Customer Reviews

E. S. Pete: Sixth Grade Sense

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"Anyway, being psychic isn't all it's cracked up to be. Like, when I broke the lamp in my parent's bedroom. I knew I was going to be grounded for two weeks. Did that help me get out of it? Noooo! Another problem with reading minds is that it's not an exact science. I mean, I usually know what you're thinking at the moment, but that doesn't mean you won't change your mind. Or, that you're not wrong." - From ESPete Sixth Grade Sense

Pete has the ordinary troubles often plaguing public school sixth graders--things like more homework than the previous year, a big bully in his class, and a girl that he's crazy about.

But Pete has another unusual challenge that the others in his class *don't* have: the gift of ESP, or Extra Sensory Perception.

With the extraordinary ability to read minds, Pete--nicknamed ESPete by Rodney the bully--must not only navigate the potholes of preteen awkwardness, but also juggle (and often hide) his gift of perceiving the attitudes and motives of his parents, teachers, and classmates.

Such is the premise of the first book in a new action-packed series for `Tween readers titled ESPete: Sixth Grade Sense by Arnold Rudnick, who happens to be a paranormal researcher and a darn good writer.

With a fast-paced plot and believable characters, this 106-page book was a pleasurable, quick read. Author Rudnick ably portrays the idea that ESP isn't an exact science, weaving Pete's psychic hits and misses throughout the story. In fact, when Pete thinks that his substitute teacher, Frank (N.?) Stein plans to rob the school cafeteria--and then something even more sinister later on--readers are kept guessing at what will really happen.

ESPete: Sixth Grade Sense stands on its own merit as a wonderful debut `Tween book, but it's also a fascinating primer on psychic giftedness in children, and how they face the same dilemmas as their peers--but with a few more uncertainties and self-consciousness, at times.

Because of some of the dangerous aspects of the story, especially towards the end, I feel this book would actually be better for kids 13 and up (I wouldn't let my 10 year old read this book just yet, myself). But if you're an adult who enjoys great juvenile fiction or escapist reading--or an older kid interested in mysteries and positive portrayals of the paranormal, ESPete: Sixth Grade Sense would make a fine addition to your personal library.

And even better news? The second book in the sequel, ESPete: Psychic Hoop Dreams will be coming soon! Hooray! To learn more about Pete and this series, visit the author's website at ESPete.com.

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book

Super powers are not all they're cracked up to be. "ESPete: Sixth Grade Sense" is the story of young psychic Pete as he deals with all of the problems of sixth grade. Reading the minds of one's teachers isn't all it's cracked up to be, and sometimes being burdened with the contents of a mind is not what a sixth grader wants. "ESPete" is a fun read for young readers, sure to be relished by many.

What an interesting detective story! "ESPete" is packed with quirky, unique characters, each with quick, sharp humor. A quick read, but filled with "I didn't see THAT coming" moments. Movie executives are sure to snap this one up and make it into a smart, fresh movie and TV franchise.

I loved this book. The whole book kept me interested and I really could not guess where the plot was taking me next. I had forgotten about all of the trials of the sixth grade. It was a pure joy to read about it without having to relive any of it! I have purchased additional copies to give to my grown up brothers for the holidays. They will really relate to being bullied in school. They will also get to remember the stress of liking a girl and not having a clue.

What a wonderful book! Great plot, sub-plotts and charachters. Many hard life lessons that reach the core of a pre-teen world! I liked the need for critical thinking skills and taking difficult subject matter and normalizing. I liked that the book spoke to the audience and protrayed fears and relationships in a realistic way. This book was fun, interesting, and it made me laugh as well as empathize with the charachters. There are always bullies and hardships and this book did a terrific job at showing the audience how sometimes the bully is just trying to find his or her place in the world too! I would highly reommend this book to kids and adults that like adventure! Looking forward to the next in this series!

I am a fan of children's books and I also know that writing a book for the tween age group can be a challenge. Books for the average tween need to have a good combination of intrigue, humor, a well written story as well as a sprinkle of a life lesson. I believe that E.S. Pete: Sixth Grade Sense may satisfy many readers in the older elementary grades and middle school years. I know I loved how the protagonist, Pete, often stepped out of the traditional box and "chatted with the reading audience". This technique reminded me a bit of the television show, Moonlighting and Bruce Willis' character. The book flowed easily and the content was more than acceptable for the average middle school or older elementary school aged child. Bravo to Arnold Rudnick for writing this wonderful book for an age group that is often hard to please!

Pete has Extrasensory Perception, he can read minds. What does this mean for a sixth-grader? How can he use this ability to his advantage, and, on the other hand, how can it make his life more difficult?

I read this book with my sixth-grader and noted that she related to the details about middle-school, and chuckled, especially about things Rodney, the bully, said and did. I think this book captures the essense of life for a typical group of eleven-year-olds. It is done with humor and a likable character, Pete, who narrates throughout.

There is a boy-girl (potential?) relationship, issues with a bully, a creepy substitute teacher (who may be a criminal) and a school counselor who wants to take Pete 'on the road' with his ESP. The story keeps you interested and wanting to know what happens next.

When we finished the book, my daughter wanted to know if there was another ES Pete book to read. We'd love to see a whole series of adventures for Pete!!

We will look forward to ESP 2!

I loved this book, I bought several copies and passed them out to every kid I know. I thought the author did a great job making the story fun while including ethical issues that make a reader think and look at various outcomes.I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an adventure! We are all looking forward to the next in this wonderful series. When is the movie coming out? Great job!

What do you do if you're a sixth-grader who can read people's minds and your ESP tells you that your substitute teacher is planning a robbery? That's Pete's dilemma! Luckily, he has the help of Casey, the prettiest girl at Jackson Middle School. Amazingly, even Rodney, the biggest kid in sixth grade AND a bully, decides to help out, too.

This story is a fun and fast-paced read. Pete, or E. S. Pete, as Rodney calls him, is likable and humorous--in fact, the humor is a great charm of this book. The writing style is simple and kids of 8-11, including reluctant readers, will really enjoy it.

ESPete is a great sixth-grade novel. The plot moves along nicely. Characters are believable, and their concerns are those of sixth-graders. It is highly readable, both for its intended audience and to an adult.