Erik vs. Everything

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Nine-year-old Erik Sheepflattener’s life motto is Avoid Stuff, despite his family’s attempts to bring out his inner Viking. Can a worrier really become a warrior? In this outrageously quirky, "funny and perceptive"* novel . . . why not be both? (*ALA Booklist, starred review)

Meet Erik Sheepflattener. Each member of his modern-day Viking-heritage family has a motto to live by. His parents have Family and Pride. His sisters have Conquer and Win. His grandfather has Turnip. But Erik is developing a motto he can truly believe in: Avoid Stuff.Mostly, Erik’s fierce family ignores or discounts him, especially when he tries to say no. But while spending the summer with his rough-and-tumble cousins and older sister Brunhilde in Minnesota, axe-wielding Bru gets the idea to name and Conquer all of Erik’s fears. Will anyone hear him say "no" before it’s too late? And will Erik end up defined by his fears, or by his fearless family? Erik vs. Everything is an adventurous, humorous, and heartfelt romp about finding your place, speaking up for yourself, and pursuing what you love . . . even when it scares you.

About the Author

Christina Uss is scared of a lot of things, but still believes the world is full of nice surprises. Her first novel, The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle, was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year and received starred reviews from Shelf Awareness, ALA Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Publisher's Weekly. Christina lives with her family, her cats, and a scurry of backyard squirrels in Massachusetts.