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The Ridders #1
Sue B and the Ridders
Susan Michelle Beezly has a pest problem. In fact, Sue B has such a pest problem that she wonders if there isn’t some sort of exterminator who specializes in little siblings and brazen bullies. By day she's tormented by Barnaby T. Plumbol, an addle-brained oaf. By night, her nuisance takes the form of four-and-a-half-year-old Jessie Jess, oppressor to sisters and dolls alike. When a mysterious new janitor appears at her school and offers to help her with her problem, Sue B discovers that banishing her pests to the strange magical world of the Ridderlands doesn’t give her the relief she had hoped for. Instead, she’s riddled with guilt as she watches the world erase the memories of her foes. Sue B must figure out what’s truly important in order to rescue her pests from the Pterosaur-like creatures who carried them away and find it within herself to bring them home.
- GenresMiddle Grade
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2023
36 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Ruth Rotert
5 books15 followersMelissa Ruth Rotert is a poet turned writer of speculative fiction for all ages. She has a particular soft spot for middle grade fantasy that adds a dash of magic to the contemporary world. As a former educator and artist, Melissa embraces the concept of ‘play to learn’ both in life and in her writing. Born in the Midwest and raised in Western New York, Melissa is an avid Buffalo Bills fan who enjoys exploring every day with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 24, 2023
Sue B wants what every kid wants--peace from the bully at school and from her often-annoying little sister. When she finally gets her wish, it will take every ounce of her determination to solve her problems...for real, this time. This book is full of heart, wit, and wonder! With plenty of action, gorgeous descriptions, and clever characters, Sue B and the Ridders is a fabulous debut from author Melissa Ruth Rotert. From young readers to their parents and the young at heart, Sue B can teach us all that sometimes, getting exactly what you wish for isn't all it's cut out to be.
May 29, 2023
I loved this book! Such a great read, there’s adventure, magic and life lessons. The creative storytelling makes it very hard to put it down, you can’t wait to pick it back up. I hope there will be more to the story, I can’t wait to see what the next adventure is for these characters.
March 9, 2024
This was such a fascinating, mysterious, heartfelt and engaging book. I had a hard time putting it down! The speculative elements were creative and vividly written, drawing the reader into the creepy world of the Ridders. At the same time, the realistic elements were just as compelling as it followed Sue B's struggles with bullying and finding her place in her family. This a great story of empathy, sisterhood, and finding the courage to face your problems rather than wishing them away.
July 17, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect as Middle Grade isn't my usual age category of choice, but it appears I've been missing out! It was a lovely little book, with evocative descriptions. I could really picture everything described. I reckon the book would be great for an independent, clever girl or boy who has a big age gap with their younger sibling. They'd definitely relate to Sue B! All in all, would definitely recommend.
June 15, 2023
Fantastic book for young readers! Sue B and the Ridders mixes suspense, humor, mystery and wonder into a story that is entertaining while teaching lessons of empathy and kindness. Great read!!
June 19, 2023
Such a fun read!! Great storytelling & imagery transport the reader through Sue B’s journey!
May 29, 2023
A story for the younger reader about the effect of bullying and changing attitudes. Sue B is having her life made unbearable by a school bully. Looking for a way to deal with this she makes a rash decision. From this choice comes adventure and a race to correct this when she realises her mistake. Thank you to Level Best Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given
June 15, 2023
I really enjoyed the character writing in this book. The way Sue B and Barnaby end their antagonistic view of each other without becoming friends. also Jessie's character entirely. I thought the use of heroes journey being used to convince Sue B that she had to follow her own heroes journey was really creative. The world of the Ridders was very interesting. W book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2023
I love this book with my whole heart. It has everything a young reader (or a middle grade book loving adult like me) could want: adventure, magic, revenge, and dinosaurs. Sue B is a well-rounded character whose journey is so satisfying and engaging. The world Rotert builds is fantastic. I cannot recommend this book enough.
August 3, 2023
Thank you so much to Level Best Books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
Sue is bullied by Barnaby and has been for years then a mysterious janitor appears and she uses something he gives her to wish Barnaby was gone. Then he is and she’s the only one to remember him. Then she wishes her annoying sister was gone and she is. Leaving Sue to figure out how to save them both.
This was a lot better than I expected it to be, I actually found I got into it pretty quickly. I wanted to know what was going on, what was going to happen next, the story was so clever. I loved the different elements that come into it as you go through the story and the progression was amazing as was the pacing of the story.
Sue is an easy character to connect with and you feel utterly sad for her with the torment she goes through daily from Barnaby, you can totally understand whys he wanted him gone. Then her cutie little sister that gets away with everything and destroys everything, her mom always taking her sisters side, so in a fleet of anger you understand why she wanted her gone too.
Mr. Ritter was interesting and so mysterious, you know instantly there is something off with him but you never know exactly what. And we never really get our answers for who he is, or why he comes and goes he remains mysterious. And the prehistoric Ridders of his were very fascinating and I’d never seen anything like that included in this way in a book. Was very fascinating and creative and certainly added to the adventure of the story.
I really did like this story and the mystery of what happened to them, Sue getting to have her life without them and trying to figure out why she is the only one to remember. Having only her nightmares to tell her where they are and to try and save them, taking her onto a magical adventure and fixing her issues with both of them.
It’s such a unique and very clever book, I enjoyed reading it and it had so many different elements from the realities of normal life, to bullying, family troubles, School troubles, to the magic, the mystery, the adventure, the prehistoric Ridders. I do recommend this book it’s a really great read.
