Along Came Spider

Can their friendship survive the fifth grade?

Spider Stevens and Trey Cooper have lived next door to each other their entire lives. Their houses are on the odd-numbered side of Maple Street, which seems just about right. Because, well, Trey Cooper is a little odd himself.It didn't matter when they were little kids -- you know, way back in second grade. And it doesn't matter so much when they're at home on Maple Street. That's just Trey being Trey. But it matters in the fifth grade. The whole class thinks Trey is weird. Does that mean Spider has to turn his back on his oldest friend? Read more Continue reading Read less ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Preller is the author of many books for young children, including the popular JIGSAW JONES series and his middle-grade novels, ALONG CAME SPIDER and JUSTIN FISHER DECLARES WAR! He lives in Delmar, New York, with his wife, Lisa; three children — Nicholas, Maggie, and Gavin; two cats; and a goldendoodle named Daisy. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. FROM SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Grade 3-5 - Fifth-grader Spider Stevens is athletic and friendly, causing his social star to be on the rise. His longtime friend and neighbor, Trey Cooper, is less accepted by their peers due to his odd personality. Several of the traits that Preller describes could be associated with autism spectrum disorder, but Trey's condition is never stated outright. Throughout the story, Spider tries to include Trey and be friendly with his other classmates, but it proves increasingly difficult. Other characters include a quirky school librarian ready to reach out to Trey and Ava, a smart and strong classmate. This is essentially a story of doing what is right instead of what peer pressure dictates and accepting people as they are. The fact that Trey and Ava are extremely self-aware and kindhearted is a redeeming quality, but the book could prove too uneventful for its intended audience. That's too bad because Trey is a sweet character and Preller's message is a good one. - Elizabeth Swistock, Jefferson Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville, VA
Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. FROM BOOKLIST
The lifelong friendship between two fifth graders - one with a mild spectrum disorder - hits the rocks but emerges intact in this perceptive tale from the author of Six Innings (2008) . Feeling conflicted but wanting to fit in better with his classmates at Spiro T. Agnew Elementary, Robert (nicknamed Spider) uncomfortably tries to put some distance between himself and his buddy Trey, whose obsessions, lack of sensitivity to social cues, and general clumsiness have resulted in a reputation for being "out there." Acting on Spider's suggestion that he make other friends, Trey beats the odds and finds two: the school's young librarian and a genial new classmate named Ava. Spider also makes another friend, and by the end discovers that there's still room in his life for Trey. By regularly switching points of view, Preller gives readers a chance to see the situation from each boy's angle and to consider the central insight that differences aren't always as important as they seem. Grades 4-6. --John Peters --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Read more Continue reading Read less