All Hail The Dork

S. Hof

Called this generation's The Catcher in the Rye, King Dork by Frank Portman is one of the most popular young adult novels today. In fact, it's so popular that comedian and actor Will Ferral has purchased the rights to the novel from Dr. Frank (from the Mr. T Experience) and plans to convert the book into a movie. Details have yet to be released, but the fil;m is expected to be released this year.

King Dork (also known as Chi-Mo, Sheepie, and of course, Tom Henderson) is a social misfit trying to make sense of several mysteries, not the least of which being that surrounding his father's death some years before. The entire story is sent rolling when Tom discovers his father's copy of the Salinger classic, The Catcher in the Rye, along with several other novels containing what, at first glance, appears nothing more than jibberish, but may in fact hold the key to his puzzle of a life.

The novel is an easy one to read, and is entertaining while interesting. Tom Henderson represents the vast majority of the student population of any high school one might come by, which is perhaps the secret to King Dork's instant success. If you happen to come by a copy, I recommend you sit down and read it.