6-321

by Michael Laser, Jerry O'Connell

More went on in sixth grade than the rest of my life put together. In just two months, I fell in love, watched my family break into pieces, and came this close to getting beaten to a pulp along with all my friends -- not to mention meeting Mickey Mantle and getting attacked by the biggest juvenile delinquent in the school. It's like this year was a nuclear chain reaction, exploding the scared little kid I used to be and turning me into a more grown-up self.

Things are not always how they seem. That's what Marc Chaikin learns in this touching, beautifully wrought coming-of-age novel set in the 1960s. When his sixth-grade class, 6-321, gets caught up in a feud with a rival class, Marc's life is turned upside-down. As he watches the things and the people he took for granted change before his eyes, he learns that maybe he has the power to change them -- and that he doesn't have to stay invisible in order to survive.

Audio Cassette

First published February 27, 2001

About the author

I write novels for adults and younger readers.

I live in New Jersey, just a few miles west of Manhattan, where I spent my bachelor years.

2 kids... 1 wife... 2 cats... and 1 goldfish (still going strong, since 2008!) (The goldfish, that is.)

For more biographical details, including childhood photos, favorite books, and assorted odds & ends, come visit me at my website, michaellaser.com.

P.S. If you write me a note, I'll answer it -- send email to michael@michaellaser.com.

Reviews

[Alex Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shaped 6th grade me in a number of ways. Never has a scrabble game been so exilerating

[LHerrmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is set in 1960s New York. The main character goes through some tough times in 6th grade, and I think this will read as good historical fiction for today’s teens.

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the way the author had wrote this book. This really reminded me about my 5th grade in Canada (when really is about 6th grade). I think the point of view was hard for the author to find because he had said he searched for lots information and went in his past to find all of this stuff. It's pretty amazing how all the events in the book had all something to do with his life. I wished I've read the one with the non-edited "stuff" in the book. I really loved the plot of this book, and I think the author putted a lot of effort in to this book. Anybody who is going in 6th grade BETTER read this book.

[Steve Mount · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homework book #1. I read this because it is geared toward the same aged reader as my novel, and I need to read more of this type of novel as I work on my next book. This had a predicatble tie-in with the JFK assassination, but it was still well-done. The book has a nice first-person voice, and many nice details from that era.

[Ashlynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was actually pretty good! It is very interesting- also, it is realistic in so many ways. It makes me like I was actually sitting there watching all this happen to Marc.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Catania wasn't all that. :-)

[Shi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give it a two cuz it was funny at times but it was really predictable didn't really like it

[Jason Caughell · Rating 1 out of 5]

It Juest Fit My Likeing.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted the fight to happen butit didn't