This is exactly the kind of middle-grade book that does the heavy lifting: it's funny enough that kids will actually pick it up, but meaningful enough that they'll walk away thinking differently about labels, second chances, and what it means to be 'unteachable.'

Korman doesn't sugarcoat the reality that some kids get written off by the system, and some teachers phone it in—but he also shows how one good year can change trajectories. The multiple perspectives are a smart choice, giving every reader a character to root for.

At 4.8 stars on Amazon and an Age 8+ rating from Common Sense Media, this has the parent and kid approval to back it up. It's not groundbreaking literature, but it's solid, engaging, and exactly what you want for summer reading or a book report that won't feel like torture.