Book Reviews and More: Hollywood Hustle - Gordon Korman

Saturday, 9 August 2025

Hollywood Hustle - Gordon Korman - Son of the Mob Book 2

Hollywood Hustle

Son of the Mob Book 2

Gordon Korman

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780439952422

eISBN 9781443124706

ASIN B078H1JBL6

Hollywood Hustle - Gordon Korman - Son of the Mob Book 2

I absolutely love reading Gordon Korman books, either by myself or with one or more of my children. I have now read over 75 of his works. This story was originally published in 2004 by Scholastic Canada, and a different edition available in the United States. It has had reprints in 2006 and 2013. It has since been through several reprinting’s including editions from Hyperion an imprint of Disney Books, Scholastic, Turtleback, and the latest English edition from Little, Brown and Company.

As I have stated in reviews of several of Korman’s books over the last few years: mid 2022, Korman published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book, as of the summer of 2025 he is up to 209 volumes in print. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. My son often reads these books to me or with me. I picked up this to read next because I am down to under 40 volumes left to read and they are all from series.

My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in their copy of the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them.

The description of this volume states:

“Vince Luca is in heaven . . . he's off to Los Angeles, to attend the University of Santa Monica's film school. College should be fantastic, and he is more thrilled about being 3,000 miles away from his mob family.

But as it turns out, college brings its own problems: from other film students moving in on his girl, to a kleptomaniac roommate, to having to get a job on campus to help pay tuition. It's a fair amount to handle, though nothing Vince couldn't easily manage ― if he didn't keep finding himself with unexpected guests from the East Coast. It seems Vince's dad may just be ready to expand operations to L.A.

With the popularity of shows such as "The Sopranos," the mafia is a topic of intrigue for young adults. The fast-paced plot, hilarious dialogue and Korman's keen understanding of teen issues, made this a bestseller and a critical success.”

This book and it’s predecessor was released during the height of The Sapranos popularity. And Films and TV shows focused on the mob go through cycles of popularity and wax and wane in popular culture and have for decades now. So the series written for teens, with a teen focus on life in the family and about the family business was sure to be a hit. On Goodreads book two has almost 1790 reviews and a 3.65 star average and 26 on Amazon and a 4.5 star average there at the writing of this review.

This story is for a more mature audience. There is some making out. University students, especially international students are scammed. Through it all Vince is trying to focus on school, get some time with his girlfriend, across town, and keep his family and friends out of trouble! That is not the easiest when all his fathers lieutenants seem to be working out of his dorm room. Or when his brother strong arms a fraternity; and when his roommate’s girlfriend keeps coming onto to him. Oh the problems of a freshman who moved clear across the country to get away from the Family Business.

I really enjoyed this second volume in this series, and am a little surprised Korman has not returned with a third offering.

Another really fun read from Korman!

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)