I may be an old teacher, but the first line of this book totally cracked me up, "It's our bad luck to have teachers in this world, but since we're stuck with them, the best we can do is hope to get a brand-new one instead of a mean old fart." For the record, I hopefully am not mean nor a fart.Told from shifting points-of-view, this book follows the school year of Mr. Terupt's fifth grade class. An accident is coming - it's obvious on the title, but it ends up okay - good to know for some sensitive kids. It may be hard for kids who have lost people close to them - but on the other hand, it might be a great way for them to talk about their feelings and what happened. The seven students each has their own struggles - and each has a strong, unique voice in the book. One student is very religious and her prayers show up often in her chapters. Powerful lines. Jeffrey: It shoulda been me in that coma...not Michael. It should be me in that coma...not Tereupt. (151).Also, Peter becomes invisible after the accident. It takes James (spot-on characterization of autism) to help them realize it wasn't Peter's fault and they begin to realize they have ostracized him. SO WELL DONE!The idea that things happen for reason is a strong motif. I'm not sure I agree. Something to consider.But the characters made me cry. Actually, the kids made me cry. The parents tried not to be stupid, but they're parents, so they kind of were (I am also a parent-yes, this sometimes makes me stupid). Great books - that's one thing I'm not stupid about. Because of Mr.TeruptBy Rob BuyeaReview by Luke Thomas This novel is about a fifth grade class that has a new teacher named Mr.Terupt who is the nicest teacher. He figured everyone out in the first week. Then one class party day, Mr.Terupt gets hit in the head by a flying ball of ice and goes into a coma. The kids become very lonely and anxious and most of them visit him in the hospital. They all said it was freaky, especially for Jeffery whose brother died from Leukemia. Then on the last day of school, Mr.Terupt comes back and the class is very happy because they find out they are looping. That means that the class and teacher are going on to the next grade together. Besides Mr.Terupt the other main characters are his class: Jessica the new girl, Alexia the bully, Peter a total smart alek, Luke the brains, Danielle,the fat girl, Anna whose home situation makes her an outcast, and Jeffery who hates school. Mr.Terupt teaches the kids to like school and his accident teaches them to grow up and become more aware of their surroundings. I really liked this book because there were good times and bad times. It also was not cheesey nor sad. This book was such a page turner that I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what Mr.T would do next, like when took his class to the collaboration classroom to help out. The book made me laugh especially when Peter did some nut job thing. It also made me cry especially when Mr.T was in a coma. I was pretty afraid that he was going to die. I liked the way that Bob Buyea wrote it according to months and students’ perspectives. It was written in the first person and you could connect to how the students were feeling. I highly recommend this book!
What do You think about Because Of Mr. Terupt (2010)?
very heart warming me and my friend loved it
—dj
This is such a heartwarming story. I highly recco mend it to all readers out there!
—viju
A terrific story written from the perspective of seven different 5th graders.
—mirellaaa
A middle grade book that touches on real issues. An excellent, but sad read.
—raw
This book made me cry and not many books do that. So so so so so good.
—urmi
