Solid book with big heart -- Maverick's desire to be the hero he imagines has hilarious (and painful) consequences. Love the terrifying school staff (The Bee and The Bird). Love that Maverick's difficult home life improves. Short, fast-paced, great. ( )

I thoroughly relate to stories about people who stand up to bullying, which led me to select The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade from the new-books-shelf at my local library.

Sixth-grader Maverick Falconer carries a toy sheriff's badge that was given to him by his father. It reminds him of his dad, who was killed in Afghanistan. And he also keeps it to remind himself to do the best he can to make things better for the people around him. But "easier said than done," somehow when he tries his best, things go disastrously wrong.

I think many young people will be able to relate to the situations that Maverick finds himself in, and hopefully some readers will be inspired to kindness and bravery.

Maverick's father died, and his mother isn't doing a great job keeping their home life together. The start of middle school is difficult, due to bullies and his home situation. He knows he can count on his aunt if need be, but he wants to rely on himself and help others, too. ( )