Rafe Khatchadorian is every 6th grade boy. He’s nervous
about all the new challenges and rules that come with middle school territory. He’s
excited about having a little more freedom than elementary structure afforded. Mostly,
he feels overwhelmed that there is entirely too much to take in at once, and
what to do with it all.
And then, of course, there's Jeanne Galletta.
The thing about Rafe is that he is also anything but
typical. Along with his very, um, special friend Leo, Rafe constructs an elaborate plan to survive
his 6th grade year by defying what is intended to be the safety net
of middle school society: the student code of conduct. His adventures might
help Rafe make it through the worst year of his life…but they might keep him
there as well.
Middle School: TheWorst Years of My Life as a title is a work of genius. Everybody is either
headed to middle school or has been through it and very likely remembers 6th-8th
grades as some of the worst years of their life. I would agree. Largely due to changing
bodies and brain chemistry, middle school continues to be a very hard time for
teenagers.
For those parents, teachers, and librarians curious about
how well this book might meet the needs of their kids, know that it is very nicely
done. There are a few twists classic of a James Patterson work, and the
addition of humor-laden, skilled illustrations adds a quirky yet highly
entertaining layer. The short, brief, action-packed chapters sprinkled with
bits of slapstick humor will be appealing for reluctant readers (ahem: BOYS).
