This middle-grade realistic fiction series follows the students in an elementary school class whose lives are shaped by an unusually kind and creative teacher, told from multiple students' perspectives as they navigate friendships, family difficulties, and the unexpected events of the school year. The series is emotionally warm and character-driven, and deals with themes of empathy, difference, and the lasting impact a good teacher can have.
Seven fifth-graders with very different personalities and home lives are transformed by their first-year teacher Mr. Terupt, whose innovative teaching and genuine care help them navigate their challenges—until a tragic accident changes everything. Told from multiple perspectives, this is a powerful novel about empathy, growth, and the impact of a great teacher.
The students return for sixth grade, still processing the trauma of Mr. Terupt's accident while facing new challenges including a difficult new classmate and the complexities of growing up. A continuation that maintains the series' emotional depth and multiple perspectives.
