The senior class of Lee High School perform 200 hours of community service before getting their diplomas. Ten short stories give various perspectives of the assignment. Rob Thomas uses what I think is supposed to be real teen language, but since the book was a decade old, it seemed dated to me. Or maybe I just don't know what kids sound like anymore. The stories were all entertaining, but I preferred the ones in which the service project helped the student grow, such as The Laser and Turtles.

Intriguing idea: all graduating seniors in the town of Deerfield TX must complete 200 hours of community service. Each story follows a different teen and their volunteering. Most hold up well and were hip at publication in 1997, but a few definitely show their age.

This is a horrible read it makes fun of people who are going through hard times and shows no respect as if the characters never thought about it one even let's her friends make fun of her grandma who takes care of her and works a lot to the point it is not even community service but just bullying

This is actually a collection of short stories, which I didn't realize until the third or so chapter - it doesn't say anything to that effect anywhere on the book itself. I point this out mostly because I wouldn't have picked it up if I had known it was short stories; they're not a genre I usually enjoy.

These were great, however. The connecting thread is the 200 hours of community service every student at Robert E. Lee High School is required to complete - each story is about how a student completes those hours. A decent mix of heartbreaking and uplifting (though leaning towards the heartbreaking), with a I want to strangle the little twit thrown in for good measure - I'm looking at you, Blue Santa. Thomas' references are now dated, as the book was published in 1997, but the tone was pretty true.

The Laser and Turtles were my favorites, while Ten Pins was the weakest. Shacks from Mansions, the opening story, was extremely strong, and I was really happy to see Thomas end on an up note, with the aforementioned Turtles. Overall, a fun, well written, quick read.