The Reckless Club is a great middle-grade novel that has the spirit and feel of The Breakfast Club. I believe that this would be an excellent novel to read with a class. It would inspire class discussions and, hopefully, make students more aware of how their words and actions affect others.

This book was an absolute delight. Pure and utter joy. I cannot wait to get this to kids at my branch.

Vrabel writes an extraordinarily great novel that has rightly been described as similar to the 1985 movie called “The Breakfast Club.” Fans of that Boomer favorite will see definite similarities in theme and character types, but with a Gen Z spin. That plot of troubled or rule-breaking teens put together to serve detention and finding common ground is timeless and will find a place in any age group, but Vrabel adds far more tender and sometimes even gut wrenching scenarios for her cast to share. Readers in grades 5-9 of both genders are likely to make a connection to at least one of the five teens who are forced to spend the last Saturday of summer volunteering in a nursing care facility. Highly recommended for fans of Beth Vrabel’s other works as well as those by Joan Bauer, Lisa Graff, Cynthia Lord, and Jordan Sonnenblick. Unlike some of Sonnenblick’s novels, “The Reckless Club” does not require any warnings about language or other mature content. Thanks for the dARC, NetGalley!

I understand the theme of this book, about students finding their place by spending time with adults and one another. However, this book just did not hold my interest. I make it a guideline to not recommend books to children or teens unless I have enjoyed them myself, and this book did not do it for me.

This book took me a while to read, for a multitude of reasons. I couldn't seem to get connected to the characters until halfway through the book and it wasn't until that point that a lot of things seemed to click into place. There were a few things about the characters that I didn't like, including how they were described at the beginning that distanced me from them. I grew to appreciate them more as the book went on, but it was a slow start.

A great read. A fun mix of characters, a great plot, and a contemporary nod to a popular 80’s movie make this an interesting and quick read. I laughed out loud more than once and came to root for each member of The Reckless Club in turn. Kids will find lots to identify with here, and teachers and parents will find lots of material for discussion.

Thank you @netgalley for Beth Vrabel's newest masterpiece. I'm happy to be a #partner so I can scout out the books I want to add to next year's library inventory! Release date 02/10/18
This book is a modern day Breakfast Club told from 5 perspectives: the nobody, the athlete (a GIRL, thank you!!), the drama queen, the revel, and the flirt (a BOY, thank you!!)
The story opens with a priceless letter from Principal Hardy, stating his decision to send them all to Northbrook Retirement Village on the last day of summer vacation in response to their behaviour on the last day of middle school. Though it is apparent none of them want to be there, they reluctantly learn...
1. The elderly were once young and vibrant members of society. Agnes is no exception: "And that's how I taught my pet monkey to stop biting people..." They learn that mischief knows no age limit, as in the case of the roving ficus: "Just as Lilith is about to dart across the hall to the plant, it moves. The fake plant gets up and moves a few steps closer to the pair. Lilith spots purple pant suited legs... the tiny woman seeking a prom date is huddled behind it."
2. They have more in common with each other than they realized. All they had to do was listen.
3. The way we perceive others is often based on stereotypes. Vrabel slowly reveals each character's backstory... just enough to keep you guessing and changing your opinions.
At times the story got away on me, darting down different rabbit holes, but the characters brought me back. This is an essential purchase because it has entertainment and heart.

WOW. WOWOWOWOWOW

Listen, I didn’t really know how much I’d like it when I first downloaded it. I started reading it and thought, ‘oh, this is going to be just alright.’

Oh, how wrong I was.

LITTLE BIT OF BACKSTORY WITH ME AND THIS BOOK:
I may not have been born in the 80’s, but I love THE BREAKFAST CLUB. So, one day, I was surfing through NetGalley, and I see this beautiful cover. I click on it, read the summary, and download it right then and there. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of like, 3 other books at the time, but the minute I finished them and started reading THE RECKLESS CLUB. And I think it did a fantastic job of bringing back the charm of THE BREAKFAST CLUB.

I can’t really say too much about what I loved about it without spoiling the whole thing, but I will say this: this is a very important and charming book that I think everyone should read.

