Reading Metrics
Description
While trapped in a cave with one of his fellow students, a longtime enemy, Daniel relives his troubled relationship with his schoolmates.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a quick middle school read that actually tackles some real stuff, Daniel's story in this one is surprisingly solid. He ends up stuck in a cave with his sworn enemy, and the narrative jumps between his current predicament and flashbacks to all the drama that got him there so you get this picture of a kid who doesn't quite fit in and the events that made school feel like a battlefield. The pacing moves fast enough to keep reluctant readers turning pages, and there's enough tension (okay, it's a cave) mixed with some lighter moments to balance out the heavier stuff about friendship and being an outsider. Parents should know it deals with typical school conflicts, some sibling-style rivalry, and a few tense moments in the dark, but nothing too intense. It's a solid pick for kids who like stories about underdogs or anyone who's ever felt like the weird kid in class fans of things like Diary of a Wimpy Kid might also find a lot to like here.