Welcome to 4B

This was a quick read and an important read for middle grade readers or younger who may be having issues at school. It doesn't dive very deeply into the reason for the other kids having behavior issues and also being in classroom 4B, because it is all from one POV, but the other books seem to expand on the other kids, so I am looking forward to reading their stories too.

Sad that there is a need for books like this for children now. But reality is what it is and it doesn't help to stick one's head in the sand and try to pretend everything is great when it isn't. That doesn't help the kids who are going through tough situations.

Good, important book, for both kids going through difficult times and for the adults who have to deal with them. Some compassion and understanding that everyone, even kids, go through tough times. Adults can presumably work through it and explain what they are thinking and feeling better. Kids don't always have the language to express what their problems are, or they may not say anything for fear of being made fun of or from shame when it isn't their fault at all.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, because this is an important topic, written in a way that kids will respond to and understand. Definitely recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and West 44 Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

This book was really nothing memorable. It got better as it went on, but there was a little too much teenage angst for me. It also seemed unrealistic. Mila is in junior high/middle school, so how is she in one class all day? She should be changing classes and teachers for different subjects. How are these kids getting an education? It seems like the school is set up more like an elementary school, which makes no sense. Also, why is a student put into this class without a second thought from the principal? Shouldn't he try to figure out a solution instead of just dumping the kids in a class like sweeping the problem under a rug?

It's an easy, short read, but I'm still confused.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Brynn Kelly
Publisher: West 44 Books
Publication Date: August 1st 2018

When Mila is sent to live with her Aunt after an unfortunate situation with her mom, she must learn how to cope and adjust to a new school. While Mila is used to being a co-captain cheerleader with one of her best friends at her new school she is deemed one of the bad kids (due to a nasty comment Mila made to her teacher) and now has now been transferred to 4B. Surely Mila doesn’t belong in 4B and the principal made a mistake- right?

As a teacher I am always wanting to read books involving students and school settings. When I stumbled across this book I was really excited about it after reading the summary.

When I started the book right away I noticed the writing to be very choppy with sentences having 4 or 5 words in them. I decided to continue the book because of the fast pace and was hoping the book just had a rocky start. The flow of the book did get marginally better.

What I found confusing is that the book is geared towards middle grade, teen and ya. Seems a bit juvenile for teen/ya, yet topics of Mika’s mom being in rehab are a more mature topic. On top of that each chapter had pictures that almost looked doodled. While the photos were cute it left me feeling confused. It was as if I was reading a Magic Tree House book, but with a more mature topic.

Furthermore, I was hoping we would get to
learn more about the other students also in 4B. The story itself didn’t feel like it really took part in school or the classroom. Instead, I felt like the focus was more on Mila’s new home life.

Overall, I feel disappointed and let down. With that being said however this book could work well for older students who are struggling to read due to the short sentences, shortness of the book, and the fact that this is a very quick read.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A moving story about a young girl attempting to find her niche in a new place, surrounded by new people. I'd recommend for young adults and up.

Welcome to 4B
by Brynn Kelly
West 44 Books


Middle Grade , Teens & YA
Pub Date 01 Aug 2018


I am reviewing a copy of The Bad Kids in 4B; Welcome to 4B through West 44 Books and Netgalley:


I must say I really wanted to love this book, to recommend it to others the title and the summary caught my eye but I was disappointed, the formatting made for a nearly impossible read.


I am sure the plot line was great, but it is hard to review something that you can't read. Words bled and blended together making them look like gibberish.


I give Welcome to 4 B a three out of five stars, only because I know the effort put in by the author.

Happy Reading!

I commend the author and publisher for their efforts to have a book that is accessible for readers who are not reading at their grade level, but want to read something that will relate to them.

The problem is, it makes so of the dialogue and thoughts of the characters a little wooden, to my ears. The story itself is good, about a Mila, who has had to move in with her aunt because her mother is in rehab, acts out, and is sent to 4B, where the other "bad kids" are.

The good things about the book, is that it shows that "bad kids" are really not all that bad, that they are just going through hard times, so there is a certain sympathy with them.

#WelcomeTo4b #NetGalley

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

“Mila followed the principal down the hall. He was taking her to room 4B. She had heard that classroom was for bad kids. She was not a bad kid! Okay, she did make Mrs. Marks cry. But, she was having a very bad week. The worst week of her life. No one could blame her for being upset.”

After being separated from her mother and sent to live with her aunt, Mila needs to learn how to survive in her new school. But after saying something nasty to a teacher, Mila is forced to go to class with the “bad kids” in room 4B. How will she grapple with her family problems, her new school, and her new life?

Welcome to 4B, the first book in the series The Bad Kids in 4B, is a hi-lo book that YA readers will get lost in. The book covers complicated issues, like addiction and family struggles, in a non-judgmental, helpful way. Readers who connect with the story are sure to appreciate the way these issues are treated.

Overall, this is a great book. I’m excited to see what happens in the later titles in The Bad Kids in 4B series!