Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life / James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts / 281 pages

Rafe Khatchadorian compares Hills Village Middle School to a prison.  On his first day in middle school he is beset by the school bully, must endure the traditional reading of the green book - the school rules, decides to become the person depicted in best friend, Leo's, pictures and pulls the fire alarm.  He develops Operation R.A.F.E. - Rules Aren't For Everyone, assigns points for breaking rules in the code of conduct, uses one of the spiral notebooks his mom bought him for school supplies to record his points, and for the first time ever knows what motivation feels like and is actually looking forward to school.  The surprise at the end, and the troubles Rafe finds himself in, make this an enjoyable book.  Hopefully, it won't serve a inspiration to middle schoolers!