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Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,901 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Over 2 million copies sold of the #1 New York Times and Indiebound bestseller!
Don’t miss the book behind the major motion picture! In the hilarious and awkward start to this mega-bestselling series, beloved misfit Rafe Khatchadorian takes on his first year of middle school…by breaking all the rules!
Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got a foolproof plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off: break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class--5,000 points! Running in the hallway--10,000 points! But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding.
Beloved #1 bestselling author James Patterson's debut middle-grade novel addresses some of middle schoolers' biggest issues: bullies, first crushes, and finding out what makes each of us special, all with a hilarious main character and fantastic in-text illustrations that will have young readers begging for more!
★ "Patterson artfully weaves a deeper and more thought-provoking tale of childhood coping mechanisms and everyday school and family realities."―School Library Journal (starred review)
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"Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life was about a kid named Rafe Khatchadorian tries to break all the rules in the Hills Village Middle School Code of Conduct book. His imaginary friend Leonardo helps Rafe break all the rules. Unfortunately Leonardo died at a young age so Rafe believes he is there when he actually is dead. I would recommend this book to 5th-8th grade boys and girls."
— Cadence (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“It’s a chatty, funny, engaging book, one that often addresses the reader directly. It’s filled with energetic cartoons…that will appeal to your little rebel, depicting teachers as dungeon-keepers, matadors, and flying dragons. Patterson…knows how to structure a plot and builds in some surprising—even touching—twists…Rafe is the bad boy with a heart of gold.”
— New York Times -
“A keen appreciation of kids’ insecurities and an even more astute understanding of what might propel boy readers through a book…A perfectly pitched novel.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“Cleverly delves into the events that make middle school so awkward: cranky bus drivers, tardy slips, bathroom passes, and lots of rules…Hopefully, this isn’t the last we hear from Rafe Khatchadorian.”
— Associated Press -
“The book’s…dynamic artwork and message that ‘normal is boring’ should go a long way toward assuring kids who don’t fit the mold that there’s a place for them, too.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts offer a likeable, middle-grade underachiever, Rafe Khatchadorian…This book is engaging, funny, and quirky. What the book does that is unique is provide a glimpse at what it might be like to try to exist in a system that does not make room for variation. Rafe is much more than a preadolescent gone wild; he is an artist and a writer looking for a place to flourish. Though the book will probably appeal most to sixth graders, readers who just want a good chuckle will enjoy it too.”
— VOYA -
“Patterson artfully weaves a deeper and…thought-provoking tale of childhood coping mechanisms and everyday school and family realities…Hand this book to misbehaving, socially awkward, or disengaged boys and girls…It might help them believe that there is a place for them in the world, no matter how dire times may seem in the present.”
— School Library Journal (starred review) -
“There is substance as well as appeal here…Patterson deftly manages the pace of revelations that take readers deeper into Rafe’s fragile trust…Readers ready for something else in the same vein but more substantive than Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Peirce’s Big Nate should be introduced to Rafe.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books -
“An enjoyable story that even the most reluctant readers should enjoy.”
— Library Media Connection -
★ "Patterson artfully weaves a deeper and... thought-provoking tale of childhood coping mechanisms and everyday school and family realities.... Hand this book to misbehaving, socially awkward, or disengaged boys and girls.... It might help them believe that there is a place for them in the world, no matter how dire times may seem in the present.
— School Library Journal, starred review -
Incredibly detailed and imaginative illustrations... add depth and humor.... an enjoyable story that even the most reluctant readers should enjoy.
— Library Media Connection -
The book's... dynamic artwork, and message that 'normal is boring' should go a long way toward assuring kids who don't fit the mold that there's a place for them, too.
— Publishers Weekly -
A keen appreciation of kids' insecurities and an even more astute understanding of what might propel boy readers through a book.... a perfectly pitched novel.
— Los Angeles Times -
* "Patterson artfully weaves a deeper and... thought-provoking tale of childhood coping mechanisms and everyday school and family realities.... Hand this book to misbehaving, socially awkward, or disengaged boys and girls.... It might help them believe that there is a place for them in the world, no matter how dire times may seem in the present.
