middle school worst days of my life book

#MIDDLE SCHOOL WORST DAYS OF MY LIFE BOOK CODE#

The illustrations are sometimes there for comic relief, but often they tell part of the story (the rest being told by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts, in Rafe's words). The text/illustration mix is reminiscent of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, though Middle School is aimed at a slightly higher age level. Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is heavily sprinkled with comic book style illustrations by Laura Park. Mom and Bear both disapprove of Leo, who prefers drawing to talking and who pushes Rafe to continually take his rule-breaking to new levels. Money is tight, and Rafe's mother works long hours at a diner. His mother has just gotten engaged to Carl 'the Bear', an unemployed oaf who spends all of his time hogging the television set and yelling at Rafe and his little sister. But he does have some challenges at home. He's going to try to make sure that no one else gets hurt, but he, Rafe, is going to have fun with his project/game. He's going to break every single rule in the book (with extra points for the really difficult ones, or for escapades performed with particular flair). That's when Rafe, egged on by his best friend Leo the Silent, gets his Big Idea. Stricker, reads aloud, slowly and painfully, during the first school assembly.

#MIDDLE SCHOOL WORST DAYS OF MY LIFE BOOK CODE#

When Rafe Khatchadorian starts sixth grade (his first year of middle school), he is overwhelmed by the enormous list of rules in the Hills Village Middle School Code of Conduct. I think that kids, particularly boys in or approaching middle school, will like the book, and will be able to identify with Rafe. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions, and was surprised by a couple of plot twists. But I have to say that I enjoyed Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life. It feels a bit redundant to review a book by James Patterson, since he's such a publishing juggernaut.

Why give a character a name that clearly identifies with a particular ethnic background, and then include absolutely nothing in the text about that background? Anyway, moving on. I was a bit disappointed to find not a single reference to Rafe being Armenian in the text (beyond people having trouble pronouncing his last name). And I, wife to and mother of people with Armenian names,was intrigued. I must admit that I chose to read Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life because the main character, Rafe Khatchadorian, has an Armenian name. Book: Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life ( book website)Īuthors: James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts

Middle school worst days of my life book