Carter Avery's Tricky Fourth-Grade Year

Carter Avery's Tricky Fourth-Grade Year by Rob Buyea follows the story of Carter Avery, a fourth-grader who struggles with staying focused, sitting still, and keeping his thoughts to himself. No teacher has ever liked him, and he's sure that his new teacher, Ms. Olivia Krane (nicknamed "Owl" for her sharp eye and rumored ability to turn her head completely around), will be no different. Adding to his misery is the presence of Missy Gerber, a know-it-all classmate.

However, Ms. Krane knows exactly how to manage Carter's boundless energy, showing his classmates a side of him they hadn't seen before. Just as things start to look up for Carter, he discovers that some people want Ms. Krane replaced. This motivates him to embark on a secret mission to save her job. But Carter's journey is filled with obstacles: clashes with Missy, outside-of-school trouble, and unexpected challenges test his resolve. Through it all, Carter learns about courage, friendship, and standing up for what he believes in, navigating the complexities of a tough school year.

With a rich cast of characters, both young and old, Rob Buyea delivers an authentic, heartfelt story of growing up and the ups and downs of life in and out of school.