Awarded the Kirkus Star – Selected as Kirkus’ Indie Book of the Month (April 2016) and now named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2016

“A skilled and witty tale about a boy who would be king that should appeal to children and adults.” —KIRKUS REVIEW

“This is a volume that kids and parents can read together because it works on two levels—young ones should love the adventure-packed plot and hilarious characters, and grown-ups should chuckle at the wordplay embedded in every page. Schwartz’s characters are more than clever—they’re ingenious.”

“Schwartz’s nicely succinct writing style places the focus on the striking worlds he creates. The book delivers an important lesson—be your own hero.  With this debut, the author should soon be a hero to readers everywhere.”      —KIRKUS REVIEW

Author Gary Schwartz has crafted a brilliant read for middle-grade audiences.  Replete with witty phrases and loads of powerful symbolism, The King of Average is not your average ho-hum read.  This book has incredible depth with a delightfully engaging plot, threads of humor throughout, and a resounding underlying message that is truly inspired. Recommended for home and school libraries, The King of Average receives our highest recommendation.  – Children’s Literary Classics

“This delightful, pun-filled allegory tells the story of a neglected boy who is convinced that he has no worth.  …the book is fast-moving and funny, with a touch of sadness. It will appeal to adults as much as YA readers, reminding all that average is not easy since everyone is special in his or her own way.” —BookLife Prize for Fiction

“THE KING OF AVERAGE is a unique fantasy with a powerfully encouraging message for youth.”  —IndieReader

“Gary Schwartz’s The King of Average is engaging, imaginative, entertaining and funny while also exploring real emotional depths. It’s like reading a lost work of L. Frank Baum.”     —Brian McDonald author of Invisible Ink and The Golden Theme

“The King of Average” by Gary Schwartz is an hilarious, adventure-packed, epic journey to find self-worth. As thoroughly ‘kid friendly’ as it is consistently entertaining, “The King of Average” is all the more impressive when considering that it is author Gary Schwartz debut as a novelist. Highly recommended for school and community library children’s fiction collections.    —Midwest Book Review

Gary Schwartz has written a book for all young people, but especially for those who have slipped between the cracks in their homes or communities. He takes an emotionally neglected child through an incredible journey that introduces him to his true self.    —Jonice Webb, PhD., author of Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect

 I’ve been in the self-help writing business for 25 years and can honestly say that The King of Average is as helpful as any book I have read. You do not have to be a young person to feel the impact of this one. I consider Mr. Schwartz’s debut novel to be in a genre that I call “self-helpful entertainment.”   —Thom Rutledge, author of The Greater Possibilities: Reflections of the Method & Meaning of Genuine Success