It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There’s . . . Jessica, the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in; Alexia, a bully, your friend one second, your enemy the next; Peter, class prankster and troublemaker; Luke, the brain; Danielle, who never stands up for herself; shy Anna, whose home situation makes her an outcast; and Jeffrey, who hates school.
 
Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone.

Because of Mr. Terupt

In the voices of a handful of very different fifth-grade students, Rob Buyea weavs a portrait of the kind of quietly influential teacher every kid needs in their life. I was instantly engaged by the simple, readable style of the book, and found myself connecting to all of the different characters. The story was thought-provoking, and I found myself still mulling over it after I'd closed the book—always a good sign!

Because of Mr. Terupt is highly recommended for middle-grade students (probably ages 10 and up), and for adults with an interest in children's issues or children's literature.

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: Kids engage in a snowball fight. A character is hurt when hit by a ball of ice thrown by another character.

Sex/Nudity: References are made to one character being the result of a teen pregnancy.

Comas/serious health problems, family issues

None