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effiekaradimitri's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't really like this book. I felt like I didn't want to keep reading. One of the things I didn't like about it is that the adult characters seemed mean.
teganbeesebooks's review against another edition
3.0
Cute read. Good chapter book for children starting chapter books. Deals with some important issues. Longer review to come.
bbannach's review against another edition
funny
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
this book is not that funny this book is mean and rude people in this book.
kellkie's review against another edition
2.0
In this book about bullying, I fail to see where a lesson is ever learned. In fact, after the big fight between EllRay and Jake, they are treated to a trip to Disneyland while the parents still don't know about the fight. And the kids lie about it. The author skips right over everything that happens at Disneyland when the two boys are left alone, then end on a highnote of EllRay back in the car at the end of the day reflecting on the fact that he still has to deal with all the parents and his teacher finding out on Monday, but that's okay by him. Did I miss something here??
And seriously, why is it okay to skip the entire portion of time the two eight-year-old boys are galavanting around Disneyland alone?
So much pressure is put on EllRay to behave at school that he spends the entire week hiding the fact that he is being bullied, even when his teacher and dad finally ask him if he is okay.
I don't know if I'm expected to suspend my irritation with the lack of a resolution at the end of the book because it's first in a series and perhaps there's a worthwhile lesson for children reading this series in a later book ... but it just did't work for me.
I'm giving it two stars instead of one because I think kids will enjoy EllRay's character and some may identify with the situation he is in. I can see boys crawling all over this book. Warner does a great job of getting inside a third grade boy's head.
And seriously, why is it okay to skip the entire portion of time the two eight-year-old boys are galavanting around Disneyland alone?
So much pressure is put on EllRay to behave at school that he spends the entire week hiding the fact that he is being bullied, even when his teacher and dad finally ask him if he is okay.
I don't know if I'm expected to suspend my irritation with the lack of a resolution at the end of the book because it's first in a series and perhaps there's a worthwhile lesson for children reading this series in a later book ... but it just did't work for me.
I'm giving it two stars instead of one because I think kids will enjoy EllRay's character and some may identify with the situation he is in. I can see boys crawling all over this book. Warner does a great job of getting inside a third grade boy's head.
tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
This easy chapter book has some interesting things to say about bullying and school stuff. I love the character's complaint that if you get in trouble in school, that should be enough; why do you have to get in trouble for the same thing at home, too?? And the dynamics of bullying--two against one, bigger against smaller, done out of sight, during recess, etc. are pretty accurate.
EllRay (for "Lancelot Ray") has a secret bully problem, and he's determined to avoid trouble and resolve it on his own, in order to win a good behavior reward trip to Disneyland from his parents. (They live in Southern CA.) So EllRay tries to avoid the bully, Jared, which leads to being called a chicken. Still, he persists, until, in a final confrontation, including an actual fight, Jared blurts out why he's mad: months ago, EllRay made a joke that embarrassed Jared in front of a girl he liked. They sort of resolve this, and then EllRay's parents surprise him and bring Jared on the Disneyland trip: a teacher had tipped them off to friction between the boys. This "Enemy Pie" [bc:Enemy Pie|103814|Enemy Pie|Derek Munson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171502108s/103814.jpg|100098]approach nearly backfires, but eventually mostly works when the boys are left alone (with cell phones) for a while on the trip .
This book will resonate with lots of kids who deal with bullies. Avoidance, making light of teasing are all early steps to getting out of a bullying situation. However, many experts say that trying to work it out without adults is a mistake; EllRay tries to do that, but actually the adult, sort of sideways intervention does help, as does clearing the air about the actual cause. This might work if there is a concrete event that triggers a problem, but I think often the issues are more subtle. (Though maybe sometimes they start small, like this.) And I'm not sure how realistic it is that Jared would actually say why he was mad. That being said, this could open the door to discussions about the issue--"Do you think this would work? Were the parents right to intervene? The teacher? How would you have handled it if you were EllRay? His parents? What about Jared's sidekick, Stanley?"
EllRay is a likable, sturdy guy with a good sense of humor. He's aware of his parents', especially his dad's, concerns about behavior, academic excellence and potential racism (It's worth mentioning that they are one of only 10 or 11 African-American families in their town. p78. EllRay doesn't want that to come into play, doesn't think that's the issue.) His realistically annoying/charming little sister adds a note of humor. The book includes sketchy drawings by Jamie Harper and funny lists. Cover by Brian Biggs, of Roscoe Riley and Shredderman fame.
