43 pages • 1 hour read
Fourth Grade Rats
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Book Brief
84
Novel • Fiction
Suburban School • 1990s
1992
Middle grade
8-12 years
340L
Super Short Summary
In Jerry Spinelli's Fourth Grade Rats, Suds Morton navigates the social pressures of fourth grade, where being a "rat" involves rebellious behavior. Though his friend Joey quickly embraces this new identity, Suds grapples with the expectation to change. To gain his crush Judy's affection, Suds tries to conform but ultimately learns that true maturity means being true to himself. The book contains descriptions of bullying and peer pressure.
Humorous
Contemplative
Playful
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
4,554 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli receives acclaim for its engaging writing and relatable exploration of peer pressure and growing up. Readers appreciate the humor and memorable characters but occasional criticism arises about predictability and simplicity. Overall, it's well-suited for young readers navigating similar experiences.
Who Should Read Fourth Grade Rats?
Readers who enjoy Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli are typically upper elementary students who appreciate humorous and relatable stories about everyday school life. Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and Judy Moody by Megan McDonald would similarly enjoy Spinelli's light-hearted yet meaningful exploration of growing up.
4,554 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Joey Peterson
Joey Peterson
Suds's best friend and a foil character who eagerly embraces social norms that Suds struggles with, contributing to the novel's exploration of peer pressure.
Judy Billings
Judy Billings
A minor character whose superficial nature symbolizes the influence of peer approval on identity and social dynamics.
Mom
Mom
Suds's mother, who provides consistent support and wise counsel, helping Suds find his true path as he faces the challenges of growing up.
84
Novel • Fiction
Suburban School • 1990s
1992
Middle grade
8-12 years
340L
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