Can a worrier really become a warrior? Nine-year-old Erik Sheepflattener’s life motto is Avoid Stuff, despite his family’s attempts to bring out his inner Viking. In this outrageously quirky, "funny and perceptive"* novel . . . why not be both? (*Booklist, starred review) Meet Erik Sheepflattener. Each member of his modern-day Viking-heritage family has a motto to live by. His parents have Family and Pride. His sisters have Conquer and Win. His grandfather has Turnip. But Erik is developing a motto he can truly believe in: Avoid Stuff. Mostly, Erik’s fierce family ignores or discounts him, especially when he tries to say no. But while spending the summer with his rough-and-tumble cousins and older sister Brunhilde in Minnesota, axe-wielding Bru gets the idea to name and Conquer all of Erik’s fears. Will anyone hear him say no before it’s too late? And will Erik end up defined by his fears, or by his fearless family?  Erik vs. Everything is an adventurous, humorous, and heartfelt romp about finding your place, speaking up for yourself, and pursuing what you love . . . even when it scares you. What happens when your fearless, axe-wielding sister decides your anxiety is her next conquest? Modern-Day Vikings: Meet the Sheepflatteners, a family with mottos like Conquer, Win... and Turnip. They believe in facing every challenge head-on, much to nine-year-old Erik’s dismay. - An Unlikely Hero: Erik’s personal motto is "Avoid Stuff." He’d rather hide under his bed with a comic book than prove his Viking heritage, but this summer he might not have a choice. - Laugh-Out-Loud Funny: From axe-wielding sisters to a pet squirrel named Mr. Nubbins, this quirky adventure is a perfect chapter book for kids who love to laugh. - Facing Your Fears: When his sister Brunhilde makes conquering his phobias her summer project, Erik has to learn how to speak up and find his own kind of courage. Gr 3-7-Fourth grader Erik Sheepflattener comes from a big, tough, and very brave family rooted in Viking traditions. Erik does not fit in physically or characteristically with his family; as a matter of fact, he is afraid of almost everything. Erik fears school, piano lessons, baseball practice, and squirrels-he is even afraid to talk about his fears. Erik would rather stay home and read his comic books rather than try anything that could cause him embarrassment or harm. This all changes when Erik and his sisters visit extended family in Minnesota to help with toddler triplets. Erik reluctantly joins the Lake Park All-Stars Mountain Bike Team and begins training for a race down Bonebreaker Hill. With the help of his sister Brunhilde and her library copy of The Art of War, Erik learns that facing fears can help make the scary things a bit less scary. Readers follow Erik as he learns the skills he needs to fall down and not get hurt. This story has a fun cast of characters, all with their own strengths and personality quirks. The book chapters all begin with familiar proverbs that stem from Norse and Danish traditions, and are explained at the end of the story in the "Sources for Quotations" section. This story takes family lore and traditions and blends them with modern tips and tricks to tackle life. It is a fun, uplifting, and often laugh-out-loud story. Erik's family is cued as white. VERDICT A great addition to any elementary and even middle school library with a lesson on determination, taking risks, and family values.-Christina Pesiri, Island Trees H.S., Levittown, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.  "Once again, Uss delivers a story carried by well-developed characters, plenty of dialogue, and humor." - Horn Book Magazine "A quirky delight." - Kirkus Reviews ★"[A] funny and perceptive tale....readers will enjoy cheering [Erik] on as much as they will delight in the antics of his loving, Wagnerian extended family." - Booklist (starred review) ★ “This riotous second novel by Uss ( The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle ), interlaced with quotes from the Lore and a toddler’s edition of  The Art of War , overflows with rollicking scenes of Viking-inspired mayhem and droll dialogue without forgoing respect for the difficulties wrought by Erik’s anxiety.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "This story has a fun cast of characters, all with their own strengths and personality quirks....This story takes family lore and traditions and blends them with modern tips and tricks to tackle life. It is a fun, uplifting, and often laugh-out-loud story....A great addition to any elementary and even middle school library with a lesson on determination, taking risks, and family values." - School Library Journal Christina Uss is scared of a lot of things, but still believes the world is full of nice surprises. Her first novel,  The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle,  was a  Kirkus Reviews  Best Book of the Year and received starred reviews from S helf A