By Jennifer Swender
4RBooks: 5/6, grades 3-6
Amazon rating: 4.5/5, grade level 3-7
Good Reads: 3.85/5
Common Sense Media: Not yet reviewed
134 pages
Synopsis:
Austin doesn’t like to be noticed, but it’s hard to hide when you are the biggest fourth grader around. He is starting at a new school, even though there are only a few weeks left. His goal to go unnoticed becomes impossible when smart, energetic, and chatty Bertie decides to welcome him to class and become his new best friend.
Austin slowly warms up to Bertie and their friendship grows. He tries to hide the fact that he is a poor reader with a variety of tricks he has learned over the years. His mother is usually too tired or busy to help.
Austin is fascinated by the school safety squad and wants to join up for his fifth-grade year. He begins going to the learning center at school, but it doesn’t seem like he will be able to pass the written quiz for the safety squad. Will it just be another wasted year waiting to move on, or will he finally find himself “stuck” in one place enough to make friends, and become part of the community?
Parental Guidance: low
Austin can’t read well and has developed many coping skills to hide his problem. His mother doesn’t seem to know or care and they move so often he hasn’t received the help he needs on a consistent basis.
Austin’s mom is obviously suffering from depression, but that is never stated, just obvious from her actions.
Austin talks to his phone more than he talks to his mother.
Austin wants to live in the shadows of school, but is the biggest fourth grader so he can’t really hide.
Recommendation:
This was a very simple story about being the new kids, friendships, and fitting in, but there were bittersweet undertones throughout the story. I’m not sure how many children would pick up on them all, but adults will feel them.
This would be a very good book for a classroom read, especially if talking to children about different learning styles and strengths. Might be a good book to start the year off, even though it’s set at the end of the school term. Just because someone doesn’t do one thing very well, doesn’t mean they don’t have gifts in other areas. It would also be good for a parent and child to read if the family has a struggling reader or student. On its own, it’s a short, simple and easy read the should be accessible to all levels of readers. Vocabulary, especially color words, is a major component.
RSP, and SDC, teachers should enjoy this book and it would be a good addition to their libraries.
