Crisis in the Country by Rachel Atkins Level W / Grade 5-6

“Just a quick warning,” the older student told the others. “Do not go anywhere near the house of the school’s neighbor, Mr. Crocks. Keep out of his way. Whatever you do, avoid him!” Fraidy, Perry, and Rina are excited to attend their first year at Shalom Junior High, a boarding school in the English countryside: inspiring shiurim, warm staff — and their secret midnight nosh fest and lighthearted pranks. But to their surprise, one student is bitter and distant from day one. What’s behind her bad attitude? And Mr. Crocks, the school’s grim-faced, grumpy old neighbor, blames the school for all his troubles. Why does he keep calling the police? In this upbeat novel by popular author Rachel Atkins, join the girls of Shalom Junior High as they catch a mysterious vandal, tackle stampeding cows, and cope with many more crises in the country.