This started out as a really cool history object lesson and then turned into National Treasure for tweens! The 7th grade at Washington Academy Middle School, housed in a Civil War-era mansion, has just been informed that their bloodless revolution has succeeded and they now get to make the rules and schedules (within a few parameters). They begin to try to figure out how to decide who’s in charge, what changes they want to see, and how to make decisions. Super interesting on its own, and this part is based on a true story!

On day 2 of deliberations, the entire 7th grade goes into the basement auditorium nicknamed “The Dungeon” for a secret ballot vote. When they emerge, the school is eerily quiet. A police scanner app on a student’s cellphone reveals that the school has been evacuated and surrounded by the FBI! The feds are trying to figure out where the 7th graders are and how to get them out without attracting attention because they need to search the school for a Revolutionary War-era artifact of national security importance. But when the students hear the FBI might close the school down for good in order to search, they decide to take matters into their own hands and find the artifact themselves. Searching for clues in old blueprints and a will, stockpiling flashlights and rations in case of a siege, and creating homemade weapons to defend their school ensues!

This was a really exciting book! It switches between the point of view of two of the students, but you get to know a lot of the students throughout the story. It’s great to see the students develop leadership and teamwork skills, face their fears for the greater good, and step up in ways their classmates wouldn’t have expected. Because it’s a middle grade novel, there is no inappropriate content! No bad language, only innocent little middle school romances. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you’ve got a child in upper elementary school or middle school. They’d love it! I’d give this a 4 1/2, and I only bumped it down to a 4 because I reserve 5s for books I personally would want to reread many times. But I highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.

I enjoyed this book very much. I enjoyed the plot, in which a 7th grade class must discover a hidden treasure in their school, but face a huge obstacle in the FBI.

The way the story combined American Revolutionary history with mystery and suspense made it entertaining and interesting reading. There were also great action-type elements to the story. Plus, with the Feds involved, the stakes were high.

I also liked the illustrations at the start of each chapter. Clever!

It started out a tiny bit slow for me and I wasn't sure where it was going... But then the book kind of had an Ah-ha moment! All of the sudden it got really good! This was fun and suspenseful, but what really did it for me was the great cast of characters. I loved these kids! I work in the school system and - yep this is actually what 7th graders act like - spot on. I loved how this group of very different kids came together and learned how to work together, a good lesson for all of us.

The mystery in here will keep you guessing till the end while entertaining you along the way! A nice easy, quick, clean read that can be enjoyed by the young and old.

I'd really like to learn more about the real events that inspired this story. Unfortunately, the pace was very slow at the start, and it was hard to push through to the more interesting parts. Technically well written overall, just needs a better pace.

This was a fun book with insights of what it is like to be a 13 year old in middle school (a memory I believe many of us want to forget!). At first I thought this book was simply about a group of kids that wanted to revolt against teachers.  What kids didn't at that age?  However, this story is so much more!  

These kids go on an adventure of a lifetime - in their own school!  It has what all kids wish their school had: secret tunnels, riddles to decipher, treasure to find, and all the while keeping the FBI from finding out what they are really doing.   And you are lucky enough to go on the adventure with them!

Do not neglect the last few pages either.  It shows all the tweets of the real 7th Grade Revolution that occurred in one school.  It was funny to watch what the kids were doing when they were finally given power to run their school.  It is a good reminder as to why growing up is not always the worst thing to happen to us.  

Finally, this story showed me something that I think many of us forget. As a parent, I do not always realize the influence I have on my own children, but this story showed not only how much influence parents have, but teachers and the community as a whole as well.  And in this story, that was a good thing!

If you were in 7th grade what would you do if you heard that the FBI wanted to close down your school? Would you try to save it or go along? At Washington Academy Middle School, the 7th grade class decided to fight the FBI for not closing their school permanently. The FBI want to find something that could change the United States history. What could it be? How did the 7th grade class learn of the FBI's intentions? Does the class discover the artifact?

I loved the mystery and action in this novel. As you read about the mystery and the ones who solve the clues, I think you will be as intrigued as I was. It is a fun read. The kids are unique and smart. The twists and turns are well written by the author. Don't miss it!