— School Library Journal, starred review -
A #1 New York Times BestsellerA #1 Indiebound BestsellerA 2010 Oregon Children's Choice Award WinnerA 2012 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young ReadersA 2013 Hawaii's Children's Choice Award WinnerA 2013 ALSC Summer Reading List BookA 2014 Oregon Reader's Choice Award NomineeA 2014 ALSC Summer Reading List Book
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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A Wall Street Journal bestseller
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
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A Summer 2007 Book Sense Pick for Children
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An ALA Top Book for Teens
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A New York Public Library Book for Teens
Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life Listener Reviews
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" This is such a funny book. "
— KK, 2/19/2014 -
" a very enjoyable and funny book! one of the best book :) read it! :D "
— 7l2, 2/10/2014 -
" Cute - loved the ending! "
— Carla, 2/7/2014 -
" Really good book for kids who aren't big readers and for those who love to read. Adults who like a quick and light read will enjoy it too. The artwork is very cool =) "
— Beccie, 2/2/2014 -
" I thought it was a cute, funny book and thought the ending was good. I read it to make sure it was appropriate for my brand new middle schooler and it was just fine. My 6 year old wants to read it but he might try and imitate Rafe and try to break every rule in the code of conduct...he is spunky like that. I would say this is similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. "
— Claire, 1/31/2014 -
" the romantic part was awful. the rest was good "
— Luke, 1/27/2014 -
" Good book. But Rafe just gets in trouble. By the way its Rafe Katchadoreon not Rafe Kane. "
— Zurg, 1/25/2014 -
" So far so good. This is very Diary of a Wimpy Kid-esque. "
— April, 1/23/2014 -
" I'm a middle schooler and this book just seemed so real to me. It's like Diary of a Wimpy Kid mixed with Big Nate In A Class by Himself with clear vivid writing and one funny boy! "
— Julia, 1/19/2014 -
" Hysterical story and drawings - will appeal to many preteens/early teens. "
— Diane, 1/15/2014 -
" This was a nice book and if you like it then read James Patterson second middle school book. Middle School get me out of here "
— Dominique, 1/3/2014 -
" Easy read with pictures, making the book fun. Wasn't my favorite, but was a fun book to read! I think it's a little bit more advanced than Diary of a Wimpy Kid. "
— Emme, 1/1/2014 -
" It was A very heart warming story. where a boy named Rafe had a game called "operation R.A.F.E" it was ment to break every rule in the school. he would get bullied and his lifed sucked. Such a heart warming and enspiring story. You should read it it has a very good ending. "
— Will, 12/12/2013 -
" Middle school boys will like it - fast, easy read. "
— Janet, 12/4/2013 -
" i like this book. "
— dana, 7/23/2013 -
" This is an amazing book for kids in middle school. Though middle school may not be the worst years of my life, this book has characters that you can connect to (and I have the same name as the main character) and it is just a loveable book! "
— Raphael, 7/2/2013 -
" This was an interesting book. Rafe decides the best way to spend his 6th grade year is to break EVERY rule in his middle school "book of conduct". Find out about the Dragon Lady, The Lizard Man, and Miller the Killer. There are consequences to the choices he makes, and he finds out the hard way. "
— Erica, 11/6/2012 -
" I really liked this book. It was good and funny. I was shocked at the end, the part about Leo, it had a twist. This book was also very easy to read. I liked it a lot. Easy to reading in one sitting. "
— Julie, 10/14/2012 -
" I thought it was funny! Definitely better than Diary of a Wimpy Kid series! "
— Stacie, 8/25/2012 -
" The ending makes this redeeming. "
— Kathleen, 6/27/2012 -
" Great kids book. SImilar to Diary of a wimpy kid and dork diaries. Can't waiit to read i funny the second book in series! "
— mom2wah, 6/14/2012 -
" I gave this book five stars because I really liked it. It was really funny. It was about a kid who decided to break all the rules in the book, literally. He even makes it into a game. I thought it had a good ending too. It was a good book "
— Brendan, 6/3/2012 -
" I thought the book was good but not my favorite. The book was about a boy who went to middle school and was having the worst year of his life. He imagined his teachers to be like what you don't imagine them to be like. "
— Cierrab6, 8/29/2011 -
" Age appropriate. Not as good as Wimpy Kid series. It did have some humorous parts though. I think part of the reason I feel this way was just non-standard writing style. "
— Bryan, 8/23/2011 -
" This took me a day to read. It was a awesome book!!! A must read for all those who ever been in sixth grade. "
— Jackie, 6/30/2011 -
" It's good <br/>I can't believe I got it before it came out!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Lamby, 6/22/2011 -
" maybe better than I thought it would be...more depth in characters than I expected. This is more than a simple reluctant reader book, and not just Wimpy Kid or Dork Diary copy cat. "
— Joann, 6/6/2011 -
" I can see this being the next wimpy kid. "
— Michele, 4/27/2011 -
" Kids are gonna love this! My book club--galley group--ate this book up! Can't wait until I am able to order it for the library! Still can't believe it's a James Patterson book! "
— Jacqueline, 12/2/2010
About the Authors
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Effing Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Princess Diana, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson, and received an Edgar Award, nine Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Chris Tebbetts is the New York Times bestselling coauthor of James Patterson’s Middle School series. Originally from Yellow Springs, Ohio, Tebbetts is a graduate of Northwestern University. He lives and writes in Vermont.
About Bryan Kennedy
Bryan Kennedy was born and raised on Long Island and has been working as an actor and comedian in New York for the past several years. He has done numerous theater productions, voiceovers, commercials, and audiobooks.