by Susan Juby (Author)
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 . . .
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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 Damron
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
One of CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens (Fall 2022)
Me Three is thought provoking, well-developed, and . . . engaging. —Young Adulting
The author, Susan Juby, adeptly weaves a plot filled with unique secondary characters and painful revelations to create a novel about how sometimes a person must live with the consequences of other peoples' poor choices. —CM: Canadian Review of Materials