Des has grown up in a retirement village. His grandmother and the residents have been homeschooling him but it turns out that his grandma fudged some paperwork, so he is discovered and forced to attend the local middle school. Dex has not been around many kids his age, with his best friend being a 99-year-old WWII code breaker. One can easily imagine how hard the adjustment to middle school is for both him and his peers. When he gets suspended for trying to be helpful, it will either unite or break the community.

Gordon Kerman is a brilliant author with great ideas. The interactions between characters are mostly delightful. It does read a bit adult just in terms of understanding some of the things that Dex has learned from the retirement community.

This would make an amazing read aloud in a classroom setting. I think it is a great addition to any collection. I have a few kiddos I plan on recommending it to but I can also see how adults may enjoy it too!

The audiobook was especially delightful. With the variety of narrators matching the character perspectives in the novel, I would recommend a group listen!

Thank you to Net Galley, Harper Collins, and Harper Audio Children’s books for the DLC! All opinions are my own!