The group is facing a whole new set of challenges and adventures in eighth grade! It follows the pattern in which each of them shares what is happening in their lives.

Rob Buyea is one of those authors that I see on the shelf and pick up just because I see that he wrote it. I haven't read a book by Buyea that I didn't love. He is extremely talented at creating a cast of characters that kids can relate to. I knew after reading The Perfect Score that I would also enjoy The Perfect Star. I loved it so much that I read it with my 5th graders! LOVED IT!

A good follow up to the previous two books, but I do think the author struggles to write the middle schoolers' POV. The characters were very exaggerated. Not Buyea's best, but still enjoyable.

I received a digital review copy of The Perfect Star via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This was one of my most anticipated release of 2019 and it did not disappoint.

The issues explored in this one, like always, are handled well. Yet despite the heavy issues touched on in this book, it does not feel heavy, Buyeau beautifully mixes the humor and seriousness.

I would recommend The Perfect Star to fans of Rob Buyea's previous books, R.J. Palacio's Wonder and to students who enjoy ensemble stories and realistic fiction.

The final (?) installment of Rob Buyea's trilogy did not disappoint! The familiar cast of characters works together as "The Recruits" not only to help each other through tough situations, but others outside of their group as well. Along the way there are plenty of surprises, big laughs, and heart wrenching moments. Throughout the series Rob Buyea has done a masterful job in allowing these characters to grow and evolve, while at the same time keeping them familiar and enduring in the qualities the readers have come to love from "The Perfect Score" and the "Perfect Secret". "The Perfect Star" puts every characters strengths on display, while putting each of them in situations where the readers can see their vulnerabilities, and struggles. Rob Buyea captures the complexities of young people and their successes and struggles as well as any young adult author out there. "The Perfect Star" is a must read conclusion to this dynamic trilogy!

4.5 stars. Loved this! A great wrap up to the middle school careers of these students. This book doesn't really center around one thing - like state testing or a crusade to reconcile estranged family members. It focuses more on the growth and development of these kids and their relationships with one another and the adults in their lives. This looks at friendship, family, dating, football, homelessness, bullying, insurance and health care, grief and loss, etc. There's a lot going on here, but it flowed well as each student shared the story at times.

Rob Buyea is my favorite author when it comes to stories with multiple points of view. Each of the kids has a clear voice and perspective and their stories build on one another so well. Fans of this series and of Buyea's work in general should not miss this one!

Wonderful book about a group of friends in their last year before they go to high school. As each one deals with their own problems and growing up, they have to find both strength in themselves and each other. This book will appeal to many kids.

Natalie is on the school's morning newscast, Randi does gymnastics, but is currently on the sidelines because of an injury, Scott and Gavin play football and Trevor is trying to patch things up with his best friend. All five middle schoolers are all trying to make the most out of the year before high school, but might they be putting too much pressure on themselves and forgetting to have fun in the process?

The third book in the Perfect Score trilogy, eighth grade is going to be an unforgettable year! Rob Buyea is a talented middle grade author who does an amazing job at keeping multiple narratives with their own unique and distinct voice allowing the reader to dive deeper into more characters each telling their own story.

Each character is dealing with their own problems - a tragedy at home, injury at gymnastics, friendship difficulties, and much more. Will the friends be able to come together when they need it most or is this the year they begin to grow apart?

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THE PERFECT STAR by Rob Buyea***

5 BRIGHT STARS

Rob Buyea is a gift to middle grade readers. In the third and final book in THE PERFECT SCORE series Natalie, Randi, Trevor, Scott, Mark and Gavin are faced with new challenges in eight grade including, friendships tested, injuries, financial difficulties, death, sex discrimination, illness, changing families and forgiveness.

The young teens each have distinctive, complex personalities carried over from the previous two books and each grows through overcoming difficulties. As with the MISTER TERRUPT series, Buyea addresses different challenges the kids experience, not always naming those difficulties overtly, in a manner than engages not just middle grade readers, but younger and older kids as well.

I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy THE PERFECT STAR and all of Buyea’s books.

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW

This was my most anticipated release of 2019 and my goodness did it deliver.

The issues explored in this one, like always, are handled well. This time around, we tackle sexism, death, consent, friends fighting, bullying, running away, injuries, and the confusion and awkwardness that comes with developing romantic feelings for a childhood friend.

The kids in this one are equally as amazing as they were in the first two.

GAVIN
After an accident involving his father, Gavin enlists the help of his younger sister, Meggie to make things right.

RANDI
In the last book, we were told that Randi’s mother, is seeing a man named Jacob. In this book, Randi has a few issues with that.

NATALIE
After the success of the newspaper club from the last book, Natalie decides to start a morning broadcast at Lake View Middle School and covers more than one difficult topic on her show.

SCOTT
Once the players on the football team notice Scott’s talents, he becomes the team’s secret weapon.

TREVOR
After Trevor and Natalie start dating at the end of the previous book, Trevor can’t seem to stop thinking about her. What he doesn’t notice is the effect that’s having on his friendship with his best friend, Mark.

Perfect for fans of Rob Buyea's previous books, NBC's THIS IS US, and R.J. Palacio's WONDER

All in all, a beautiful ending to a fantastic trilogy.