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Stuck
A coming-of-age story about a boy who is used to flying under the radar, and the classroom of kids determined to help him stand out. This touching friendship tale is the perfect read for fans of Fish in a Tree and Song for a Whale.
“Austin’s narration is conversational and observant.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
If Austin picked a color to describe his life, it would be tumbleweed brown. Austin doesn’t like standing out. He’s always the new kid, and there’s no hiding his size. Plus, Austin has a secret: he struggles to read.
Then Austin meets Bertie, who is razzmatazz. Everything about Bertie is bursting! But the best part of his newest school is the Safety Squad, with their laser lemon vests. Their easy confidence and leadership stand out in the coolest way. Even when things are not so vibrant and life at home makes Austin feel pacific blue, for the first time, he wants to leave a mark. And the more Austin speaks up, the more he finds he may not be that different after all.
“Austin’s narration is conversational and observant.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
If Austin picked a color to describe his life, it would be tumbleweed brown. Austin doesn’t like standing out. He’s always the new kid, and there’s no hiding his size. Plus, Austin has a secret: he struggles to read.
Then Austin meets Bertie, who is razzmatazz. Everything about Bertie is bursting! But the best part of his newest school is the Safety Squad, with their laser lemon vests. Their easy confidence and leadership stand out in the coolest way. Even when things are not so vibrant and life at home makes Austin feel pacific blue, for the first time, he wants to leave a mark. And the more Austin speaks up, the more he finds he may not be that different after all.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2021
33 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Swender
25 books19 followersJennifer taught elementary school students for over a decade before turning to writing full time. She is the author of several picture books and early chapter books and develops curriculum materials for students and teachers. She lives in Massachusetts with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 26, 2023
Stuck would have been 3 stars if not for the abandoned plot points. Even then, a criticism that many plot points were abandoned does not necessarily warrant a star reduction. If it's 3 stars that's typically baked in and though something I find inexplicable (how hard is it to finish what you started?) I don't get up in arms enough to tip a book, particularly a kids' book, into the negatives over it.
The exception is when the plot point that is abandoned is essential enough that it becomes more than odd that the author disregarded it, it becomes a deterrent; a reason I'd actively warn people off the book not just a questionable decision I'd mention in passing.
It's immediately established that Austin's mother moves the two around on a whim often. Per Austin, she gets stressed out and starts to think things might be better somewhere else. Next thing he knows they're on the road.
There absolutely has to be a deeper reason to this. Barring extenuating circumstances, people don't just move several times a year when they have children. Children need and deserve stability. Austin is miserable, believing that he's incapable of making friends, and barely able to read. This just goes completely 100% unaddressed between the two of them.
Austin never tells his mom how he feels moving around all the time. His mom never gives an explanation as to why she does it.
Did Austin's dad die and she's avoiding her feelings by fleeing? Are they too poor to stay in one place consistently? Is she a free spirit type that simply hasn't realized the impact this lifestyle has on her son? It's anyone's guess.
Without this key aspect the whole book falls apart in the end. As I said before Austin barely can read. What kind of parent can't tell that their son can't read? Or rather, what kind of parent who apparently has no worries about financial security can't tell that their son can't read? If she's working all the time, that's one thing. Sometimes things slip through the cracks when you're going it alone. But, again while Austin certainly tells us she's busy a lot of what is actually shown on the page doesn't indicate a frazzled single mom too exhausted from trying to make ends meet to pay attention. Instead, she just seems largely apathetic and casually inconsiderate.
For example, Austin really wants to be a part of the Safety Squad (think hall monitors) next year. To do so he needs his mom to sign a form okaying it.
When he gets the form he tries to figure out the best way to give it to her so that she won't get overwhelmed by the idea of paperwork. In the past when schools have gotten 'pushy' - ie asking for basic forms that they require from everyone - she has imploded from the 'stress' and moved them. He leaves the form on the counter for her, afraid to ask her directly at the moment because she's working on the sink that doesn't work and he's scared that he'll be adding too much to her plate to ask right then.
Despite this form being bright orange and in plain sight, she ignores it for days. It's clearly a permission slip, clearly eye catching and clearly important to Austin. To our knowledge, she doesn't even glance at it.
Days later when Austin invites Bertie over Bertie - not knowing of Austin's issues navigating his relationship to his mom - excitedly brings it up and tells her that Austin will need to have it signed ASAP in order to be a Safety which now even if she did somehow ignore it before is an explicit invitation to look at this piece of paper. And yet she still ignores it. She doesn't even comment on what Bertie says - she chooses to pretend Bertie didn't say anything at all. Austin says he's unsure if she heard Bertie, but come on, they're right in front of each other in the same room. How could she not? Fiddling with the food she brought or whatever she was doing (I don't remember exactly, but trust me, it wasn't that serious) could not be /that/ consuming.
