The New Kid Quotes

“TJ shouted, “Let’s hope this one doesn’t get all washed up.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“label carefully.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“look of horror”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“punching him on the shoulder, not so playfully.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“She rattled on about school for the entire ride. I lost interest when she started blabbing about our new teacher Ms. Riley, saying she looked like a hippie. I tried staring out the window and tuning her out. Not a great start for my first day. Things had to get better from here, right?”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“Having your best friend move away is like finding a week-old tuna sandwich in the bottom of your back pack. It really stinks. When Luke moved away last summer, I knew things wouldn’t be the same.  Luke was more than just my best friend. He was the coolest person I’ve ever known.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“appreciate”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“these”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“was flying solo, but I had already broken our old record of seventy-nine bounces and I was going strong. It took my mind off the fish, and Mr. Smith’s ankle, and TJ Hinkleman. I had bounced the ball ninety-five times in a row and I was totally in the zone. And I just knew I could break 100. Bounce. Ninety-six. This was a piece of cake. Bounce. Ninety- seven. Who needs Luke anyway? Bounce. Ninety-eight. Victory would be mine.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“In gym class, he was always chosen team captain. And for some reason, he always picked me first, even though I was the shortest kid in class.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“I saw Emily was sitting two rows over and gulped. I hoped that brown stain was gone off my pants. I shifted in my seat trying to hide the spot, just in case. TJ Hinkleman was on my other side. He could be a real jerk, but Luke always knew how to put him in his place.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“Ms. Riley had a nameplate on each desk. I found mine at the front of the room next to the new kid. He just kept popping up everywhere. He was sitting there arranging those colored pencils in his pencil box. Geez, he sure had a thing for art supplies. I glanced at his nameplate and saw Simon spelled with a big swirly ‘S’.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“and Simon. Simon had no clue about what brought on the sudden change, but I think he was just glad to be out of the line of fire. And I kept my word, and didn’t tell anyone about TJ’s secret”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“I don’t know why TJ did that. He’s acting like a real moron this year.” She paused and nodded. “But it was nice that you stuck up for Simon.” “I didn’t do much,” I said, kicking a stone on the playground. “But at least you did something,” she added, smiling. Then Pepper lunged forward, trying to chase after a squirrel. “Well, good luck. I hope you hit your target.” She called over her shoulder, as she jogged after Pepper. “Thanks,” I said.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“middle”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“kitchen.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“Could they be getting a divorce like Luke’s parents?”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“hope-we-can-be-friends grin,”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“hair”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“that”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“could beat every level on Space Pod Invasion. He could burp the entire alphabet, forwards… and backwards. He could blast a baseball clear over the fence at Parker Field. In gym class, he was always chosen team captain. And for some reason, he always picked me first, even though I was the shortest kid in class. I still remember that day last August when he broke the news. That afternoon was so hot, I thought the rubber might melt right off my high tops. Dad was grilling burgers, while we were splashing around in”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“In gym class, he was always chosen team captain. And for some reason, he always picked me first, even though”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“My mom yelled at us to leave him alone, so we”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“Ewwwwww…. Gross! He pooped on me!”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“Perhaps you need to stay after class to review the Constitution.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“want”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“stupid”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“garbage.”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“Help!”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!

“Tadpole Poop”
― Maureen Straka, The New Kid: Surviving Middle School Is Tough!