EllRay (for "Lancelot Ray") has a secret bully problem, and he's determined to avoid trouble and resolve it on his own, in order to win a good behavior reward trip to Disneyland from his parents. (They live in Southern CA.) So EllRay tries to avoid the bully, Jared, which leads to being called a chicken. Still, he persists, until, in a final confrontation, including an actual fight, Jared blurts out why he's mad: months ago, EllRay made a joke that embarrassed Jared in front of a girl he liked. They sort of resolve this, and then EllRay's parents surprise him and bring Jared on the Disneyland trip: a teacher had tipped them off to friction between the boys. This "Enemy Pie" [bc:Enemy Pie|103814|Enemy Pie|Derek Munson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171502108s/103814.jpg|100098]approach nearly backfires, but eventually mostly works when the boys are left alone (with cell phones) for a while on the trip .
This book will resonate with lots of kids who deal with bullies. Avoidance, making light of teasing are all early steps to getting out of a bullying situation. However, many experts say that trying to work it out without adults is a mistake; EllRay tries to do that, but actually the adult, sort of sideways intervention does help, as does clearing the air about the actual cause. This might work if there is a concrete event that triggers a problem, but I think often the issues are more subtle. (Though maybe sometimes they start small, like this.) And I'm not sure how realistic it is that Jared would actually say why he was mad. That being said, this could open the door to discussions about the issue--"Do you think this would work? Were the parents right to intervene? The teacher? How would you have handled it if you were EllRay? His parents? What about Jared's sidekick, Stanley?"
EllRay is a likable, sturdy guy with a good sense of humor. He's aware of his parents', especially his dad's, concerns about behavior, academic excellence and potential racism (It's worth mentioning that they are one of only 10 or 11 African-American families in their town. p78. EllRay doesn't want that to come into play, doesn't think that's the issue.) His realistically annoying/charming little sister adds a note of humor. The book includes sketchy drawings by Jamie Harper and funny lists. Cover by Brian Biggs, of Roscoe Riley and Shredderman fame.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
This early chapter book introduces readers to EllRay Jakes (short for Lancelot Raymond - his mom wants to be a fantasy writer, he tells us, and this is what he got stuck with). The story has plenty of humor to lighten the bullying plotline, with a resolution that feels slightly tidy but also has nice emotional complexity. Recommended to early elementary school kids.
faeriedrumsong's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. Some definite holes in morality and proper judgement when you look with adult eyes. But pretty much every decision is a THIRD GRADE DECISION which is who is in this book and who the book is for. That, my friends, is why you read books you give your kids and students, or at least find good reviews of them, so you can ask questions of your little readers and feed them YOUR moral compass.
#BooksDontRaiseKidsPeopleDo
#BooksDontRaiseKidsPeopleDo
tremayna's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good voice, cute characterization. I really enjoyed EllRay and his point of view, as well as his relationship with his little sister.
I found the ending so abrupt and unsatisfying! Also, many elements seemed unrealistic to me, but maybe that's just based on my own upbringing and culture. I don't remember ever being allowed to just wander off on my own to a park out of sight of adult supervision as a third grader, and I know my students aren't allowed to wander around town on their own after school!
On an odd note, the illustrations throughout the book seem to be done in different styles, which I found slightly jarring.
I found the ending so abrupt and unsatisfying! Also, many elements seemed unrealistic to me, but maybe that's just based on my own upbringing and culture. I don't remember ever being allowed to just wander off on my own to a park out of sight of adult supervision as a third grader, and I know my students aren't allowed to wander around town on their own after school!
On an odd note, the illustrations throughout the book seem to be done in different styles, which I found slightly jarring.
chelseymarie's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great little book. I think some parents won't like it, because of the way it handles bullying (no one learns a special lesson, and there's even a fist fight the grown ups never know about) but I think it's actually more honest about bullying than a lot of other books out there, and kids will appreciate that. I also really liked its gentle handling of racism.
bibli0rach's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a little longer than our normal read-aloud fare, but the chapters are short and engaging. We enjoyed this story of a third grader who is being bullied, for no reason. It spawned lots of good conversation about when to tell adults things aren't quite right at school, but not in a preachy way.