When I read Moonflower Moon's mom absolutely made some mistakes. It was painful for Moon, and it doesn’t take away the pain that she inflicted, but their mom also was trying her best. She didn’t know how to handle the depth of Moon’s despair because she’s only human. Still it was abundantly obvious that their mom did loved them and that part of the problem between the two was that Moon's depression was twisting their cognitive reasoning to view even the good things through an uncharitable lens.
Stuck doesn’t even have that going on. Austin isn’t projecting his feelings onto his mom or in any way presented as an unreliable narrator. His mom just is a bad mom, point blank. And I’m given no reason to empathize or give her the benefit of the doubt. The author treats it like his mother is a meat eater and Austin is newly vegan and his mom isn’t being supportive; as if her inability to stay in one place is an insignificant character attribute that can be chalked up to growing pains in their parent-child dynamic.
It ruins the ending because where Austin sees his mother bringing the safety permission sheet to school for him as a sign that she’s going to put down roots, there is no evidence on-page to suggest she has the fortitude to make such a decision at this juncture. Particularly when none of the things that Austin has said are triggers for her have happened yet - it’s easy to say you’ll stay when things are going well. On top of that, we don’t even know how long they normally stay in one place. Is it really that big a deal to stay three months - in the summer - if they normally stay three months anyways? She literally ripped him out of his previous school to put him in his new one when there were like three weeks left. I don’t think that kind of person will care about taking him out a week into the new school year the following September.
She never even learns he can’t read that well. His teacher takes notice and gets him into a special program at school all without her needing to lift a finger. He never shares how hard reading has been for him for so long. She’s a placeholder to say Austin has a mom. It doesn’t feel at all like Swender ever considered the fact that by virtue of the premise she’s chosen his mother has to be a developed part of it; Austin’s emotional issues, fear of forming intimate bonds, and functional illiteracy are going to be a direct result of everything she does because he’s only 10 years old.
It totally misses the mark at its core because how am I expected to believe that Austin’s life is on the uptick now when nothing has changed for him. His mother has made no promises. He has not learned to speak up for himself. He doesn’t stop walking on eggshells to avoid upsetting his mom. Worse yet, his mother still doesn't even realize the harm she's causing by making him so beholden to her moods.
There’s a plot point about a kid that is some brand of neurodivergent - never confirmed what is going on specifically, he just has a lot of overlap for a variety of things - named Dee that is not sufficiently resolved. Austin thinks he’s trying to bully him and Bertie, but he finds out that Dee is only trying to connect. The book ends without him explaining the miscommunication to Dee or Bertie or the three of them coming to some kind of accord. It was simply left hanging.
The best way to describe Stuck is unfinished. It feels like halfway through the page count was cut by 50 pages. It's an otherwise sweet read about letting people in that is grievously marred by its chopped storylines.
The exception is when the plot point that is abandoned is essential enough that it becomes more than odd that the author disregarded it, it becomes a deterrent; a reason I'd actively warn people off the book not just a questionable decision I'd mention in passing.
It's immediately established that Austin's mother moves the two around on a whim often. Per Austin, she gets stressed out and starts to think things might be better somewhere else. Next thing he knows they're on the road.
There absolutely has to be a deeper reason to this. Barring extenuating circumstances, people don't just move several times a year when they have children. Children need and deserve stability. Austin is miserable, believing that he's incapable of making friends, and barely able to read. This just goes completely 100% unaddressed between the two of them.
Austin never tells his mom how he feels moving around all the time. His mom never gives an explanation as to why she does it.
Did Austin's dad die and she's avoiding her feelings by fleeing? Are they too poor to stay in one place consistently? Is she a free spirit type that simply hasn't realized the impact this lifestyle has on her son? It's anyone's guess.
Without this key aspect the whole book falls apart in the end. As I said before Austin barely can read. What kind of parent can't tell that their son can't read? Or rather, what kind of parent who apparently has no worries about financial security can't tell that their son can't read? If she's working all the time, that's one thing. Sometimes things slip through the cracks when you're going it alone. But, again while Austin certainly tells us she's busy a lot of what is actually shown on the page doesn't indicate a frazzled single mom too exhausted from trying to make ends meet to pay attention. Instead, she just seems largely apathetic and casually inconsiderate.
For example, Austin really wants to be a part of the Safety Squad (think hall monitors) next year. To do so he needs his mom to sign a form okaying it.
