“Sherrard has created another captivating tale of family life and middle-school angst, filled with humour and heart.”
– Lisa Doucet

“The Rise and Fall of Derek Cowell is a story that combines slapstick comedy, youthful image-consciousness, awkward romantic relationships, wacky coincidences, and well-placed pathos in almost equal measure. Derek is truly likable, despite his faults, and he narrates the story with wit and honesty in a tone that ranges from sarcastic to mocking to earnest. His descriptions of his three very intense and diverse sisters is hilarious, and his budding romance with Denise (whom he meets at an animal shelter where he and Steve are trying to stage funny cat photos) is as innocent and awkward as expected.”
– Todd Kyle

“Derek is a fun character that any middle school student would find relatable. His story has many twists and surprises that left me wondering what would happen next. The author does a great job of creating a fun storyline, with cool characters. I could relate to Derek. He seems like someone I would want to be friends with at school. He’s kind, funny and smart … I would give this book 5 stars and recommend it to any middle school student.”
– Cameron H., 11, New Mexico Mensa