I Survived – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

I Survived

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2017

72%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Patterson's Middle School series serves up summer camp chaos, booger jokes, and surprisingly sweet lessons about friendship for reluctant readers.

I Survived

book

2017

72%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Patterson's Middle School series serves up summer camp chaos, booger jokes, and surprisingly sweet lessons about friendship for reluctant readers.

4.7

Jump to

Also rated on

4.7

View →

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

This is the literary equivalent of chicken nuggets—kids will eat it, it gets the job done, and it's not going to hurt them. Patterson's Middle School series is engineered to hook reluctant readers with short chapters, illustrations, and humor that 8-year-olds find hilarious (and parents find mildly annoying).

The actual story here—summer camp, bullying, learning not to judge—is perfectly fine. Rafe's friendship with the bullied 'Booger-Eater' is genuinely sweet, and the message about looking past nicknames lands well. But let's be honest: this isn't going to stretch anyone's imagination or vocabulary. It's formulaic, predictable, and leans hard on gross-out jokes.

That said, if your kid is struggling to finish books or claims they 'hate reading,' Patterson might be the gateway drug. A 4.7 Amazon rating means kids are actually turning pages, and that matters. Just don't expect literary brilliance—expect a fun, safe, mildly educational romp that gets the reading job done.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-12, especially reluctant readers in grades 2-7 who need a quick win. The humor is squarely middle-grade boy territory (though plenty of girls enjoy it too). By age 13, most kids will have outgrown the formula.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The series models friendship, loyalty, and standing up for bullied peers (Rafe befriends 'Booger-Eater' despite teasing). Camp setting encourages cooperation and looking beyond surface judgments. However, the humor leans heavily on gross-out jokes and troublemaking antics, which some families may find less wholesome. Pacing is energetic but not chaotic.

Imaginative

Patterson's Middle School series is plot-driven and accessible but formulaic. The camp hijinks and pranks offer some creativity, but the storytelling doesn't invite deep imagination or creative expression. It's entertaining but not particularly original—standard middle-grade fare with predictable beats and humor.

Safe

Age-appropriate content with no violence, mature themes, or triggering material. The biggest 'edgy' element is bathroom humor and mild bullying scenarios that are resolved positively. Common Sense Media parent reviews confirm it's safe for ages 7+, with the main caution being ensuring younger kids understand the difference between fictional pranks and real-world consequences.

Enriching

Solid lessons about empathy (not judging by nicknames), friendship, and standing up to bullies. The series is designed to hook reluctant readers with short chapters and fast pacing, which builds reading confidence and stamina. However, it's more about entertainment than deep cognitive growth—it won't stretch vocabulary or offer profound insights. Amazon rating of 4.7 suggests kids genuinely enjoy it, which matters for keeping them reading.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely hooks reluctant readers with short chapters, fast pacing, and humor that lands with the target age group
Models looking past surface judgments—Rafe befriends the bullied 'Booger-Eater' and learns there's more to people than nicknames
Tackles bullying in an age-appropriate way that empowers kids to stand up for others
Patterson's formula works: 4.7 Amazon rating means kids are actually finishing these books

⚠

What to Watch For

Heavy on gross-out humor and bathroom jokes—if your kid already says 'fart' 47 times a day, this won't help
The 'troublemaking cabin mates' lean into pranks and rule-breaking for laughs, so be ready for conversations about fictional fun vs. real-world consequences
It's fast food, not fine dining—entertaining and accessible but not particularly enriching or vocabulary-building

Conversation Starters

"Rafe learns that 'Booger-Eater' is actually a good friend. Have you ever misjudged someone based on first impressions or what other kids said?"
"What would you do if you saw someone being teased at camp or school? How did Rafe handle it?"
"Some of the pranks in the book are funny but would get you in trouble in real life. Can you tell the difference between story pranks and what's okay at school?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic