lindseygrant's review against another edition
4.0
Super good book! It is about a kid who wants to break every rule in the book, but adding a little twist to make it more fun. His best friend Leo helps come up with the ideas. The main character is an amazing artist.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
When I spotted this book on Netgalley, well I just had to read it. It was one of the books that I still needed to read in this series (I have read 3, 4, 5.5).
Now I could finally find out what happened to Rafe and why he moved to another school. Because while we do find several things out in the other books, and yes he did quite some stuff, I found it weirdly like an overdramatization. Yes, he broke a lot of rules, yes he did stuff, but really, it wasn't that much, plus we also do find out his reasons in this one. Reasons we didn't really get in the other books.
For instance that he has a new stepfather who does nothing but lie around and which causes his mother to have to work double. Not to mention that the stepfather thinks he is the boss over stuff, and he will shout at you (and also at your tiny sister). I am sorry, but while of course it isn't an excuse for someone to go haywire with rule breaking, I can see why Rafe would rebel.
Then there is the school, and most importantly the bully. I never liked Miller, but reading this? The crap he does? The stuff he gets away with apparently? No. Just no.
What he did with Rafe's notebook? I disliked that so much. Poor Rafe. :(
Of course there is also the brother, I already knew what was going on with that situation (thanks to the other books), but I think anyone with enough of a brain could see what is going on with the brother in this one. There are so many hints. So many clues. He plays quite a big role in this one, even bigger than in the others. Maybe because it is the first book, and a big moment is happening in Rafe's life (Middle School is starting).
The rule breaking, well, I am not one to approve of that, but I do have to say I had a silent laughter at all the plans he made and I definitely loved that he wasn't allowed to harm anyone. He was just breaking the rules, and if someone wanted to tell on him, he wouldn't mind it at all. He also picked a way to break the rules without anyone getting harmed or hurt. I definitely have to give credit to Rafe for that. A lot of people would just do whatever it takes to get a rule broken, but not Rafe, oh no, he just made an entire game out of it with scores/points, lives, and more!
We also see how Rafe developed a big crush on a certain girl, and I was happy that I could finally see how it all began.
The book is also filled with illustrations, comics, and more, and I loved it. It really brought the book to life, and I laughed so hard at some of the illustrations. :P
I do wonder though, how did Rafe not get that getting bad grades would mean he would have to redo a year? Hasn't he been through elementary? Or did they have a different system there? It just seems a bit weird and off that he wouldn't know this.
What more, ah, yes, the sister. I hated her so much. I am not sure what happened in between this book and her own book, but I am guessing some years passed. Because I was just too frustrated with her, she was annoying, intrusive, blurted out stuff that would just hurt people and ruin days, and several other things. At times I was tempted to put the book away when she appeared.
The ending was quite good, I did feel sorry for Carl, but then again, you don't just do that kind of stuff. :(
I am happy for Rafe though. I won't tell you why, because spoiler, but I am sure others will agree that this was a good ending.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
When I spotted this book on Netgalley, well I just had to read it. It was one of the books that I still needed to read in this series (I have read 3, 4, 5.5).
Now I could finally find out what happened to Rafe and why he moved to another school. Because while we do find several things out in the other books, and yes he did quite some stuff, I found it weirdly like an overdramatization. Yes, he broke a lot of rules, yes he did stuff, but really, it wasn't that much, plus we also do find out his reasons in this one. Reasons we didn't really get in the other books.
For instance that he has a new stepfather who does nothing but lie around and which causes his mother to have to work double. Not to mention that the stepfather thinks he is the boss over stuff, and he will shout at you (and also at your tiny sister). I am sorry, but while of course it isn't an excuse for someone to go haywire with rule breaking, I can see why Rafe would rebel.
Then there is the school, and most importantly the bully. I never liked Miller, but reading this? The crap he does? The stuff he gets away with apparently? No. Just no.
What he did with Rafe's notebook? I disliked that so much. Poor Rafe. :(
Of course there is also the brother, I already knew what was going on with that situation (thanks to the other books), but I think anyone with enough of a brain could see what is going on with the brother in this one. There are so many hints. So many clues. He plays quite a big role in this one, even bigger than in the others. Maybe because it is the first book, and a big moment is happening in Rafe's life (Middle School is starting).
The rule breaking, well, I am not one to approve of that, but I do have to say I had a silent laughter at all the plans he made and I definitely loved that he wasn't allowed to harm anyone. He was just breaking the rules, and if someone wanted to tell on him, he wouldn't mind it at all. He also picked a way to break the rules without anyone getting harmed or hurt. I definitely have to give credit to Rafe for that. A lot of people would just do whatever it takes to get a rule broken, but not Rafe, oh no, he just made an entire game out of it with scores/points, lives, and more!
We also see how Rafe developed a big crush on a certain girl, and I was happy that I could finally see how it all began.
The book is also filled with illustrations, comics, and more, and I loved it. It really brought the book to life, and I laughed so hard at some of the illustrations. :P
I do wonder though, how did Rafe not get that getting bad grades would mean he would have to redo a year? Hasn't he been through elementary? Or did they have a different system there? It just seems a bit weird and off that he wouldn't know this.
What more, ah, yes, the sister. I hated her so much. I am not sure what happened in between this book and her own book, but I am guessing some years passed. Because I was just too frustrated with her, she was annoying, intrusive, blurted out stuff that would just hurt people and ruin days, and several other things. At times I was tempted to put the book away when she appeared.
The ending was quite good, I did feel sorry for Carl, but then again, you don't just do that kind of stuff. :(
I am happy for Rafe though. I won't tell you why, because spoiler, but I am sure others will agree that this was a good ending.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
jjrae's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn't help comparing this to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and by that I mean, it excelled. I felt Rafe is well characterized, the plot of setting out to break every school rule is cool, and the twist gives the book a different feel, which I quite like. The principal is referred to as the Lizard King and Rafe is terrified of the dungeons. I never had a laugh aloud moment but I bet reading aloud to a group of kids would make a lot of fun. Be careful, though--Rafe is a big troublemaker with some clever ideas. Kids might be tempted to make their own versions of Operation R.A.F.E..
bvharre77's review against another edition
5.0
Despite the fact that I am almost in college, I quite enjoyed this book. It was a super easy read and I read it in about an hour or so. The drawings were cool to look at and added more life to the book. This would definitely be a good book for younger children to read.
deepfreezebatman's review
4.0
Thought I'd check out this popular series for my up-and-coming middle schooler. Overall I was surprised by the mix of humor and difficult issues (I was genuinely mind-blown by one of twists). Interested to see where the prolific series goes next..
eralon's review against another edition
2.75
I read this with my 6th-grade son at bedtime. Not a great example for kids and dull for adults.
benisatree6177's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
danavanderlugt's review against another edition
4.0
Read aloud to Josh. It was a pleasant surprise, and more proof that stories work better than lectures.
msgabbythelibrarian's review against another edition
1.0
The only reason I read this book was because of "Battle of the Books" and not wanting to fake it with my middle school kids. And the "Leo" plot turned into something interesting that I did not expect. However, this book was horribly written....Rafe bugged the crap out of me....the blatant disrespect and regard for rules.....
I worry about this series' popularity. It does not promote anything of a positive nature. I'm all for kids reading but it would be nice to be something of substance. This is far from that. Yep. Have no desire to read the second book.
I also didn't find it relatable to must middle schoolers that I know
I worry about this series' popularity. It does not promote anything of a positive nature. I'm all for kids reading but it would be nice to be something of substance. This is far from that. Yep. Have no desire to read the second book.
I also didn't find it relatable to must middle schoolers that I know