I had this upper middle grade book on my list to review from last Summer, but couldn’t get to it until the new year arrived. It was worth the wait.

Here’s what to expect:

Sporty Meg and fashionista Jo don’t have much in common besides being seventh graders at Somerset Middle School, where everyone is obsessed with being voted the Greatest of All Time and celebrated at the Harvest Ball. But when their mascot Somerset Babette (a.k.a. the world’s cutest goat) is kidnapped, Jo and Meg are wrongfully accused of being the culprits.

The burned-out soccer star and chronically ill overachiever band together and assemble a rag-tag squad to steal the goat back. Banter, activism, self-care, double-crosses, big shenanigans, and even bigger feelings follow as the girls fight to change how animals are treated at their school and achieve true freedom for their four-legged, sweater-chewing friend in this laugh-out-loud middle-grade heist centering friendship and bodily autonomy.

Jo Belmonte takes the first of 27 chapters in this dual point of view plot. She is big on fashion and taking care of Babette. Jo is also dealing with a recent flare-up of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Then there is soccer star Meg Mancuso who is also having some health issues when she strains her hamstring. Her father would like her to play through the pain but under Doctor’s orders to rest, she does what is best for herself and takes time off from soccer. She’s not sure if playing again will be worth it.

Meg and Jo work together to find the cute goat, but their trust level makes the path very bumpy to succeed. Adding to their challenge is Principal Petrov, more of a nemesis and should get an award for being the all time worst school administrator. Thankfully, I haven’t come across anyone like him in real educational settings.

The other student characters are diverse, adding to the mix with doses of humor and believable interactions. This includes a few innocent kisses. Readers in 6th or 7th grade will especially enjoy the amusing banter between the kids.

VOTE FOR THE G.O.A.T. is a very entertaining story and one that you could envision a sequel.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: August, 26, 2025 PAGES: 336

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: VOTE FOR THE G.O.A.T. by Ali Terese

1. Books with characters dealing with either arthritis or a sport’s injury are rare. They both are given attention here and learning how they deal with their setbacks was enlightening.
2. Realistic school stories are also hard to find in middle grade literature but young readers will see a lot of familiarity with this story.
3. The solution of what to do next for Babette the goat was a winning choice. Animal lovers will be applauding.
4. Students do have a voice when given the chance, one that will provide motivation for the intended audience of readers.
5. The ending was a winner, maybe not the G.O.A.T., but certainly a memorable one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ali Terese is a middle grade and YA author who writes funny and heartfelt stories including FREE PERIOD (Scholastic – 2024) and VOTE FOR THE G.O.A.T. (Aladdin / Simon & Schuster – 2025). Her work has been longlisted for the National Book Award, received starred reviews in School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, an Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award, a Kids’ Indie Next selection, and spots on the American Library Association’s RISE list, the Chicago Public Schools Battle of the Books, Texas Lone Star Reading List, Garden State Teen Book Award List, and DC Three Stars Book Award List. Ali has presented the book at bookseller, teacher, and librarian events across the nation. Visit Ali online for book bonuses, giveaways, and resources like discussion guides, recipes, and craftivism projects at aliterese.com.

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