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Please Return to: Toby Solano
Toby Solano never asked to leave El Paso. He never wanted to be the new kid in Mapleton, or sit in a classroom full of strangers or endure the snooze-worthy ramblings of his new English teacher, Mr. Norbert M. Finkelstein. But that's what he got - a life sentence in Boringville, USA - and it all happened on the same day his dad lost his wrestling career, his mom lost her teaching job, and he got expelled from school.
If he hadn't found his new teacher's top-secret journal lying in the streets of Mapleton on his first day in town, Toby would have nothing to do at all. But now that he's armed with a full-blown knowledge of Mr. Finkelstein's hidden life as a professional wrestler and the inner thoughts of good-for-nothing, new classmates like Jimmy Baker and Maya Providence, he might as well make good use of the intel.
As Toby scribbles his thoughts on the pages of Norbie's original journal, he must decide whether he'll fall back on his old ways and bully his new classmates into submission, or if he'll help Sensei Clement shape the Mort-tician into a Lucha Libre wrestling legend so he can regain his crown as kind of MWF. You'll find it all and more on the super-private and slightly-wrinkled pages of Please Return To: Toby Solano.
If he hadn't found his new teacher's top-secret journal lying in the streets of Mapleton on his first day in town, Toby would have nothing to do at all. But now that he's armed with a full-blown knowledge of Mr. Finkelstein's hidden life as a professional wrestler and the inner thoughts of good-for-nothing, new classmates like Jimmy Baker and Maya Providence, he might as well make good use of the intel.
As Toby scribbles his thoughts on the pages of Norbie's original journal, he must decide whether he'll fall back on his old ways and bully his new classmates into submission, or if he'll help Sensei Clement shape the Mort-tician into a Lucha Libre wrestling legend so he can regain his crown as kind of MWF. You'll find it all and more on the super-private and slightly-wrinkled pages of Please Return To: Toby Solano.
- GenresMiddle Grade
330 pages, Hardcover
Published March 27, 2020
10 people want to read
About the author
Frank Morelli
5 books117 followersFRANK MORELLI is the author of the young adult novels ON THE WAY TO BIRDLAND (2021) and NO SAD SONGS (2018), a YALSA Quick Picks nominee and winner of an American Fiction Award for best coming-of-age novel. His latest middle grade novel, BREAKING NEWS, is set to release on April 28, 2022.
A Philadelphia native, Morelli now lives in High Point, NC with his best friend and muse, their obnoxious alley cats, and two hundred pounds worth of dog. Connect with him on Twitter @frankmoewriter and IG @frankmorelliauthor.
A Philadelphia native, Morelli now lives in High Point, NC with his best friend and muse, their obnoxious alley cats, and two hundred pounds worth of dog. Connect with him on Twitter @frankmoewriter and IG @frankmorelliauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 8, 2020
How I read this: Free ebook copy received from the author
So a little while ago I read a middle grade book where this guy writes a secret journal (Please Return To: Norbert M. Finkelstein). He’s a teacher by day and wrestler by night! The book was cute, it was about finding your true self, strength and self-confidence – just basically learning to let go and live your life. It was a cute read.
And recently, I learned it’s about to have a sequel! I can tell you, I loved the idea right off the bat. Turns out, the teacher wrestler l loses the journal! And a big grump of a bully picks it up. Toby used to be a big, “important” kid back home. One who terrified everyone in his class. But now… Now he’s moved – to a new place where he’s a big old nobody. And where his dad isn’t with him anymore.
Lost in his feelings, Toby tries to pretend it’s everyone else who’s stupid and he just doesn’t care – that’s why he won’t even talk to anyone around. Not that he’s upset about moving or not having his dad anymore. Not that he’s out of his element and is feeling insecure.
Despite him being a bully and a grump at first, Toby’s attitude is awesome (don’t take me wrong – awesome for a book, to read!) He’s sort of a grumpy cat personality? It reads really nicely – he’s got some good sarcasm and wit, and he’s also got a mean joke to throw at anyone. But only on paper, in his diary – because this ex-bully somehow comes across as shy and quiet in this new setting he’s not familiar with.
But the thing is – Toby wants to change. He still doesn’t quite know it, but he’s been different since his move. So maybe he doesn’t know how to practice empathy yet – but it doesn’t mean he’s not up to trying. And sometimes it’s enough to open up just a tiny bit, and a lot of good life lessons can come of it.
As we get to know Toby better throughout the book, we realize that he’s just trying to come off all big and mighty, but he’s actually something of a softie inside, and his way of pretending to be a big bad bully is just a protective mechanism. Luckily, Toby meets a few people who will motivate him to stay off the dark side and try to work out who he really wants to be.
That’s also part of what I liked about this book – that the characters who motivate Toby on getting a grip on his life are the same people the first book was about – and the second book isn’t just about Toby – there’s a lot about the side characters too, there’s even a whole mini-arc aboout the main character of the first one, Mr. Finkelstein – who is now Toby’s teacher and also wrestling training buddy. So this book isn’t just about a single boy – it’s about a lot of people. It really does have a community feel.
And I have to say, I really loved the ending :) not spoilering you though! Read it for yourselves to find out.
I thank the author for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
So a little while ago I read a middle grade book where this guy writes a secret journal (Please Return To: Norbert M. Finkelstein). He’s a teacher by day and wrestler by night! The book was cute, it was about finding your true self, strength and self-confidence – just basically learning to let go and live your life. It was a cute read.
And recently, I learned it’s about to have a sequel! I can tell you, I loved the idea right off the bat. Turns out, the teacher wrestler l loses the journal! And a big grump of a bully picks it up. Toby used to be a big, “important” kid back home. One who terrified everyone in his class. But now… Now he’s moved – to a new place where he’s a big old nobody. And where his dad isn’t with him anymore.
Lost in his feelings, Toby tries to pretend it’s everyone else who’s stupid and he just doesn’t care – that’s why he won’t even talk to anyone around. Not that he’s upset about moving or not having his dad anymore. Not that he’s out of his element and is feeling insecure.
Despite him being a bully and a grump at first, Toby’s attitude is awesome (don’t take me wrong – awesome for a book, to read!) He’s sort of a grumpy cat personality? It reads really nicely – he’s got some good sarcasm and wit, and he’s also got a mean joke to throw at anyone. But only on paper, in his diary – because this ex-bully somehow comes across as shy and quiet in this new setting he’s not familiar with.
But the thing is – Toby wants to change. He still doesn’t quite know it, but he’s been different since his move. So maybe he doesn’t know how to practice empathy yet – but it doesn’t mean he’s not up to trying. And sometimes it’s enough to open up just a tiny bit, and a lot of good life lessons can come of it.
As we get to know Toby better throughout the book, we realize that he’s just trying to come off all big and mighty, but he’s actually something of a softie inside, and his way of pretending to be a big bad bully is just a protective mechanism. Luckily, Toby meets a few people who will motivate him to stay off the dark side and try to work out who he really wants to be.
That’s also part of what I liked about this book – that the characters who motivate Toby on getting a grip on his life are the same people the first book was about – and the second book isn’t just about Toby – there’s a lot about the side characters too, there’s even a whole mini-arc aboout the main character of the first one, Mr. Finkelstein – who is now Toby’s teacher and also wrestling training buddy. So this book isn’t just about a single boy – it’s about a lot of people. It really does have a community feel.
And I have to say, I really loved the ending :) not spoilering you though! Read it for yourselves to find out.
I thank the author for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
April 30, 2020
This was a fun book that really keeps a reader engaged. Some great action that any middle grader will enjoy.
It's full of laughs and real moments for these characters. That really makes it relatable which is a great quality in Middle-Grade reads.
This story draws you in little by little, but never lets up. It's a fast paced read with plenty going on.
What a wonderful book for a middle grader.
It's full of laughs and real moments for these characters. That really makes it relatable which is a great quality in Middle-Grade reads.
This story draws you in little by little, but never lets up. It's a fast paced read with plenty going on.
What a wonderful book for a middle grader.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews