I thought that the characters and the writing were subpar. I'm always looking for representation, but this book fell short to me.

Gabe and Oliver are just entering seventh grade, however, their friendship started well before kindergarten. They share many of the same interests. Prime among them is their love of graphic novels - specifically, "Dogman." This year, Gabe and Oliver want to write their own graphic novel that draws inspiration from Dav Pilkey. Instead of a man with a dog's head, they decide to combine their personalities into "Gabiver."

Despite their focus on their budding careers as writers, Gabe and Oliver have the course of their year change when the new kid, Ruben, enters their class. Ruben isn't like a lot of middle schoolers, primarily because he does not speak. Gabe and Oliver watch their classmates tease and bully Ruben and need to decide whether they will join in, ignore what's going on, or take a stand and help Ruben out.

The themes of friendship, responsibility, and growing up are deftly considered in one of Lindsey Stoddard's best works ... and let's be honest, she has several. "The Real Deal" is a perfect book for upper elementary and middle school students who love realistic fiction, but who want a story told from a different point of view. In this case, it's not the bullied student telling the story, but a third party, which makes for an interesting study in perspective and gives young readers greater cause to look within themselves to consider how they might handle a similar situation.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This one has a pretty clear direction from the outset - middle grade kids interacting with an unusual new student. THe narrative is at terns funny and heartwarming with enough unique details to make it worth a read.

SO much to love about this book from Lindsey Stoddard, whose books I have always adored.
1. A lovable main character in Gabe - I also appreciated that while we see growth in Gabe, the main struggles in the book are not about him. He is learning how to be an upstander, an ally, not just a good friend. He is comfortable in his own skin, secure in his friendship with Oliver, and has a strong sense of conscience.
2. Reuben - I loved the "peeling back of the onion" as we get to know Reuben, recognize foreshadowing before the reveal of the trauma that has left him speechless. I really appreciated that the book's goal was not to "make him talk" but to let him be heard. Wow.
3. Oliver - I love MG books with good friends. Yes, there are countless friendship struggles in store for these readers, but I really adore books that model how good friendships work. Oliver is hurting, and even his best friend doesn't see it until it's almost too late.
4. Ms. Leavitt - I have to love a good teacher, who treats students with humor, respect, and also teaches them to be their best selves. Her "gobbledygook" speech really resonates.
5. I loved the metaphors with orienteering and hiking!

"...there's no such thing as leave no trace. Because we do. We leave traces on everyone we meet. It's just what kind of trace we leave that matters."

I didn't expect to love The Real Deal, but it's the kind of book kids need to have on their shelves these days. Gabe is a sixth grader learning about true friendship, bullying, and what it means to listen to your gut. Reuben is a new classmate on his third "fresh start," dealing with post-traumatic stress in a very raw and authentic way. As Reuben and Gabe's lives start to intertwine, we realize that not everything is how it appears to be on the outside. Powerful story -- I want to share this one with every tween I know.

Sweet middle-grade read about four kids, all from different backgrounds and social circles, who forge their own friendship at their after school program. Avery, Robbie, Lucas, and Finn, never friends, have all grown up in the same community and elementary school, but on the first day of middle school they end up in the same after school program. After several games of Sardines, a tree fort, and jars full of acorn tops, their group is stronger than ever and determined to make each of their wishes come true. Great read about friendship, resilience, and putting others first!

Great middle grade story about friendship! I am thrilled to share this one with my middle grade readers.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC.

Best friends. Childhood trauma caused by "magical thinking". Absent parents. Standing up for others. Learning to follow your gut feelings. Learning that everyone faces tough stuff and kindness can go a long way in developing empathy and understanding.

Do you like stories about bullies, friendships, and family drama? This story shows friendships that are the real deal, full of ups and downs but that are there when you need them the most. Charming characters and a well-crafted plot reveal deep themes about standing up for others, what it really means to be a good friend, and an important reminder that everyone has more going on than what appears on the surface. Two thumbs up!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this title.

I liked this book overall, even though I feel like it’s a little forgettable. It’s a good book with good male friendship. I would give 3.5/5 stars if half stars were an option.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lindsey Stoddard, and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Gabe and Oliver have a real and true friendship, which can be really hard in middle school. They do everything together, but recently Oliver acts like he is hiding something and that worries Gabe. On top of that, a new boy named Reuben moves to town. Reuben never talks, ever. Classmates begin to make fun of and tease him which really bothers Gabe.
Can Gabe figure out what is going on with Oliver, while also doing his best to stand up for Reuben?

I loved this story! Middle school is hard, but it was so nice to see a boy character that not only has hobbies other than sports, but also doesn't stand by and let others get made teased or picked on. I don't think it's bad to have books for middle school boys that the characters are into sports, but not every boy is that way. It was nice to see a book with a character that enjoys reading and speaks up for others. I also thought it was nice to see the real friendship between Gabe and Oliver.

