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The Perfect Score #2
The Perfect Secret
These students are in for a year of secrets, discoveries, and kid power!
GAVIN finally joins the football team--a dream come true!--but Coach Holmes refuses to play him for reasons that also threaten to tear Gavin's family apart. When RANDI attends an elite gymnastics camp, she uncovers a startling family connection. SCOTT starts researching an article for the school newspaper and stumbles right into a hornet's nest of lies. With his loser older brother, Brian, out of the house, TREVOR's life is loads better--until he realizes that only he can save Brian from getting into deep trouble. NATALIE's top goals: (1) find out why Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta no longer speak to each other--a mission shared by all the kids--and (2) teach a certain someone an important life skill without anyone knowing. It's tough keeping secrets. And tougher still to deal with the fallout when secrets spill out.
GAVIN finally joins the football team--a dream come true!--but Coach Holmes refuses to play him for reasons that also threaten to tear Gavin's family apart. When RANDI attends an elite gymnastics camp, she uncovers a startling family connection. SCOTT starts researching an article for the school newspaper and stumbles right into a hornet's nest of lies. With his loser older brother, Brian, out of the house, TREVOR's life is loads better--until he realizes that only he can save Brian from getting into deep trouble. NATALIE's top goals: (1) find out why Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta no longer speak to each other--a mission shared by all the kids--and (2) teach a certain someone an important life skill without anyone knowing. It's tough keeping secrets. And tougher still to deal with the fallout when secrets spill out.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2018
237 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
October 10, 2018
In a followup to THE PERFECT SCORE, Rob Buyea follows the six Recruits through their summer and seventh grade where the kids focus on trying to reunite Coach, Mrs. Woods and Mrs Magenta, Gymnastics, football, bullying, racism, immigration, volunteering, crushes and friendship among other adolescent issues.
***minor spoiler***
THE PERFECT SECRET would have been a five star review if Buyea had handled the undocumented immigrant issue with one of the character’s parents. He used the term “illegal” to refer to the character, rather than undocumented, which kids don’t need to hear then resolves the issue in an unrealistic manner giving readers a false sense of reality. The rest of THE PERFECT SECRET was realistic and age appropriate so the handling of the immigration disappointed me and didn’t live up to the rest of the book.
Still, a strong recommendation with adult discussion for THE PERFECT SECRET.
***minor spoiler***
THE PERFECT SECRET would have been a five star review if Buyea had handled the undocumented immigrant issue with one of the character’s parents. He used the term “illegal” to refer to the character, rather than undocumented, which kids don’t need to hear then resolves the issue in an unrealistic manner giving readers a false sense of reality. The rest of THE PERFECT SECRET was realistic and age appropriate so the handling of the immigration disappointed me and didn’t live up to the rest of the book.
Still, a strong recommendation with adult discussion for THE PERFECT SECRET.
April 13, 2020
First of all, I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5.
There is no 4 1/2 thing on the rating thing.
This one was way better than the first one, in my opinion.
It had a better plotline and it was more intriguing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has time to just read.
There is no 4 1/2 thing on the rating thing.
This one was way better than the first one, in my opinion.
It had a better plotline and it was more intriguing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has time to just read.
November 30, 2021
THAT WAS THE CUTEST THING
I’ve read this book twice now, and I’m still trying to fully gather my thoughts on this sequel.
This was my most anticipated release of 2018 and boy, did it deliver.
There was a whole slew of issues explored in this book - racism, familial estrangement, brain injuries, first crushes, parental marital problems, etc. - and they were all handled very well.
You know, while I absolutely adore the MR. TERUPT gang, there’s just something about the Recruits that I like just a tad better. Let’s go over a little what they’re doing in their seventh-grade year:
GAVIN
Gavin is finally able to join the football team, but unfortunately, his Coach is racist. Gavin, being half-Mexican, becomes the target of frequent bullying from the coach. And eventually, Gavin discoverers something about his family that turns his world upside down.
RANDI
After doing a spectacular job at the States and Regionals competitions, Randi gets invited to go to an elite athlete’s camp. Upon her arrival, she meets the half-brother she never knew existed.
NATALIE
Natalie has two major goals in this one: 1) to help reunite Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta and 2) to help Gavin’s mother learn to read English. But once she starts helping Scott with an article for the school newspaper, she discovers something about Gavin’s football coach. And in the middle of all that, she’s also dealing with the confusion and awkwardness of her first crush.
SCOTT
Scott starts out as the stat-man on Gavin’s football team, but when an incident happens with the two star-players, Scott gets involved in an accident that keeps him out of school for months.
TREVOR
In the first book, we’re introduced to Trevor’s abusive older brother, Brian, and how he got kicked out of the house. During his seventh-grade year, Trevor realizes that Brian has gotten mixed up in the wrong crowd and he’s the only one who still has hope for him. And - like Natalie - is also dealing with the awkwardness and confusion of his first crush.
I love this batch of kids, and they were just as great in THE PERFECT SECRET as they were in THE PERFECT SCORE.
Perfect for fans of Rob Buyea's previous books, NBC's THIS IS US, and Disney’s GIRL MEETS WORLD
Now, I’m going to try and wait as patiently as I can for October 15, 2019, when I can read what the Recruits are up to during their eighth-grade year in THE PERFECT STAR.
I’ve read this book twice now, and I’m still trying to fully gather my thoughts on this sequel.
This was my most anticipated release of 2018 and boy, did it deliver.
There was a whole slew of issues explored in this book - racism, familial estrangement, brain injuries, first crushes, parental marital problems, etc. - and they were all handled very well.
You know, while I absolutely adore the MR. TERUPT gang, there’s just something about the Recruits that I like just a tad better. Let’s go over a little what they’re doing in their seventh-grade year:
GAVIN
Gavin is finally able to join the football team, but unfortunately, his Coach is racist. Gavin, being half-Mexican, becomes the target of frequent bullying from the coach. And eventually, Gavin discoverers something about his family that turns his world upside down.
RANDI
After doing a spectacular job at the States and Regionals competitions, Randi gets invited to go to an elite athlete’s camp. Upon her arrival, she meets the half-brother she never knew existed.
NATALIE
Natalie has two major goals in this one: 1) to help reunite Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta and 2) to help Gavin’s mother learn to read English. But once she starts helping Scott with an article for the school newspaper, she discovers something about Gavin’s football coach. And in the middle of all that, she’s also dealing with the confusion and awkwardness of her first crush.
SCOTT
Scott starts out as the stat-man on Gavin’s football team, but when an incident happens with the two star-players, Scott gets involved in an accident that keeps him out of school for months.
TREVOR
In the first book, we’re introduced to Trevor’s abusive older brother, Brian, and how he got kicked out of the house. During his seventh-grade year, Trevor realizes that Brian has gotten mixed up in the wrong crowd and he’s the only one who still has hope for him. And - like Natalie - is also dealing with the awkwardness and confusion of his first crush.
I love this batch of kids, and they were just as great in THE PERFECT SECRET as they were in THE PERFECT SCORE.
Perfect for fans of Rob Buyea's previous books, NBC's THIS IS US, and Disney’s GIRL MEETS WORLD
Now, I’m going to try and wait as patiently as I can for October 15, 2019, when I can read what the Recruits are up to during their eighth-grade year in THE PERFECT STAR.
October 16, 2018
Rob Buyea does it again! I love his cast of kids in this series - even more than the group from the Mr. Terupt books. There's a LOT going on in this story, but Buyea keeps a good hold on all the different threads, weaving them together so well. My only complaint is that early on there's a lot of "But we would soon see [whatever]" little comments as the kids told the story. I'm fine with a "hint" like that here and there but it felt like it was happening all the time in the first part of the book. It was an odd little tease that more was to come, but it felt applied with a hammer after the 5th or 6th time. Otherwise, I LOVED the heart of this one. Once the action developed and the "hints" stopped, it was a complete delight to read.
August 1, 2018
Read an e-arc from NetGalley.
The kids from Perfect Score are back, but full of secrets about and from each other. And now they are in 7th grade, so they are beginning to notice the opposite gender.
Gavin finally makes the football team, but the coach plays his own son as quarterback. Gavin also read a bedtime stories to his little sister Meggie.
Brandi misses Gavins football game for a gymnastic meet, and meets a boy.
Trevor's brother Brian has moved out, and still hangs with that punk Chris.
Natalie still wants to be a lawyer, but some emotions are showing.
Scott's grandfather is in the home, playing chess with Coach.
And what is up with Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta?
The kids from Perfect Score are back, but full of secrets about and from each other. And now they are in 7th grade, so they are beginning to notice the opposite gender.
Gavin finally makes the football team, but the coach plays his own son as quarterback. Gavin also read a bedtime stories to his little sister Meggie.
Brandi misses Gavins football game for a gymnastic meet, and meets a boy.
Trevor's brother Brian has moved out, and still hangs with that punk Chris.
Natalie still wants to be a lawyer, but some emotions are showing.
Scott's grandfather is in the home, playing chess with Coach.
And what is up with Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta?
September 14, 2018
This is an excellent sequel to The Perfect Score, and it definitely would work as a stand-alone novel, too.
February 15, 2019
Evan loved this book and wants another book in the series to be written! Score!
May 12, 2019
Good sequel to the first book. I liked the heavy topics like immigration and bullying this book confronts head-on. Definitely made it a tough read at times, compared to the first, from the frustration standpoint, but it worked out well in the end.
November 2, 2018
@kidlitexchange #partner
The Perfect Secret by @rob_buyea is an excellent sequel to The Perfect Score, which I also read through #kidlitexchange
Six students continue their story in seventh grade. This means the boys can play football and the community program at the senior center continues. The students are working to get their two teachers talking to each other again. A lot of issues are tackled in this book and although I first cringed at 300+ pages for a middle grade, I flew through it and I think kids will too!
Recommend for grades 5-8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Perfect Secret by @rob_buyea is an excellent sequel to The Perfect Score, which I also read through #kidlitexchange
Six students continue their story in seventh grade. This means the boys can play football and the community program at the senior center continues. The students are working to get their two teachers talking to each other again. A lot of issues are tackled in this book and although I first cringed at 300+ pages for a middle grade, I flew through it and I think kids will too!
Recommend for grades 5-8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 9, 2019
BEST. BOOK. EVER. I might of cried at the end it was so emotional.
August 14, 2019
I loved this book, and read it cover to cover twice in a row! I can’t wait for the sequel!
October 6, 2018
Thanks to @kidlitbookexchange #partner for the #arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Release date 10/9/18.
The students from The Perfect Score, the first book in this series, are back and starting seventh grade. After the cheating incident the previous year the kids are all ordered to continue with Mrs. Magenta’s after school program. This time the group hatches a plan to bring a family back together. Told in alternating voices we watch as this group of friends handles a first crush, racism, complex family issues, all while trying to maintain their friendships and carrying secrets.
This is such a diverse group of kids and readers are bound to relate to at least one of the characters. Though you could read this one alone I would really recommend starting with The Perfect Score first. It’s been nice to see their transformations through the two books. I can’t wait to see what the group is up to in the next book.
The students from The Perfect Score, the first book in this series, are back and starting seventh grade. After the cheating incident the previous year the kids are all ordered to continue with Mrs. Magenta’s after school program. This time the group hatches a plan to bring a family back together. Told in alternating voices we watch as this group of friends handles a first crush, racism, complex family issues, all while trying to maintain their friendships and carrying secrets.
This is such a diverse group of kids and readers are bound to relate to at least one of the characters. Though you could read this one alone I would really recommend starting with The Perfect Score first. It’s been nice to see their transformations through the two books. I can’t wait to see what the group is up to in the next book.
October 19, 2018
Imagine adults mending children’s relationships. What if it was the other way around? The book “The Perfect Secret” by Rob Buyea is the sequel to his last book, “The Perfect Score”. The Perfect Secret about the experiences of five friends. Gavin joins the football dream team, but he is not played for reasons such as his skin tone and racial hate, not skill level. Randi attends a national gymnastics camp, only to find out about a missing family connection. Scott starts researching a school fundraiser and discovers a tangled web of lies. Scott’s friend Trevor realizes that only he can save his brother after his brother is kicked out of the house. Natalie has a list of goals she wants to achieve with all of these people, known as the recruits.
One of these goals is to mend the strained relationship between two of their best teachers. These two teachers are mother and daughter, and a long time ago, they split apart for an unknown reason. To do this, the recruits will have to weave through lies, hatred, bigotry, and school bullies to get their answers. If they get that done, then the year will be on the right track. However, the football coach is discriminatory against Mexicans, and when Gavin’s mom is found out to be an illegal immigrant, he doesn’t miss his chance to unleash hatred. This takes a hard emotional toll on Gavin and his family, and the recruits must band together and fight for their friend. Will they succeed and win back their teacher and friend, or will the worst ensue? Read “The Perfect Secret” by Rob Buyea to find out!
This book is perfect for middle grade kids because it gives them something to connect to. Students who might have trouble connecting to or making friends might be able to learn from this book because of the way the characters interact. It has a school environment with friends dealing with real-world issues, such as immigration. There are many different kinds of people in this book and it teaches kids the lesson that everybody is different, but also about how to make friends in school. This book makes a great read aloud not only because of the school connection to the book, but because of the different viewpoints. Switching off of point of views keeps you on your toes and helps develop the characters slowly so you can comprehend what is going on better. One of my takeaways was that friendship can happen anywhere, anytime, and because of any reason. The character are seemingly unlikely friends, but as you get to know them, you see that they are good for each other.
One of these goals is to mend the strained relationship between two of their best teachers. These two teachers are mother and daughter, and a long time ago, they split apart for an unknown reason. To do this, the recruits will have to weave through lies, hatred, bigotry, and school bullies to get their answers. If they get that done, then the year will be on the right track. However, the football coach is discriminatory against Mexicans, and when Gavin’s mom is found out to be an illegal immigrant, he doesn’t miss his chance to unleash hatred. This takes a hard emotional toll on Gavin and his family, and the recruits must band together and fight for their friend. Will they succeed and win back their teacher and friend, or will the worst ensue? Read “The Perfect Secret” by Rob Buyea to find out!
This book is perfect for middle grade kids because it gives them something to connect to. Students who might have trouble connecting to or making friends might be able to learn from this book because of the way the characters interact. It has a school environment with friends dealing with real-world issues, such as immigration. There are many different kinds of people in this book and it teaches kids the lesson that everybody is different, but also about how to make friends in school. This book makes a great read aloud not only because of the school connection to the book, but because of the different viewpoints. Switching off of point of views keeps you on your toes and helps develop the characters slowly so you can comprehend what is going on better. One of my takeaways was that friendship can happen anywhere, anytime, and because of any reason. The character are seemingly unlikely friends, but as you get to know them, you see that they are good for each other.
November 7, 2018
I'm giving this one a 3.5. I enjoyed all four of this author's previous books, and most middle graders will as well, particularly because this one features the five seventh graders they met in the previous book, The Perfect Score. Having tackled high-stakes testing and various personal issues in that book during their sixth grade year, they find that seventh grade at Lake View Middle School starts out quite promising, but it also presents plenty of challenges. The youngsters are still volunteering at the Senior Center where they see Coach's memory continue to fade and are desperate to reunite two individuals who are close to him. All five characters--Gavin, Randi, Scott, Trevor, and Natalie--are keeping secrets of their own from each other even while trying to find out the reasons for Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta's fractured relationship. The author tackles several important issues here, including bigotry, immigration, embezzlement, bullying, and forgiveness. As each of the characters comes to realize, keeping secrets from friends might not always be the best idea since it causes misunderstanding. It might be that there's too much going on here and that the principal is more patient with his students and less supportive of Football Coach Holmes' actions than many administrators would be, but the author paints a colorful picture of youngsters taking steps to fix what's wrong in the world, and he does so by using distinctively different voices for his five middle graders.
January 21, 2019
The Perfect Secret by Rob Buyea, 364 pages. Delacourt Press, 2018. $16.99.
Language: PG (1 swear, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The kids from The Perfect Score are back for their 7th grade year. This year is all about secrets; everyone has secrets: Gavin is finally playing football, but the coach has something against him and won’t let him play - Gavin tells everyone football is great, but Scott knows otherwise - Scott’s football experience is also not as expected, he is terribly bullied by other team members. Randi has been invited to an elite gymnastics camp where she meets an unexpected relative. Natalie wants to get Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta back together - but she’s been told their problems are a secret so this is harder than she anticipated. And Trevor . . . Brian has moved out, but Trevor is afraid Brian is headed for big trouble.
Buyea has written another engaging story, well told through the perspectives of each of the characters. Pulling their stories together is easy - they are all friends from last year (read book 1 for the back story) however, The Perfect Secret isn't as seamless as I would have liked as the stories resolved too easily and neatly, probably to keep the book from exceeding 300+ pages. An advisable buy, especially if you have book one.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Language: PG (1 swear, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The kids from The Perfect Score are back for their 7th grade year. This year is all about secrets; everyone has secrets: Gavin is finally playing football, but the coach has something against him and won’t let him play - Gavin tells everyone football is great, but Scott knows otherwise - Scott’s football experience is also not as expected, he is terribly bullied by other team members. Randi has been invited to an elite gymnastics camp where she meets an unexpected relative. Natalie wants to get Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta back together - but she’s been told their problems are a secret so this is harder than she anticipated. And Trevor . . . Brian has moved out, but Trevor is afraid Brian is headed for big trouble.
Buyea has written another engaging story, well told through the perspectives of each of the characters. Pulling their stories together is easy - they are all friends from last year (read book 1 for the back story) however, The Perfect Secret isn't as seamless as I would have liked as the stories resolved too easily and neatly, probably to keep the book from exceeding 300+ pages. An advisable buy, especially if you have book one.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
December 23, 2019
The lives of five middle schoolers are turned upside down by the secrets they discover.
Gavin, Randi, Natalie, Scott, and Trevor are back for their seventh-grade year, and they are on a mission. At the end of The Perfect Score, the group found out their sixth-grade teachers are mother and daughter, and they plan to discover exactly why they became estranged and to find a way to bring them back together. While digging for the hidden story of their teachers, each of the five students makes shocking discoveries on their own: Trevor realizes that his older brother needs his help, Randi meets long-lost family members for the first time, Natalie and Scott uncover an embezzling scheme, and Gavin learns some things about his parents that have the potential to change his life forever. Fans of Rob Buyea’s previous works, The Perfect Score and the Mr. Terupt series will be familiar with the format of varied, genuine voices navigating the challenges of middle school. With The Perfect Secret, Buyea expands his middle school plot farther beyond the microcosm of the classroom than ever has before and gives young readers an introduction to topical issues that plague the adult world.
A peek into the darkness of the real world while still satisfying youthful hope for a happy ending.
Gavin, Randi, Natalie, Scott, and Trevor are back for their seventh-grade year, and they are on a mission. At the end of The Perfect Score, the group found out their sixth-grade teachers are mother and daughter, and they plan to discover exactly why they became estranged and to find a way to bring them back together. While digging for the hidden story of their teachers, each of the five students makes shocking discoveries on their own: Trevor realizes that his older brother needs his help, Randi meets long-lost family members for the first time, Natalie and Scott uncover an embezzling scheme, and Gavin learns some things about his parents that have the potential to change his life forever. Fans of Rob Buyea’s previous works, The Perfect Score and the Mr. Terupt series will be familiar with the format of varied, genuine voices navigating the challenges of middle school. With The Perfect Secret, Buyea expands his middle school plot farther beyond the microcosm of the classroom than ever has before and gives young readers an introduction to topical issues that plague the adult world.
A peek into the darkness of the real world while still satisfying youthful hope for a happy ending.
July 22, 2018
I had been anxiously awaiting this sequel to Rob Buyea’s The Perfect Score, and this MG novel did not disappoint!
I was so excited to be back with Gavin, Randi, Natalie, Scott and Trevor at Lake View Middle School. Buyea has such a talent for sharing stories from multiple perspectives, and this novel allowed me to continue to connect with the characters that I’d loved in the first book while digging deeper into each of their stories.
Without giving away any spoilers, this MG novel also has multiple storylines, and one specifically mirrors current events in our country today. With themes of friendship, honesty, family, and coming together as a community, this is book is sure to be a hit with MG readers.
Thanks to the author and Random House Children’s Book for sharing this ARC with our #bookexpedition group. I’ll definitely be booktalking and adding this one to my 4/5th grade classroom library in October.
I was so excited to be back with Gavin, Randi, Natalie, Scott and Trevor at Lake View Middle School. Buyea has such a talent for sharing stories from multiple perspectives, and this novel allowed me to continue to connect with the characters that I’d loved in the first book while digging deeper into each of their stories.
Without giving away any spoilers, this MG novel also has multiple storylines, and one specifically mirrors current events in our country today. With themes of friendship, honesty, family, and coming together as a community, this is book is sure to be a hit with MG readers.
Thanks to the author and Random House Children’s Book for sharing this ARC with our #bookexpedition group. I’ll definitely be booktalking and adding this one to my 4/5th grade classroom library in October.
October 7, 2018
I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this follow-up novel to The Perfect Score. In the first book, readers met the characters: Randi (the gymnast), Gavin (the football player), Trevor (the mean kid), Scott (the smart kid), and Natalie (the future lawyer). These unlikely friends teamed up to cheat on a statewide assessment. In The Perfect Secret, these kids are back. It’s the next school year and they’re still dealing with the consequences of their cheating scandal.
But this year, they are working together to get their teachers Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta (who are estranged mother and daughter) to reconcile their differences. In addition to that, each of these characters deal with their own problems of racism, bullying, and family drama. Middle grade readers who enjoyed the first book will appreciate the continuation and development of each character’s storyline. The book has a lot of good messages about friendship, perseverance, and kindness.
But this year, they are working together to get their teachers Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta (who are estranged mother and daughter) to reconcile their differences. In addition to that, each of these characters deal with their own problems of racism, bullying, and family drama. Middle grade readers who enjoyed the first book will appreciate the continuation and development of each character’s storyline. The book has a lot of good messages about friendship, perseverance, and kindness.
January 2, 2019
The kids from Mrs. Woods's class are back and now in 7th grade. All they learned from their year filled with test score anxiety, perfection, and cheating pales in comparison to the bonds they've made. They are, no doubt, lifelong friends. But, now these friends have secrets...and not just teeny-tiny secrets, big ones, ones that could change lives forever.
Gavin is thrilled to make the football team, but for him, it is coming at a cost. A big one. He's being bullied and it is not your average-run-of-the-mill bully. It is a bully who takes it way too far. And, in the process spells an imminent sorrow for his family. His mother is carrying a huge secret, about to be exposed.
Randi finally has her mom taking a back seat to her helicopter ways and becoming what a mom should be...supportive and nurturing. However, when Randi is selected to go to an elite camp, she makes a discovery that will rock her world. A secret she decides to keep from her mom. Her mom has secrets of her own, though.
Brainy, yet lovably clueless Scott makes some startling discoveries about the fundraising in his school. Will that secret spell trouble for him if he exposes the crime?
Trevor is harboring lovesick feelings for one of the group...will the feeling be returned? And, will his brother Brian give up his errant ways? Trevor has hope until he sees his brother with bad boy, Chris again and this time his lawbreaking is affecting Trevor's friends and family.
Since the group found out about the connection between Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Magenta, and Coach, their plan now is to get this family secret rectified and Natalie is just the girl to put things to right.
In The Perfect Secret, readers are introduced to some difficult issues...some that are making big news in our world today. Illegal immigration, bullying, racism, and broken families and friendships are just a few. So much to talk about with this story. Characters are well-developed and relate-able . Secrets have a way of festering out of control if not dealt with appropriately. Outcomes are a little too convenient and probably would not happen the way the story ends, but are always possibilities.
Gavin is thrilled to make the football team, but for him, it is coming at a cost. A big one. He's being bullied and it is not your average-run-of-the-mill bully. It is a bully who takes it way too far. And, in the process spells an imminent sorrow for his family. His mother is carrying a huge secret, about to be exposed.
Randi finally has her mom taking a back seat to her helicopter ways and becoming what a mom should be...supportive and nurturing. However, when Randi is selected to go to an elite camp, she makes a discovery that will rock her world. A secret she decides to keep from her mom. Her mom has secrets of her own, though.
Brainy, yet lovably clueless Scott makes some startling discoveries about the fundraising in his school. Will that secret spell trouble for him if he exposes the crime?
Trevor is harboring lovesick feelings for one of the group...will the feeling be returned? And, will his brother Brian give up his errant ways? Trevor has hope until he sees his brother with bad boy, Chris again and this time his lawbreaking is affecting Trevor's friends and family.
Since the group found out about the connection between Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Magenta, and Coach, their plan now is to get this family secret rectified and Natalie is just the girl to put things to right.
In The Perfect Secret, readers are introduced to some difficult issues...some that are making big news in our world today. Illegal immigration, bullying, racism, and broken families and friendships are just a few. So much to talk about with this story. Characters are well-developed and relate-able . Secrets have a way of festering out of control if not dealt with appropriately. Outcomes are a little too convenient and probably would not happen the way the story ends, but are always possibilities.
May 28, 2019
The Perfect Score, by Rob Buyea, is an action packed book filled with a ton of mystery, and secrets waiting to be unfolded. A sequel to the first book in the series, The Perfect Score, by Rob Buyea, it shows how Gavin and his friends endure the surprises that await them in 7th grade. As wen read this book, it shows us, that it is not easy to keep a secret, under any conditions. A secret is something that can be brought up at any moment, sometimes by accident. Once it is out, it becomes a big problem. Read on to find out what happens to Gavin and his friends in the Perfect Secret.
Gavin, Randi, Trevor, Natalie, Mark, and Scott have just entered seventh grade, at Lake View Middle School. They don’t know it, but the year is going to be a year full of secrets and discoveries. At, every character has their goals and problems. Gavin finally joined the football team, but his new coach, Coach Holmes does not put Gavin on the field, even though he is the better player, for reasons that may break up Gavin’s family. Randi goes to an elite gymnastics camp that she was invited to, when she discovers a connection in her family. Trevor finally got his older brother out of the house, after he was being really mean to him. Trevor is really happy about this. But then, he discovers that he can save Brian from getting into big trouble. Scott wants to become the stats-man for the school football team. When Coach Homes refuses to make him the stats man, he makes him basically his slave, doing everything he wants. When he has no choice to research an article for the school newspaper to make Coach Holmes pleased, and make him the Stats Man, he makes a startling discovery of a huge lie. Also, this year at Lake View Middle School, Mrs. Magenta and Mrs. Woods have stopped speaking to each other. The last person in the group, Natalie, has different goals throughout the book. But her top two are: 1. To figure out why Mrs. Magenta and Mrs. Woods do not speak to each other, and resolve the stranded relationship. 2. To teach one special person an important life skill, but while keeping it a secret. Throughout the book, there are many events that take place, and involve some real kid power! This is a great realistic fiction book told in multiple perspectives that will keep on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Personally, I really, really loved this book. I really liked how they told this book in multiple perspectives. I really brought out how every character felt during this book. Sometimes though, when I picked up in the middle of a chapter, I had to take a moment to remember whose perspective I was reading from. It was hard to remember when there were 5 characters that I was reading from. I also liked how this book was a sequel to the Perfect Score. It was really nice to see what it was like for Gavin and his friends in seventh grade. There was also a cliffhanger at the end of The Perfect Score, so it was nice that Rob Buyea provided a sequel. The kids found that Mrs. Woods was Mrs. Magenta’s mom. The book picked up right where the last one left off. Overall, my reading experience was great with this book. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was a really easy read, and was not a super annoying book, where I was waiting for it to end. I really loved this book!
This book was awesome! I would recommend this book to anyone, of course, who read the Perfect Score, the first book in the series. If you thought that it was a real cliffhanger at the end of this book, then you will surely want to read this book to find out what happens. People who will also like this book will like the Monument 14 series. The plot is not similar, but the fact that they are told in multiple perspectives. Still, the Monument 14 series is still really great. I’d say that people of all ages would really like this book. There are not a lot of confusing things that younger kids would not understand. I think it might be good for younger kids, so they can learn the importance of teamwork. There is a lot of teamwork that takes place in this book. Overall, I really, really liked this book, and thought it was a great read!
Gavin, Randi, Trevor, Natalie, Mark, and Scott have just entered seventh grade, at Lake View Middle School. They don’t know it, but the year is going to be a year full of secrets and discoveries. At, every character has their goals and problems. Gavin finally joined the football team, but his new coach, Coach Holmes does not put Gavin on the field, even though he is the better player, for reasons that may break up Gavin’s family. Randi goes to an elite gymnastics camp that she was invited to, when she discovers a connection in her family. Trevor finally got his older brother out of the house, after he was being really mean to him. Trevor is really happy about this. But then, he discovers that he can save Brian from getting into big trouble. Scott wants to become the stats-man for the school football team. When Coach Homes refuses to make him the stats man, he makes him basically his slave, doing everything he wants. When he has no choice to research an article for the school newspaper to make Coach Holmes pleased, and make him the Stats Man, he makes a startling discovery of a huge lie. Also, this year at Lake View Middle School, Mrs. Magenta and Mrs. Woods have stopped speaking to each other. The last person in the group, Natalie, has different goals throughout the book. But her top two are: 1. To figure out why Mrs. Magenta and Mrs. Woods do not speak to each other, and resolve the stranded relationship. 2. To teach one special person an important life skill, but while keeping it a secret. Throughout the book, there are many events that take place, and involve some real kid power! This is a great realistic fiction book told in multiple perspectives that will keep on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Personally, I really, really loved this book. I really liked how they told this book in multiple perspectives. I really brought out how every character felt during this book. Sometimes though, when I picked up in the middle of a chapter, I had to take a moment to remember whose perspective I was reading from. It was hard to remember when there were 5 characters that I was reading from. I also liked how this book was a sequel to the Perfect Score. It was really nice to see what it was like for Gavin and his friends in seventh grade. There was also a cliffhanger at the end of The Perfect Score, so it was nice that Rob Buyea provided a sequel. The kids found that Mrs. Woods was Mrs. Magenta’s mom. The book picked up right where the last one left off. Overall, my reading experience was great with this book. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was a really easy read, and was not a super annoying book, where I was waiting for it to end. I really loved this book!
This book was awesome! I would recommend this book to anyone, of course, who read the Perfect Score, the first book in the series. If you thought that it was a real cliffhanger at the end of this book, then you will surely want to read this book to find out what happens. People who will also like this book will like the Monument 14 series. The plot is not similar, but the fact that they are told in multiple perspectives. Still, the Monument 14 series is still really great. I’d say that people of all ages would really like this book. There are not a lot of confusing things that younger kids would not understand. I think it might be good for younger kids, so they can learn the importance of teamwork. There is a lot of teamwork that takes place in this book. Overall, I really, really liked this book, and thought it was a great read!
November 10, 2018
Buyea has found a successful formula: follow a typical group of kids (if such a thing exists) through life inside and outside of school. What keeps his writing from being formulaic is that Buyea realizes that each student has a different story to tell and that in the world of school, these stories will intertwine. Serious issues don't get glossed over but readers will find hope as the students, their families and their teachers work together to figure out life. "The Perfect Score" does start in the middle of some stories, and leaves some storylines hanging, but enough is resolved for the reader to walk away satisfied. Recommended for 10-12 year olds. Based on a review copy received via NetGalley.
July 24, 2018
Gav, Natalie, Scott, Trevor, and Randi are back in this spirited sequel to The Perfect Score. The group's plan to reunite Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta is sidelined by personal issues each character has to face and a major issue that impacts them all.
Buyea has an uncanny ability to spin a tale from various perspectives while intertwining multiple storylines that all seem to come together brilliantly at the end. This was a great story that touches on some truly pertinent topics and themes.
Buyea has an uncanny ability to spin a tale from various perspectives while intertwining multiple storylines that all seem to come together brilliantly at the end. This was a great story that touches on some truly pertinent topics and themes.
October 21, 2018
I was given an ARC of this book for an honest review. Fans of Rob Buyea will appreciate a sequel to A Perfect Score. The same core kids are back, this time with new challenges. Each character tells the story through their perspective in separate chapters. I liked that the challenges of deportation and the effects of businesses being shut down are brought up thoughtfully.
A solid book. My only hesitation is that I’m not feeling the intense emotion that I had from reading Because of Mr Terupt. I keep wanting that, and while it might be missing for me, this book will be a great choice for middle readers who are trying to maneuver through the complexities of middle school.
A solid book. My only hesitation is that I’m not feeling the intense emotion that I had from reading Because of Mr Terupt. I keep wanting that, and while it might be missing for me, this book will be a great choice for middle readers who are trying to maneuver through the complexities of middle school.
November 18, 2018
I’m an adult who loves to read middle-grade books —especially realistic fiction such as this one because even as adults it helps us understand what kids this age might be going through or dealing with. Loved this book & how relevant the subject matter was to our society today. Many times in movies the sequel is never as good as the first, but in this case Mr. Buyea tops the first book. You will be excited to be back with all the relatable characters & see how they’ve grown individually & as friends. I can’t wait to read the next one....
June 23, 2018
I love the way Rob Buyea writes through different characters’ eyes. Each chapter is a different character and you hear their perspective on things. There are a lot of issues going on here. There is a lot for the reader to take away. I really like that this is the second novel that I have read this year that has dealt with aging. It is a cute story. I would recommend for grade 4 and above.
November 26, 2018
Thank you to the Kid Lit Exchange for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Readers will benefit from reading the prior book The Perfect Score before this one. The author circles back to the events in the first book quite often. The set-up in this book is a bit long, and impatient readers will need some encouragement to stick with it; I am glad I did, because once I was vested in the characters, I couldn’t put it down. Buyea tackles some really tough situations that could lead to good discussion.
Readers will benefit from reading the prior book The Perfect Score before this one. The author circles back to the events in the first book quite often. The set-up in this book is a bit long, and impatient readers will need some encouragement to stick with it; I am glad I did, because once I was vested in the characters, I couldn’t put it down. Buyea tackles some really tough situations that could lead to good discussion.
December 30, 2018
Uplifting sequel to The Perfect Score follows the same teenagers as 7th grade students. The challenge this year isn’t the standardized tests, but rather the gang needs to get their Mother/Daughter teachers talking again. Their mission is top secret and will take everyone working together to reach the goal. Will their own family problems get in the way of bringing the teachers together? Love all the books by Rob Buyea...great messages for students!
April 8, 2019
I have enjoyed both books in this series so much I am kind of dying while I wait for book three, which I didn't even know was coming. I am so glad it is. Tons of issues and foreshadowing and stories all bundled up nicely, especially if you can relate to any. Most of us probably totally CAN relate too, so yes, this book is a good read for anyone, any age. Go Rob. Now I have just got to figure out...how DO you pronounce Buyea?
July 18, 2020
This is an amazing sequel to the first book, The Perfect Score. I honestly thought that this book was so sweet, so funny, and so heartwarming. I just absolutely loved it. And yes, it’s true that I say that with a lot of books, but I do!!! I think that Rob Buyea is an AMAZING writer, and I can’t wait until he comes out with new books.
November 17, 2018
This book reads just like Rob Buyea's "Mr. Terupt" series. Both are told through the perspectives of many young characters, and the little "teasers" at the end of each character's chapters are present as well. What I enjoy most, however, about these books is the goodness of the young characters. That is something that is to be celebrated in this day and age.
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