JUNIOR HIGH 4

There's a lot going on in this volume of Junior High.

First, Nora is bombing shop class until they get to car stuff and then she realizes she knows quite a bit. She also realizes Brad, her cute shop partner, only likes her when she doesn't understand things. Tracy tells her to play dumb if she wants Brad to like her, but everyone else thinks this is stupid. 

Then they're off to Washington DC on a class trip. They visit a few cool places while there, but there are also not one but three dramatic instances. Nora's favorite band turns out to be in the same hotel and she concocts an elaborate plan to meet them, borrowing a uniform from a sub shop waitress and delivering an order of subs to the penthouse. It actually works, but she doesn't get to see any of the guys. Then the van a small group is travelling in overheats and they have to pull over. In these days before cell phones, this is a way bigger issue. So does Nora have a look under the hood after Brad failed at fixing the van? She ends up doing it, fixing the van and saving the day. But instead of being upset, this time Brad is proud of her. And finally, class clown Jason Anthony disappears. They find him at the bus station, though he couldn't afford a ticket home. He was homesick. 

And if all that isn't enough, Brad takes Nora on her first date and gives her her first kiss. Jen is a bit envious but gets over it. 

The book's description make it sound like the field trip van breakdown is the main incident in the book, but they really jam-packed a lot in there. I think they could have easily left out the rock star stalking bit. It was mostly fun but also felt like too much.