ALLEY & REX

A sixth grade troublemaker better shape up.

Alex “Alley” Katz tends to get in trouble. It usually isn’t his fault. Most times Alley is trying his hardest to be focused and honorable, but the problem is most people don’t seem to focus on the things Alley focuses on. The last straw presents itself when Alley’s efforts to protect a bunch of kindergarteners leads to a bean burrito hitting the fan. Now Alley must get an A on his science test or be transferred to the robot factory Steggles Academy. Alley’s assigned peer mentor is Rex, a fourth grade genius who wears a bunny suit to school. There’s friction at first, but the two quickly see that a mutually beneficial arrangement can be made here: Rex will help Alley stay in school, and Alley will help Rex just plain survive school. These two misfits look out for each other, and friendship blossoms. The characters are broad and brimming with energy—a bit too much to fit into this overlong series opener. Alley is a lot, and readers will see him in all his glory on every page, so much so that readers may find their appreciation waning before the book wraps up. The result is a funny start and a sputtering finish. Judging by cover art, Alley present White and Rex has brown skin.

A decent start for a new series that has potential once some pacing issues are sorted out.