When he gets the form he tries to figure out the best way to give it to her so that she won't get overwhelmed by the idea of paperwork. In the past when schools have gotten 'pushy' - ie asking for basic forms that they require from everyone - she has imploded from the 'stress' and moved them. He leaves the form on the counter for her, afraid to ask her directly at the moment because she's working on the sink that doesn't work and he's scared that he'll be adding too much to her plate to ask right then.
Despite this form being bright orange and in plain sight, she ignores it for days. It's clearly a permission slip, clearly eye catching and clearly important to Austin. To our knowledge, she doesn't even glance at it.
Days later when Austin invites Bertie over Bertie - not knowing of Austin's issues navigating his relationship to his mom - excitedly brings it up and tells her that Austin will need to have it signed ASAP in order to be a Safety which now even if she did somehow ignore it before is an explicit invitation to look at this piece of paper. And yet she still ignores it. She doesn't even comment on what Bertie says - she chooses to pretend Bertie didn't say anything at all. Austin says he's unsure if she heard Bertie, but come on, they're right in front of each other in the same room. How could she not? Fiddling with the food she brought or whatever she was doing (I don't remember exactly, but trust me, it wasn't that serious) could not be /that/ consuming.
When I read Moonflower Moon's mom absolutely made some mistakes. It was painful for Moon, and it doesn’t take away the pain that she inflicted, but their mom also was trying her best. She didn’t know how to handle the depth of Moon’s despair because she’s only human. Still it was abundantly obvious that their mom did loved them and that part of the problem between the two was that Moon's depression was twisting their cognitive reasoning to view even the good things through an uncharitable lens.
Stuck doesn’t even have that going on. Austin isn’t projecting his feelings onto his mom or in any way presented as an unreliable narrator. His mom just is a bad mom, point blank. And I’m given no reason to empathize or give her the benefit of the doubt. The author treats it like his mother is a meat eater and Austin is newly vegan and his mom isn’t being supportive; as if her inability to stay in one place is an insignificant character attribute that can be chalked up to growing pains in their parent-child dynamic.
It ruins the ending because where Austin sees his mother bringing the safety permission sheet to school for him as a sign that she’s going to put down roots, there is no evidence on-page to suggest she has the fortitude to make such a decision at this juncture. Particularly when none of the things that Austin has said are triggers for her have happened yet - it’s easy to say you’ll stay when things are going well. On top of that, we don’t even know how long they normally stay in one place. Is it really that big a deal to stay three months - in the summer - if they normally stay three months anyways? She literally ripped him out of his previous school to put him in his new one when there were like three weeks left. I don’t think that kind of person will care about taking him out a week into the new school year the following September.
She never even learns he can’t read that well. His teacher takes notice and gets him into a special program at school all without her needing to lift a finger. He never shares how hard reading has been for him for so long. She’s a placeholder to say Austin has a mom. It doesn’t feel at all like Swender ever considered the fact that by virtue of the premise she’s chosen his mother has to be a developed part of it; Austin’s emotional issues, fear of forming intimate bonds, and functional illiteracy are going to be a direct result of everything she does because he’s only 10 years old.
It totally misses the mark at its core because how am I expected to believe that Austin’s life is on the uptick now when nothing has changed for him. His mother has made no promises. He has not learned to speak up for himself. He doesn’t stop walking on eggshells to avoid upsetting his mom. Worse yet, his mother still doesn't even realize the harm she's causing by making him so beholden to her moods.
There’s a plot point about a kid that is some brand of neurodivergent - never confirmed what is going on specifically, he just has a lot of overlap for a variety of things - named Dee that is not sufficiently resolved. Austin thinks he’s trying to bully him and Bertie, but he finds out that Dee is only trying to connect. The book ends without him explaining the miscommunication to Dee or Bertie or the three of them coming to some kind of accord. It was simply left hanging.
The best way to describe Stuck is unfinished. It feels like halfway through the page count was cut by 50 pages. It's an otherwise sweet read about letting people in that is grievously marred by its chopped storylines.
December 29, 2021
When my mother was young, her family had to move every six months, because she grew up in the Depression, and the family would make money and move back to the home they owned, and not make enough money and have to rent out their home, and move to the beach, which was cheaper.
This went on for most of her elementary school time.
The reason I bring this up, is because, like Austin, you get to know what different schools are like, as you go to each new one. You have eiether learned it, or will learn what is being taught, and either be ahead or behind. As she used to say, she would learn up to the Romans, and then find herself back at the caveman.
Austin has an unnamed issue with reading. It is never clear exactly what the issue is, because he knows that letters are, and he can sound out words, but he has trouble reading, and often sees things in colors or as ants. He has been able to hide this disability for most of his school life, by not standing out. Suddenly, he is at a school where he is having trouble not standing out.
