Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher

Flying Solo Book Review

By Ralph Fletcher

Reviewed by Christopher K.

Have you ever came into school thinking, “Ugh, I really wish there was no teacher so we can run the class ourselves.” Well, the book I just read, Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher explains a day of school with no teacher and the kids run the class themselves.

The story all starts out with mini biographies on kids in Rachel White’s, the protagonist, class. Then, it gets on to the school day. Anyway, Rachel White is a 6th grader. Her best friend is Missy and Rachel hasn't said a word to anyone since a boy in her class, Tommy Feathers, died by natural causes. The setting is mostly in school and modern day times. The big problem is running the class all day by themselves with no teacher and to not get in trouble. There are also minor problems, like Bastian, a kid in Rachel’s class, his dog has to be given away because Bastian has to go to Hawaii. Also, how Rachel won’t talk.

My opinion on this book is that it is a very well written book. It was very interesting and kept me thinking throughout the book. I liked Fletcher’s style of writing, how he wrote mini biographies of the kids in Rachel’s class to get an idea about them. Then, right away he focuses on the school day. I really liked how he came up with this style and I wish more authors would write this way. I didn't really have any connections with any characters except for the boys in Rachel's class. They are sort of loud mouths and trouble makers, which seems very familiar because some of these kids are in my classes...;) The book really based on independence, freedom, and responsibility, but the main idea in this book is to never run a class with your fellow classmates because bad things can happen very fast without notice. So, there many questions left. Will Rachel ever talk again? What will happen to Bastian’s dog? Will the kids get in trouble?

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