About This Book
Parents should reach for this book when their child is feeling the social pressures of middle school, particularly the sting of embarrassment or the frustration of being misunderstood by authority figures. It is an excellent choice for kids who may feel like 'outsiders' or who struggle with traditional school expectations. The story follows Rafe Khatchadorian on a chaotic London field trip where he must navigate living with his bully and watching his crush with a 'perfect' boyfriend. While the humor is fast-paced and irreverent, the book provides a safe space to explore feelings of inadequacy and the importance of resilience when things go spectacularly wrong. It normalizes the 'middle school experience' of making mistakes and feeling like a zero, while ultimately showing that your mistakes do not define your worth.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: There are scenes of verbal bullying and social humiliation. In one instance, Rafe is publicly embarrassed by his principal and peers, which may cause distress to children who are highly sensitive to social rejection or 'cringe' humor. 2. CONVERSATION: Parents may want to discuss the dynamics of bullying, specifically the scene where Rafe has to room with Miller. It is a good opportunity to talk about personal boundaries and when to seek adult help versus trying to handle a bully alone.
Ideal Reader
A middle-schooler who feels like they don't fit the 'honor student' mold and prefers stories with lots of illustrations, humor, and a protagonist who isn't perfect.
Parent Prep
Read the chapters involving the 'roommate situation' with Miller to prepare for a discussion on school safety and bullying protocols. A parent might reach for this after hearing their child say, 'Everything I do is wrong' or 'Everyone at school hates me.'
Age Experience
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the slapstick humor and the 'cool' factor of a London trip. Older readers (11-12) will resonate more with the romantic jealousy and the desire for independence from strict authority.
What Makes It Special
The use of 'hybrid' storytelling (heavy illustrations and comics interspersed with text) makes this high-stakes social drama accessible to reluctant readers.
Read plot summary
Rafe Khatchadorian travels to London for a school field trip, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, he is paired with his long-time bully, Miller the Killer, as a roommate. To make matters worse, he has to work on a school project with his crush, Jeanne Galletta, and her perfect boyfriend. Rafe's penchant for trouble follows him across the ocean, leading to several public mishaps and run-ins with his strict principal. He eventually gets lost in the city, forcing him to rely on his wits and unexpected alliances to make it back.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Rafe is forced to room with Miller the Killer. How would you handle being stuck in a room with someone who treats you badly?
2
Rafe feels like a 'zero' compared to Jeanne's boyfriend. Why do we sometimes compare our worst moments to other people's best moments?
3
Principal Stricker is very hard on Rafe. Do you think Rafe's reputation makes it harder for adults to give him a second chance?
4
When Rafe gets lost in London, he has to make quick decisions. Which of his choices helped him the most?
5
If you could go on a field trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and which classmate would you pick as a roommate?
