “Cap” Anderson has never watched television. He’s never tasted a pizza. Never even heard of a wedgie. Since he was little, his only experience has been living on a farm commune and being homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain.

But when Rain falls out of a tree while picking plums and has to stay in the hospital, Cap is forced to move in with a guidance counselor and her cranky teen daughter and attend the local middle school. While Cap knows a lot about tie-dyeing and Zen Buddhism, no education could have prepared him for the politics of public school.

Right from the beginning, Cap’s weirdness makes him a moving target at Claverage Middle School (dubbed C-Average by the students). He has long, ungroomed hair, wears hemp clothes, and practices tai chi out on the lawn. Once Zach Powers, big man on campus, spots Cap, he can’t wait to introduce him to the age-old tradition at C-Average: the biggest nerd is nominated for class
president . . . and wins.

Will Cap turn out to be the greatest president in the history of C-Average? Or the biggest punch line?

Gordon Korman is the author of more than fifty popular young adult and middle-grade novels, including Born to Rock, Son of the Mob, No More Dead Dogs, The 6th Grade Nickname Game, and Maxx Comedy: The Funniest Kid in America. He lives on Long Island.