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Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life - Free Preview: The First 20 Chapters
Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off: With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class-5,000 points Running in the hallway-10,000 points Pulling the fire alarm-50,000 points But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding.
Blockbuster author James Patterson delivers a genuinely hilarious-and surprisingly poignant-story of a wildly imaginative, one-of-kind kid that you won't soon forget.
Blockbuster author James Patterson delivers a genuinely hilarious-and surprisingly poignant-story of a wildly imaginative, one-of-kind kid that you won't soon forget.
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
1841 people are currently reading
2327 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books356k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
September 19, 2014
The funniest book I read
because it sound like a very good book I wish it was free and funny how he tried to break all the rules and how he and his friend drew those pictures
because it sound like a very good book I wish it was free and funny how he tried to break all the rules and how he and his friend drew those pictures
August 14, 2014
So mean teachers
So mean teachers
the teachers are mean. I didn't like the ending part so mean just mean
well it's sad that he has really mean teachers
So mean teachers
the teachers are mean. I didn't like the ending part so mean just mean
well it's sad that he has really mean teachers
Read
January 21, 2014AWESOME
July 3, 2015
Awesome by Olivia
It was totally worth it because he had the operation rafe and he got extra bonus points for breaking the rules and got his first detention.
It was totally worth it because he had the operation rafe and he got extra bonus points for breaking the rules and got his first detention.
August 6, 2024
I reread this book as a joke.
it was horrible as expected, but it was so bad it was hilarious. i laughed so many times because of how stupid it was, which is why i rate it four stars. let's take a deep dive into this horrible book!
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼:
ᵣₐfₑ ₖₕₐₜcₕₐdₒᵣᵢₐₙ:
the shockingly dense, obnoxiously dumb, terribly insufferable main character! Basically, Rafe decides it would spice up his year if he tried to break every rule in the code of conduct at school. Teachers already aren’t paid enough, now they have to deal with this goofy-from-Mickey-mouse-like-kid with a bowl cut try to get them fired?!? Him and his pushy imaginary friend (see Leo The Silent) cross of rules and ruin their own lives!! HOORAY!! Anyway, nobody likes Rafe (understandable) bc he’s annoying. He writes the rules for the project, called operation RAFE (rules aren’t for everyone, cringy ik) down in a notebook like a little kid. What a surprise. I actually hate him so much and he is the worst character :))! Fave Quote: “I’m such a scum!”
This you? 🦶🏻
♠♔ ڶẸ𝔸𝐍ᶰ𝐞 ｇＡŁｌέтΔ 😺☺:
Jeanne is the only sane person in this book! She knows that Rafe is legit just one big red flag, and when she tries to help him he flips out on her! She runs for student council, she’s really smart, and she thinks Rafe is stupid as hell! She checks all the boxes for being a sane person! Jeanne also breaks the news to Rafe that broski probably ain’t gonna pass 6th grade (or could be 7th I don’t remember). Fave Quote: “This rule breaking thing is getting kinda..stupid.”
Ⓖⓔⓞⓡⓖⓘⓐ Ⓚⓗⓐⓣⓒⓗⓐⓓⓞⓡⓘⓐⓝ:
Georgia is absolutely CRAZY. She is Rafe’s little sister and she POPS OFF when she admits to the mom that Rafe is a little rat and ran around in his boxers during school (ikr?) and it was so funny the way she SCREAMED it so dang loud. I cackled. Fave Quote: “Rafe was naked in school!”
𝔅𝔢𝔞𝔯: bear is Rafe’s stepfather and he is actually hilarious. Rafe hates him bc he’s lazy and bossy and mean, but Rafe’s an insolent little brat so no one can tell. Bear tells Rafe at some point in the book that Rafe has to come home and do his homework first thing and Bear will check and RAFE LEGIT GETS MAD. Like what? He’s not even asking you for anything. Blud is weird. Fave Quote: “DID YOU JUST CALL ME A LOSER?!?”
𝒥𝓊𝓁𝑒𝓈: Rafe’s mom. Not much to say. At least one of her kids are good.
꒒ꍟꂦ ꓄ꃅꍟ ꌗꀤ꒒ꍟꈤ꓄: Leo the silent is Rafe’s imaginary friend slash dead brother. I hate him. He’s obnoxious and pushy and even though Rafe says he almost never talks to him and uses pictures instead, even Leo talks to him the whole book. So idk. I also don’t know why his own IMAGINARY FRIEND was made SO OBNOXIOUS.
ʍɨʟʟɛʀ ȶɦɛ ӄɨʟʟɛʀ: Miller the killer, aka Miller the killer chicken. Rafe’s bully. Understandable.
🍦 🎀 𝐹𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝑀🌞𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 🎀 🍦
1: Miller stole Rafe’s notebook with the Operation RAFE stuff in it and said he’d show Jeanne the stuff. He made Rafe buy back each page. Guess what? When Rafe bought back almost all of them, MILLER SENT BACK ALL THE PHOTOCOPIED PAGES TO RAFE’S HOUSE WERE HIS MOM WOULD SEE THEM!!! Pop off Miller!!
2: Georgia exposed Rafe for running around naked at school during their Mom’s Bday dinner. SLAYY GEORGIA!!
3: when Rafe was expelled. I audibly went “WOOHOO!”.
𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷
This book was so bad it was funny. Read it for laughs.
it was horrible as expected, but it was so bad it was hilarious. i laughed so many times because of how stupid it was, which is why i rate it four stars. let's take a deep dive into this horrible book!
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼:
ᵣₐfₑ ₖₕₐₜcₕₐdₒᵣᵢₐₙ:
the shockingly dense, obnoxiously dumb, terribly insufferable main character! Basically, Rafe decides it would spice up his year if he tried to break every rule in the code of conduct at school. Teachers already aren’t paid enough, now they have to deal with this goofy-from-Mickey-mouse-like-kid with a bowl cut try to get them fired?!? Him and his pushy imaginary friend (see Leo The Silent) cross of rules and ruin their own lives!! HOORAY!! Anyway, nobody likes Rafe (understandable) bc he’s annoying. He writes the rules for the project, called operation RAFE (rules aren’t for everyone, cringy ik) down in a notebook like a little kid. What a surprise. I actually hate him so much and he is the worst character :))! Fave Quote: “I’m such a scum!”
This you? 🦶🏻
♠♔ ڶẸ𝔸𝐍ᶰ𝐞 ｇＡŁｌέтΔ 😺☺:
Jeanne is the only sane person in this book! She knows that Rafe is legit just one big red flag, and when she tries to help him he flips out on her! She runs for student council, she’s really smart, and she thinks Rafe is stupid as hell! She checks all the boxes for being a sane person! Jeanne also breaks the news to Rafe that broski probably ain’t gonna pass 6th grade (or could be 7th I don’t remember). Fave Quote: “This rule breaking thing is getting kinda..stupid.”
Ⓖⓔⓞⓡⓖⓘⓐ Ⓚⓗⓐⓣⓒⓗⓐⓓⓞⓡⓘⓐⓝ:
Georgia is absolutely CRAZY. She is Rafe’s little sister and she POPS OFF when she admits to the mom that Rafe is a little rat and ran around in his boxers during school (ikr?) and it was so funny the way she SCREAMED it so dang loud. I cackled. Fave Quote: “Rafe was naked in school!”
𝔅𝔢𝔞𝔯: bear is Rafe’s stepfather and he is actually hilarious. Rafe hates him bc he’s lazy and bossy and mean, but Rafe’s an insolent little brat so no one can tell. Bear tells Rafe at some point in the book that Rafe has to come home and do his homework first thing and Bear will check and RAFE LEGIT GETS MAD. Like what? He’s not even asking you for anything. Blud is weird. Fave Quote: “DID YOU JUST CALL ME A LOSER?!?”
𝒥𝓊𝓁𝑒𝓈: Rafe’s mom. Not much to say. At least one of her kids are good.
꒒ꍟꂦ ꓄ꃅꍟ ꌗꀤ꒒ꍟꈤ꓄: Leo the silent is Rafe’s imaginary friend slash dead brother. I hate him. He’s obnoxious and pushy and even though Rafe says he almost never talks to him and uses pictures instead, even Leo talks to him the whole book. So idk. I also don’t know why his own IMAGINARY FRIEND was made SO OBNOXIOUS.
ʍɨʟʟɛʀ ȶɦɛ ӄɨʟʟɛʀ: Miller the killer, aka Miller the killer chicken. Rafe’s bully. Understandable.
🍦 🎀 𝐹𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝑀🌞𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 🎀 🍦
1: Miller stole Rafe’s notebook with the Operation RAFE stuff in it and said he’d show Jeanne the stuff. He made Rafe buy back each page. Guess what? When Rafe bought back almost all of them, MILLER SENT BACK ALL THE PHOTOCOPIED PAGES TO RAFE’S HOUSE WERE HIS MOM WOULD SEE THEM!!! Pop off Miller!!
2: Georgia exposed Rafe for running around naked at school during their Mom’s Bday dinner. SLAYY GEORGIA!!
3: when Rafe was expelled. I audibly went “WOOHOO!”.
𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷
This book was so bad it was funny. Read it for laughs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2014
1. Written by James Patterson, level unknown
2.12/9,10 80min
3. Game over, buck up, detention, worse,argue,Tutoring, trouble
4. I wrote a quick note on an old tardy slip and passed it. It's says "BUCK UP". She actually smiled when she read it.
I like what Rafe did at this part. They were caught by teacher but Rafe only thought about cheering her up. He is a gentle man.
