Author(s): Janet Tashjian

13+

Josh Swenson has a sky-high IQ, owns only 75 possessions, communicates with his dead mother at Bloomingdales' make-up counter, is besotted with best friend Beth and has created an anonymous, anti-consumerism alter-ego called Larry, whose website is about to explode out of control. Worshipped by millions of teenagers, including Beth, for his "sermons" on the meaning of life, "Larry's" best intentions become subverted as more people embrace his values and he is not sure when to reveal his true identity to Beth. Then life goes horribly wrong when "betagold" gets on his trail, determined to "out" him.
In Vote For Larry, Josh returns, this time to run for president. But "betagold" has other plans. Who can Josh trust? We can't say much more about this sequel without giving away the plot of The Gospel According to Larry, the first book, but both novels are clever spins on the power of political activism and really portray the natural idealism of teenagers. Josh/Larry is a very credible and lovable character, with a huge social conscience. Both novels are fabulous, but MUST be read in order. Ages 13 up.