SOLVED. Boy into greek or latin; published in 1970s? [s]

[Kelaine]

My husband read a book in middle or high school (late 1970s, early 80s) about a genius boy who was really into Greek or Roman gods and history and language. He recalls the cover having a boy with a laurel wreath-like crown on his head. May have been a time travel, but he's not positive.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Kelaine, is your husband still looking for this?

[Kelaine]

Yes he is.

[Tab]

Kelaine, does your husband remember anything else about the plot or setting? Any other characters?

[Kelaine]

Unfortunately that's all he remembers..the boy had an interest in learning Greek or Roman language and the mythologies of the Gods.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Kelaine, is your husband still looking?

[Kelaine]

Yes he is.

[Michele]

How old is the boy in the book: six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen? Does "genius" just mean a smarter-than-average kid, or like a 12-yr-old in college type smart? Any memory of how the boy expressed this interest (e.g., did he read a lot of Greek/Roman myth, did he dress like them, did he act them out)? Does your husband remember when the book was set -- 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, future?

[Kelaine]

Michele wrote: "How old is the boy in the book: six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen? Does "genius" just mean a smarter-than-average kid, or like a 12-yr-old in college type smart? Any memory of how the bo..."

He doesn't remember a specific age for the boy. Genius in a geeky,nerdy very different interests from other kids his age way. He recalls the boy actually learning to speak Greek or Latin. The boy actually wore laurel wreaths in his hair and perhaps a toga. He read a lot of the myths as well. Thinks the book was set in contemporary time (70's or 80's, but could have been earlier in the 50's or 60's).

[Pamela]

This sounds a lot like The Adventures of Homer Fink, by Sidney Offit. The Adventures of Homer Fink

A lot of the book centers around Homer's race for school president. Does that sound familiar?

[Kate]

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Still looking? Was it Pamela's suggestion @10?

[Kelaine]

Thank you Pamela! My husband sends his kind regards for your correct identification of this book from his childhood

[Kelaine]

Thank you Pamela Love! My husband sends his kind regards for your correct identification of his childhood read.

[Pamela]

You're welcome! I really enjoyed this book too. It's hilarious.