My first year as a teacher was spent with 35 sixth graders. Back in those days sixth grade was at the top of the elementary school ladder. Kids had waited their whole lives to be leaders of the pack.
It was a fun year and I only made a few mistakes. I was learning right along with my students and probably learned more than I did in the degree program that bought me there.
But changes were coming. The next year sixth grade became a part of Junior High (later to be called Middle School). Sixth graders were now at the bottom of the ladder looking up at 7th and 8th graders. A scary proposition.
Sixth Grade Superstar is a fun look a that first year of Junior High as author Brian Lynch takes us back to 1986:
Sixth Grader Ty Bogart has a role in the school musical! It’s opening up a whole new world to him: He’s making new friends, talking to way older women (some of them as old as EIGHTH GRADE), and going to big kid parties (which go until 9 PM, if you can believe it). Ty is going to act. He’s going to dance. He’s going to sing. He’s going to kiss a girl right on the forehead in Act 2. There’s just one problem: Whenever Ty has to perform in front of people, he loses his voice. Can he find it before opening night?
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Ty narrates the tale and interspersed are innocent drawings of how he sees himself and others. It’s not a graphic novel but more text based with pictures added for increased enjoyment while reading about his plight.
Ty is shy and just trying to fit in. There’s a bully who makes Ty feel miserable, but then he tries out for the school musical and despite not being that strong of a singer he gains new friends and eventual confidence. Even though the story is set in the past, current middle graders will see many of the same awkward issues they face today.
Perfect as a read aloud, the character arcs for Ty and friend Bowen are crafted in superb fashion. SIXTH GRADE SUPERSTAR is an easy read that will have you smiling and laughing out loud at times. A great holiday gift for the sixth grader in your life.
PAGE COUNT: 261 BOOK BIRTHDAY: November 12, 2023
About the Author
Brian Michael Lynch (born June 21, 1973) is an American film and comic book writer. Lynch was the initial writer and co-creator with Joss Whedon of Angel: After the Fall for IDW Publishing, and is best known for writing the screenplays for the films Puss in Boots and Minions. He has also written an unproduced film adaptation of The Sims.
(Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
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COMMENTS ARE WELCOME BELOW!
BE SURE TO VISIT OTHER BLOGGERS ON TODAY’S MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY
Always in the Middle... 
This sounds like a great story. And it’s got the added bonus of being a shorter story with some illustrations for kids who have a hard time reading long books.
Happy Holidays!
Sounds like a fabulous book. Have a very Happy Holiday’s!!
Just picked it up last night after reading your review and the blurb. Haha—”Talking to older women (8th graders).” 🤣
This book looks like a lot of fun! As for first year of teaching – I learned SO much my first semester… it changed my whole outlook on what teaching could be and (with great mentoring) it made me into a better teacher/learning guide/education advocate…
Some themes are evergreen and this book sounds like it touches on middle school awkwardness in ways that everyone will resonate with. Happy Holidays!
“Talking to way older women.” That cracked me up. This sounds like a really fun read. I’ll look for it. Thanks for the heads up.
You sold me on this one when you pointed out that it had great character arcs – something I’ll be studying quite intensely next year. Thanks as usual for the fine recommendation!
Middle school always seems so strange to me, and now I’ve learned it was not always that way in the US! I’m curious about the rational for it.? 🙂 This sounds like a humorous entertaining story which a lot of appeal especially for those who have experienced middle school. Have a happy Christmas/New Year/Holiday and see you in 2024!