The Perfect Score

By: Rob Buyea

Narrated by: Ozzie Rodriguez, Abigail Revasch, Caitlin Davies, Robbie Daymond, Todd Haberkorn

From the beloved author of Because of Mr. Terupt and its sequels comes The Perfect Score, a new middle-grade school story with a very special cast of unforgettable characters who discover that getting the perfect score—both on the test and in life—is perhaps not so perfect after all.

No one likes or wants to take the statewide assessment tests. Not the students in Mrs. Woods’s sixth-grade class. Not even Mrs. Woods. It’s not as if the kids don’t already have things to worry about. . . .

Under pressure to be the top gymnast her mother expects her to be, RANDI starts to wonder what her destiny truly holds. Football-crazy GAVIN has always struggled with reading and feels as dumb as his high school–dropout father. TREVOR acts tough and mean, but as much as he hates school, he hates being home even more. SCOTT’s got a big brain and an even bigger heart, especially when it comes to his grandfather, but his good intentions always backfire in spectacular ways. NATALIE, know-it-all and aspiring lawyer, loves to follow the rules—only this year, she’s about to break them all.

The whole school is in a frenzy with test time approaching—kids, teachers, the administration. Everyone is anxious. When one of the kids has a big idea for acing the tests, they’re all in. But things get ugly before they get better, and in the end, the real meaning of the perfect score surprises them all.


Cast of Narrators:
Gavin, read by Ozzie Rodriguez
Randi, read by Abigail Revasch
Natalie, read by Caitlin Davies
Scott, read by Robbie Daymond
Trevor, read by Todd Haberkorn

Critic reviews

“The students’ stories are compelling, and Buyea confidently mixes humor and heart . . .” —Publishers Weekly

“Readers will be drawn in by the lively voices and eventful lives of these likable and engaging students.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Told through five students' perspectives, this novel is a heartfelt look at social interactions in middle school, a pointed commentary on standardized testing, and an entertaining read." —Booklist Online

The story plot and the technique

Everything it was amazing and the story part was super realistic in the technique of writing was amazing

Great for classroom read aloud

Didn't love the audio performance but the story is GREAT for teaching perspectives and craft!

Great story for adults and teens!

BEAUTIFUL lessons learned! These are about real world struggles. I love how the characters tie together.

Scott he was very cool and funny

I loved how Scott made so many parts of the book light up Scott made something bad turn into something hilarious I think he’s the best character