Uprooted by his parents, 11-year old Hugo is struggling to fit in at his new middle school. Extra small for his age, Hugo has always been the brunt of jokes. He lives in the shadow of his cool cousin Vijay, a natural leader and admired by their classmates. What can Hugo possibly do to win the respect of others? Then, Hugo shows his unusual talent for “garbology” — he can tell a lot about a person by the trash they throw away. Almost instantly, Hugo is in demand to help students get the girl, make the team, or get in good with a teacher. Trouble at home brews just as Hugo is at the pique of his popularity. Written with humor and preteen angst, this book is probably best suited for upper elementary students.