Graphic Novel Review: Terry's Crew

Terry's headed to a new school where the kids are both smart and rich. Terry's smart but his family is not rich. Terry has a Big Cream Plan to keep him focused. He wants to be a multihyphenate - someone who is great at football and art and whatever else he desires.

He has a hard time fitting into his new school. There's a boy who tries to befriend him - but he makes Terry bully another kid. While Terry does slap the book out of the other kid's hand, he feels bad about it. That's not the way he wants to go about making friends.

Instead he becomes friends with the boy he hurt and another girl. The three of them, labeled misfits, become their own crew. 

My Thoughts: I loved this middle grade debut. I loved Terry's family - how supportive and tight they were. I loved that he had people from the neighborhood looking out for him. I admired how he apologized to the person he hurt and grew from that experience. I loved how he was determined to prove the teacher wrong who said he wasn't going to be great. Terry walks to the beat of his own drum. I hope this book is just the beginning for Terry. I 'd love to read more about him and his crew

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: A must have for your school and public library collections

Rating: 5 stars.

 

Tween Tuesday Review: Public School Superhero

Kenny wants to save the world, but it only happens on paper. In real life, he's being bullied at school. When he tries to act tougher, that's when the trouble starts.

He starts lying to his Grandmother, getting in trouble at school, and worrying about what's going to happen next.

Is he in way over his head, or can he come up with a plan to smooth everything over?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this novel with some graphic novel panels interspersed. I liked that Kenny lived with his grandmother and she instilled good manners in him. She has a great big heart and old fashioned believes, which makes her perfect. I like how she wanted the best for Kenny.

I like how Kenny and his friend were interested in Chess.

I like how the neighborhood wasn't the best and that the book touched on bullies, drugs, and fostering kids. Everyone should have the best chance that they can have - and Kenny's grandmother helps him fight for a chance. I like how the parents stood up for the school principal, how they required their school to be better, and how they didn't take no for an answer. I like how they inspired Kenny to do the right thing, the hard thing, in front of everyone. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Sent for Review

Final Thoughts: A novel about being the best version of yourself and standing tall, even if others around you aren't doing their part.