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Live large with James Patterson's winning follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestsellerMiddle School, The Worst Years of My Life.After sixth grade, the very worst year of his life, Rafe Khatchadorian thinks he has it made in seventh grade. He's been accepted to art school in the big city and imagines a math-and-history-free fun zone. Wrong! It's more competitive than Rafe ever expected, and to score big in class, he needs to find a way to turn his boring life into the inspiration for a work show more of art. His method? Operation: Get a Life! Anything he's never done before, he's going to do it, from learning to play poker to going to a modern art museum. But when his newest mission uncovers secrets about the family Rafe's never known, he has to decide if he's ready to have his world turned upside down. show less
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This is the second James Patterson (Tebbetts) book I've ever read, and the writing style is as plot-driven as the first "Middle School" book. I would agree with the series's naysayers who say these stories are like "fruit loops," with little substance behind Rafe's hijinks, except the emotional content is spot-on, especially in two rather understated scenes regarding Rafe's absent father. Patterson (Tebbetts) captures the feelings of overwhelmed adolescence in Rafe's illustrations that came off as honest to me.
I think that "Middle School" and middle-grade or YA titles like it make for fun reading, and if young people can see some of their own vulnerability or irresponsibility in Rafe's life, then all the better.
EDIT: I just re-read show more this and didn't know about the first time? Talk about oblivious deja vu... show less
I think that "Middle School" and middle-grade or YA titles like it make for fun reading, and if young people can see some of their own vulnerability or irresponsibility in Rafe's life, then all the better.
EDIT: I just re-read show more this and didn't know about the first time? Talk about oblivious deja vu... show less
Be careful what you wish for. Rafe's dream school reveals itself to be the same wolf in the clothes of a different sheep. This book featured some growth for Rafe as he comes to understand the nature of hazing and begins to realize that the internal doubts he has about his value in life plague even the most successful of people. A phenomenal follow up.
Well, I'm glad that the next books feature other protagonists. Rafe is cute, but this book is so hyper, such a fast read, and so negative, I had trouble accepting the happy ending. Middle School is bad, but not unremittingly so. And attitude has a lot to do with kids' problems. And what is with the constant reluctance to get help from adults? Irl, I've known plenty of kids who ask for, and get, guidance, either from a parent, counselor, or other trusted adult.
Enjoyed the first one better. Leo's role not as important. New friend Matty is an interesting, realistic character. Not everything is tied up neatly at the end and that is a plus.
Mr. Patterson is certainly not a city lover.
Mr. Patterson is certainly not a city lover.
I liked this 2nd book a bit better than the first. I think it was that I now understood what the authors were doing with Rafe and Leo. In this book Rafe, his sister and his mother have moved "into the city" to live with Grandma after a fire destroyed the diner Mom worked in. The plus side is that Rafe is out of the Middle School that he hated so badly and in a fine arts Middle School. The bad part is that even the "popular" kids in this school pick on him. He makes a friend called Matty and they work together to complete art projects.
There is a twist ending, which I loved. I'm looking forward to the next book which is in my towering TBR pile.
There is a twist ending, which I loved. I'm looking forward to the next book which is in my towering TBR pile.
A fun humorous story along the lines of the Wimpy Kid series that middle schoolers will find amusing and perhaps even connect with. With funny illustrations littered throughout this is something even reluctant readers will enjoy. I must say though I was a little disappointed that Rafe didn't stand up to the bullies from the new school and instead ran away from the trouble. I think this is the wrong message to send and it really bothered me.
Ris starting a new year at a new school. So far its been great ( compared to his last school ). but now Leo set up another "mission" for Rafe . its called Operation get a life. what it means is that Rafe will try to live to the fullest without causing trouble. That doesn't work out thanks to mysterious uncles, online bullies, and terrible friends . This just brings Rafe to the extreme like finding his lost relatives while skipping school, stealing his bullies art project and in the end running away back to his home town. In the end he does make it home. He also learns to challenge life as it is but try not to revolt against it.
