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jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Rex Ogle’s mother and stepfather physically and emotionally abused him when he was a child. In his second memoir, Punching Bag, he describes unimaginable incidents that are a terrible reality for far too many children. An alcoholic stepfather who continues the cycle of abuse that he experienced as a child himself. An unstable mother who is both victim and abuser. A younger brother who must be protected at all costs. A younger sister, Marisa, whom his mother lost in a late-term miscarriage after a particularly brutal beating.
Yet Ogle’s message is ultimately one of hope. Thoughts of Marisa, who never got a chance at life, guide him through his most difficult days. As he writes in his author’s note, “I lived this, I survived. You survived your past too, or you wouldn’t be here reading this. We are both alive. We may have a few more scars than we’d like—inside or out—but we made it through. No matter how dark the past, or even the present, the sun will always come up tomorrow. There is hope.” He accordingly refers readers to appropriate resources and hotlines at the end of the book. Teens in similar situations are sure to relate to Ogle’s life story—and find reasons to carry on.
Yet Ogle’s message is ultimately one of hope. Thoughts of Marisa, who never got a chance at life, guide him through his most difficult days. As he writes in his author’s note, “I lived this, I survived. You survived your past too, or you wouldn’t be here reading this. We are both alive. We may have a few more scars than we’d like—inside or out—but we made it through. No matter how dark the past, or even the present, the sun will always come up tomorrow. There is hope.” He accordingly refers readers to appropriate resources and hotlines at the end of the book. Teens in similar situations are sure to relate to Ogle’s life story—and find reasons to carry on.
amypt46's review
4.0
4.5 stars. This book is a challenging read and should not be taken lightly. It is a continuation of Rex ogles personal story from “free lunch”, but this one focuses on the physical abuse in his home and his struggle with it and how he tried to protect his younger brother. It is scary, but I hope it finds a child who needs to know they are not alone.
Merged review:
4.5 stars. This book is a challenging read and should not be taken lightly. It is a continuation of Rex ogles personal story from “free lunch”, but this one focuses on the physical abuse in his home and his struggle with it and how he tried to protect his younger brother. It is scary, but I hope it finds a child who needs to know they are not alone.
Merged review:
4.5 stars. This book is a challenging read and should not be taken lightly. It is a continuation of Rex ogles personal story from “free lunch”, but this one focuses on the physical abuse in his home and his struggle with it and how he tried to protect his younger brother. It is scary, but I hope it finds a child who needs to know they are not alone.
celestial_being's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Rex Ogle put it best "Yes, life can be dark. It can be pain. It can be agony. But it can also be sunshine. And birds chirping. And the song of the ocean tide rolling back and forth. It can also be a child's laughter. It can be your own laughter. Life can be good too. Life is never perfect, but is always many things- often at once. Please remember to try and enjoy it." I loved this book. And now... I can love life in a new way.
jwinchell's review
5.0
I couldn’t sleep last night, but that’s ok because I got to binge on Rex Ogle’s next memoir. Absolutely heart-breaking, the violence and physical and psychological trauma he endured in his growing up years. I love that he has an author’s note about deciding if you’re in a good enough place to read about trauma, and his afterword gives readers who might have gone or are going through violence and trauma. And there are websites and hotlines on the final pages. Generational trauma is, it seems to me, an incredibly difficult cycle to break. But Ogle is proof that it can be done and that one can forgive and go on to find a fulfilling life.
sducharme's review
5.0
This memoir for mature middle graders and young adults is the follow up to FREE LUNCH. It continues the story of Rex's childhood growing up in poverty in the US and reveals the domestic violence hinted at in the previous book. It's graphic, very upsetting, and raw. It's a story of survival and hope - but it's absolutely heartbreaking.
angiedkelly's review
5.0
Continuation of the acclaimed Free Lunch. This one is even more powerful. I especially appreciated the author's note in the back since you are always wondering whether or not the author still has a relationship with his mom. Pointedly describes the life that unfortunately too many kids live with when there is abuse in the home.
Highly recommended.
