Lissette E. Manning

Armed with a vivid imagination and a passion for drawing, Nathan Rockledge’s world is never dull. It’s his way of dealing with being in the fourth grade as well as having an overbearing thirteen-year-old sister and the pressures of home. Nate can’t help the fact that his imagination runs away with him more times than he can count. His dreams and drawings are the only things that make his life worthwhile, passions from which he’ll never part.

His parents aren’t thrilled that he spends most of his time immersed within his imaginary worlds. They want the best for him, even if Nate can’t quite see that as of yet. His sister believes he’s a hindrance within her every day life and she’ll do everything she can to make him feel inferior. Nate isn’t one to be left behind and makes sure he takes turns at upsetting her world whenever possible. After all, sibling rivalries aren’t that much fun unless you can give as much as you get, right?

Losing himself in the world around him, Nate is able to perform extraordinary feats in order to save those who need a helping hand. There’s never a dull moment in his life, as there’s nothing he wouldn’t do in order to make sure his world is fine and dandy. With his sketch and coloring pencils in hand, every aspect of the world he lives in comes to life in vivid color.

Nate dives into his adventures head on, content in giving a helping hand wherever it’s needed. A world of his making, Nate’s dreams come true in the oddest, yet most intriguing of ways. This allows him to share his passions with his friends and family, even if they don’t understand where he’s coming from in the first place.

This was such a delightful read. Karen uses Nate’s passion for drawing to bring to life the unique situations he finds himself in. Each and every adventure is something any child can relate to. The book is beautifully written in a manner that a child of any age can easily understand the story. I enjoyed this first book of a truly wonderful series.

Synopsis:

Nate Rocks can do it all: part super-hero, part all-star athlete, part rock-star… part fourth-grader?

Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan’s life as a fourth grader appears to be completely doomed.

About The Author:

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in Orange, Connecticut and currently lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. In June 2011, Karen published her first middle grade children’s novel for 7-12 year olds called Nate Rocks the World, followed in 2012 by the second book in the Nate Rocks series, Nate Rocks the Boat. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).

Connect With Her Online:

Website: www.karentoz.com
Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz