The Classroom

Gr 4-7–Trevor Jones admits that he’s obsessive and a little neurotic, but his best friend, Libby, has stuck by him and defended him throughout elementary school and he’s depending on her to continue to do so. But while they wait for the bus on the first day of middle school, she explains to him that he’s on his own now. Seventh grade is a whole new ball game with new rules and new friends and she can’t have him tagging along. Trevor seems shell-shocked and is just hoping his sneakers are adequately scuffed up to not look new, and he’s confused about why Libby is sporting a new skirt and lip gloss. The book is set up to resemble a film documentary, with cameo inserts of characters done in contrasting fonts with clever ideas like labeling the illustrations as “Camerawork” and calling the author the “Director.” Unlikely scenarios like having to have a date for the fall dance by the end of the first day of school seem out of place, and the tempo seems to drag, calling it curtains for suggesting this title to reluctant readers. While there are some amusing illustrations that will appeal to “Wimpy Kid” readers, the slow, evasive plot will keep this book from flying off library shelves. Strictly an additional purchase.-Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH