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Title: fine read aloud or reader for ages 9-12
Review: This classic children's book is about Toby, a gifted student who moves from Manhattan to a small town and has trouble getting along with the other kids. He's socially awkward and, while he's smart, he's not particularly good at baseball or bike riding -- things his new classmates seem to value more highly than smarts. Toby is made fun of several times and so he first tries to get along but then decides to get revenge! This leads to an adventure in which he and three other boys must ultimately work together to make it through one adventurous, spooky night spent in the town's "haunted" house.The author is a fine writer -- dialogue is realistic and metaphors and interesting language abound. With short chapters, this is a great read aloud book or even a solo reader for kids in the 4th grade age range.
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