The whole story is sweet, and good. He makes a friend, with Bertie, and even when she is angry at him, she doesn't stop being his friend. It is all a reassuring story, of it being ok to have a learning disability, because there are ways around that.
Sort of wish there had been books like this when I was growing up. Perhaps even when my mom was as well.
The author used to be a teacher, so I think she gets it. And her voice for Austin is great.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This went on for most of her elementary school time.
The reason I bring this up, is because, like Austin, you get to know what different schools are like, as you go to each new one. You have eiether learned it, or will learn what is being taught, and either be ahead or behind. As she used to say, she would learn up to the Romans, and then find herself back at the caveman.
Austin has an unnamed issue with reading. It is never clear exactly what the issue is, because he knows that letters are, and he can sound out words, but he has trouble reading, and often sees things in colors or as ants. He has been able to hide this disability for most of his school life, by not standing out. Suddenly, he is at a school where he is having trouble not standing out.
The whole story is sweet, and good. He makes a friend, with Bertie, and even when she is angry at him, she doesn't stop being his friend. It is all a reassuring story, of it being ok to have a learning disability, because there are ways around that.
Sort of wish there had been books like this when I was growing up. Perhaps even when my mom was as well.
The author used to be a teacher, so I think she gets it. And her voice for Austin is great.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
December 8, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Even though he is big for his age, Austin tries to fly under the radar. He’s used to being the new kid, and always has a made-up story ready about why his family moved instead of the truth. He also struggles to read. But when he starts at his new school just before the year ends, an unexpected friendship leads him to open up and try new things. Good for fans of Fish in a Tree and Out Of My Mind, but with a main character in fourth grade it will be a hard sell in middle school. Best for grades 3-6, in my opinion.
June 15, 2022
Loved the friendship between Austin and Bertie and how the storytelling really felt like it was from the perspective of a 4th grader. Austin’s learning difference is never made clear, but I liked that the character was never “officially” diagnosed.
July 18, 2023
This book! I listened to it as an audiobook and it was fabulous but how dare it make me cry at the end. It was an easy to listen to story, it was well paced, and the ending was perfect. I love how the chapter titles were a bunch of colors.
It is clear that Austin, the main character, has some type of learning disability from the start, but they never really clarify what it is or what his fate is in the classroom in dealing with that.
The characters grew over the course of the novel and were fun and dynamic. A good book over all that I would absolutely recommend.
It is clear that Austin, the main character, has some type of learning disability from the start, but they never really clarify what it is or what his fate is in the classroom in dealing with that.
The characters grew over the course of the novel and were fun and dynamic. A good book over all that I would absolutely recommend.
May 3, 2023
This book felt really genuine and I loved it. I can imagine my students really seeing themselves and their experiences in this book.
March 18, 2023
This book was a spontaneous read for me at first. I found it on the shelves and was curious about why the main character moved so much, but then I couldn't stop reading it. The way Swender writes as if she is porously writing with people with learning disabilities in mind is heartwarming. The depth of the main character is so intriguing for such a short book. With only 133 pages (hardcover), you learn so much about the school system and the effect a good teacher has. You see how parenting roles matter firsthand. You witness the importance of acceptance not only of yourself but of others. This book was refreshing to read from start to finish. The book has the perfect length and description, with an amazing format. Overall, the book is great for kids who are still trying to find their place!
May 28, 2025
2025-26 Elementary School Battle of the Books selection
Not awful but also left me with a lot of questions. It only takes place over a few days near the end of a school year, so I guess I'm not supposed to know/understand everything? It's clear that Austin has some sort of issue with reading but I didn't know if he was dyslexic or if it was something else. He's clearly fixated on colors, but it also almost read like he saw certain words IN those colors...like synesthesia, maybe?
Overall, it was just super short. I'm wondering what kind of questions the BOB teams will be asked about this one.
Not awful but also left me with a lot of questions. It only takes place over a few days near the end of a school year, so I guess I'm not supposed to know/understand everything? It's clear that Austin has some sort of issue with reading but I didn't know if he was dyslexic or if it was something else. He's clearly fixated on colors, but it also almost read like he saw certain words IN those colors...like synesthesia, maybe?
Overall, it was just super short. I'm wondering what kind of questions the BOB teams will be asked about this one.
January 16, 2022
I loved this little coming of age middle grade book! Austin takes a while to figure out who he is in relation to his new classmates, but I love that he figures it out in the end with the help of a very supportive school staff.
February 18, 2022
I appreciate the frank way Austin talks about his challenges and has developed ways to cope. It is refreshing to see a school alert to guiding students through their difficulties, helping them to prosper.
