Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth-Grade Year

Written by Rob Buyea, Illustrated by Alexandra Bye

Carter is a “challenging” student. He can’t hold still and yells out as soon as he thinks of something. His parents passed away and he lives with his sister and grandma. He overheard some teachers talking about how they hated him as a student, so the new teacher has her hands full. Ms. Krane is the new teacher. Ahe has a port wine stain on her face (birthmark) and Carter thinks she looks like an owl. The owl is not mean like he though she was going to be. She is patient and considerate of his flaws. She works with him to change the behaviors in ways he can understand. The owl is going to have a baby and she takes the students to a farm to get eggs to hatch. The class really enjoys the baby chicks and can’t wait until her baby is here. Suddenly, the owl is gone, and in her place and they have a sub. Carter calls him Lieutenant Boss. At first, he is strict and hard to get along with but later warms up to the class. Carter finds out that the owl has had her baby early and he has to spend time in the hospital to get better. Carter does his very best to be Private Carter and help everyone out till she gets back, even if it means being friends with the oh so irritating Missy. When his teacher gets back and her baby is ok, he realizes that he has grown a lot this year. He enjoys school and his class. “The proof is in the pudding,” as his grandma always says.

I think this one is better than Because of Mr. Terupt. Someone get this on the reading list, folks!

Reviewed by Christie Haslam, Librarian, Gearld Wright Elementary
Review shared in 09/23/2024
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-8

Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth-Grade Year
Written by Rob Buyea, Illustrated by Alexandra Bye
Delacorte Press
344 pages
Release Date: September 3, 2024
ISBN: 9780593376188
A review copy was provided by the publisher.

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