The Real Deal is a well-constructed and presented middle-grade realistic fiction tale that touches on many things kids face daily, namely, how to be true to yourself when others around you are not. When life changes, Gabe learns the real value of friendship and what it means to follow your gut.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperCollins, for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

I absolutely loved The Real Deal. Gabe, Oliver, Reuben, the teachers, the parents, the twins, Rae… they were all special, engaging and easy to care about. There was so much truth, love and beauty in this story. Concepts weaved throughout in meaningful ways and the ending was perfectly done! One I will purchase and recommend often.

A sincere thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy of this book.

I have been a huge fan of Lindsey Stoddard since I read Just Like Jackie. Her skill at developing realistic characters that truly tug at your heart is incredible.

Gabe and Oliver...Gabiver...Every teeter needs a totter...And these two friends just fit together. Their friendship is The Real Deal. Except something seems to be different about Oliver lately. As they work on a special project for class, a comic inspired by Dog Man about their superhero friendship, Gabe feels in his gut that Oliver is hiding something.

As Gabe tries to navigate his worries about Oliver, two new students to their class wiggle into Gabe's gut as well. Rueben is new to town and doesn't speak. Ever. Kids make fun of Rueben under their breath and when teachers aren't around, and while Gabe and Oliver never say the mean words, they sometimes join in the laughter or fail to stand up to the bullies. There is also a seventh grade girl temporarily demoted to their sixth grade class by the principal. She will be with them until she writes an apology letter for challenging her ELA teacher with bad words about the value of graphic novels. She listens and seems to be able to understand Rueben when others can't. Gabe's gut tells him Rueben needs and deserves to have people who will stand up for him and starts encouraging Rueben to join Oliver and him in class activities.

I fell in love with the characters in this story. My heart ached for each of them at different points along the way. I am confident my students will find the character and story relatable as well as a motivating reminder to listen to your gut. Always.

I didn’t want this book to end. Best friends Gabe and Oliver have a real deal friendship. Although they are working together on a very important project for school, Oliver seems to be distancing himself from Gabe. A new student, Reuben, who doesn’t speak, enters their classroom and is a target of bullying. Both want to do the right thing and help him, but it is hard in middle school. I got mad at a teacher in the story for taking away the graphic novels for kids. The whole project developed by Gave and Oliver is creating a version of the DogMan graphic novel that encompasses them both. This book was about the power of friendship, moving away from being a bystander, not keeping secrets, and working together. I hope there is a sequel.

"We leave traces on everyone we meet. It's just what kind of trace we leave that matters."

Such a thoughtful story of friendship and school, overcoming the difficult parts of life and being there for friends when they are going through a difficult time. And listening to the "gobbledygook" in your guts telling you to do the right thing!

This is an important book and will be a great one to read aloud to a class. There are themes of friendship and siblings and the characters seem real and will draw readers in. As Gabe faces challenges alongside his friends, he supports them and finds himself making decisions about what's right. So many discussions can stem from this one!

This book is THE REAL DEAL.
Pun intended.
I finished this one in a day. It’s the first time I’ve been able to do that in quite a while. These characters - Gabe, Oliver, and Reuben felt so real - students who could be sitting in my classroom. And, if I’m half the teacher their Ms. Leavitt is, I’d be honored.

Because Gabe’s mom works in a bookstore, it’s full of excellent book recommendations and beautifully describes the way new books look (and smell) on bookstore shelves.
It also tackles the insane notion that graphic novels aren’t worthy of book reports. It discusses side-ways mean bullying, and every teacher and student will be able to relate to it. It opens the door for discussions on topics such as toxic masculinity and environmentalism, and I was thrilled to see that it shared characters who attended therapy, helping to normalize mental health supports for students.

This book is about friendship. And following your gut, finding your inner voice, and making choices based on the kind of person you want to be.

Favorite quotes:
“You can always tell if something is actually funny by how it feels in your guts. If you’re doing that belly-aching-sore-muscles-makes-you-feel-free kind of laugh, then you know it’s good-funny. But if you laugh and then it feels like you swallowed gobbledygook, you know it’s not.”

“And I’m also thinking that there’s no such thing as leave no trace. Because we do. We leave traces on everyone we meet. It’s just what kind of trace we leave that matters.”

Comparable themes to Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Scheerger.

Publishing in October 2022. A must pre-order. I’ll definitely be reading aloud with my 5th graders this fall.

Stoddard has written another powerful, thought-provoking, affirming middle grade story packed with interesting characters. Fans of contemporary middle grade fiction will devour this story about friendship, bravery, and doing what's right.