by Rob Buyea

Because of Mr. Terupt isn’t my usual type of book – it has multiple viewpoints, which usually annoys me, and it tackles a lot of issues, which can be overwhelming to a reader. That said, I read it in one sitting.

The reader is introduced to seven different kids who are all in Mr. Terupt’s class. It’s his first year teaching, and he certainly has his hands full. Jessica has just moved to town and isn’t sure where she fits in. Alexia is the mean girl that manipulates everyone around her. Peter is the class clown and troublemaker. Luke is book smart, but socially awkward. Danielle has weight issues and tends to get pushed around. Anna does her best to be invisible. Jeffrey hates school and everything that goes with it.

I often joke about books where one poor kid seems to get every type of issue piled on them – divorce, bullying, weight problems, death of a family member. This book tackles all those, plus more. What makes it work is that each kid really only has to tackle one or two problems. That makes it more realistic and more manageable for the characters and the reader.

Every school year has it’s ups and downs, but this school year is one they will remember forever. Mr. Terupt does his best to pull together a diverse class, but an accident in the middle of the school year threatens to tear them all apart. They need all the lessons Mr. Terupt has taught them to pull through this disaster.

reviewed by Jessica