The Class

August 5, 2019
Sixth grade has started, and there’s a lot going on in Ms. Herrerra’s class. New girl and budding author Ellie, who struggles to make friends, decides to write a book about her school. Becca has always been a teacher’s pet, but she can’t win over Ms. Herrerra, which inspires her to act out with the help of popular mean girl Petra, who wants to make some changes herself. Petra’s former best friend, Rosie, is not too happy about Petra acting so differently, though shy, kind Stefan is thrilled when Petra agrees to attend a dance with him. Despite their varying concerns, the classmates unite when beloved Ms. Herrerra finds herself on thin ice with the school principal over an occurrence that happened the previous year. In alternating chapters, all 20 students narrate—some, including Ellie, appear more than once. This ambitious technique from Dowell (the Sam the Man series) pays off: the students’ varied perspectives and sufficiently unique voices offer key insights into events and character motivations, such as why Rosie is unkind or why Petra wants to change. The many views and diverse cast create a complex, thought-provoking, and entertaining view of middle school. Ages 9–13.

October 1, 2019

Gr 5-7-Sixth grader Ellie starts off the school year as the new kid and decides to learn about her classmates by writing a novel called The Class. The book will feature everyone in her homeroom, which is run by the beloved Mrs. Herrera. Each character gets their own chapter, with illustrations at the beginning. Conflicts include friendship woes, the theft of Mrs. Herrera's favorite things that usually rest on her bookshelf, and the mysterious reappearance of Sam, who had moved away. Stereotypes abound-jocks, mean girls, nerds, etc. One of the more insightful characters explains how hard it is to be labeled as just an athlete when he is so much more. This is a feel-good book about being good, with a dollop of activism. A girl writes a thought-provoking letter about the difference between being nice and being good. Justice is meted out in general, but not necessarily to those who need it most. This is a novel about writing a novel, so students who love books about writers will find it appealing. Dashes of humor and suspense surrounding several mysterious events make this title a pleasure to read. Moments when the students band together to do the right thing are especially touching. VERDICT For fans of Ali Benjamin's The Next Great Paulie Fink; this book covers similar ground but is more pat.-Patricia Aakre, P.S. 89, New York

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 15, 2019
Grades 4-8 *Starred Review* Beloved Mrs. Herrera's sixth-grade class at Milton Falls Middle School is a lively one of 20 students, but since sixth grade is when strange things happen with friendships and other relationships, everyone seems a little bit dazed and confused. Adding to the weirdness is new girl Ellie, who keeps to herself and constantly writes in a notebook as if she's psychoanalyzing everyone. And then there's Sam, who supposedly moved away but keeps showing up at odd times around school. Mystery pervades the classroom when items begin to disappear from Mrs. H's keepsake box, clearly marked Do Not Touch, and a rumor hits that Mrs. H may be in deep trouble with the administration. Award-winning and best-selling author Dowell has created an intricate, laugh-out-loud story, in which readers will recognize themselves and their own classmates through the 20 distinct perspectives that emerge as confessions and pieces of the mysteries fall into place. Intrigue is high, lessons are learned about those whom we think are different from us, and friendships shift as easily the tides. Dowell's characters are unquestionably realistic, and the story has twists and turns that will keep kids glued to the page. Read-aloud possibilities are endless for this fun mystery, which is a must for every sixth-grade classroom library.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)