I thought this book was okay. the plot was fairly unique and overall was entertaining. the book was still funny show more and relatable.
What I didn't like was the weak conclusion and the lack of character development. It was like Rafe never learned anything from the last book. In conclusion this book did a good job of entertaining but not at concluding.
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I thought this book was okay. the plot was fairly unique and overall was entertaining. the book was still funny show more and relatable.
What I didn't like was the weak conclusion and the lack of character development. It was like Rafe never learned anything from the last book. In conclusion this book did a good job of entertaining but not at concluding.
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899+ Works 463,878 Members
James Patterson was born in Newburgh, New York, on March 22, 1947. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1969 and received a M. A. from Vanderbilt University in 1970. His first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, was written while he was working in a mental institution and was rejected by 26 publishers before being published and winning the Edgar show more Award for Best First Mystery. He is best known as the creator of Alex Cross, the police psychologist hero of such novels as Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls. Cross has been portrayed on the silver screen by Morgan Freeman. He has had eleven on his books made into movies and ranks as number 3 on the Hollywood Reporter's '25 Most Powerful Authors' 2016 list. He also writes the Women's Murder Club series, the Michael Bennett series, the Maximum Ride series, Daniel X series, the Witch and Wizard series, BookShots series, Private series, NYPD Red series, and the Middle School series for children. He has won numerous awards including the BCA Mystery Guild's Thriller of the Year, the International Thriller of the Year award, and the Reader's Digest Reader's Choice Award. James Patterson introduced the Bookshots Series in 2016 which is advertised as All Thriller No Filler. The first book in the series, Cross Kill, made the New York Times Bestseller list in June 2016. The third and fourth books, The Trial, and Little Black Dress, made the New York Times Bestseller list in July 2016. The next books in the series include, $10,000,000 Marriage Proposal, French Kiss, Hidden: A Mitchum Story (co-authored with James O. Born). and The House Husband (co-authored Duane Swierczynski). Patterson's novel, co-authored with Maxine Paetro, Woman of God, became a New York Times bestseller in 2016. Patterson co-authored with John Connoly and Tim Malloy the true crime expose Filthy Rich about billionaire convicted sex offender Jeffrey Eppstein. In January 2017, he co-authored with Ashwin Sanghi the bestseller Private Delhi. And in August 2017, he co-authored with Richard Dilallo, The Store. The Black Book is a stand-alone thriller, co-authored by James Patterson and David Ellis. In April 2018, he co-authored Texas Ranger with Andrew Bourelle. In May 2018, he co-authored Private Princess with Rees Jones. In August 2018 he co-authored Fifty Fifty with Candice Fox. (Bowker Author Biography) James Patterson is the author of seven major national bestsellers in a row. These include "Along Came a Spider", "Kiss the Girls", "Jack & Jill", "Cat & Mouse", "When the Wind Blows", "Pop Goes the Weasel", &, in paperback, "The Midnight Club". A past winner of the prestigious Edgar Award, Patterson lives in Florida. (Publisher Provided) show less

29+ Works 10,323 Members
Chris Tebbetts was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He received a degree in Radio-TV-Film from Northwestern University. After graduation, he moved to New York City where he worked through the various technical aspects of producing plays. He eventually started directing. After eight years, he decided to move to Burlington, Vermont and focus on show more writing. He took writing classes and attended numerous writing conferences and workshops. This eventually led to a four-book fantasy adventure series called the Viking Saga. He also writes the Middle School series with James Patterson. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Middle School: Get Me Out of Here!
- Original title
- Middle School: Get Me Out of Here!
- Dedication
- THE AUTHORS WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
Andrew Junge at Okland School of Arts
Alice Trageser at Hinesburg Community School
Lisa Pagano
Janie Bynum - First words
- Well, who'd hae though so much could change in one summer? Not me, that's for sure. Not my best buddy, Leonardo the Silent.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)It was a little embarassing, but in another way it was also kind of the best night of my life. I mean... so far, anyway.
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