Recommended Age:
10
+
Best for independent readers who enjoy quietly wise, beautifully structured stories with an ensemble cast and themes of belonging and mentorship.
About the Book
Four sixth-graders—Noah, Nadia, Ethan, and Julian—form an unlikely Academic Bowl team under the guidance of their teacher Mrs. Olinski, and their interwoven stories reveal how they came together and why they matter to each other. A Newbery Medal winner that is quietly wise, beautifully structured, and deeply satisfying.
Content Ratings
💡
Light Themes
The characters are navigating social exclusion, disability, parental divorce, and the search for belonging; themes are handled with wisdom, humor, and empathy; the tone is ultimately hopeful and affirming.
⚔️
No Violence
There is no violence; conflict is social and emotional, centered on acceptance and belonging.
Engagement:
Genre:
Adventure
Published:
1996
Page Count:
163
