King of the Seventh Grade

Plot

Victor Abrams is the king. To begin with, he's the best looking boy in seventh grade. He's the most popular. He has the respect of his peers, if not his teachers. Because of Vic's belligerent attitude, teachers at Hebrew School don't like him.

The feeling is mutual. Vic doesn't understand why he must go through boring religious training. He resents the bar mitzvah his parents insist upon, even though they disagree about everything else. Since they divorced, Vic lives with his father, who doesn't cook, doesn't talk, doesn't do much of anything but work.

Vic's peers are boys who cause trouble for people inside and outside of school. One friend, Stewie, persuades the others to commit a crime.

The story moves through the conflicts Vic feels regarding his friendships, his parents, school, and religion when something is revealed regarding his Jewish lineage, and Vic's entire life is thrown off balance.