At the Speed of Gus

A smartly funny and sympathetic story about being different and finding your way.

Meet the compelling, charismatic 13-year-old Augustus Constantine, a boy whose mind (and mouth) operate at a different speed than the rest of society. Gus has ADHD, and he's on medication to help him focus. Misuse of his medication is a recipe for disaster. At the Speed of Gus takes readers through a frenetic, twist-filled day that is the result of that misuse.

When we first meet Gus, he's putting his own special spin on morning announcements, much to the chagrin of school secretary Miss Funn (who's anything but) and Principal Gorby (who's getting tired of Gus's endless jokes and stream of consciousness). After being suspended for three days as a result of these antics, Gus takes up his sister's invitation to take the ferry to Vancouver Island and meet at her college. Once on the ferry, Gus's thoughts begin to race. He's having trouble concentrating and can't calm down....