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