Reading Metrics
Description
Vacationing in Texas with his relatives, a young boy's falsehoods about his driving ability get him in trouble and threaten to expose the identity of his new friend, an illegal alien.
Quick Summary
Last Summer I Got in Trouble by Paula G. Paul follows a middle-schooler who gets more than he bargained for when he exaggerates his driving skills while staying with relatives in Texas, and that little lie spirals into a wild adventure that puts his new friend a quiet illegal alien at risk of being discovered. The story blends laugh-out-loud moments with a dash of tension, making it perfect for readers who like humor mixed with real stakes. It's especially good for kids who enjoy slice-of-life stories with a twist of mystery and a hint of social issues, and it works well for reluctant readers because the chapters are short and the pacing is quick. Parents will appreciate that the book tackles friendship, honesty, and empathy without being preachy, though there are some scenes where the protagonist feels genuinely scared for his friend. At an AR level of 4.6 and roughly 31,000 words, it's a manageable length for kids who want a story that feels substantial without being overwhelming. If you've ever read "The Homework Machine" or "The Girl Who Drank the Moon," you'll find a similar mix of humor, heart, and a bit of suspense that keeps you turning pages.