Me Three - Hardcover

Juby, Susan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 073526872X ISBN 13: 9780735268722

Publisher: Puffin Canada, 2022

Synopsis

Allegations against his father turn eleven-year-old Rodney's life upside down in a powerful and surprisingly funny novel about new beginnings, friendships and a fresh look at the way things really are, by critically acclaimed author Susan Juby.

Eleven-year-old Rodney is starting sixth grade in a new school, in a new home in a new state. The new school is really old and smells like someone ate a couple of pounds of glue and then barfed it back up, and he's in a class with a bunch of kids who seem to sort of hate him. Even his best friend won't write him back. It's strange, because just a couple of months ago, Rodney was one of the most popular guys in his fifth-grade class. He lived in Las Vegas, with his mom, older sister and his dad, who was a successful professional poker player. Now his old life is over -- his mom even says they shouldn't tell anyone their real last name. Because of something his dad did. Or something people said that he did. His dad says it's all a big misunderstanding, but he's now staying in a center "for people who are having problems, like being addicted to drugs or gambling, or because other people don't understand that you are just funny and friendly and sometimes you give people hugs or put your arm around them and they accuse you of taking liberties and ruin everything." Rodney is confident that it won't be long until the misunderstanding is all cleared up and they can all go back to their old life. But he can only keep the truth at bay for so long . . .

About this title

About the Author

SUSAN JUBY is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of eight acclaimed novels for teenagers. Her debut novel, Alice, I Think (the first of the Alice MacLeod trilogy) was made into a successful television series. The Truth Commission was the winner of the Sheila A. Egoff Award, and was shortlisted for several other awards and named to several "Best of" lists. She is also the author of a memoir, Nice Recovery, and the adult comic novels The Woefield Poetry Collective and The Republic of Dirt. Susan Juby lives in Nanaimo, BC, Canada.

Reviews

Gr 5-8-Eleven-year-old Rodney is mostly upset about moving to a new town away from his friends, and only slightly upset with his famous poker player father, who is now hiding out in rehab after "hugging women" who "didn't want to be hugged," as he understands it. Rodney's skepticism about the allegations, and his own understanding of their impact later on, is explored through letters to a friend, Larry, who is not responding for reasons Rodney does not yet comprehend. Rodney must adjust to his circumstance and learn how to speak up for himself at his new school and in his family. While Rodney's growth feels realistic for his age, ultimately the tough truths are not as deeply explored as one might like; he spends more time discussing riding BMX bikes and relaying school stories. The epistolary style feels forced and unnatural. Rodney and his family are cued as white. VERDICT A new middle grade novel that addresses the #MeToo movement from a different perspective, to middling success.-Aryssa Damronα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Puffin Canada
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 073526872X
• ISBN 13: 9780735268722
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224