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The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!
Middle school can be tough! Especially when Alex's best friend moves away and his dad loses his job. Things get even worse when a new boy moves in next door and a bully starts picking on him. Alex feels caught in the middle. If he defends the new kid, he may become the bully's next target. Alex soon finds out that the bully is hiding a secret that could change everything. Will Alex find the courage to do the right thing and stand up for the new kid? And can he survive middle school on his own? He'll soon learn that friendship can be found in the most unlikely places.
- GenresChildrens
95 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2018
1880 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 21, 2018
I love it
Is book two free ?
Are there not than two books and are they free?
So funny and one bit almost made me cry 😢
Is book two free ?
Are there not than two books and are they free?
So funny and one bit almost made me cry 😢
January 18, 2022
It was a surprise
The ending was a surprise but I loved the book.My favorite part is that you made TJ,Alex and Simon enemy's at first then you switched that around and they became best friends
The ending was a surprise but I loved the book.My favorite part is that you made TJ,Alex and Simon enemy's at first then you switched that around and they became best friends
April 28, 2020
Do Goldfish Take Bubble Baths?
This is a fun book. When you think you've read all the, I'm going to a new school, book sagas, you haven't read this one. The cover is a teaser for what is inside. The new kid is nothing he suspected. He is also nothing we are used to either. He is no normal kid. He has some great character traits. The bully is not a normal bully. Alex and his brother Dylan are buds. Eek!! Did I tell you to much? I must stop talking now. I know you will enjoy reading or listening this book, The New Kid.
I highly recommend this wonderfully written book. Happy Reading!!
This is a fun book. When you think you've read all the, I'm going to a new school, book sagas, you haven't read this one. The cover is a teaser for what is inside. The new kid is nothing he suspected. He is also nothing we are used to either. He is no normal kid. He has some great character traits. The bully is not a normal bully. Alex and his brother Dylan are buds. Eek!! Did I tell you to much? I must stop talking now. I know you will enjoy reading or listening this book, The New Kid.
I highly recommend this wonderfully written book. Happy Reading!!
January 1, 2021
Alex's best friend moves away (I love the line: Having your best friend move away is like finding a week old tuna sandwich in the bottom of your backpack. It stinks.) and his dad loses his job. A new boy moves in next door and a bully starts picking on him. If Alex defends the new kid, he may become the bully's next target. Then Alex finds out the bully is hiding a secret.
Good read. Kids need to stick up for their classmates, especially those bullied. Every school has TJ Hinklemans (Bully). And every school has Simons (Picked on). But every school doesn't always have an Alex. Maybe this book will spur more kids to be like Alex.
Good read. Kids need to stick up for their classmates, especially those bullied. Every school has TJ Hinklemans (Bully). And every school has Simons (Picked on). But every school doesn't always have an Alex. Maybe this book will spur more kids to be like Alex.
December 29, 2024
A wonderful book perfect for children eight years and older, and I think adults will love it as well. A very quick read about the challenges of middle school, standing up for what's right, and learning to appreciate how lucky you may be.
February 2, 2018
Coming of age. True friendship. Standing up for oneself and others who are struggling.
February 17, 2018
Thank you to Maureen Straka for the free copy of her book The New Kid for my honest review.
5/5 🌟s
This middle grade book was such a great read. It hit home for me because I remember back to when I was the new kid in middle school. The lessons learned from this book are valuable at any stage in your life- be kind to one another, as you never know what someone else is going through. Alex loses his best friend due to him moving away over the summer and thinks that when school starts, he will have no one. Although this was hard on him, it also helped him grow as a person and stand on his own. This in turn helps him make new friends and realize that it’s not what’s on the outside that counts, but more about what is on the inside. I love his journey and the lessons he learned along the way- to appreciate what you have and don’t make assumptions about people you don’t know much about. Great read! Highly recommend!
5/5 🌟s
This middle grade book was such a great read. It hit home for me because I remember back to when I was the new kid in middle school. The lessons learned from this book are valuable at any stage in your life- be kind to one another, as you never know what someone else is going through. Alex loses his best friend due to him moving away over the summer and thinks that when school starts, he will have no one. Although this was hard on him, it also helped him grow as a person and stand on his own. This in turn helps him make new friends and realize that it’s not what’s on the outside that counts, but more about what is on the inside. I love his journey and the lessons he learned along the way- to appreciate what you have and don’t make assumptions about people you don’t know much about. Great read! Highly recommend!
April 26, 2018
Great book for new middle schoolers
Starting 6th grade isn’t always easy, but in Alex’s case, it’s nearly impossible. His best friend moved away, there’s nobody to stand between him and the class bully, a new, not-so-cool kid moved in next door and seems determined to take Alex down with him into the no-friend zone, he has to share a room with his much younger brother who’s always getting him into trouble, and his dad loses his job and takes a new but embarrassing one.
Young readers will relate to Alex’s troubles and will enjoy watching him step up to the challenge of becoming a better version of himself.
Starting 6th grade isn’t always easy, but in Alex’s case, it’s nearly impossible. His best friend moved away, there’s nobody to stand between him and the class bully, a new, not-so-cool kid moved in next door and seems determined to take Alex down with him into the no-friend zone, he has to share a room with his much younger brother who’s always getting him into trouble, and his dad loses his job and takes a new but embarrassing one.
Young readers will relate to Alex’s troubles and will enjoy watching him step up to the challenge of becoming a better version of himself.
February 15, 2018
I received a copy of The New Kid by Maureen Straka from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The story begins just before Alex is to start middle school when his best friend, Luke moves away. A new boy, Simon, moves into Luke’s house and becomes the target of the class bully, T. J. While The New Kid is a short and easy ready, the story has a much larger and deeper tale to tell. Unlikely friendships, the strength to stand up against a bully, and the cold reality of why kids are bullies are the major themes of this book. I recommend this book for 4th grade and up.
June 16, 2020
My 9yr old daughter picked and downloaded this book herself when it previewed on her kindle. We have been trying to find a book she would enjoy reading and one that she would not get bored with halfway through which unfortunately happens a lot. She really enjoyed this book so much, that it is the first book she has actually read from cover to cover. The second and third instalments are free for us on the Kindle and she has downloaded both.
June 2, 2019
Good for children of allnages
The story outline is very innovative and the author has put in a lot of thought . The story grows at every point , and has a lot of twist and turns . The language is simple enough for young children to understand and , I would recommend it if you are new to novels or dont have experience reading new content
The story outline is very innovative and the author has put in a lot of thought . The story grows at every point , and has a lot of twist and turns . The language is simple enough for young children to understand and , I would recommend it if you are new to novels or dont have experience reading new content
November 7, 2020
Superb
This book is really appropriate for kids. It teaches them how to stand up for themselves, how bullying is not cool, and many things. I really recommend this book to kids who are in transition to be middle schoolers.
This book is really appropriate for kids. It teaches them how to stand up for themselves, how bullying is not cool, and many things. I really recommend this book to kids who are in transition to be middle schoolers.
August 30, 2020
Nice and humorous
June 22, 2021
I loved it
November 11, 2021
amazing book
This book was really good it had an interesting plot and amazing characters overall this is one of the best books I have ever read!
This book was really good it had an interesting plot and amazing characters overall this is one of the best books I have ever read!
October 21, 2024
Great book for my son
It was very inspiring for my son and he really really loves it! Thanks to Kindle He likes reading now.
It was very inspiring for my son and he really really loves it! Thanks to Kindle He likes reading now.
February 22, 2021
Interesting
This is a story about a bully and how the bully was handled. It’s a great book for preteens to read. Lots of things happen during sixth grade that Alex is faced with. The book deals with how he handles them. This book opens up lots of discussions about kids and how they handle the things they go through during the middle school years, and not all of them are about bullying. There are some grammar errors throughout the book, but nothing that affects the story line.
Great book for kids to read and talk about. Congratulations!
This is a story about a bully and how the bully was handled. It’s a great book for preteens to read. Lots of things happen during sixth grade that Alex is faced with. The book deals with how he handles them. This book opens up lots of discussions about kids and how they handle the things they go through during the middle school years, and not all of them are about bullying. There are some grammar errors throughout the book, but nothing that affects the story line.
Great book for kids to read and talk about. Congratulations!
October 30, 2020
Very good book where they become friends
Really good book friends forever this is amazing I love the author making this book and it is free on kindle
Really good book friends forever this is amazing I love the author making this book and it is free on kindle
April 11, 2021
Brilliant Book
I enjoyed this book because it involved teamwork and told you that you shouldn't bully others, Reviewed by my 8 year old son.
I enjoyed this book because it involved teamwork and told you that you shouldn't bully others, Reviewed by my 8 year old son.
March 12, 2022
Perfect book for young teens.
March 15, 2022
Good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2022
My grandson loved it!
Great characters and life lessons! Sparked great discussion with my 12 year old about how he might respond in similar situations.
Great characters and life lessons! Sparked great discussion with my 12 year old about how he might respond in similar situations.
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May 15, 2024Life of a twelve year old
It is so true that sometimes live is unfair to.But he survived his 6th grade life.Even though they are more troubles he will he now knows how to deal with it.I give this book a hundred star reviews⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.What are you waiting for read it know.Its free on kindle.Get it know
It is so true that sometimes live is unfair to.But he survived his 6th grade life.Even though they are more troubles he will he now knows how to deal with it.I give this book a hundred star reviews⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.What are you waiting for read it know.Its free on kindle.Get it know
May 17, 2023
Awesome book teaches a lot about freindship
It is a great book about friendship. And can teach you that sometimes bully's only do what they do because of other struggles they have at home.
It is a great book about friendship. And can teach you that sometimes bully's only do what they do because of other struggles they have at home.
August 11, 2025
Review of The New Kid: Surviving Middle School
This was a very sweet story about surviving middle school, making friends as a new student and overcoming being bullied and being a bully. I would recommend this book to elementary school students and middle school students alike.
This was a very sweet story about surviving middle school, making friends as a new student and overcoming being bullied and being a bully. I would recommend this book to elementary school students and middle school students alike.
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March 2, 2023Crazy cool
I loved it if you could make them free however that would be so rad.OMG it is so good #stayedupforhours
I loved it if you could make them free however that would be so rad.OMG it is so good #stayedupforhours
July 1, 2023
Best story book in the world it is really good
It is so good I love how the story builds up! I love he learns so many thing and things start to get better
It is so good I love how the story builds up! I love he learns so many thing and things start to get better
August 3, 2023
It was a great book but could have ended with a better surprise
I would love to read more of Maureens Straka books because they are really fun for the whole family 😅
I would love to read more of Maureens Straka books because they are really fun for the whole family 😅
January 3, 2024
This is a book that kids entering middle school should read.
Perfect for how to deal with new students, bullies, and finding a way to stand up to them for yourself and for others.
Perfect for how to deal with new students, bullies, and finding a way to stand up to them for yourself and for others.
February 20, 2024
This is a story about friendship, bully, empathy and family. I love all of characters, especially Simon who is a good-hearted person.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews