Mr. Terupt Falls Again

I absolutely love the Because of Mr. Terupt series. I am an upper elementary teacher and I read the first book in the series every year at the beginning of the school year. My students love the book and often beg for me to read the other books in the series. I purchased this one because I needed more copies for my students to check out.

This is a good book, I just wish Rob Buyea hadn't done so much talk about puberty. It was alright for the older age range, but cuts off all under about 12. I liked it, and the first one, but I don't know if others will.For those of you who read the 1 and 2 star reviews and saw the complaints, they were true. But this book is for girls ages 12-14. The first one, "Because of Mr. Terupt," was for boys and girls ages like 9-12 but this second one talks about first kisses, bras, boobs, and periods, so obviously boys aren't going to be happy with that. What I don't understand is how a guy author wrote about this stuff, I mean he acted like he'd been through it. And surprisingly he knew how 12 yr old girls feel about boys and friends. But he exaggerated a LOT about boobs and periods. At least I have never wished my boobs were bigger, or stuffed my bra, and I never ever WANTED my period. I dreaded it for the longest time, and I still do whenever it's that time of the month. That's not all that girls that age think about, so Lexie was over the top. Also Lexie was super excited to get her period, and I'm sorry, but Danielle was waaaay more realistic with this.I do wanna say that this book alternates chapters between 7 kids, 4 girls and 3 boys, Anna, Jessica, Lexie, Danielle, Luke, Peter, and Jeffery. So before you say that oh it should be fine cause there are 3 boys parts, no. The girls' chapters are longer, and more detailed. I mean the only 'guy' thing that they ever said was 'at least you don't pee standing up like I do' to a girl. (They were teasing each other).Oh btw they make references to lots of good books, and the ones I haven't read I'm gonna go read and you should too. But I'm just gonna tell you DON'T go read "Are You There, God, Its Me Margaret." That book is dumb, inappropriate even for older kids like me. It's not a good book AT ALL and all the girl cares about is boobs, her appearance, getting boys to like her, kissing, and her period. Don't let the title fool you like it did me, I'm religious and was expecting something with a little more meaning.But anyway THIS book is great. I'm going to write a list of stuff that parents of younger kids might not like:1. Drugs2. Vodka3. Talk about periods (as I already mentioned)4. Abandoned baby on the side of the road5. First kiss6. Hanging out in abandoned houses (which they got in trouble for and stopped)7. Teenage pregnancy (Anna's mom, not one of the main characters)8. If you're a super protective parent, then divorce might be on your list9. Some talk about boobs, and stuffing bras.But all that bad stuff (the drugs, vodka, and hanging out in abandoned houses) is not done by the main characters but by these older kids who completely turn around by the end of the book.But anyway Rob Buyea did an okay job with this one, even though I did like the first better, just wish the kids were older. In this book they are 12, in the first they are 11. I am 13 and I liked both although the 1st was better. My mom isn't going to let me read the third though, so I guess it's kinda bad. That's sad, because Rob could've made this series a really good one (I'm not saying that it's not).If you are looking for another good book to read you should try "11 Birthdays" by Wendy Mass or any of her other books; or "Wake Up Missing" by Kate Messner. If you're a little younger you might like "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio (by younger I mean like 10 or 11), if you're a little older you might like "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli, or "Double Identity" by Margaret Peterson Haddix. For a more meaningful read I absolutely love "One For The Murphy's" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Sorry, thats a lot of books, but I hope I helped :D

A good sequel. There did seem to be a lot going on in one book - but, that is, no doubt, typical for any sixth grade class. The author brought enough challenges to each character to keep the plot moving, as well as keep the reader's interest.It was enjoyable to read about the way each student applied some lessons learned from their year with Mr. Terupt in fifth grade to their experiences in the sixth. I thought each issue was handled very realistically, yet gave readers a sense of their own choices. It's a hard balance to strike. Many books written for this age group either overlook adults totally, and lean too heavily on the under-aged protagonist making decisions/finding solutions inappropriate to real life. Or, the parents/teachers/adults in the story fix everything unpleasant and save the day. Much like real life! Some reviewers didn't appreciate the true life situations this book includes - but, I think it was all communicated with honesty - and a little humor. These are the issues kids are facing, and being forthright is better than pretending it doesn't exist.I think this book was entertaining and yet modeled good choices (eventually!) by the characters. Another great book by a great author.It would be fun to continue with these same students, and see how they manage the junior high school years!

I read many of the reviews on this story, and I guess my feelings about the book differ slightly. If you are looking for a solid sequel to Rob Buyea's first novel...then read this book. Keep in mind that the students are now a year older, so the problems in the story deal with issues they face as young adolescents. Some of the details concerning the physical changes occurring with the young ladies did not need to be so blatant. Nonetheless, these very changes are relevant for girls in fifth or sixth grade, so I understand their inclusion...yet I would have toned them down considerably. No, I would not use this as a read aloud as a teacher, and I would only encourage more mature tweens to read this book. The reason I gave the book four stars has to do with how Jessica's "parts" were written. I loathed that her sections were written as a script for a movie. I found this to be terribly annoying. If you are looking for ways to discuss what is happening in the world of a tween you know and love, this book would be an excellent avenue for open, honest discussions.

I am a fifth-grade teacher and my students and I have been waiting for this book for several weeks. We finished Because of Mr. Terupt recently and have had many great discussions about it. Rob Buyea will be coming to our school in the spring and we cannot wait to meet him in person!Now, for my review of Mr. Terupt Falls Again...I read it in two nights after getting it electronically Tuesday. I thought Mr. Buyea did a fantastic job of maturing his students just enough to be plausible as sixth graders. The issues that Jessica, Jeffrey, Lexie, Anna, Danielle, Peter and Luke faced are those that many children their age do. They are very relatable characters! However, I must warn you that some of these issues (female development, in particular) may be a dicey subject to take on during a read aloud to fifth graders so I have to make some careful decisions. I do think many of the same themes appear again in this book, like the importance of sticking together. There are some twists and turns, but I don't want to give anything away. I will say that Mr. Terupt is the kind of teacher that these students will never forget on so many levels. He is the kind of teacher we all wish we could have had. He is the kind of teacher I strive to be!

This book is an engaging and heart-warming tale as it vividly highlights emotions like friendship, helping others when they are in dire need and the emotional connection with someone who has changed your life completely. The story will be loved by all as it has an array of emotions from the feeling of extravagant happiness for someone to the guilt of your wrongdoings. Overall this is an amazing read and will be loved by all as it has an interesting plot that enthralls the reader and most importantly, also teaches them valuable lifelong lessons. I will recommend this book to 12+ because it does contain some explicit language and content which does not adhere to the sensitive minds of the younger ones

Book was purchased as a gift for young reader.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how there were everyone's perspectives on the event that was happening. What I thought was really good though was how everyone had a different story. This book is good for 10-13-year-olds

My daughter loved this whole series!

My Year 5 class and I have got to know Rob Buyea and his dogs in the past months. What a wonderful writer and what an inspirational teacher Mr Terupt is. This is a super follow up to the amazing first book and I look forward to Saving Mr Terupt.