Nate Rocks the City

by Karen Pokras Toz

Hey New York! Are you ready for Nate Rocks? Fifth grader Nathan Rockledge has been counting down the days—and meals—until his class trip to New York City. Now that the big event is finally here, he can barely stand the excitement. After all, isn’t this what being a fifth grader is all about? Oh sure, his Mom is one of the chaperones, his annoying sister Abby is tagging along, and that know-it-all classmate, Lisa, will be there as well. However, none of that matters. Not when he’ll be with his best friends, Tommy and Sam. While seeing the sights, his teacher wants his class to take notes, but Nathan has other ideas. With paper and pencil in hand, Nathan prefers to doodle, transforming himself into Nate Rocks, boy hero. Amid ninja pigeons to fend off, aliens to attack, and the baseball game of the century to save, will Nate Rocks be able to save the day one more time?

142 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Karen Pokras is a writer, daisy lover, and occasional baker who will definitely begin playing the piano tomorrow. Always an avid reader, Karen found her passion for writing later in life and now runs all of her stories past the furry ears of her two feline editorial assistants before anyone else. A numbers geek at heart, she enjoys a good spreadsheet almost as much as she loves storytelling. Karen writes under both Karen Pokras and Karen Pokras Toz. A native of Connecticut, Karen is the proud mom to three brilliant children who still provide an endless stream of great book material. She lives with her family outside of Philadelphia.​. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com and www.karenpokras.com

Reviews

[Lissette]

From the moment Nathan Rockledge learned his class would be going on a field trip to New York, he's done everything possible to make things happen. So much so, that he single-handedly saved the day not too long ago. In doing so, he was able to secure the trip for the class in the most unexpected of ways. Despite that fact, he's been looking forward to the trip and everything it has to offer. In his mind, it'll break the monotony of going to school and living life at home. Plus, he'll get to have some time away from his annoying sister, Abby.

Although things don't go as planned, Nathan doesn't let that stop him from enjoying himself while out and about in New York. He focuses on the fact that he doesn't have put up with his Mom's cooking and getting to spend time with his friends. He's got his trusty backpack with him, his pad and pencils, and his imagination to keep him company, too. All in all, he's got it made. Or so he thinks.

Determined to have as much fun as possible, Nathan doesn't think about the technical side of things. How can he, when he can draw himself out of any situation. Part of him knows that he should pay close attention to the trips the class takes to various venues around the city. He's supposed to learn something from this, after all.

Being the child he is, however, his mind wanders way too often. He also can't wait until he and others get to see the very game they came to New York to see. The way he sees it, he's there in New York to have fun, eat as much as possible, and have the best experience of his lifetime. Now if he could only forget about his sister, his teacher, and everything else that seems to get in the way. Perhaps then, he'll be able to enjoy the trip to the fullest while giving free rein to his imagination in the process.

Another awesome book in the Nate Rocks series, this one won't disappoint. Karen injects such humor into every situation Nate finds himself that you can't help but root continuously for him as he tries to do the right thing. I honestly enjoy this wonderful series, and know you will, too. I can't wait to see what comes next for Nate and his beloved friends and family. Thanks for another great read!

[Jessica Haight]

Nate Rocks is on his way to New York City! He's ready to take to the streets with his fifth grade class, and he's thrilled that his best friend Tommy is in his group. Everything is perfect until he finds out that the world's most annoying girl, Lisa Crane, will also be joining them. Ugh! At least the city's delicious cuisine awaits him, which will be a much needed break from his mom's horrendous cooking. Plus, there's the baseball game, and he can't wait to see his favorite team play. Adventure is on the horizon as Nate heads out to see the sights, and his imagination takes off! Was the Statue of Liberty really put up by aliens? What happens when robotic birds try to sabotage the Central Park Zoo? Who exactly is the Birdinator? And why would he ever want to eat Nate's mom's meatloaf? Will Lisa Crane get stopped twice in a security check? Will she ever stop being so annoying? You will have to read this stellar book to find out!

Nate Rocks the City by Karen Pokras Toz is the last book in the Nate Rocks series, and I just can't get enough. These books are awesome! I feel like I'm right there with Nate when he's taking on dangerous tasks or helping out Captain Asteroid. His sketches are amazing, and his stories will whisk you away. I would recommend this book to kids in fourth- sixth grade or anyone who enjoys a healthy dose of hilarity.

[Jane]

Nate Rocks The City by Karen Pokras Toz

5 Stars

Nathan Rockledge is a young boy who loves to draw and sees himself as a superhero. As he goes around his normal day he often finds his mind wandering, and his pencil moving as he sketches himself into adventures that make his life more exciting. This instalment of the ‘Nate Rocks Series’ sees Nate as he travels to New York City on a school trip and is the last book of the set.

Nate’s adventures include, saving one of Tommy’s family heirloom’s by attacking the burglars with a barrage of base balls. Saving a classmate from a deadly spider bite by catching it in his underwear, Ideal little boy humour! and using his Mums meatloaf sandwich to catch the ‘Birdinator’ at the zoo, Nate’s Mum is a terrible cook!

Nathan takes his inspiration from everyday events that happen around him and the stories are fantastic for encouraging the young to use their own imaginations. The characters are relatable for the target audience and the language used is suitable for the 8-12 years age group.

Copy supplied for review

[Amanda]

In this final installment (noooooo!) of Nate Rocks, Nate, his friends, classmates, and family head to New York City for a whirlwind tour. Maybe it only seems quick because the four-day trip means only eleven safe-to-eat meals before Nate has to head back home to suffer his mom’s cooking.

This book (and series) are written for a middle-grade audience, but I love them as much as my twelve-year-old does. Nate Rocks the City is funny and full of imagination and adventure. The writing is great and the story never slows down as Nate goes from one imaginative adventure to another. In the end, he not only gets to be a real-life hero (again), but gets to have a once-in-a-lifetime real-life experience.

Some series kind of wind down as they get further along, but not Nate Rocks. Karen Pokras Toz did a fabulous job of finishing strong.

[Alicia Marietta]

Nate Rocks it out hard as the series comes to an end - action packed, full of adventure, creative imagination, and laugh out load fun!

In the last installment of the Nate Rocks series, Nate's class visits New York City. With Nate's overactive imagination and his trusty sketchpad this won't be like most visits to NYC. With ninja birds, aliens, & more - you sure to have fun!

[Candice]

Coming this week

[Donna Huber]

It was a pretty good book. It had be remembering my class trip to New York City. If you have a 3rd through 5th grader they will love this story.