I will also try and talk about the characters without spoiling anything, so here goes...

JASON (the nobody)
Jason starts out as kind of your typical emo artist, but as the story progresses, he turns into a much more complex character than that.

LILITH (the drama queen)
Lilith is an Indian-American thirteen-year-old girl, is in the drama club at school, and pretty much makes a big deal out of everything. I can definitely assure you that once you read about what she did that got her this punishment, and the story behind it, you’ll love her.

WES (the flirt)
Wes is always class president and can sweet-talk his way out of pretty much anything. Although, his home-life is the one thing he can’t sweet talk his way out of.

ALLY (the athlete)
Ally is basically the most popular girl in school, seeing as she’s captain of pretty much every sports team at school. But her father’s constant pressure on her is making it harder and harder.

REX (the rebel)
Rex is well...Rex is interesting. Rex starts out as the stereotypical rebel, and whatnot - always in trouble, and always mouthing off to teachers - but as you start to reveal her story, she becomes so much more than that.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is that I love all of these children.

I will definitely be purchasing a copy of this book when it comes out.

UPDATE: It’s been less than a month and I’ve already read it twice. I loved it more the second time...

Writing: 3/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot: 3.5/5

A sweet retelling of John Hughes’ iconic “The Breakfast Club” with a cast of middle schoolers and an old-age home twist. The “Rebel”, the “Flirt”, the “Drama Queen”, the “Nobody”, and the “Athlete,” are serving detention by spending the last day of summer vacation helping out in an old folk’s home. Needless to say, they aren’t thrilled. Through a pretty convoluted and fast paced plot, they come to terms with who they are, who they want to be, how to prevent bullying, and how better to understand and have compassion for the aging process. It’s heartwarming, interesting, and even tearful at times. While the bulk of the teachers, counselors, and therapists are good people with good messages, there are also some candid depictions of some not-so-great teachers and quite a few absent and / or deficient parents.

The Reckless Club is reasonably well written with attention given to shifting gender stereotypes (for example, the “Athlete” and the “Rebel” are both girls and the female residents of the old-age home are anything but dull). A number of background situations for each student emerge including divorces, absent or nasty parents, bullying, and unpleasant teachers and school situations. Overall a lot of positive messages about aging as well as getting along with other people in general — the students learn compassion, understanding, and the meaning of friendship as applied both to each other and the old folks they have reluctantly come to help.

I received a free e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great middle-grades novel. The characterization is excellent, and the topic of bullying is timeless. I liked that along with the incidents of student bullying, the novel included situations in which a teacher gets bullied and another teacher verbally bullies students.

I believe that this would be an excellent novel to read with a class. It would inspire class discussions and, hopefully, make students more aware of how their words and actions affect others.

Beth Vrabel has the ability to weave stories that make it easy for me to explain why I love young adult and middle grade novels. She writes believable characters without being too dramatic or forcefully stereotyped. The Reckless Club will open conversations about so many topics my students have either experienced or shouldknow about. This book covers the gamut from self-discovery and acceptance to mental health issues. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys realistic fiction. I'm looking forward to purchasing a copy for my school library and for myself.

It's Breakfast Club for a new generation. I really enjoyed the diverse characters in this middle grade novel and how they dealt with contemporary issues facing youth today. I can see my students identifying with the characters and the book will be one that will not stay on the shelf!

I absolutely loved this book. When I read the description and saw the Breakfast Club reference I immediately requested it and was so happy when I was offered an ebook.

I wish this book existed when I was in middle school, it would have great to feel that feeling invisible or left out can happen to everyone and that we can do something about it (and that it is not the end of the world). As a person who also suffered from bullying for a few years when I was in school, I love that there are people such as Beth Vrabel who understand how important it is to acknowledge the issue and try to present ways to solve it through books. This book was amazing because of its message and because the characters were all completely relatable.

This story shows that no matter how different people are, our vulnerabilities bring us together.

The book is a quick and enjoyable read that both adults and children will be able to relate to. I would love to see a 5-book-series-spin-off and have each of the kids be the focus of their own story where we get to see them developed.

I received this e-book in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley.