Middle School
by James Patterson (Random House Penguin)
As if his multitude of novels for adults are not enough, James Patterson has now ventured into the realm of literature for young readers.
Three Middle School books landed on my desk at the same time. I took them home to eager young children who couldn’t wait to get their paws on them.
Rafe Khatchadorian (am I the only one who thinks Kim Kardashian when reading this name?) is the lead character in these books.
He lives by his own set of rules, never gets As at school and has loads of enemies – generally every mother’s dream 13-year-old.
He’s also got a little sister, Georgia. In fact, in Middle School: My Brother is a Big, Fat Liar – it’s Georgia who populates the entire book with her tale of woe as Rafe’s little sister. Everyone thinks she is just like him.
Her purpose in life – prove them wrong.
In the other two books, we join Rafe on his adventures at a new school and at a camp.
Middle School, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, is filled with a combination of crazy illustrations and many misdeeds perpetrated by an obnoxious, but endearing, teenage boy.
I do like it that boys and girls would enjoy reading any one of them.
Add this to your kids’ holiday reading list this July. It’s sure to keep them entertained if Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries and the like are their books of choice.