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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This book is fine. It continues to do some things well that the first book introduces like humanizing every character regardless of their differing opinions and personalities.
A couple of suspect things:
1)It's weirdly racist about Natives, though (sort of) redeems itself in the end. One character's family is engaged in a legal battle over land they have "owned" for generations which the Native people in the area are trying to reclaim as their own. This is kind of the point (that the character is showing prejudice and then learning from it), but, to me, it doesn't quite make it all the way around to not being vaguely racist. (She uses the term "Indians" repeatedly).
2) Mr. Terupt is super inappropriate and would DEFINITELY be fired. I get that that isn't the point of the book and it's supposed to be all kinds of heartwarming, but it has the potential to give kids a weird idea of the kinds of relationships they should have with teachers. He gives students rides, spends time with them outside of school, and gets involved in their personal lives (and vice versa). I'm not saying this makes the book horrifying or this is incredibly dangerous, but it does have many things that could give a child the idea that these behaviors are normal when they actually could be more sinister in real life.
A couple of suspect things:
1)It's weirdly racist about Natives, though (sort of) redeems itself in the end. One character's family is engaged in a legal battle over land they have "owned" for generations which the Native people in the area are trying to reclaim as their own. This is kind of the point (that the character is showing prejudice and then learning from it), but, to me, it doesn't quite make it all the way around to not being vaguely racist. (She uses the term "Indians" repeatedly).
2) Mr. Terupt is super inappropriate and would DEFINITELY be fired. I get that that isn't the point of the book and it's supposed to be all kinds of heartwarming, but it has the potential to give kids a weird idea of the kinds of relationships they should have with teachers. He gives students rides, spends time with them outside of school, and gets involved in their personal lives (and vice versa). I'm not saying this makes the book horrifying or this is incredibly dangerous, but it does have many things that could give a child the idea that these behaviors are normal when they actually could be more sinister in real life.
Satisfying sequel. Will resonate with readers
Of the first book
Of the first book
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was a great emotional development and it was amazing!!
I think this is a bit weaker than Because of Mr. Terupt. The problems and actions of the kids in this story didn't seem universally accurate to the age; some of them seemed a bit mature. More than that, this struck me as driven more by moral than by plot, rather than the other way around (which would make it a stronger book).
I think I enjoyed the first one better. (It's been so long that I can't remember exactly what it was about.) And I doubt there are actually any teachers like Mr. Terupt—humans just can't be that intuitive and self-sacrificing. It's really nice to read about one, though, and to have something to aspire for.
Since there are seven POVs and the story spans a year of events, it's extremely fast-paced. Like telling someone the story of your life but only hitting the really important parts. I didn't mind it so much, but I did feel like it hindered my ability to get invested. No sooner had one subplot started than it was resolved.
All in all, though, really good and engaging read. I'll definitely read the others when I can get ahold of them.
Since there are seven POVs and the story spans a year of events, it's extremely fast-paced. Like telling someone the story of your life but only hitting the really important parts. I didn't mind it so much, but I did feel like it hindered my ability to get invested. No sooner had one subplot started than it was resolved.
All in all, though, really good and engaging read. I'll definitely read the others when I can get ahold of them.
Good
It was really good and I liked it a lot it was really good and I liked it a lot
It was really good and I liked it a lot it was really good and I liked it a lot
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
After an eventful 5th grade year, the students are back with Mr. Terupt for 6th grade. Much like their 5th grade year, this year is interesting and full of life changing events - finding a baby on the side of the road, marriage proposals, and puberty, to name a few. The students take what they learned in the previous year and continue to grow together. While this is a sequel, it is billed as a companion to the first book, and does stand alone quite well.
Another great installment to this series, I enjoy the family atmosphere that Mr. Terupt has created in his classroom. The lessons and growth seen in this book are relevant for anyone that reads it, and are taken to a higher level than in the first book. The multiple narrators also add to the overall feel and understanding of the book and what the students are going through.
Another great installment to this series, I enjoy the family atmosphere that Mr. Terupt has created in his classroom. The lessons and growth seen in this book are relevant for anyone that reads it, and are taken to a higher level than in the first book. The multiple narrators also add to the overall feel and understanding of the book and what the students are going through.
An excellent 5th grade book. It teaches readers to see situations from different perspectives. Plus, Mr. Terupt reminds me of my 6th grade teacher who was simply the best.