Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary Schmidt

Carter Jones, a sixth grade student at Longfellow Middle School, has a messy life. With his father in the military and stationed overseas, it leaves his mother to keep Carter and his sisters—Emily (a second-grader), Charlie (fourth-grader), and Annie (fifth-grader)—on schedule and in order. A new school year is starting and chaos ensues getting ready for the first day. The doorbell rings and an unexpected person enters their lives. Mr. August Paul Bowles-Fitzpatrick is going to bring order to their house and profoundly change their lives.

Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick has been employed by Carter's recently passed paternal grandfather, who bequeathed the services of  his butler to the family. Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick quickly assumes control, easing stress on Carter's mother by directing the kids to do their part around the house. He is firm but fair, and the kids reluctantly acquiesce to his demands. Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick drives the kids to school every day in his British Bentley, a bold, purple car that Carter dubs "the Eggplant". The Butler never fails to send each young Jones off to school with the same advice: "Make good decisions and remember who you are." 

Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick recruits Carter and his best friend, Billy Colt, to learn the British sport of cricket, having to share limited field time with the cross-country team. Coach Krosoczka and the cross-country running team are intrigued, and soon the Butler teaches the eighth-grade runners to play and excel at cricket, a game he perceives as superior to baseball.

Carter's life seems to be settling, but he harbors a past that haunts him and he is unwilling to share. When he learns that his father is not returning anytime soon, his disappointment turns to anger. It becomes apparent that Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick was sent for more important reasons; to help Carter rise above adversity and unlock his potential.

While a good read, it's not among Gary Schmidt's best. See my reviews for Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, The Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now, or Orbiting Jupiter for  better reads.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.8

Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 7 • Lexile Level: 840 • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin • Pages: 217 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-544-79085-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

In a scene that has happened all too often, this book has become even more relevant since I first read this book.

Jerome is a 12 year old African American boy who is shot and killed by a police officer while playing with his toy gun. As his spirit rises, as a ghost, he is able to observe the heartbreak wrought upon his family, as well as the devastation and acrimony brought upon his community.

We get to know Jerome from chapters alternating between when he was alive and his current state as a ghost. We learn that Jerome was a very average, unassuming young man with potential. As a ghost, he is confused as to why he was killed, and needs answers. He meets the ghost of Emmitt Till, the African American boy lynched in the 50's, who helps Jerome understand and process what has happened to him. As he visits the home of the police officer who shot him, he discovers that there is one living person that can see and communicate with him...the young daughter of the police officer.

What this situation sets up allows the story to explain and explore the systemic racism our country faces, the devastation wrought upon the families and communities in which it occurs, and allows us to explore both sides; the side of the victim of the racism, and the perpetrator. 

Well written, Jewell Parker Rhodes as created a perfect vehicle, at a perfect time, to learn, discuss and explore our options/solutions to the systemic racism/#BlackLivesMatter facing our country to young people. 

Mark's Book Pick Score: 4

Reading Level: 3 • Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 3AR • Lexile:360L • Publisher: Little, Brown • 217 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-316-26226-2 • Available in Perma-Bound binding

The Toll by Neal Shusterman

The final installment to the Arc of a Scythe trilogy is an intense and explosive ending to what I believe is Neal Shusterman's finest dystopian series (my favorite singular novel is Bruiser).

If you're reading this review, you've probably already read the first two installments; Scythe and Thunderhead.  I can't reveal too much without spoilers. I will tell you that there is resolution. Thundering, earth shattering resolution.  I can also tell you that there is much political commentary here, with so many parallels to the current political climate.

Marks Book Pick's Score: 5

Reading Level: 6.6 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 24 • Lexile:850L
Publisher: Simon & Shusterman • 625 Pages • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-481-49706-0 • Available in Perma-Bound binding