“The Perfect Score” is a middle-grade novel by Rob Buyea that follows five sixth-grade students—Randi, Gavin, Trevor, Scott, and Natalie—as they navigate personal challenges and the mounting pressure of statewide assessment tests. Each student faces unique struggles: Randi is pressured by her mother to excel in gymnastics; Gavin, passionate about football, grapples with reading difficulties; Trevor projects toughness to hide troubles at home; Scott’s well-meaning actions often lead to mishaps; and Natalie, an aspiring lawyer, is a strict rule-follower on the verge of breaking the rules. United by their disdain for the looming tests, they devise a risky plan to cheat. However, their actions lead to unforeseen consequences, teaching them profound lessons about integrity, friendship, and the true meaning of success.