Merged review:
Continuation of the acclaimed Free Lunch. This one is even more powerful. I especially appreciated the author's note in the back since you are always wondering whether or not the author still has a relationship with his mom. Pointedly describes the life that unfortunately too many kids live with when there is abuse in the home.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Merged review:
Continuation of the acclaimed Free Lunch. This one is even more powerful. I especially appreciated the author's note in the back since you are always wondering whether or not the author still has a relationship with his mom. Pointedly describes the life that unfortunately too many kids live with when there is abuse in the home.
Highly recommended.
zbrarian's review
4.0
This was one of the most raw memoirs I have read. There are some people who do not deserve to be parents, no matter how many times they may try to apologize or “change their ways”. How Mr. Ogle was able to move on from this life fraught with anger and fighting and abuse shows how strong a person he is. This will stay with me for a long time and will take a long time to process. I may come back and revise my review after processing.
TW: depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence,
Merged review:
This was one of the most raw memoirs I have read. There are some people who do not deserve to be parents, no matter how many times they may try to apologize or “change their ways”. How Mr. Ogle was able to move on from this life fraught with anger and fighting and abuse shows how strong a person he is. This will stay with me for a long time and will take a long time to process. I may come back and revise my review after processing.
TW: depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence,
TW: depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence,
Merged review:
This was one of the most raw memoirs I have read. There are some people who do not deserve to be parents, no matter how many times they may try to apologize or “change their ways”. How Mr. Ogle was able to move on from this life fraught with anger and fighting and abuse shows how strong a person he is. This will stay with me for a long time and will take a long time to process. I may come back and revise my review after processing.
TW: depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence,
kristi_starr35's review
5.0
A frequent witness to and often recipient of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, Rex Ogle recounts the highs and lows of family life with his mother, stepfather, and younger stepbrother. This is a story of grief, pain, and, ultimately, survival.
Many students are drawn to memoirs that recount emotional and physical abuse, much like A Child Called "It". For others, this book will be too painful to read as it might serve as a mirror to their own experiences. Ogle shares his experiences as a child and teen growing up in a home rife with abuse at the hands of his mother and stepfather and between his mother and stepfather. There is recognition of the dysfunctionality and sometimes the desire to change, there are moments when things seem to be going well for the family, but ingrained habits and generational patterns are hard to break. But in the end, Rex is a survivor.
This book is a follow-up to Ogle's highly acclaimed memoir Free Lunch.
Merged review:
A frequent witness to and often recipient of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, Rex Ogle recounts the highs and lows of family life with his mother, stepfather, and younger stepbrother. This is a story of grief, pain, and, ultimately, survival.
Many students are drawn to memoirs that recount emotional and physical abuse, much like A Child Called "It". For others, this book will be too painful to read as it might serve as a mirror to their own experiences. Ogle shares his experiences as a child and teen growing up in a home rife with abuse at the hands of his mother and stepfather and between his mother and stepfather. There is recognition of the dysfunctionality and sometimes the desire to change, there are moments when things seem to be going well for the family, but ingrained habits and generational patterns are hard to break. But in the end, Rex is a survivor.
This book is a follow-up to Ogle's highly acclaimed memoir Free Lunch.
Many students are drawn to memoirs that recount emotional and physical abuse, much like A Child Called "It". For others, this book will be too painful to read as it might serve as a mirror to their own experiences. Ogle shares his experiences as a child and teen growing up in a home rife with abuse at the hands of his mother and stepfather and between his mother and stepfather. There is recognition of the dysfunctionality and sometimes the desire to change, there are moments when things seem to be going well for the family, but ingrained habits and generational patterns are hard to break. But in the end, Rex is a survivor.
This book is a follow-up to Ogle's highly acclaimed memoir Free Lunch.
Merged review:
A frequent witness to and often recipient of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, Rex Ogle recounts the highs and lows of family life with his mother, stepfather, and younger stepbrother. This is a story of grief, pain, and, ultimately, survival.
Many students are drawn to memoirs that recount emotional and physical abuse, much like A Child Called "It". For others, this book will be too painful to read as it might serve as a mirror to their own experiences. Ogle shares his experiences as a child and teen growing up in a home rife with abuse at the hands of his mother and stepfather and between his mother and stepfather. There is recognition of the dysfunctionality and sometimes the desire to change, there are moments when things seem to be going well for the family, but ingrained habits and generational patterns are hard to break. But in the end, Rex is a survivor.
This book is a follow-up to Ogle's highly acclaimed memoir Free Lunch.