Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Rafe finds his talent and a best friend in fun, light read.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In MIDDLE SCHOOL: JUST MY ROTTEN LUCK, Rafe is back at Hills Middle School, but the evil principal puts him in the special needs class, and Miller the Killer is still lurking the halls. Happily, Rafe finds his first best friend, Flip, in that class. Flip, a star football player, persuades Rafe to play on the team along with Miller the Killer. Rafe finds that his new friendship with Flip makes him part of the popular crowd. This has its advantages, such as being invited to a boy-girl party, but also disadvantages, such as when he turns his back on his classmates to look cool. With some soul-searching, Rafe designs a campaign to change the bullying culture at Hills Middle School.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun, light read. Gone are the terrible bullying and circumstances that plagued Rafe earlier in the series, and he finally learns to trust himself and be himself. He also figures out a way to share his considerable art talent with his classmates and develops an online presence. He's a member of the football team, has a best friend, and launches an anti-bullying campaign, making MIDDLE SCHOOL: JUST MY ROTTEN LUCK quite a happy twist in this series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how all kids learn differently. Rafe is placed in a special needs class at Hills Middle School because he needs extra support. Can you think of kids who learn differently from you?
Rafe walks away when his classmates are being bullied because he doesn't want to seem uncool. Have you ever been in a situation where it was really hard to do what's right? Would you stand up for others even if it would be embarrassing?
Rafe has a crush on one girl, and another girl has a crush on Rafe. Crushes can be exciting and fun, but feelings also can get hurt. What does it mean to have a crush on someone?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Laura Park
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publishers : Little , Little, Brown and Company
- Publication date : June 22, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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