Recess Rules

by Jill Vialet

After losing her parents in a car crash at age 8, life just hasn't been the same for Cassie Murphy. Now a fifth grader at Magruder Elementary, Cassie and her three friends, Zee, Toni and Bryant, have been trying to make the best of the same old routine of school, but somehow all the fun has been sucked out of it, and especially at recess. Between a dwindling number of students on the blacktop and Marcus Mackey's need to bully away any games that might be had, Cassie and her crew are on the verge of giving up on their formerly beloved recess. The four friends get help from an unexpected place when an "angel-on-probation" named Clarence is sent to earth to help them fix recess. Clarence's crusade gains new importance along the way, as Cassie learns that it's alright to take the risk and care enough to try to change things for the better.

Recess is just starting to be fun again when the Superintendent visits and unveils his plan to eliminate recess altogether. Cassie and her friends are devastated, but they realize they have just one shot to convince the Superintendent that recess is important. Will Cassie and her friends be able to convince the Superintendent that it's worth the risk to care about recess, too?

Genres: Childrens

299 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Chris pringle-conard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read that had me laughing, crying and smiling throughout. And in the end, I wanted to be a kid again and experience recess like never before. This book can be invaluable for any 3-5th grader who is looking to make a difference at their school.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me of an episode of Disney's "Recess" (1997-2003). Kids going up against the Board of Education to save something they believe in (the series finale [2003] was a TV-movie titled "Recess: Taking the 5th Grade").

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recess Rules by Jill Vialet is a middle grade novel about the importance of play, and being willing to take the biggest and most important risk of all, caring. After losing her parents at the age of 8, life hasn't been the same for Cassie Murphy. Now a fifth grader, Cassie and her three friends, Zee, Toni and Bryant, are trying to make the best of things but all the fun has been sucked out of recess. Between fewer students on the blacktop and Marcus Mackey’s need to bully, Cassie and her crew are about to give up on their beloved recess. The friends get help from an unexpected place, an “angel-on-probation” named Clarence is sent to earth to help them fix recess. The plan is just starting when the Superintendent plans to eliminate recess altogether. Cassie and her friends are devastated, but they realize they have just one shot to convince the Superintendent that recess is important. Clarence helps Cassie learns to care enough to try to change things for the better.

Recess Rules is a story that can speak to parents, teachers, and children. Cassie is a girl that has learned about loss the hard way, and has trouble letting go and caring about much. She does not want to bother anyone, not even her Aunt who is caring for her after the loss of her parents. Her friends and winning are among the few things left that she really cares about. Clarence is an angel with similar lessons to learn, and they teach each other as the story unfolds. I really liked the dynamics of the friends' personalities and their interactions with the adults in their lives. While occasionally an adult is a little goofy or might seem mean in the story, they do not fall into the trap of being one dimensional or the typical problem adults within the story. Even the bully, Marcus, and his mother are well fleshed out and show some depth and growth in the story. The games introduced in the story were a fantastic element, and might be just the draw for a young reader that enjoys teaching (or winning) games on the playground. I will admit to skimming some of the game explanations within the story, but I will keep the book handy for when my kids and their cousins get together and need some cool games to play outside.

I would recommend Recess Rules to middle grade readers that like playing games, realistic fiction, and stories about coming into your own. The characters are very real, with flaws and good qualities in each, and a situation that I would not doubt is happening on some level at a school right now. There is a detailed playbook included at the end of the book, giving every detail you might need to teach others to play the games used in the story.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I work for Playworks, the non-profit that author Jill Vialet started over 15 years ago. I was a very minor editor for Recess Rules as a colleague.

If you have a pre-teen child, Recess Rules is one book you want her/him to read. It is a story about struggle and determination, and how one person can improve the lives of an entire school and community. It is also a terrifically fun read with goofy characters including an angel. The story takes place largely on the playground of a school, a neglected and under-used facility that a young girl turns into a place of fun and inclusion. As a bonus, there are games that you and your young ones can play in the back of the book. Enjoy!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous story. Kids will love it. Lessons to learn and games to play.

Too bad they ever have to grow up and forget how to play. Even though this particular story is about school and recess, it would be nice to see more parents insist when they are at home that they put down the controllers and GO PLAY OUTSIDE!

When I was a kid... ;)

I received this book from the author after being selected in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway as a winner! The opinions are my own. Thanks. This one is going to my Uncle's neighborhood Little Free Library. I'm hoping to see some of the kids playing the games from the book :)

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very glad I read this book. It started slow for me - but over halfway through I found myself very grateful to be reading it - and it was satisfying at the end. The author is using the book to explain the value and practices of recess and play - in schools and life (her organization playworks.org is doing great work around the country). She makes a good and compelling case for it with delightful characters and an interesting and engaging story that goes on for just the right amount of time.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too contrived to have me suspend disbelief. Not enough setbacks and too obvious that we would have a happy ending.

[Khaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was amazing,but it could really get off track sometimes.
they sometimes start all of a sudden talking about a whole new thing or they stay on only one thing for way to long.