This story wasn't to my taste, however I can see how some people would really enjoy it.

7th Grade Revolution is one of those books that is so close to being a 4-star, but, because I now know what happens, it takes away some of the suspense. I wish there was a way to read the book over again, without remembering what I already know. It is a great read the first time around when the mystery is still there.

The character development was great. With so many points of view, the reader has an inside look into the students' personal lives, and therefore, knows why some of the things they do are so important. There is a complexity to the story that is brought in by knowing the past of some of the students.

The farther I read, the more invested I was in the story. The mystery was great, but the fact that the students did everything without any adults guiding them made the story. It was a good reminder that you don't have to be an adult or even have an adults help to do great things. Everyone is capable of greatness, even if they are kids. In fact, in this book, the adults could stand to learn from the children.

I only had two issues with the book, but they are minor. I read the book on my kindle, so I don't know if a physical book would make a difference, but to me, the images were really dark and hard to make out. I could have done without them. I also had a problem keeping the characters straight. With so many points of view, it was hard for me to remember all the story lines for the different students. It is completely possible that it is just me having difficulties keeping things straight in my head. I'm sure a second read-through would help me understand who is who.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Liana Gardner
Publisher: Vesuvian Books
Publication Date: 24 Oct 2017

Reminiscent of Book Scavenger and The Unbreakable Code, this book takes important historical concepts and places them in the hands and minds of seventh graders. And what an adventure they have!

From having to piece together clues to learning to overcome fears in order to accomplish an important task, this middle-grade title is quite innovative.

Plot development was quite intricate! In fact, the only word I can use to further describe the plot, as well as the character development is - amazing!

Now, I would have been one of the seventh graders who would have relished in the wonderful atmosphere this book created. However, in the 21st century, I can see some elementary school-aged children (like my son, who has been quite interested in what I have been reading lately) enjoying this lovely read. I have already recommended this book to my local Baltimore library!

Highly recommend this book for young children and teens. 5-stars!

A school in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Dennis watching a fly bumping into the window as he day-dreamed about hiking along the long trails, or fishing in the cool river. He sure didn't want to be in a classroom. He would rather trade places with the fly and be out in the fresh air. Anything but this!
What a great way to begin a story. Amazing scenes! Wonderful vividly colored art work! Great characters! I love the setting, and the motivation for the plot.
What kind of artifact was found? Where did it come from, and who found it? Are these 7th graders on to something? These questions and the intrigue that followed, led this reader deeper into the story to find the answers. Liana Gardner came up with an amazing read that had that genuine unique twist on it which keeps the reader excited to the very end! 7th graders are inquisitive. Inspired by true events, helped to engage this story into more exciting scenes. That in itself earned 7TH GRADE REVOLUTION a five star rating. I loved it!

I have started to read more and more middle-grade books. Having two tweens and one of them who loves to read, I am always on the lookout for good middle-grade books. The cover of 7th Grade Revolution caught my eye when I saw it. When I read the blurb, my interest was caught and I had to read it. I am glad I did because this is a book that I would definitely let my kids read.

7th Grade Revolution was based on real events. The 7th graders at Exploris Middle School staged a bloodless revolution. The reason, they were upset with the teachers. The author took that real life event and ran with it. Which resulted in a book that mirrored National Treasure but on a kid’s level. I loved it. The plot of this book

The plot of this book was very simple. 7th graders at Washington Academy Middle School staged a bloodless revolution and won. While in a room, debating school schedules and courses, the entire school is evacuated. All grades except the 7th grade. One of the students picks up a conversation between two FBI agents about a secret treasure. The secret treasure is hidden inside the school and the FBI is going to try to flush them out. The students decide to stay one step ahead of the agents by stockpiling food and water. They also decide to find the treasure before the FBI. The resulting adventure reveals surprising secrets about their school. It also reveals secrets about the American Revolutionary War.

There are several main characters in 7th Grade Revolution. I am going to focus the main two characters, Dennis and Rhonda. The secondary characters in this book are what made the book. They gave the book substance and the ability for me to believe that these kids actually did what they did.

Dennis did not want to be in that school. Being the new kid, he’s the outsider and everyone looks at him like a bit of a bad boy. But when push comes to shove, he becomes the person that everyone leans on. He does have his demons and I was heartbroken when I read how they came about.

Rhonda is the low kid on the totem pole at Washington Academy Middle School. She was teased because her father has trained her in survival tactics in preparation. But those were for a zombie apocalypse. She tends to keep herself because of that. When the students discover the passage under the school, she is only one who can help them get the secret treasure.

Like I said above, this is a middle-grade book. My children are almost 10 and almost 12 and 7th Grade Revolution will be a perfect read for them. I am planning on buying this for my almost 10-year-old for Christmas. He loves these kinds of books and I can see 7th Grade Revolution becoming a favorite of his.

The end of the book was pretty typical. All the storylines were wrapped up in a very satisfactory way that satisfied me as a reader. I did like how everything was explained to the kids about the secret treasure.

4 stars

My Summary of 7th Grade Revolution:

7th Grade Revolution is a fantastic middle-grade book. This book has memorable characters, both main and secondary, as well as a plot that will keep you on your toes. I plan on getting this book for my almost 10-year-old.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Tween

Why: There is some mild violence in this book. Otherwise very clean. I would recommend for a tween (10+). Any younger, I would suggest using your discretion.

I would like to thank Liana Gardner, Independent Book Publishers Association, Member’s Titles and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review 7th Grade Revolution.

All opinions stated in this review of 7th Grade Revolution are mine.

I did not receive any compensation for this review.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

7th Grade Revolution

by Liana Gardner

Vesuvian Books

Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles



History , Middle Grade

Pub Date 24 Oct 2017

I am reviewing a copy of 7th Grade Revolution through Vesuvian Books and Netgalley:

This book is inspired by true events.

It is obvious that this week in school will be Different when the students decide to do something about the way the school is being ran. They stage a bloodless Revolution. There demands are simple things like being able to use the microwave to heat lunches. They discuss changes in the dress code and the reduction of school hours.

The bloodless Revolution succeeds and suddenly a group of seventh graders have control over the school, but the FBI is lurking outside, wanting to unearth a treasure of national importance.

The students find themselves having to defend their school because there is war between the FBI and the students!

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

The 7th grade students at Washington School have been granted permission to make their own rules for the school year about classes, schedules and lessons. As they are trying to make decisions that appeal to every student, they discover that the FBI is trying to take over the school to find "something" that the Builder of the school/home had hidden inside. The students work together to save their school and solve the mystery. The story is based in part on a true story from Maryland of students having a revolution to make new rules. The book has adventure and team building, but at times it seemed too easy for them to solve the problems. 5th through 8th graders will enjoy the story and the adventure of solving the mystery.

***This review was written by a 12 yr old.*** I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I give it a double thumbs up. I liked the storyline because I like intrigue. My favorite character is Dennis because he is cool. I recommend the book.

An exciting story that reminds you a little of The Goonies meets National Treasure. Inspired by true events, the book sneaks in some history so is educational as well as fun. A must read!

The nicest thing about 7th Grade Revolution by Liana Gardner is that it was clearly inspired by a middle school teacher the author obviously values highly as an educator. A fictional teacher assigns her 7th grade the "homework" of reinventing their school's curriculum and organization. What begins as several students' efforts to tackle this assignment as an academic and social experience becomes a tall tale of tunnels below the school that lead to undiscovered caverns full of bats, lakes and Revolutionary artifacts. The kids are pitted against the FBI in a race to discover treasure, both literal and historical, but the frankly unbelievable plot twists, shaky characterizations, and the kids' ability to outwit every adult except their admiring teacher stretches the reader's credulity past the breaking point. The kids' complete distrust of authority and swiftness to treat all adults as threats to be fought with an arsenal of homemade weapons becomes more than a little unsettling and the art work at the start of each chapter is done in a creepy, Goth style that adds to the reader's unease. I like a good Scooby story as much as any fan of meddling kids-style mysteries can, but 7th Grade Revolution starts to smell long before the kids start launching their garbage bombs.