SPED2

by Re Marzullo

What do you do when your greener grass becomes a jungle? For months eighth grader Jack Parker has been trying to get out of his small group special ed classes and into regular ones, so why is he so freaked out when it finally happens?

Maybe it’s the crazy teachers and chaos in the halls at Hickory Hills Middle School that has Jack wishing for the good old days with his small group classmates. Or maybe it’s the high stakes State Assessment that Jack finds out he has to pass to move on to high school that has him wishing he was back in his safe SPED cocoon. Whatever the reasons, Jack quickly learns that he has a lot of catching up to do.

A close-up and comical look at middle school life, SPED2 continues Jack’s story as he discovers girls, dodges bullies, and takes a long (hard) look at himself.

255 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2014

About the author

My whole life I've just felt better when I'm creating something. After trying painting, pottery, and a very short stint in a home ec class (I sewed a shirt that even my dog wouldn't wear), I've realized that writing is the type of creating I'm best at.

In addition to writing, I also have a passionate love of football (Geaux Saints and Sic Em Dawgs), potato chips and peanut butter (not together #gross), and my lovely husband and family. I live and teach in suburban Atlanta.

Reviews

[Sydney Rein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, SPED 2, by Re Marzullo was a story that was 100% worth my time to read. I loved this book because of the way the author added so much detail to the story, developed the characters, and developed every scenario/situation in the book. SPED 2 pulled me into reading the story because of the real life aspects of the book. Re Marzullo, the author and my language arts teacher, pulled in parts of our school day to the book. This intrigued me because I analyzed parts of the story from a different perspective than any other reader. Although the book is not particularly long, it is full of meaning. At some point of the story, I was laughing, but at other times, I was on the verge of tears. Reading SPED 2 by Re Marzullo is something that I will never forget.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re Marzullo delivers another excellent read in the SPED series. In SPED 2, Jack now deals with more burdens than before. New classes, bullies, bad teachers, and girls highlight that list of burdens. Re Marzullo gives great insight to a typical middle school student's life and how every situation can be both serious and hilarious.
With every flip of the page, she gives a new and interesting scenario that Jack and his friends have to face. Every chapter leaves you in suspense and wanting more. I would recommend this book for kids ages 10+. Reading this book will not only provide laughs on every page, but will give you a fresh and funny look at middle school life. Read it now!

[Ben Surasky · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPED 2 by RE Marzullo is a very good book that explains the life of a middle schooler from a different point of view then what most people expect. As a middle schooler there were many things I could relate to that makes the book more interesting. The way the book goes through the struggles of middle school, standardized testing, and a regular day of life for a middle school student bring connection between the book and the reader. The book had many details and is a great read for most people whether a young adult or an adult. This is a great book.

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I strongly recommend this book to any middle schooler. It relates so much to the life of an average middle schooler. It provides laughter and connections for the reader. It shows the fun, the good, the bad, and the stress of a middle schooler. I recommend this book to anybody who wants some humor, knowledge, and entertainment. Read this book, it won't disappoint.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book with a moral that manages not to be preachy or sappy. Fantastic job at encapsulating the general challenges of middle school and the particular problems of integration when the student is different in any way. Well done.

[Jill Weathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book. Great for young adults and adults as well!