No teacher has ever liked Carter Avery. So he doesn’t expect that Ms. Olivia Krane will be any different. In fact, he heard the rumor that the new teacher -- nicknamed Owl-livia, or the Owl, for short -- can twist her head all the way round to catch any kid who’s up to no good. And since Carter has a hard time sitting still and not blurting stuff out, he’s sure he’s in for rough times being sent to the principal’s office. Making things worse: annoying know-it-all Missy Gerber is in his class! But the Owl knows just how to handle Carter’s energy, showing his classmates another side of him. Everything’s looking up until Carter finds out that some people would like to see Ms. Krane replaced. The news spurs him on a secret mission to save his teacher. Then a disruption, heated words with Missy, and trouble outside of school test Carter’s plan, heart, and courage, as he navigates an especially tricky school year.
This is a Mark Twain nominee this year. I think fourth and fifth graders will be able to relate to this book because of the hyper activeness of the character. I also think a lot of students feel this way toward teachers until they find one that will accept them for who they are. I am a little concerned because it discusses artificial insemination in the way that the teacher becomes pregnant. But other than that I recommend this for the age group.
