Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs by Michael Gerard Bauer
I remember that I loved my first introduction to Ishmael. I read aloud the opening introduction to the character in Bauer’s first book to my middle school classes regularly. So I was very interested in starting the further adventures of Ishmael Laseur.
The summer holidays are over, and book two follows Ishmael and his friends through their second year of high school. He still has a crush on Kelly; Barry Bagsley is still a bully; and Razza is still Razza. But this year his father’s band is reforming and the English teacher is introducing love poetry. Can life get any worse?
Once again this book is genuinely funny. There are a few laugh-out-loud moments, and a few bittersweet smiles for the reader to enjoy. In fact, enjoyment is what this book is all about. It is a real feel-good read, and there are not enough of these books for young adult readers.
Thank you Bauer for this entertaining read.
