Just My Rotten Luck

Middle School #7

by James Patterson

In this seventh Middle School episode, Rafe heads back to the place his misadventures began: the dreaded Hills Village Middle School, where he's now being forced to take "special" classes.. He also finds himself joining the school's football team--alongside his main tormenter, Miller the Killer! But Rafe has grand plans for a better year: First, he decides to start a super-secret art project that's sure to rock the school. Then, if Rafe manages to make a play to save his team, he might have to deal with something completely new: popularity!

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Humor, School

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2015

About the author

Official US Site
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JIMMY Patterson Books
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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.

Reviews

[Billy Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a mix of comedy, action, and even love. This book was really good because there is a boy who goes through bullying and other things and he ends up getting over it. He gets over it by expressing himself with art. The boy, Rafe creates a secret organization called S.A.M, it stands for secret artist man. What he does is makes drawings based on other artists and sticks them all over his school. He does this very early in the morning or late at night. Will he get caught or will he keep his feeling trapped inside him?

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "Laugh out loud funny middle school adventures" Stars!

I read this because my 12 year old son had to do a book project, (vague much?) and had no idea where to start. So I read the book to see if I could help him out. I actually really enjoyed this book. The main character, Rafe Katchadorian is a fantastic kid. Completely misunderstood and underappreciated by most of the people in his life. (Not his mom, she's great) He's trying to find his place in the world. I completely loved him. Any who, I highly recommend this entire series for middle school age kids, especially boys that may struggle with their desire to read. Rafe is a very relatable character and his antics and adventures are laugh out loud funny with a touch of heart and life lessons thrown in. Happy reading!

[Danyele Kirch]

it was decent..

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok what I think is that this is a good book because you can learn something from how he helps and learns something from his consequences because he doesn't know when he does something wrong. Love this book good job on how understandable the sentences are because sometimes I notice things like that but ya as I was saying good job Author I am definitely positively going to read.

[Anabela Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

O meu favorito até agora. Há uma evolução no Rafe, e também alguma justiça lhe é feita neste livro. A expressão dele através da arte é maravilhosa e um excelente incentivo para miúdos na fase pré-adolescência.
A história do primeiro beijo está muito bem conseguida, divertida e simples, adequada à faixa etária.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just like we've come to expect from this series--funny--but there are some added elements that the others don't have. Rafe finally seems to be fitting in at middle school. He's found a way to deal with Miller the Killer and he's even found love. This was an enjoyable read for me and the kids (read aloud) and as always, we're looking forward to more.

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rafe, as always, a lovable troublemaker...
Five ROTTEN questions you'll find the answers to inside this book...
1. What's my super-secret mission that's sure to land me in hot water?
2. Is my sister, Georgia, as annoying as ever? (I'll answer this now: YES!)
3. What's Miller the Killer REALLY afraid of?
4. Who ends up being my first kiss? Is she temporarily insane?
And the most unanswerable question of all:
5. Why can't I ever stay out of trouble?
 

Rafe Khatchadorian is back in this 7th book in the Middle School series and he is up to his old tricks again - sort of. If you read any of the books in this series and liked it, you will like this one. This is a great series for reluctant readers (especially boys). There are cartoonish drawings throughout the books and they move at a fast pace.
 
The main character, Rafe, talks to the reader as if he is a friend. And Rafe is a good friend. He is still convinced he is a loser and is still terrified of Miller the Killer. But, can things actually go right for Rafe just this once? Well, you will have to read to find out.
 
My 11-year old son loves this series. He likes Rafe and the book made him laugh out loud several times. The story is highly relatable and the characters are fun. Watching Rafe deal with Middle School and all it's challenges is very entertaining (even for me).
 
I've read all of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and while they are humorous, I don't like the main character, Greg Heffley. He is not a good friend and is very self-centered. I don't mind reading the books with my son, but I often point out the things Greg does that are not nice. Rafe, on the other hand, is a genuinely nice kid. He does have issues and doesn't always do the right thing (which is totally relatable for all of us), but his heart is in the right place. He knows when he has not made the best choice and he feels guilty for it and tries to atone. 
 
Recommended to:
Highly recommended to boys in grades 4-8, especially reluctant readers and lovers of humorous realistic fiction (in this case, school stories).

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best of the Middle School series so far. In this installment, Rafe rejoins his old middle school, but this time as a Special Education student with an IEP--something that disheartens Rafe before school even starts. I love that this happens to our hero--kids have loved him throughout the series, and now they get to see him in a new way. Sure, Rafe has an IEP and attends Learning Skills class...but he also ends up a star on the flag football team, shows off his mad art skills, and stresses about his first kiss. I love that he's not an "IEP kid" in the book; he's a regular kid who needs a little extra help.

[Chris Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book it is about a kid that is a loser that does not have any friends beside one kid. He joins a football team so he does not want to get bullied. If you want a book that is funny and is entertaining this a great book for you. The relationship of this book is to have fun of what you are doing and never give up. The conflict of this book is that he does not want to get bullied so he joins the football team. If he leaves the team he will get bullied again. The most theme of the book is to not let a bully control who you are. I recommended it everyone to have fun and entertain yourself.

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favourites! The writing style is just so good. I have to tell you I laughed quite a few times. This book resembles to many people that go to middle school. It talks about a boy who has many adventures in school even though he sometimes misbehaves. This book shares many different emotions like: happiness, anger, jealousy, sadness and more. The writer has written about all these things because his books are kind of based on real life situations.
Anyway the writers books short, fun and easy to read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I'm done. All Rafe all the time is getting so old. Good lessons here, too, that we get hit over the head with. But even though Rafe is having a pretty good fall, he's still whining and panicking all the time. Such a drama 'king.'

I know it's better than Wimpy Kid. And I know that anything that gets kids to read has merit. I just think they deserve better, and I hope they read more after this.

[Naima]

Be Nice

[Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Due to a school closure, Rafe has to return to Hills Village Middle School, where he's now being forced to take "special" ed classes to catch up as he's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to taking exams or handing in assignments to be graded.


Unfortunately, he runs across his old bully nemesis, Miller the Killer, who has not only grown taller and is on the football team, but now starts teasing Rafe about being "dumb" for being in Special Ed. Rafe's new Special Ed friend, Flip, comes up with the grand idea for them to show Miller up by joining the football team! His logic being "Miller would HAVE to respect you then. You'd be on the same team."

Such a great idea, football being their core competency and totally in their wheelhouse because, well, MAYBE there's a good reason Flip is in Special Ed besides ADHD? I was going to make a "Stupid is as Stupid does" Forrest Gump joke, but the joke's on me. Rafe is so good and so fast when it comes to running away from Miller that Miller, who isn't as dumb as he is portrayed, immediately sees this as an asset that can be exploited on the football field.


This ended up being the only Rafe Katchadorian middle school story I rated 5* for 3 reasons.

Firstly, the Secret Agent Man (SAM) plotline and its creativity in bringing awareness and appreciation to famous art.


Secondly, Rafe throws a spotlight on bullying, which seems to be a big giant issue in American schools. Like, this topic is so serious, Rafe-Miller has its own Gif.


Finally, I am very, very happy with how Rafe ended up realizing a fundamental truth in life.

[Zachary]

I don't like the part when Rafe gets his butt kicked all the time. I like the part when Rafe gets to play football. I don't like the part when Mrs. Stricker and Mrs, Stonecase don't like Rafe. I don't like the part when he gets put into a special ed class. I don't like the part when they can't talk the principal out of it. I like the part when Rafe finds a dollar on the ground. I like that Rafe's mom knows the special ed teacher. I don't like that Rafe has to be in a individual education program. I don't like the part when Rafe sees Miller the Killer. I don't like the part when they fought last time and Rafe got hurt.

[TheBookWorm🐛 🐛 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the other middle school books, this book is pretty awesome. I especially love operation S.A.M (which stands for secret artist man). That is Rafe’s new operation this book. I also think that it is pretty cool how Rafe ends up kissing a girl. I never thought that would happen (but not for the bad reasons). Also, it wasn’t Jeanne Galetta! I also love how Rafe finally makes a real best friend in this story. I just have to say that this story is very good.

[Evan V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very awesome book I really recomond it. This book will fit everybody in my mind. It is about a kid Rafe Katchadorin. He is a kid in middle school. The kid makes a deal with the kid at hos school who is giving him a hard time. Rafe makes a deal with him if he joins the HVMS football team he has to leave him alone. He is pretty good at it too.

[Irvin Lopez]

I connected to Rafe because we both had rough days in school.The most interesting parts of the book was Rafe being bullied in school.I would've like to see Rafe bullying his bully.Rafe being on the football team and being the mvp.

[Jesamo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Millie Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was better than the other book of middle school I read.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was really good! It also addressed bullying in a positive manner!

[Alessandro Gjuzelov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caro libro,
Non ho niente da dire.
Ale. G.
P.S. Giuro su i libri. Vero libri(che ho letto)?

[Freud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was REALLY GOOD. Even though is only read 1,2,3, and 4 this book was like the other. It seems like #5, and 6 didn't change much. Rafe went back to HVMS (Hills villy middle school). Over all I think this book was REALLY GOOD!

[Jameson J · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the start of this book Rafe was talking about how his mom was talking to Mrs. Stricker and he overheard her saying how he was "special" and he couldn't go to high school, yup, he had to stay at middle school as a "special kid" when he wasn't at all. So he couldn't enjoy the last days of summer. The setting took place outside the school, and Miller found out Rafe was trying out for the football team and Rafe must feel worried that he knew. So Rafe escaped and ran through the school to get away. So then Miller and his friends cornered him and Rafe was feeling worried, but they just wanted him to join the football team. The coach let him play, and Rafe must be feeling nervous because what if he messes it up. The setting is in Rafe's room. When reading today Rafe was sitting in bed trying to think of why he couldn't sleep. So he went outside to see if walking Junior could tire him out. But instead it made him mad because he didn't believe in himself, until he got and idea to make operation: S.A.M a new comic. The opposite of his other character Loozer. I could tell that he was feeling amazing with what he came up with, because now he didn't want to go to sleep now he wanted to right a lot about Sam. On the first football game they play their rivals. They have never scored against them in a long time. The score is 21-0 and Rafe’s team is losing, the next play, Miller throws it to Rafe and he catches it but runs the wrong way then after everyone screaming at him he runs the right way, dodges a bunch of players, then… SCORES!!!! Everyone was excited on their team but they ended up losing 35-6. I bet Rafe was feeling great. Skipping ahead in the story, Rafe posted pictures of Miller bullying kids, but colored red over the bully and green as the victim. Then, Miller found out it was him so Rafe felt bad and got himself in trouble by telling the principal all of the stuff he did. Rafe was in his 3rd game. They came up with a new play that works pretty often, and it is called "Highway 11." That makes Rafe the "secret weapon." In the end of the story, Rafe apologized to Marley, the girl who liked him. She forgave him and they ended up going home and playing football with his friends and family.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just My Rotten Luck was another book in the Middle School series. It was about Rafe (The main character in the whole series) who made so much trouble he was labeled as Special Ed and had to get an IEP. Rafe hated the class and didn't want to do it but he has to because he would have been expelled if he got in anymore trouble. Towards the middle of the book Miller "The Killer" forced Rafe to play football, or else he would always bully Rafe and beat him up. At this time Rafe decides to make a secret identity as S.A.M. which stands for secret artist man. In the end all seems to work out for Rafe as his art has gotten noticed and he turned out to be great at football.

This was one of my favorite books in the Middle School series as it had many twist and turns and showed the struggles of middle school. (Though some were unrealistic.) It was an easy read but I felt as though the author got lots of information into a shorter book. This book showed me that everyone has their hidden talents and no one is "uncool or super popular".
Overall this was a good book that I recommend to younger middle school guys. I rate this book a 5/5 stars.

[Jacob Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just my rotten Luck by James Patterson.
I like this book because Rafe tells how he is in a learning skills class and how he tries to not let anyone knows that he is in there.The main setting of the book is in Hills Village the town and middle school.The main charters are Rafe his sister his mom and grandma and his teacher Mr Fanucci his teacher.The main conflict was trying to keep being in the learning skills and playing football with the bully miller the killer,And miller the killer tries to pick on rafe for being in the learning skills class.I would recommend this book to people who like a funny book and who likes James Patterson.I would recommend this book to those people because it a really good book to sit down and have a laugh.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

today i finished a book that put me in the shoes of a middle school boy named Rafe Khatchadorian, who was expelled from hills village middle school. before he left, he had had an enemy that everyone called miller the killer. he was the schools main bully, and played football. later when miller sees his football team is in need, he makes a deal with Rafe so the bullying stops if he joins the team as a running back. he scores touchdowns constantly, and even creates a play. he gets a dog, makes many friends, and begins to like football. this is a great book that i really enjoyed and would reccomend to anyone that is looking for a school/sports book. it has exiting scene after exiting scene that really kept me reading.

[Annalise Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle School Just My Rotten Luck is about a boy named Rafe and the challenges he has to deal with while he is in middle school. In the previous books Rafe is sent to an art school, which he loves. But, his old school decides to take him back so he can join the school work help club. Rafe also has to deal with the bully, Miller who pressures him into joining the flag football team.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes realistic fiction. I am giving this book four stars because I liked it but at some points it was hard to follow because it has so many stories going on simultaneously.

[C_RAZOR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend middle school: just my rotten luck because this story is not the same as the others (apart from getting in trouble). in this story Rafe gets sent to SPED ('special education') instead of detention. Also if you've read any of his other books, he is probably EXTREMELY untrustworthy, which I find wierd because in this book, he gets a dog and as we all know dogs need a lot of attention.
In this book, he makes a truce with Miller the killer not to bully his friends. Anyway, I'm sorry for any spoilers that i may have written, but if you have not read any middle school stories, I urge you, read them.

[Kassie Martindale · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book middle school just my rotten luck reminded me of Diary of wimpy kid because it is two boys having a hard time In middle school so if you like diary of wimpy kids you will like,this book. I gave it two stars because it was not my favorite but you mite like this book this there are a lot of these books but this one is #7 MIDDLE SCHOOL JUST MY ROTTEN LUCK!

[Matthew W · Rating 3 out of 5]

1 star= it melted my brain
2 stars= it turned my brain into guacamole
3 stars= it is safe to read
4 stars= if this book was candy I would eat it and ask for seconds
5 stars= this book is my only friend