A laugh-out-loud book. The main plot is serious -- Antsy becomes close with a death-obsessed classmate -- but the sidebars are just hilarious. Lovable characters. ( )

Antsy always has a clever comeback to lighten any situation. I think that's why Kjersten liked him so much. Her family was definitely an example of dysfunction. Antsy's idea to help Gunnar began as a comeback to get his friend's mind off of dying, but soon everyone wanted to donate time to extend Gunnar's life. With all the problems at Kjersten and Gunnar's home, it's no wonder the will to live seemed to have walked off. Believing Dr. G's computer-generated diagnosis only added more drama to Gunnar's life, although the rest of the family didn't buy into it. I'm glad Ansty figured it out and was able to help Gunnar snap out of his depression and realize he was going to live.

My favorite scene was the "baptizing." As a former waitress, I have imagined doing the very same thing to rude and annoying customers. ( )

Another great book by Neal Shusterman (storyman.com). He makes you laugh while talking about important topics. The must-read sequel to The Schwa Was Here. ( )

Loved Ansty Does Time! Great voice. Reminds me a bit of Jordan Sonnenblick in that in the middle of some very funny passages we learn of possible tragedy. Antsy's friend, Gunnar's, family is in a bad state and Gunnar decides to tell people that he is dying. Ansty starts a wave of compassion at school for him and students and staff donate certificates worth a month of their lives to Gunnar (symbolically of course!) Meanwhile, Gunnar and Antsy do a Grapes of Wrath project and creat a dustbowl in Gunnar's backyard. Somehow it all comes together. ( )

While this book is a sequel to The Schwa Was Here, it can be read independently, which is great because it most certainly should be read! How wonderful when an author can turn death, a gambling addiction, a heart attack, divorce, betrayal, daymares, water pouring, echolocation, and the meaning of prayer into a laugh-out-loud, hard-to-put-down rollicking adventure.
While witnessing the tragic fall of a balloon wrangler at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade new student Gunner Umlaut confesses to Anthony “Antsy” Bonano that he is suffering from “PMS,” Pulmonary Monoxic Systemia, only has six months to live. In an inexplicable burst of altruism Antsy decides to donate a month of his life to Gunnar. When this “time-shaving” notion catches on at school it begins to take on a life of its own. Wrapped up in the mayhem are hysterical observations of life, love, earning respect, a need to be recognized, and the meaning of death. Whether it’s morning announcements, adding a new perspective to Ingmar Bergman’s films, or pouring water on a senator’s head, Shusterman can bring tears of laughter to your eyes at the same time you realize that his hysteria might just have some insight. Donate a bit of your life to reading Antsy Does Time. ( )