Wally Stutzgummer, Super Bad Dude

Elizabeth Siegel Masih is the editor of Write On: The Newsletter for
Young Canadian Writers and Readers.

Wally Stutzgummer, a teenager in the eighth grade, accepts a challenge
from his rival, Krazy Kurt, to compete with him in a mountain-bike race.
In the heat of the moment, Wally agrees that if Kurt wins he will try to
get his friend, Carol, to go out with him. Wally knows that Carol will
be furious if she finds out about the bet, but he is certain he will win
the race. That is, until he finds out that he doesn’t have enough
money to buy the mountain bike he needs. As Wally tries to earn some
money, he finds himself in one mishap after another (including having to
chase a thief through a supermarket while dressed as the hero “Super
Bad Dude,” a promotion gimmick at the comic-book shop where he works).
Wally does make it to the race, and although its outcome is unexpected,
he comes out a winner when his friendship with Carol is tested and then
develops into something deeper.

Definitely a light read, this fast-paced, amusing, and action-filled
story is particularly suited to the reluctant reader. Recommended with
reservations.