5. I've been reading this book for ages! And I think this story is interesting! However, I want to stop reading this book, because this story is too long and I can't concentrate its content well. I want to finish reading whenever I have plenty of free time! But I think it's not now.
2.12/9,10 80min
3. Game over, buck up, detention, worse,argue,Tutoring, trouble
4. I wrote a quick note on an old tardy slip and passed it. It's says "BUCK UP". She actually smiled when she read it.
I like what Rafe did at this part. They were caught by teacher but Rafe only thought about cheering her up. He is a gentle man.
5. I've been reading this book for ages! And I think this story is interesting! However, I want to stop reading this book, because this story is too long and I can't concentrate its content well. I want to finish reading whenever I have plenty of free time! But I think it's not now.
May 1, 2015
Love it! Its a great book to read.I really couldnt stop reading it.I love the game they play and the book is sorta like a comity.I hope you can read this amazing,wonderful book some time and you'll see how great it is.
Love it! This book is absolutely amazing, no doubt. I couldn't stop reading it. I hope you can read this book some day and see how amazing and wonderful this book is!
Love it! This book is absolutely amazing, no doubt. I couldn't stop reading it. I hope you can read this book some day and see how amazing and wonderful this book is!
April 1, 2014
Great
I liked how the author wrote the book and how good the first twenty one chapters where . also I liked how it showed how much he hated some of the people in his life like Gus step dad and Miller the killer. over all it was a very good book.: -)
I liked how the author wrote the book and how good the first twenty one chapters where . also I liked how it showed how much he hated some of the people in his life like Gus step dad and Miller the killer. over all it was a very good book.: -)
April 9, 2014
Wow
really like this book very funny and entertaining
besides book ever very amazing James Patterson wait to go woo hoo
really like this book very funny and entertaining
besides book ever very amazing James Patterson wait to go woo hoo
August 4, 2014
Best book ever
Best book ever
I recommend this book to kids my age (10). this is a great book :)
:-) I think this is the best book I've ever read ;-)
Best book ever
I recommend this book to kids my age (10). this is a great book :)
:-) I think this is the best book I've ever read ;-)
March 21, 2018
My book I read was “The Worst Years of My Middle School Life”, by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts. It’s about twelve year old Rafe Khatchadorian and all the obstacles he faces in middle school. He had a bad reputation as a troublemaker, but he was able to turn things around when he found his true passion. I enjoyed reading the book because I can relate to the fact that it’s hard in middle school.
On many occasions Rafe talks to his imaginary buddy Leo and share a special bond together. Towards the end of the story we learned that Leo was much more than an imaginary friend. He was the memory of somebody real in Rafes life. I liked the story because it made me understand Rafe.
In another part of the story Rafe gets bullied at school by a boy named Miller. That affected him because it made him act out in a harsh way. He bullied Rafe at the water fountain before he was able to run away. This example really showed how difficult middle school was for him.
Overall, I liked this book because it reminds me of the challenges of going through middle school. It was well written with lots of descriptive examples. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in middle school.
On many occasions Rafe talks to his imaginary buddy Leo and share a special bond together. Towards the end of the story we learned that Leo was much more than an imaginary friend. He was the memory of somebody real in Rafes life. I liked the story because it made me understand Rafe.
In another part of the story Rafe gets bullied at school by a boy named Miller. That affected him because it made him act out in a harsh way. He bullied Rafe at the water fountain before he was able to run away. This example really showed how difficult middle school was for him.
Overall, I liked this book because it reminds me of the challenges of going through middle school. It was well written with lots of descriptive examples. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in middle school.
April 17, 2020
Rules Are Not Made To Be Broken
I thought long and hard about this review. Who in their right mind gives a James Patterson book two stars. Well I guess, me. On the surface this book is great and wonderful but then I thought about it. The kid in this book is purposely breaking school rules and doing it with such great fun. He's even making points for doing it. I just can not get behind it. Even though this is just a book. Reading is for fun and enjoyment, but we can't let out kids think breaking rules, even just for fun, is alright. Part of it's illegal for a reason.
I thought long and hard about this review. Who in their right mind gives a James Patterson book two stars. Well I guess, me. On the surface this book is great and wonderful but then I thought about it. The kid in this book is purposely breaking school rules and doing it with such great fun. He's even making points for doing it. I just can not get behind it. Even though this is just a book. Reading is for fun and enjoyment, but we can't let out kids think breaking rules, even just for fun, is alright. Part of it's illegal for a reason.