Sue is bullied by Barnaby and has been for years then a mysterious janitor appears and she uses something he gives her to wish Barnaby was gone. Then he is and she’s the only one to remember him. Then she wishes her annoying sister was gone and she is. Leaving Sue to figure out how to save them both.
This was a lot better than I expected it to be, I actually found I got into it pretty quickly. I wanted to know what was going on, what was going to happen next, the story was so clever. I loved the different elements that come into it as you go through the story and the progression was amazing as was the pacing of the story.
Sue is an easy character to connect with and you feel utterly sad for her with the torment she goes through daily from Barnaby, you can totally understand whys he wanted him gone. Then her cutie little sister that gets away with everything and destroys everything, her mom always taking her sisters side, so in a fleet of anger you understand why she wanted her gone too.
Mr. Ritter was interesting and so mysterious, you know instantly there is something off with him but you never know exactly what. And we never really get our answers for who he is, or why he comes and goes he remains mysterious. And the prehistoric Ridders of his were very fascinating and I’d never seen anything like that included in this way in a book. Was very fascinating and creative and certainly added to the adventure of the story.
I really did like this story and the mystery of what happened to them, Sue getting to have her life without them and trying to figure out why she is the only one to remember. Having only her nightmares to tell her where they are and to try and save them, taking her onto a magical adventure and fixing her issues with both of them.
It’s such a unique and very clever book, I enjoyed reading it and it had so many different elements from the realities of normal life, to bullying, family troubles, School troubles, to the magic, the mystery, the adventure, the prehistoric Ridders. I do recommend this book it’s a really great read.
June 20, 2023
Along with a fun story involving magic, Sue B and the Ridders delivers an important message for middle grade readers. Author Rotert provides insight into the effects of bullying from the victim’s perspective, and explores the conventional ways of dealing with the problem. When these methods don’t work, Sue B resorts to an unorthodox approach, with the help of a school janitor.
Not only does Sue have to deal with her school bully, Barnaby, the adults in her life don’t understand the severity of the issue, offering little in the way of constructive solutions. Sue’s home life centers around her little sister, Jess, who gets all the attention from their parents while being an annoyance to her big sister. Only Mr. Ritter, a new janitor, takes an interest in helping Sue rid herself of her bully. For a while, everything is great in Sue’s world. But before long, Sue questions Mr. Ritter’s method of dealing with problems.
Told with a touch of humor and a voice that older children will relate to, the writing flows naturally and is an easy read, while at the same time extending the reader’s vocabulary with precocious Sue’s narrative. An enjoyable fantasy with teaching moments, Sue B and the Ridders is sure to appeal to middle grade readers.
Not only does Sue have to deal with her school bully, Barnaby, the adults in her life don’t understand the severity of the issue, offering little in the way of constructive solutions. Sue’s home life centers around her little sister, Jess, who gets all the attention from their parents while being an annoyance to her big sister. Only Mr. Ritter, a new janitor, takes an interest in helping Sue rid herself of her bully. For a while, everything is great in Sue’s world. But before long, Sue questions Mr. Ritter’s method of dealing with problems.
Told with a touch of humor and a voice that older children will relate to, the writing flows naturally and is an easy read, while at the same time extending the reader’s vocabulary with precocious Sue’s narrative. An enjoyable fantasy with teaching moments, Sue B and the Ridders is sure to appeal to middle grade readers.
December 2, 2023
This reads like a family story told to kids, but has some of those weaknesses. The viewpoint character is inconsistent. The parents seem completely clueless. The bullying of the boy is relentless and ongoing, yet is elided with one angry yell to a pesky little sister, which seemed unbalanced.
I did like her relationship with her younger sister, especially in the real world. Despite her parents she manages to have a good relationship with her.
I did like her relationship with her younger sister, especially in the real world. Despite her parents she manages to have a good relationship with her.
June 16, 2023
The constant descriptive details used make it easy to paint a picture of every moment in your head, like watching a movie. As a visual learner, I loved this! You can't help but relate to Sue B through all of her endeavors. There is just enough real, relatable content mixed with fiction that makes it a fun read for more than just your kids!
July 30, 2023
Sue B is tired of her bully at school and her pesky little sister at home. What can she do? One day a janitor slips some bird seed into her backpack. Sue is very confused. Through a series of events things start changing (I won’t spoil it). This was a great book with a good lesson of be careful what you wish for and enjoy what you have while you have it!
May 24, 2023
You'll get lost in the world of Sue B! This beautiful debut by Melissa Ruth Rotert is full of heart & humor. A perfect "read together" book for families, Sue B and the Ridders reminds us all about the power of perspective. This book is sure to captivate the young & the young at heart alike.
August 10, 2023
What a great little book! So few children’s books teach great lessons and entertain at the same time.. loved the characters .. made you root for them til the satisfying end.. which left me w a tear. Loved it!
May 25, 2023
Book was well written with a great lessons built into the story which was great to see with her first book can’t wait to read the next one!
June 12, 2023
This book was a true joy to read. Although I’m not the target audience I found myself unable to put this book down. I’m excited for the rest of the series! Highly recommended.
July 13, 2023
Even though I'm 67 I truly enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and filled my imagination with my own pictures of the descriptive writing of the author. Young or old will enjoy this book by Melissa Ruth Rotert.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews