Sixth-Grade Glommers, Norks, and Me Book

Stealth Freakies stelth freekees 1: A feeling that comes before dread, ie, when you just feel a little sick, before you realize that anything is wrong, or that your whole life is about to change, or something else equally bad.

Janet L. Rose - Children's Literature

For Allie, sixth-grade brings many changes, but at least she still has her best friend . . . or does she? Tamara is the cute, cool-dressing one while Allie is the tomboy soccer star. Slowly the two drift apart. Tam becomes closer and closer to Renee who teases other kids ruthlessly and even makes mean remarks about Allie. Allie becomes more confused when Tam copies Allie's lab report and then blames Allie for getting caught. Allie learns to stick up for her new friends even though Tam and Renee call her soccer teammates Sweaty Bettys and her lab partner, Orren, a nerd. Middle school is a scary place—girls are catty and mean, boys show off. If you do not fit in, your life can be miserable. Most middle school readers can identify with Allie and her classmates. Will they be a part of the group? Wear the right clothes? Be the class nerd? Allie is likeable as she struggles with right versus wrong, loyalty to an old friend versus meeting new ones, pursuing her values versus listening to others. Readers can follow her struggles and breathe a sign of relief when the course she chooses does not hurt feelings or compromise her integrity. 2005, Hyperion Books for Children, Ages 8 to 12.