Carter Avery's Tricky Fourth-Grade Year

By: Rob Buyea

Narrated by: Em Grosland

From the author of the beloved MR. TERUPT series comes a story with surprising truths about a student no teacher would wish for, and a teacher no student would want to be stuck with.

No teacher has ever liked Carter Avery. So he doesn’t expect that Ms. Olivia Krane will be any different. In fact, he heard the rumor that the new teacher—nicknamed Owl-livia, or the Owl, for short—can twist her head all the way round to catch any kid who’s up to no good. And since Carter has a hard time sitting still and not blurting stuff out, he’s sure he’s in for rough times being sent to the principal’s office. Making things worse: annoying know-it-all Missy Gerber is in his class!

But the Owl knows just how to handle Carter’s energy, showing his classmates another side of him. Everything’s looking up until Carter finds out that some people would like to see Ms. Krane replaced. The news spurs him on a secret mission to save his teacher. Then a disruption, heated words with Missy, and trouble outside of school test Carter’s plan, heart, and courage, as he navigates an especially tricky school year.

With a stellar cast of characters, young and old, Rob Buyea pens another authentic story of life in and out of elementary school, an experience not soon forgotten.

Critic reviews

A 2026-2027 South Carolina Book Award Nominee!

A Mark Twain 2026-2027 MASL Readers Award Nominee!

"A school story that’s full of heart." —Kirkus Reviews