Gracias a Mr. Terupt

Gr 3-7–Buyea’s “Mr. Terupt” series opener builds chapter by chapter on the experiences of seven students indebted to a new teacher for his special attention over the course of a fifth grade year. This Spanish translation of the middle grade novel will appeal to tweens who can relate to struggling with friendship and family woes. When an accident lands Mr. Terupt in the hospital awaiting surgery, the school community and parents rally around the students as the school year closes. Buyea uses flashbacks to elucidate why some of the protagonists keep to themselves, while others’ dramatic tendencies make each day’s happenings lively. Buyea’s primary characters speak directly to readers as the novel walks through each child’s most pressing challenges. Character development is well done, including the characterization of secondary characters. Plotlines involving the school principal and other secondary characters add nuance and layers to the general narrative.