Get Me out of Here!

June 1, 2012

Gr 5-8-After being expelled from sixth grade in Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life (Little, Brown, 2011), Rafe Khatchadorian plans to turn himself around at an art school but meets an unexpected snag. The school is in a big city where his grandmother lives, and when his mother loses her job, they move in with her. Being the new kid takes its toll on Rafe's good intentions, and he soon runs afoul of the principal for tossing water balloons off the school roof onto students who criticized his artwork. The main narrative follows Rafe's efforts to keep his promise to his mother-and himself-to stay out of trouble. His dicey influences include Matt, his first school friend; and Silent Leo, Rafe's imaginary best friend and spirit of his deceased twin brother. Park's perfectly placed, detailed, humorous illustrations capture Rafe's struggles as well as his wild imagination and wry observations. The art often replaces the text entirely, effectively conveying the story for an entire chapter. A subplot involving Rafe's father, who left the family when his son was four years old, reflects the boy's growing maturity: "Like maybe if I could find out more about who my father was, I might find out more about me too." Patterson and Tebbetts have created strong characters and relationships throughout the novel. Rafe has his triumphs and failures, but he's a realistic kid whom readers would want as a friend and coconspirator.-M. Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2012
Grades 4-7 In this sequel to Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life (2011), seventh-grader Rafe, his mom, and his sister move in with Grandma after Mom loses her job, thus ending Rafe's opportunity to attend alternative arts school Airbrook Air. Luckily, a former teacher recommends him to a nearby public arts school, where he makes a friend and launches Operation: Get a Lifea tempered version of his sixth-grade plan, this one involving big-city adventures. After Rafe is set up for shoplifting (by his supposed friend) and bullied for his honesty, he runs away, resulting in a return to his old town, where Airbrook Air awaits. Short chapters and a partially graphic format are sure to appeal. Subplots involving Rafe's missing father; adventures with his imaginary brother and muse, Leo; and Rafe's emerging talent as an artist are also well handled, although they create a more subdued tone than in the previous book. Maturity is on Rafe's horizon, but hopefully readers will be able to vicariously experience his eighth-grade adventures before it arrives. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Ever heard of this guy Patterson? Well, the publisher is plunking down a $2 million marketing campaign that ought to blanket all kinds of media, including those not yet invented.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)