Review: Poster Boys by Scott Woodard — Readings Books

Edward Heffernan is in serious trouble. First of all, he’s a grade-A loser at Highview Grammar School. Second, his closest friend, Nolan Li, is somehow even more of a loser, but is too lost in his own world to even realise. Last, but certainly not least, Nolan just managed to accidentally break the nose of the coolest kid in their year, James Crombie. As I said, serious trouble. Yet when Crombie asks Edward and Nolan to meet him after school, it’s not for the generational beating they expected. Instead, Crombie has identified the true culprit of his broken nose – Highview Grammar itself – and he’s looking for retribution.

What starts as a secret scheme to undermine the tyrannical traditions of their old-boys’ private school with ‘Common Sense’ posters spread in the middle of the night, steadily becomes a miniature revolution of their own, fought for every student tired of pointless rules and pointless competitions. While Edward revels in his newfound friendship with the cool kid, Crombie, Nolan begins to question the morality of their crusade against Highview and all the while, the school gets closer and closer to uncovering the truth about ‘Common Sense’.

With Poster Boys, Scott Woodard delivers a witty and exciting romp filled with charmingly nuanced characters that feel honest to the rougher edges of high school life. Whether it’s the relatably insecure Edward or the disarmingly direct Nolan, it’s impossible to be bored watching these boys fight for a school that will welcome them as they are.