Here Comes Trouble by Kate Hattemer - OPTIONAL

Here Comes Trouble by Kate Hattemer, 309 pages, Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2018, $17. 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Soren Skaar’s life has changed.  His best friend and pranking partner, a girl named Alex, has moved before he begins 6th grade.  If that weren’t bad enough, his cousin, Flynn comes to spend the school year with him. Flynn is nothing like Alex.  Flynn is hip and serious about school, whereas Soren is only concerned with pranking. As Soren tries to find ways to prank without Alex, he makes some interesting allies but puts other relationships at risk.

At over 300 pages, this book felt long.  I also struggled with the pranking.  No one seemed to have a real problem with it.  As a middle school teacher I would have to find a job elsewhere than Soren’s school.   I would have liked to see Flynn’s character explored more in depth.   He seemed to have some serious issues that were glossed over.   This book was a fun premise that left me wanting more character growth.  

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher