Exit Strategy

by Lauren Allbright

Twelve-year-old Ross tries to discover the formula for being funny and getting his new classmates to like him in this laugh-out-loud debut novel!

Ross Stevens has changed schools twelve times in the last three years but when his beloved Pops becomes ill, Ross and his mom must plant roots—which means no more school moves. And no more moves mean no more school exits, and Ross has perfected the science of leaving a school with an epic prank. Worse, it means he will actually have to learn how to make friends and do a science project, two things he’s never had to do before.

Then Ross hits on a hypothesis: if pranks are cool because they are funny then maybe he could discover the formula for funny! If his nerdy “peer review” partner doesn’t cramp his style and if the embarrassing notebook full of his “research” doesn’t get out, then maybe Ross can actually be happy staying in one place.

But can he really figure out the formula for ultimate middle school happiness?

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Humor

176 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2017

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book for presenting a character who has a school story that’s different. Ross’ mom is a musician with a touring symphony, which means Ross changes schools every few months. At one point he realizes that this gives him the opportunity to make a grand exit and he starts to plot those in advance. But now that his grandpa has had a fall, he and his mom will be in town a bit longer than usual. So rather than devising his exit strategy for this Texas town, Ross needs a plan for fitting in. Of course he decides to try to change himself along the way. Spoiler: that doesn’t work. As expected, the popular kids don’t like his shenanigans and the “dorks” who he really should take the time to befriend get their feelings hurt.

Despite the tropes, the fact that I couldn’t keep a lot of the minor character straight (Justin? And why is Jenna obsessed with the truth again?) and the loose thread of the dad, this book has some promise. I liked the framework of the scientific method. STEM in novels is on the rise and I like the way it’s handled here. I also liked Ross’ charts and his quest to become funnier. I also found Peter’s commentary on flight, fight, and “showing up” to be an important message for kids. Ross’ recognition of the flaws of flight was an important revelation and I liked the way he tried communicating more honestly, especially thru email with his old friend Trent. A good theme, for sure.

I thought this was going to be a two star book, but it’s got merit. I’ll be interested to see what this author comes up with next, especially something else with science is in the works.

[Erin Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ross's life with a traveling musician mother has landed him in temporary school after temporary school. Ross decided several moves ago that he needs an Exit Strategy for each short-lived life - something for his temporary peers to remember him by. However, when Ross's grandfather falls ill, Ross finds himself in a possibly permanent middle school in Fort Worth, and he's not sure if he knows how to handle being in the same social setting for too long. I enjoyed the humor and realism of this book and would place it in the hands of many 6th or 7th graders on campus. This would be a good read for a student who wants to better understand attention seeking behavior, someone who is always the new kid, or someone looking for an entertaining and quick read.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Ross has always had an exit strategy for moving away from school, but when his grandpa, Pops, gets ill, mom decides they will move in Pop's home and care for him.

Now Ross will have in stay put in one school and even do a science project, which he decides will be on discovering how he can be funny, so he'll be admired by the students in the middle school. He keeps a notebook of his research on how to be funny and is paried with a wierd lab partner who helps Ross discover a formula for happiness.

Some of the scenes were laugh outloud funny and I enjoyed the chapter headings and figures in the book which referred to parts of a science project.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Maybe Trent was wrong all along. I don't have to be Me But Better. I don't have to be anything special or great - I have to be here. I just have to stand up for myself and fight my way in. It seems so easy and obvious when I think about it. You don't have to be a special type of water to join the ocean; you just pour yourself in and it makes a spot for you."

I adore this statement, particularly that last sentence. This would be a great discussion book for a parent and a child if a child is struggling to fit in somewhere, be it school, or church, or another organization. It's a sweet story.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ross is used to changing schools, to the point where he has a different creative exit strategy for each departure. Now with the illness of his grandfather his mother decides they will put down stakes, perhaps permanently. Ross is in a quandary, because he isn't used to sticking around, making friends, and being steady but unsensational. He loves making people laugh, and he has to do a science project, so why not combine the two? Aside from the dense print, this book has decent kid reader appeal and a positive message. Middle school/junior high.

[Laney Nielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the center of this sweet and funny middle grade novel is a boy who needs to make friends and learn to be himself. For a science project, he decides he will figure out the formula for being funny. Chapters are titled for the steps in the scientific method and there are figures and tables that support Ross' humorous thoughts. This a fun and satisfying read. It would also make an excellent classroom read aloud!

[Kate Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book! Ross is a really likable, relatable character. This is the story of his struggle to fit into a new middle school, after moving from school to school over and over. It is both funny and inspiring. It has a great message for kids to be themselves and when in doubt "just show up"!

[Rachel Grover · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute. The ending was seriously cheesy, but the overall situation of Ross is something a lot of readers can identify with: trying to fit in and be funny with peers. Eh, certainly not my favorite of the summer, and while I bought a copy for my MS library, I'm not convinced I will booktalk it - maybe just on a display. It had potential that, in my opinion, it didn't reach.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to recommend to ages 10-12, not good as a read aloud because there are so many visual components. It might be especially good for a kid who uses humor to cope.
Kid who is always new has to learn to actually make friends and deal with being in one place for longer than makes him comfortable.

[Kristie Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a struggle (all out war) to get my daughter to read anything. She won't even read the back of a cereal box. I picked a few books that she had to read over the summer. She absolutely loved it! I had to make her put it down to come to dinner. Hopefully this author has another book on the way.

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really have much to say about this book. I finished it. I don't hate it nor do I love it. I can't be to critical about it since it's only a children's book. I just didn't connect with the kids-especially the main character.

[Renee Clearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about figuring out that you are who you are supposed to be.

Story used aspects of the scientific method for strong character development, including references to the flight or fight response.

[Ariana Stiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book! however, i wish they told us what happened to pops, and if he was faking it. and, why did ross get in bigger trouble than justin, when justin was the one who caused the most damage? i don't get it. but, ross and peter were kool!! :33 X3

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a humorous book. Students will like it because it is a short and funny story. Everyone wants to be the funny guy and this character loves the limelight.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story written in the voice of a seventh grade boy.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great middle school read. Humor with a good message.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who are you, and how do you fit in to the social life of a school, when before you have always been pulled out before having a chance to try? Set in the format of a scientific experiment.

[Sara-Zoe Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. But not really remarkable or worth recommending to anyone.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose kids ages 9-11, especially if they are the new kid, might like this one. I couldn’t believe how many grammatical errors there were in such a short professionally published book.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle grade read with accurate voice of a 7th grader who wants to fit in from being the new kid. I think a lot of kids will relate.

[Elizabeth Finney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couple of slightly scary bits.

[Laren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and concept. Very cure.

[Richard Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really captures the spirit of seventh grade especially the boys living out their awkwardness. Love it.

[Sea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good (I guess) I give it 5 stars

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very good representation for going into 7th grade. Because I just started 6th grade I decided to read this book, and I'm glad I did, I would give this book a solid 4 1/2 🙂

[Ruxandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witty yet hectic.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read! I would have liked a little more insight into Jenna, since I feel her character was introduced as one that was intriguing, but then wasn't able to be fleshed out and focused on given everything else going on in the story. But overall a good book.