Books › The report card
The report card
173 pages
A clever, spirited school story about the courage it takes to stop hiding your true potential and challenge the systems that measure us.
What it feels like
This briskly paced middle-grade story captures the familiar, high-stakes atmosphere of school hallways and the heavy weight of academic expectations. The narrative balances an earnest, relatable tone with a spirited streak of rebellion, drawing readers into the mind of a protagonist who desperately wants to blend in but cannot ignore a flawed system. As a quiet plan to subvert standardized testing spirals out of control, the mood shifts from cautious observation to chaotic, thought-provoking excitement. The prose is accessible and grounded, perfectly suited for young readers navigating their own anxieties about intelligence and achievement. It is a deeply satisfying read for anyone who has ever felt reduced to a letter grade, offering a clever exploration of friendship, pressure, and the true meaning of brilliance.
- Mood
- thought-provoking
- spirited
- anxious
- Tone
- earnest
- clever
- rebellious
- relatable
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the pressure to be normal · redefining intelligence · the stress of standardized testing · friendship and loyalty · challenging the system
- The writing
- Accessible, engaging, and grounded in the everyday realities of middle-grade life.
- The arc
- Moves from a quiet desire to blend in toward a bold, chaotic rebellion that ultimately forces a reevaluation of self-worth.
- Who it's for
- Young readers who feel defined by their grades and anyone who loves a clever underdog challenging an unfair system.
Content notes
- academic pressure
- stress around testing
About the book
Fifth-grader Nora Rowley has always hidden the fact that she is a genius from everyone because all she wants is to be normal, but when she comes up with a plan to prove that grades are not important, things begin to get out of control.
Description from Open Library.
Books like The report card
See why they match
FrindleAndrew ClementsA playful battle of wits in a fifth-grade classroom spirals into an unstoppable linguistic phenomenon.
The Landry NewsAndrew ClementsA thoughtful, empowering exploration of the weight of words and the courage it takes to speak the truth in a fifth-grade classroom.
Nothing's Fair in Fifth GradeBarthe DeClementsA raw, honest look at the cruelty of the classroom that slowly thaws into a story of unexpected solidarity and grace.
Sixth Grade Can Really Kill YouBarthe DeClementsAn empathetic, grounded look at the heavy armor kids wear to hide their deepest insecurities.
The perfect scoreRob BuyeaA warm, multi-voiced exploration of middle school pressure that proves kids are more than the sum of their test scores.
UngiftedGordon KormanA hilarious, high-energy collision of chaos and intellect that proves there is more than one way to be smart.