Middle school students contend with standardized tests. Flawed and gifted in equal amounts, Natalie, Randi, Trevor, Mark, Gavin, and Scott, whether they know it or not, are all looking for solutions. Multiple points of view within the conceit of an investigation of a standardized-test cheating scheme focus on each student's personal, social, and familial issues, tackled in different ways with support from their teachers and friends. However, many of the fixes are formulaic or temporaryfor example, though they've made friendships or improved in reading, there are no plans in place for the kids with behavioral or learning disordersand readers will have to think outside of the book and past the happy ending to realize that the problems haven't been fully solved. While the negative impact of standardized tests on students is addressed provocatively, the sometimes-facile treatment of other problemsan abusive brother, parental judgement and criticism, relative poverty, ethical conundrums, friendlessness, dyslexia, impulse controllends the book a superficial air. (Race is not an issue explored, as the book seems to subscribe to the white default.) Still, readers will be drawn in by the lively voices and eventful lives of these likable and engaging students and may gain some insight and empathy into the plights of others. An introduction to teen social and emotional issues that takes care not to delve too deeply into the darker side of things. (Fiction. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The sixth-graders at Lakeview Middle School are in for a wild ride. Ms. Woods has come out of retirement to teach their class, and she doesn't tolerate any funny business. Neither does Randi's mom, who values Randi's gymnastics skills over actually spending time with her. Meanwhile, Randi's best friend, sporty Gavin, really wants to try out for Pop-Warner but has difficulties reading. Natalie struggles with breaking rules and making friends, since her classmates think she's snobby. Scott seems to break rules even when he has the best intentions. Trevor, the class bully, has bad intentions, but even he latches on when Scott comes up with a plan for how all the students can ace the upcoming statewide assessment tests. When Scott's genius plan goes haywire, the class has to step up and admit the truth and realize that even well-laid plans can fall through. Told through five students' perspectives, this novel is a heartfelt look at social interactions in middle school, a pointed commentary on standardized testing, and an entertaining read.--Gilfillian, Courtney Copyright 2017 Booklist

Told in alternating chapters of first-person accounts by five very different sixth-grade students, this story reflects real-life dilemmas and academic stress. Personal problems in each narrator's life combine with the pressures of impending high-stakes tests to bring the kids together in an unlikely alliance--with a plan for acing the exams. With much to say about standardized testing, the story should resonate with middle-school readers. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

As he did with younger students in his Mr. Terupt books, Buyea takes readers into a sixth-grade classroom to follow five memorable students: Natalie, a rule-following future lawyer; Scott, a kid with brains, heart, and big ideas (that always seem to go south); Trevor, who acts tougher than he is; Gavin, a football enthusiast who struggles in school; and Randi, a state-ranked gymnast with loads of pressure at home. After their expected teacher moves away, they wind up with the elderly Mrs. Woods, whose no-nonsense style dates back to when their parents were in school, but whose love of books and underlying compassion wins them over. As the pressure to perform during state testing mounts, the five students reluctantly band together with a risky plan to ace them. Buyea gives his narrators clear voices and diverse backstories. The plot, however, plods along, pushed forward mostly by amusing mishaps (perpetrated by the irrepressible Scott) until the testing debacle late in the book. The students' stories are compelling, and Buyea confidently mixes humor and heart, but the story lacks tension until the final chapters. Ages 9-12. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 4-6-In a stand-alone title similar to his "Mr. Terupt" series, Buyea continues to show middle grade readers how to overcome personal flaws to form a better whole. In this heartwarming narrative told in the alternating viewpoints of sixth graders Gavin, Natalie, Randi, Scott, and Trevor, readers slowly learn of the personal problems each student faces that affect their behavior in class and during extracurricular activities. As the story opens, the students are stunned and disappointed over the lost opportunity to have the awesome Mr. Mitchell as their teacher. However, the replacement teacher, Mrs. Woods, eventually wins them over and soothes their wounded feelings. Faced with adjusting to the reserved mannerisms of Mrs. Woods, students are surprised at how well she manages the classroom. They establish class rules by creating their own Bill of Rights; instead of having to read class sets of books, Mrs. Woods reads aloud to them. Mrs. Woods selects R.J. Palacio's Wonder, Gordon Korman's Ungifted, and Avi's Nothing but the Truth. The kids also work on a community service project with their science teacher, Mrs. Magenta. Once they learn what teamwork is, the sixth graders figure out ways to prepare for and pass the annual standardized assessments. Topics explored include sibling abuse, bullying, poverty, learning disabilities, pressures within competitive sports, community service responsibilities, and ethical values. VERDICT Recommended for fans of the "Mr. Terupt" series, Lisa Graff's Absolutely Almost, and John David Anderson's Posted. Engaging and highly discussion-worthy.-Sabrina Carnesi, Crittenden Middle School, Newport News, VA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.