The Return of Ritter

The Ridders #2

by Melissa Ruth Rotert

A year after Sue B, Jessie Jess, and Barnaby return from the Ridderlands, Barnaby finds himself struggling with his past behaviors. Though he’s worked hard to become a better person, others are reluctant to trust him. All that changes when a new student, JR, takes an instant liking to Barnaby and the two become fast friends. Things are looking up until JR mysteriously disappears and Barnaby must seek Sue B’s help once more to save his best friend from a place he swore he’s never return, and face an unexpected foe.

144 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2024

About the author

Melissa 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.

Reviews

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative, suspenseful, and filled with heart, The Return of Ritter is the perfect follow-up to Sue B and the Ridders. This one is told from the point of view of Barnaby, Sue B.'s former bully. After his experience in Book 1, he is eager to change and prove himself. But a year later, he is still struggling with his past and reputation. That's why his growing friendship with JR, a new student, is so important to him. The two hit it off immediately and Barnaby gets the fresh start and chance at a friend he desperately needs. But then JR disappears and Barnaby's forced to seek the help of Sue. B to search the terrifying Ridderlands, a place he'd hoped never to return.

Barnaby is such a compelling character, and his anxiety, guilt, and yearning for normalcy and friends just tugged at my heart. The awkwardness and hopefulness with which he approached his friendship with JR was so moving and relatable. I appreciated the scenes with his family and how they showed the impact of Barnaby's past actions on his parents and little sister, while also using that dynamic to spur on Barnaby's journey to learn to trust himself and regain the trust of those around him.

Barnaby's adventure through the Ridderlands is eerily written, vivid, and imaginative. It has just the right level of creepiness and suspense, and I know my students would love it.

This was a fantastic read, and I know readers will root for Barnaby on his rocky road to redemption as he navigates the twists and turns of middle school life and the nightmare that is the Ridderlands. A fantastic reminder that it's never too late to grow into the person you want to be, and to trust in yourself and all that you are.

[InTheProcessWeTrust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sequel and exploration of Barnaby's character post-Sue B

[Genalea Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartfelt, imaginative book is the perfect addition to the Ridder series! It was a joy to see Barnaby's story continue. As expected, Rotert's writing was vivid, entertaining, and full of heart. You'll be just as invested in the continuing story of Barnaby - the ex-bully who still has a thing or two to learn about friendship - as you were in Sue B's original encounter with the Ridders, if not more.
With so much to love about the characters and the author's style, The Return of Ritter is the perfect read aloud with the family book you've been craving.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby might not have been faultless in the mess Sue B found herself in during the first book of this series, but he's been working hard to make amends and be a better person. Along with his trusty dog, Bruno, Barnaby has to call on Sue B to help him this time around when his new friend goes missing. By relating his world to the animal facts he loves, Barnaby learns that trust goes both ways--and trusting himself to do the right thing on his road to redemption might be the biggest test of all. Revisit the Ridderlands in another adventure full of big feelings, living with anxiety, learning how to process in a healthy way, and finding friendship among the trials and tribulations of middle school.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book builds on the story in the first one to tell an engaging, exciting story!

Told from Barnaby's POV, in this book Sue B. and Barnaby have to team up to rescue a new friend from the Ridderlands.

Barnaby's voice is authentic, and middle school students will relate to his struggles. Since the last time we saw him, he's been trying to turn over a new leaf, but making a new start can be hard when everyone remembers the old you. Through his friendship with Sue B., Jessie Jess, and new student J.R., Barnaby's return to the Riddlerlands teachers him about growth, facing your fears, and trusting in yourself.

I can't wait to have a copy on my classroom bookshelf for my students to read.