Since The Book Thief (2006) became the hottest book-club item this side of Oprah, fans have no doubt scoured Zusak's earlier catalog, including his two novels about the Wolfes, Fighting Ruben Wolfe (2001) and Getting the Girl (2003). Oddly enough, the first book in the trilogy The Underdog, Zusak's first published novel never received a U.S. publication until its inclusion in this single-volume trilogy. It introduces the Australian Wolfe brothers as they're planning to rob a dentist's office, only to be dumbstruck by the beautiful girl working the front desk. It's pretty much the story of their lives: slum around like hoodlums, invent cool robberies they never pull off, and try to feel good about feeling bad. Though laden with too many meandering dream scenes, the combination of good-natured aimlessness and unsentimental moments of poignant character development will grow on readers page by page. It ends rather abruptly, but hey the two sequels are right there for the reading.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist

A three-in-one volume binds together Zusak's two later books about Cameron with his first, paradoxically the last to appear in the United States.Before the prize fights of Fighting Ruben Wolfe (2001) and the complications with Octavia in Getting the Girl (2003), Cameron and Ruben Wolfe were plotting to rob dentists and exact revenge on their sister Sarah's ex-boyfriend while their mother continually cooked sausage and mushrooms in tomato sauce for meals. Attempting to break free from the monotony of his family, Cameron begins working with his father on plumbing jobs and meets Rebecca Conlon in the process. While Cameron's failed to engage in life so far, could Rebecca be the first reason to reach out? With this compilation release of The Underdog, the rough-and-tumble adventures of the Wolfe brothers are finally all assembled. Zusak's stunning use of language and rich character development are present, while the introduction of the family framework provides additional understanding for the sibling dynamic in the later stories. It's a treat to see Cameron's visions, which will develop into stories in later chapters, especially since the author brings such a strong sense of frustration and despair to those insights.Appealing to fans and providing an entry point for fresh readers, this is a much-appreciated addition to the Wolfe brothers' canon. (Fiction. 12 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 9 Up-Fans of Zusak will not be disappointed with his early collection of stories about the Wolfe brothers, published here as a single audio work. Cameron and Ruben Wolfe are champions at getting into fights and coming up with half-baked schemes. Humor abounds as Cameron and Ruben find themselves in all sorts of mischief. It starts with a crazy scheme to rob a dentist that ends abruptly with the attractive receptionist. These stories are pure entertainment, right from the beginning. When Cameron meets the girl of his dreams, who ultimately becomes the object of Ruben's affection, the brothers who have always been loyal to each other must figure out how strong their relationship really is. Narrator Stig Wemyss brings Zusak's brilliant characters to life. VERDICT A great purchase for any library.-Betsy -Davison, Cortland Free Library, NY © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.