February 26, 2017
Rafe Khatchadorian in Middle school worst years of my life by James Patterson Is a average 12 year old kid. But things change when he leaves and is going to a brand new middle school. With no friends. Only Leo who is really you know all that, a bully named miller and the prettiest girl named jennean who doesn't even know Rafe exists. When Rafe goes to school there are way too many rules that he doesn't like so he wants to break every rule. With thus in mind he might it have the worst 6th grade after all. Or will he?
October 24, 2018
SOOOOOOO!!!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 15, 2024
Kind of a horrible story line,
If you are thinking about reading this, don't. it is as simple as that, it is this bratty kid who feels the need to complain about everything. And his sister also seems to feel the need to rat him out for being an absolute moron. Screwed up on both ends.
But anyways that is the whole stupid book. So save you time and you money and read/do anything else
But to give credit where it is due he did write a book... and that it is about it.
Reece
If you are thinking about reading this, don't. it is as simple as that, it is this bratty kid who feels the need to complain about everything. And his sister also seems to feel the need to rat him out for being an absolute moron. Screwed up on both ends.
But anyways that is the whole stupid book. So save you time and you money and read/do anything else
But to give credit where it is due he did write a book... and that it is about it.
Reece
July 10, 2025
This was supposed to be a book that I was reading in school, and I was so close to making it apart of one of my book projects, but it wasn’t good enough? As in, it’s not very interesting to make into a full fledged project. It’s very realistic, and I like that! It’s good if you’re just finding books to read, but it’s not really my own personal cup of tea. Ask me to give examples; I’m afraid I must fail you. It’s not bad at all though! Sorry for such a bland review.
March 9, 2021
Awsóoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooome me off is not an issue in my life 79th and I know that poop can't be bothered by an average price of the product or a little bit of time.
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September 28, 2024
I expected this book to be so funny it was ridiculous. What I instead found was imaginative narration, a child's perspective on domestic situations, and a journey of self-acceptance. While this book does contain humor, it also highlights important themes like family and overcoming grief. I think this would best suit upper middle schoolers.
June 12, 2019
the book was great and raff was a great character lol!!!#😁awesome
your mom is amazing and your books are the best your make me and my family laugh because they are so good and awesome yeet thank you for your book
your mom is amazing and your books are the best your make me and my family laugh because they are so good and awesome yeet thank you for your book
October 6, 2019
One of the funniest books
I choose this book because of its ability to show kids the reality of someone else's life.I recommend this book to kids between fifth and eighth grade to show how fabulous this book is.😀😁😋😙😇🤓😛😜😝😺😻😻👨👩👩⚖️👍:-P :-)
I choose this book because of its ability to show kids the reality of someone else's life.I recommend this book to kids between fifth and eighth grade to show how fabulous this book is.😀😁😋😙😇🤓😛😜😝😺😻😻👨👩👩⚖️👍:-P :-)
January 3, 2020
Too long and not very many pictures
In the review and also it was kind of confusing with all the bigger words in this book. What I did like was something that is called skipping all the chapters and going to the review
In the review and also it was kind of confusing with all the bigger words in this book. What I did like was something that is called skipping all the chapters and going to the review
August 29, 2023
This book is really funny and gives you a rounded perspective of Rafes perspective of family and school life. There are descriptions about his stepfather and little sister that many children reading this book may relate to. Great read for pre teens !
June 25, 2017
This book was really good and kept me on the edge. While I was on vacation I couldn't stop reading until my mom took the book away from me.
December 29, 2017
Noice
This book was nice. And it was long enough to keep me occupied format least 30 or so minutes. Noice
This book was nice. And it was long enough to keep me occupied format least 30 or so minutes. Noice
January 1, 2018
Love the book! Met the author when I was in middle school and had him sign this book for me! "Rock out with your socks out" James!
March 19, 2018
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Rafehdud hfnthur furhrnrhfu fdurhrbdufr idufurir fjhfhdbd fudbrhur rhrrud rdurhrr rurbr rdirbr rndiud emrcidbhd did ddidbf. iicbd dncicbd dicvbf cj nf CJC cd
July 1, 2018
Great book!
The book was funny for all ages and was interested all the way till the end. Great for kids going into middle school.
The book was funny for all ages and was interested all the way till the end. Great for kids going into middle school.
May 26, 2018
About Middle School
I liked it. Georgia remained me of ME. My sister is also in middle school, this book was enjoyable. Thanks.
I liked it. Georgia remained me of ME. My sister is also in middle school, this book was enjoyable. Thanks.
July 4, 2018
Good book
My son is eight years old , he liked the book and to give it four stars.he really seem to enjoy it
My son is eight years old , he liked the book and to give it four stars.he really seem to enjoy it
September 4, 2018
Great book
Great book
I love this book because I am going to middle school soon. It is interesting to me and fun
Great book
I love this book because I am going to middle school soon. It is interesting to me and fun
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews