The Cheat

The Do-Over

by Sarah Richman

Ted and his friends are upset about an upcoming history test. He is nervous about getting a bad grade, and his friends have other priorities. When one friend sees the answer key, Ted is offered the chance to cheat but refuses. He gets a bad grade and is disappointed. Later that night, he get a mysterious text message asking him if he would like a do-over. He accepts and relives the same day, this time accepting his friends' offer to cheat. He scores better on the test, but will the cheating pay off in the long run?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

104 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2019

Reviews

[Hilde Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though you can inhale this book like a savory snack in less than half an hour, it satisfies like a full meal. It’s the pacing that makes it move so fast, the realistic characters and true-to-life dialogue that draw you in, and the important message, delivered without announce of schmaltz, that sticks with you. I’m not a regular consumer of YA fiction but would recommend this book to kids from 3rd grade and up. Will be giving it to my 9-year-old nephew, since he’s not too young to start learning about why cheating is not the quick fix it often appears to be.

[Brooklyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a easy and fun read! Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something short :)

[Ranette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good short book about the hazards of cheating.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good redemption

This book had a nice ending. It was short and quick, not too in depth on anything, but the message still came through. It was a quick read, but good story.

[J-mama · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rlly going for quantity over quality with this book and I’m disappointed in myself.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ted is not a morning person. He's not much of a school person either. He does like to draw though. He has two good friends who are a bit better at the school thing but they also have music and sports that will look good on their college applications. Ted doesn't have that edge. His mom tells him that he needs to buckle down and do better at his school work. Then his history teacher announces a big quiz coming up. One of his friends sees the answer key and takes a picture of it with his phone. He offers to share the answers. Ted turns him down. However, he fails the quiz miserably. Later he gets a mysterious text offering him a do-over. He says yes and then wakes up into a "Groundhogs Day" like experience.
A hi-lo book about cheating. It was definitely something that students can relate to, a quick and easy read (for me), and might give students something to think about as well. Even though I only gave it 3 of 5 stars, I would recommend this book and would also get the others in the series even though I haven't read them.

[Dex · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly thought he was going to get away with cheating.

[Morgyn McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay book, I enjoyed it more toward the end.