Common Sense Media Review
By Jasmine Baten
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fifth-grade boys face prejudice, bullying in hearting tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
At the start of SAVE ME A SEAT, Ravi and Joe are two fifth-graders who don't know each other, but they soon learn that have more in common than they anticipated. Ravi and his family just moved to New Jersey from Bangalore, India, where he was at the top of class. Now, people are making fun of his accent and his teacher thinks he can't do math correctly! Joe grew up in New Jersey but is always learning new things about himself and his Auditory Processing Disorder. He doesn't like feeling different, but it's hard not to when his mom has started a new job at the school cafeteria. Their biggest problem, though, is another boy in their class who makes fun of them, their families, and everything about them. As Ravi and Joe work on getting through 5th grade, they might just have to find a way to work together.
Is It Any Good?
This heartwarming and dynamic read will have readers outraged on Ravi's behalf and wanting to befriend kind Joe. Save Me a Seat is a story of two young boys who are just trying their best to make it through the trials of fifth-grade. The reminder of just how complicated school can be for older kids. Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks' spot-on alternate perspectives of the two boys, showing one way an immigrant child in the United States adjusts in Ravi's sections, and in Joe's perspective, we see how school struggles and family ties can add complexity to the pre-adolescent experience. Through it all, readers will be proud of both boys' determination to stand up for themselves and eventually, for each other.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the reason why real-life products and famous people are named in Save Me a Seat. M&Ms are important to the story. Why do you think the authors chose M&Ms, and not a generic type of candy?
How do the supportive adults around Ravi and Joe help them in ways that they appreciate? What about the adults who learn to become supportive?
Ravi and Joe are bullied for different reasons. How do they respond to their fellow student who bullies them? Do you think you could take a similar approach at your school when other kids are mean? Why or why not?
Would you call Ravi and Joe courageous? Why or why not? How have you been courageous in your life?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Family Stories , Friendship , School ( Elementary School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : May 10, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 25, 2025
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