Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life

By James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts
Young Arrow, 2011
Paperback $24

Rafe Katchadorian has a plan for his first year at Hills Village Middle School – he wants to break every rule in the school code of conduct, along with dealing with teachers like Dragon Lady, Miller the school thug, and the rather cute Jeanne Galletta. He’s a fairly ordinary student with an extraordinary imagination and an unusual best friend – Leo the Silent, who is responsible for the excellent illustrations throughout the book (you’ll learn more about him at the end). He tries to keep his eventful school life secret from his mum who works hard to take care of the family and her bully boyfriend Bear but eventually things reach crisis point. A hilarious read with hidden depths. Age nine plus.