Cracking the Code: Spreading Rumors

by Kris Yankee

When Toby Karlson, aka TK, is at the wrong place at the wrong time, he goes from cool kid to total outcast with just one hip check. Sixth grade orientation was scary, but TK didn't realize it would change his life. Now he has to hang out with the smartest and geekiest kid in school, while dodging the school bully and his posse. If TK were on the ice, he'd know exacly what to do. But this is life and not a hockey game. Can TK get his good-guy status back at fifth-grade camp?

168 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2012

About the author

I'm a freelance editor. I'm also a writer of picture books and middle-grade boy-based chapter books.

My newest book, Are You Respectful Today? part of the Becoming a Better You! series is due to be published June, 2014. Please visit http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1938...


Book 1, Are You Confident Today? has been awarded a 2014 Gold Mom's Choice Awards! Please visit http://www.amazon.com/Are-Confident-T... for more information!

My book, Cracking the Code: Spreading Rumors is now available through Amazon and B&N and has won the following awards:
* 2013 Mom’s Choice Book Awards, Silver in Juvenile Level 2 (Ages 9-12) Books, Fiction, General
* 2013 DIY Book Festival Award Honorable Mention (Children’s)
* 2013 Fall NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner, Best Book in Juvenile Fiction
* 2013 Readers' Favorite, 5-Star review, Children 4th-6th

Two-time award winning author for Tommy Starts Something Big: Giving Cuddles with Kindness co-written with Chuck Gaidica.

Reviews

[S.A. Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A middle grade time capsule complete with the bully, the bashful girl crush, the annoying kids who think they're all that, and an embarrassing mistake that will live in infamy.

Oh, my middle grade! TK's voice has it all from shyness to awkwardness, questioning everything yet wanting to stand firm to his convictions. He's a true MGer, who middle schoolers will relate to. There's an inner toughness about him, but also a soft side that he most often wears as his outer clothing. Undoubtedly, he wants to fit in - as most of us do but are unwilling to admit it - but at what cost? And when an unexpected event whirls his world in a tailspin, TK must learn to see his world with different eyes.

Now, some adults might call that a rite of passage and/or maturing. And it is. Kind of, sort of. But to an eleven year old, it kind of-sort of sucks. Growth and change are always scary, and, in this story, it's the doorway Yankee uses to open up other life lessons to be examined and learned.

The strain on his friendship with his best friend and regular crowd pushes TK to problem solve, using the lessons he's learned from playing ice hockey to work it out. This is one of my favorite aspects of this story. I can't tell you how excited and thankful I was to see a MG storyline show the value of athletics beyond the physical sport being played. It mimicked the real value of youth sports and its application in all aspects of real life. That is what youth sports are about - yes, said from this hockey mom, herself.

By story's end, Toby gained confidence by standing firm to who he is also gives him a new perspective and respect for his new 'nerdy' friend. TK discovers that he's really loyal.

This was a quick and easy read, a definitely must for any middle grader - especially boys who play sports.

[Erik This Kid Reviews Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby Karlson (A.K.A. TK) was a pretty popular guy. That is, until he accidentally “hip checked” an elderly secretary at school when he was pushed into a table. Toby is suddenly hated and made fun of by pretty much every other 5th grader because rumors start going around about the incident which says that it is all Toby’s fault. His best friend, Drew, hates him the most and wants nothing to do with Toby and Toby doesn’t understand why. Toby wants to get his reputation back. He sees a chance when the 5th graders go camping, but needs help. Toby gets help from Morgan, a super smart but very “nerdy” kid. How can Morgan help Toby? And what about the class bully, who hates Toby too? Will Toby ever get his reputation back?

This was a good book about friendship, the harm of rumors and life as a fifth-grader. I do like the “code”. It is a series of rules Toby lives by and the “code” is the title of each chapter (like “CODE 1 – No Matter What, Don’t Hip Check Little Old Ladies” – “CODE 2 – Sometimes Taking One for the Team Means Putting Your Head in a Toilet”). I like Uncle Jack, TK’s guardian (TK is an orphan). He’s pretty cool and sensible and gives TK good advice. I also like Morgan. There are a lot of references to ice hockey in the book which is fun for boys, but you don’t have to be a hockey fan to like it. Ms. Yankee also put some great humor in the story too. The word “cr**” appears a couple of times in the book. I don’t think it needs to be there, but other than that the book is a clean read. I recommend this book to kids 10+.
**NOTE I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Kathryn McKendry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will score a hat-trick with any kid interested in hockey. Filled with hockey references, this book shows that there's a lot more that's learned on the ice than just stick handling and slap shots. A fun read.