July 29, 2022
If you’re a kid or a teacher, this is a must read! 🥰
April 16, 2023
2023-2024 Florida Sunshine State Book Grades 3-5
A story about a new student with a reading disability trying to fly under the radar. Being in the school system myself, the school setting seemed fake. The most realistic part of the story was Austin's reaction to that event in Bridge to Terabithia.
A story about a new student with a reading disability trying to fly under the radar. Being in the school system myself, the school setting seemed fake. The most realistic part of the story was Austin's reaction to that event in Bridge to Terabithia.
October 2, 2021
Austin is the new kid in school. That is hard in itself but compounded by it being almost the end of school and everyone is already well set into routines with their groups and friends. Austin is a large boy and repeating second grade, didn't help in more ways than one. Austin thinks if he could pick a color to describe his life, it would be tumbleweed brown. Austin doesn’t like standing out. He’s always the new kid, and there’s no hiding his size. Plus, Austin has a secret: he struggles to read.
His personality tends toward being shy and socially awkward. This fact lends him to being quietly observant of things and people around him. Changing schools can be tough, but he’s learned what to expect, what’s expected of him, and how to handle it. His first day in his new fifth grade class he encounters Bertie, short for Beatrice. Bertie is a small girl, friendly and razzmatazz! It seems she has self appointed herself to be Austin’s guide. He is guarded but slowly warms to her and the school while hiding his inability to decode letters that wave and wobble across the page. While never stated Austin proves to be dyslexic. He has discovered and perfected ingenious workarounds including querying the “phone lady” (Siri maybe) on his mom’s old phone. She politely and better yet patiently answers his queries and gives him a link to the audiobook he’s supposed to read. The class is reading The Bridge to Terabithia referred to as a golden sticker book, Newbery.
But the best part of his newest school is the Safety Squad, with their laser lemon vests. Austin is impressed by their confidence and leadership. These fifth graders stand out in the coolest way. Bertie encourages him to join. The problem is to complete the application without disclosing his disability? Austin, as many in his same situation have learned to project the stoic resignation of children who’ve learned not to depend on adults.
Home life is with his troubled mom, but what troubles her never comes into focus. How she supports them and why they move so frequently go unexplained.
It is unfortunate that Austin’s disability has gone without detection for so long, but his quiet personality and changing schools frequently make this a reality.
Even when things are not so vibrant and life at home makes Austin feel pacific blue. At this new school for the first time, he wants to leave a mark. And the more Austin speaks up, the more he finds he may not be that different after all.
This wonderful little book is written by an experienced teacher and is a feel good read for any student and all teachers.
A few quotes from Stuck…
This quote concerns Dee, the kid in class who seems to be the trouble maker.
Austin wisely states…
“I think there’s one thing that's exactly the same at every school. If a kid is usually bad, all they have to do is act barely normal for everyone to tell them how super-great they are. “
And this quote concerning the classroom teacher Mrs. G’s assignment…
“Now most schools will call anything a game to make you think it’s going to be fun. But this one really was
May 4, 2022
Austin is new at school again. Apparently they move a lot. Austin compares other schools to his new one noting the similarities and differences from how they make the spaghetti sauce to how he's welcomed to the class. Austin notices a lot of little things. Seeing the world through his eyes is interesting. He sees colors. He sees the words on pages as ants walking around. He is optimistic and hopeful that they will be able to stay here for a while and he won't have to be the new kid again too soon.
On the first day he meets Bertie who helps him navigate through the day leading him to lunch and recess, all around. Austin likes that she does that, it makes it easy for him. Bertie talks a lot sometimes giving Austin useful information sometimes just talking to fill the silence. Austin leaves a lot of silence. He is quiet and wants to be left alone but that isn't possible with Bertie around. The two become friends. Bertie and the other kids in the class want to be part of the Safety Squad next year so they're studying the book for the test. Austin thinks it would be cool to wear the yellow greater than symbol across his chest and help the little kids get on the buses, keep order in the halls, slow kids on the sidewalks and give the 5 minute warning at lunchtime. But to be in safety squad he has to take the test, the written test which is impossible for him. Luckily his teacher notices his struggle with reading and he finds help. Which leads to another friend and learning aids that really help him. But will it lead to losing Bertie as a friend too?
On the first day he meets Bertie who helps him navigate through the day leading him to lunch and recess, all around. Austin likes that she does that, it makes it easy for him. Bertie talks a lot sometimes giving Austin useful information sometimes just talking to fill the silence. Austin leaves a lot of silence. He is quiet and wants to be left alone but that isn't possible with Bertie around. The two become friends. Bertie and the other kids in the class want to be part of the Safety Squad next year so they're studying the book for the test. Austin thinks it would be cool to wear the yellow greater than symbol across his chest and help the little kids get on the buses, keep order in the halls, slow kids on the sidewalks and give the 5 minute warning at lunchtime. But to be in safety squad he has to take the test, the written test which is impossible for him. Luckily his teacher notices his struggle with reading and he finds help. Which leads to another friend and learning aids that really help him. But will it lead to losing Bertie as a friend too?
July 7, 2024
As an educator, I'm always looking for new YA and Middle grade books to suggest to my students. This book just didn't capture my interest. If I don't like it, I'm not going to suggest it to my students. This book had the potential to be great, like a "Fish In A Tree", but it literally went nowhere. Absolutely NOTHING happened in this novel. There was no story arc with a climax, just nothing. I finished it, hoping for more, but it gave NOTHING. My students would not be interested in this after reading the other novels in my class.
*A 4th grader, Austin, is constantly moving around with his mom and changing schools. It's never truly revealed why his mom moves so much. Austin clearly can not read and has developed coping tactics to hide this from teachers and friends. He compares life experiences to crayon colors, which is a writing technique that didn't match the story and was just thrown together disingenuously. Austin makes a friend, Bertie, who is really smart and speaks continuously to the point of annoyance. Austin wants to be a Saftety kid at school, but he can't read the test. The teachers catch on to his disability, introduce him to the learning center, and he becomes a safety guide. The End. I'm glad it was only 133 pages. If not, it would have been a DNF. 1.5 stars.
*A 4th grader, Austin, is constantly moving around with his mom and changing schools. It's never truly revealed why his mom moves so much. Austin clearly can not read and has developed coping tactics to hide this from teachers and friends. He compares life experiences to crayon colors, which is a writing technique that didn't match the story and was just thrown together disingenuously. Austin makes a friend, Bertie, who is really smart and speaks continuously to the point of annoyance. Austin wants to be a Saftety kid at school, but he can't read the test. The teachers catch on to his disability, introduce him to the learning center, and he becomes a safety guide. The End. I'm glad it was only 133 pages. If not, it would have been a DNF. 1.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2024
Stuck by Jennifer Swender is about an insecure, overthinking, middle grade boy name Austin. He and his mom move around a lot for unknown reasons and Austin comes up with various lies to tell his classmates as to why he's new. Austin has a very caring and thoughtful teacher that he enjoys, but he struggles to read and write. He cares a lot about what his peers think and that leads to his insecurities. His transient lifestyle has impacted his literature skills. The story moved slowly with details about Austin repeating "my name is Austin" 15 times as he skimmed the book The Bridge to Terabithia because too many of the words were too difficult.
I think a few kids could relate to Austin and would enjoy connecting with a character that has insecurities like they do, but I found this book slow and uninspiring. I would be hesitant to recommend this book to a student and I would not use this in the classroom.
I listened to this book on audio through my local library after finding it on this book review website: https://sarahscorner82914520.wordpres....
I think a few kids could relate to Austin and would enjoy connecting with a character that has insecurities like they do, but I found this book slow and uninspiring. I would be hesitant to recommend this book to a student and I would not use this in the classroom.
I listened to this book on audio through my local library after finding it on this book review website: https://sarahscorner82914520.wordpres....
January 16, 2026
Austin and his mom have moved around a lot. When he starts a new school near the end of the year, he's feeling a bit nervous. He immediately makes a new friend Bertie and becomes excited about the possibility of on the Safety Squad next year but there's a problem - when he tries to read, the letters shift around.
NC EBOB 2025-2026 selection
It's evident that Swender has a solid understanding of elementary school kids and some of the struggles they face, especially if they are different in any way. While Austin's trouble reading isn't a huge focus of the book, I do wish that there was a little more resolution for it. He goes to the Learning Center once, a vague plan is made, then the story is done. The end felt like it came on a little fast and needed some more about communicating with Austin and the reader about what is going on. Even an afterword talking about reading problems would have been a great addition.
NC EBOB 2025-2026 selection
It's evident that Swender has a solid understanding of elementary school kids and some of the struggles they face, especially if they are different in any way. While Austin's trouble reading isn't a huge focus of the book, I do wish that there was a little more resolution for it. He goes to the Learning Center once, a vague plan is made, then the story is done. The end felt like it came on a little fast and needed some more about communicating with Austin and the reader about what is going on. Even an afterword talking about reading problems would have been a great addition.
November 26, 2021
EArc provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review
Austin and his mom have moved, again. It's toward end of the school year and he has to be the new kid all over again. He just wants to fit in and not really be noticed. However Bertie, an overly-excited classmate, takes him under her wing. We also have some students who go to the resource room for extra help, and one of those students is extremely disruptive.
I loved that the teachers were supportive and strong. They were experienced teachers who knew how to help struggling students without making them feel bad or less than. That was a breath of fresh air!
I get what the author was trying to do. But it all seemed very forced and very rushed. There were so many things that never got answered or explained. We get bits and bites, but never a full meal.
Austin and his mom have moved, again. It's toward end of the school year and he has to be the new kid all over again. He just wants to fit in and not really be noticed. However Bertie, an overly-excited classmate, takes him under her wing. We also have some students who go to the resource room for extra help, and one of those students is extremely disruptive.
I loved that the teachers were supportive and strong. They were experienced teachers who knew how to help struggling students without making them feel bad or less than. That was a breath of fresh air!
I get what the author was trying to do. But it all seemed very forced and very rushed. There were so many things that never got answered or explained. We get bits and bites, but never a full meal.
June 17, 2022
It's hard for Austin to always be the new kid. He moves often, he is more substantial in size than his classmates, and he struggles with reading. Austin has discovered that it is best if he just flies under the radar of his classmates and teacher, but this school might just be different as he meets Bertie, an outgoing, talkative classmate who wants to be his friend.
This is a relatable story for students who struggle with school, and this is a great windows/mirrors book. I appreciate that it's a shorter realistic fiction book (133 pages), but I left the book with unanswered questions that I wish the author might have explored a little bit more.
The students are in 4th grade which is a tough sell for my 5th-8th grade students; however, I'm sure it'll get checked out by students looking for realistic fiction books with less than 150 pages which is exactly why I ordered it.
Great for 3rd-5th grade.
This is a relatable story for students who struggle with school, and this is a great windows/mirrors book. I appreciate that it's a shorter realistic fiction book (133 pages), but I left the book with unanswered questions that I wish the author might have explored a little bit more.
The students are in 4th grade which is a tough sell for my 5th-8th grade students; however, I'm sure it'll get checked out by students looking for realistic fiction books with less than 150 pages which is exactly why I ordered it.
Great for 3rd-5th grade.
May 18, 2025
3.5, the ending was brilliant but it took too long in such a short story to get to the point. It almost feels like the issues Austin had would have been discovered quicker, even moving around a lot. I work with students that need accommodations, but many of them are able know to use them (like speech to text for spelling) so that again seemed like too much unnecessary filler to get to the point.
Another review noted dropped plot points. Especially glaring when a book is short, like what is the focus on color?
I enjoyed it, but would have appreciated the message more with clearer focus. The meandering makes it a harder sell to want to share with students, likely as a read aloud, but might be worth it for the fantastic ending.
Another review noted dropped plot points. Especially glaring when a book is short, like what is the focus on color?
I enjoyed it, but would have appreciated the message more with clearer focus. The meandering makes it a harder sell to want to share with students, likely as a read aloud, but might be worth it for the fantastic ending.
November 11, 2021
Thank you to #NetGalley, Jennifer Swender, and the publisher for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Austin never wants to stand out and does everything he can to fly under the radar and not get noticed. Austin likes to look at things in different colors and hide the fact that he cannot read. Austin wants to keep this a secret especially since he has a new school school. Austin then meets Bertie who opens his eyes and shows him it's okay to be himself!
I loved this book as a teacher. All of our students are unique in their own ways and they should be treated as such by their teachers and their peers. I hope this story encourages all students to be themselves.
Austin never wants to stand out and does everything he can to fly under the radar and not get noticed. Austin likes to look at things in different colors and hide the fact that he cannot read. Austin wants to keep this a secret especially since he has a new school school. Austin then meets Bertie who opens his eyes and shows him it's okay to be himself!
I loved this book as a teacher. All of our students are unique in their own ways and they should be treated as such by their teachers and their peers. I hope this story encourages all students to be themselves.
January 5, 2022
Austin and his mom move a lot. Maybe because she has depression, maybe there is something more going on there. Austin is a big kid who doesn't want to stand out. He quickly learns the ropes of his new class with Ms. G and the help of new friend Berdie. Austin's big issue is that he can't read. He can recognize letters and read some words but for the most part doesn't read. He has been able to hide this fact through 4th grade. He has all kinds of tricks he uses to get out of reading and writing. I liked Austin and Berdie but I thought there was a lot left unsaid in this book. Why can't Austin read? What is up with his mom? Why do they move so much? How is Austin going to get help?
February 26, 2022
Any book that mentions THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, and other “gold medal books” is going to be on my highly recommended list. The story depicts the realistic struggle of the new kid at school, the kid with some learning differences, a mom with struggles, and the desire for friends. And who didn’t want to be a crossing guard when they were in fifth grade? From the beginning I saw parallels to “BRIDGE” and was anticipating some type of horrible, emotional disaster. But that parallel seemed to stop abruptly after Austin read through chapter 10 of BRIDGE. I was disappointed by that. I also don’t really understand the title. A solid choice for 3-4th grade readers.
July 11, 2022
Austin and his mom move around a lot, and at the start of this book he's starting at a new school...again. He struggles to read and is nervous about a new start with this issue. Luckily, a classmate of his, Bertie, is very personable and outgoing, and she easily becomes Austin's friend. Through the book Austin uses different strategies to hide his reading struggles and is also hopeful he'll pass the test to join the Safety Squad the following year.
I enjoyed Austin's attention to color detail and the use of vocabulary words within the story. I also loves Bertie and Austin's relationship. But, I left this novel with some unanswered questions.
I enjoyed Austin's attention to color detail and the use of vocabulary words within the story. I also loves Bertie and Austin's relationship. But, I left this novel with some unanswered questions.
August 26, 2022
An empathetic ride inside the head of a young boy struggling to survive difficult circumstances. He is clearly bright, but focused on living a somewhat nomadic life with his mom that has them always on the move; he knows all the best strategies for being the new kid at school and hiding the undefined learning disability that has kept him from learning to read. It's an isolated, lonely existence where his main goal is to stay anonymous and unnoticed. This time, though, this school, these teachers, these classmates might be different. Maybe. It's a brief novel, but packed with layered nuance and subtle emotion.
December 13, 2023
4.5 stars for this realistic fiction for ages 8-12. Nothing much happens in this story as far as action goes. However, I love Austin, and reading his thoughts and feelings. Watching his understanding grow, and how the girl in his class, Bertie, helps out. It shows what a difference that the right kind of school and staff can do--but even a good school took a while to reach Austin and start meeting his needs. Austin can't read and doesn't want anyone to know. It was eye-opening to read the ways that he disguised it, and heartbreaking how worried he was about it. He is worth reading about. I don't really know how much children would like it. I hope they do!
August 1, 2024
This wasn't a bad book, but I feel like it could have been so much more. And it left unanswered questions. Did we ever find out what happened with his dad? Or why they kept moving (other than his mom's depression/anxiety)? Does he end up staying at this school? And how bad must ALL of his other schools have been for no one to realize he was struggling? I really just wanted to wrap Austin in a hug and be a supportive mom instead of an absent one for him.
This book does offer a valuable mirror or window into life with learning challenges, and highlights how first impressions can be deceiving. The characters are realistic and relatable, and the length is attractive. It just left me wanting.
This book does offer a valuable mirror or window into life with learning challenges, and highlights how first impressions can be deceiving. The characters are realistic and relatable, and the length is attractive. It just left me wanting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2025
Stuck: three stars. Nice to see a portrayal of a kid with a learning disability (possibly dyslexia, but it's never labeled on-page). Austin is an easy character to root for, and the elementary school setting is believable. However, the subplots with Austin's mom and with Dee are left oddly unresolved.
Note there is an unexpected school-lockdown-drill scene. It doesn't seem to really contribute to the plot, and there's just the wrong level of explanation/detail provided--enough to show young readers there's something to panic about, but not enough to explain why the characters have to do what they're doing. I wish this had been left out.
Note there is an unexpected school-lockdown-drill scene. It doesn't seem to really contribute to the plot, and there's just the wrong level of explanation/detail provided--enough to show young readers there's something to panic about, but not enough to explain why the characters have to do what they're doing. I wish this had been left out.
December 13, 2021
Fun, refreshing story, but a lot was left open which may not have needed to be.
3.5 stars, rounded up because it was unique.
There were many refreshing and insightful elements of the story. Chapters titled by colors, intriguing development of challenges with Austin, etc...
Much was added to the story without resolution, but which begged more story. Austin's challenges were never diagnosed, and unless one works with developmental issues, left much to be understood. Austin's mom also seems to have a lot of challenges, which were hinted at, but also beg a lot more story.
Sequels?
3.5 stars, rounded up because it was unique.
There were many refreshing and insightful elements of the story. Chapters titled by colors, intriguing development of challenges with Austin, etc...
Much was added to the story without resolution, but which begged more story. Austin's challenges were never diagnosed, and unless one works with developmental issues, left much to be understood. Austin's mom also seems to have a lot of challenges, which were hinted at, but also beg a lot more story.
Sequels?
February 4, 2022
Great read about Austin the constant New Kid, he tried to fly under the radar and not be noticed as he starts another new school. You can quickly tell that he has some type of reading disorder, that has been missed due to his many moves. At the first day he makes a quick friend with Bea- a tiny perky friend. As he slowly starts to get used to this new school he notices the Patrol Kids with their vests and helpfulness, he really wants to stay long enough to become a Patrol Kid in 5th grade.
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