Sidescrollers

Matthew Loux’s (2006) Sidescrollers isn’t considered the atypical novel featured in classrooms, but that’s what makes Sidescrollers a unique edition to the classroom. The world that Matthew Loux chooses to explore is the one of so-called “nerds” and their infatuation with videogames. However, the protagonists Brian, Brad and Matt face the classic opposition of the jock Richard who represents the polar opposite of their sheltered living room videogame world. Common sentiment would be that Richard woos Matt’s crush Amber and the boys return to Brad’s living room playing videogames in a dejected manner. However, Matthew Loux has a different idea and spins a new narrative of the nerds prevailing over the jock.