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2.98 AVERAGE
2.98 AVERAGE
This book really shook me up. It's about a kid who gets suspended for singing the national anthem in the middle of class, and in the process, the story gets completely blown out of proportion by the media. The teacher who sent him out of class ends up paying the highest price for the whole debacle despite the fact that she was just doing her job (she sent the kid out of her room and the assistant principal is actually the one who suspended the student). The book scared me because, as a teacher, it just shows you how we are often the ones who pay the highest price when controversy like this arises. Despite the fact that the assistant principal, principal, and superintendent are the ones who create and enforce the rules of the school, the teacher was the one who ended up paying for just doing her job. Since I read this book coming from the perspective of a teacher, I had absolutely zero sympathy for the student in this novel.
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is some kind of a kids' book. Not totally sure what the point was. Interesting format. Really good commentary of how quickly and wrong the mass media can be on public interest stories, along with foreshadowing of political polarization.
I started reading this during DEAR time in English, because I forgot about it and didn't bring anything else to read. The people who read it for class said that they didn't like it, but I thought that (at least the first bit) is was good. This is odd, because I don't usually like Avi.
I read this since my 13yo son was reading it. I thought it was a very interesting book especially for our times with social media. Social media doesn't play into this story, but the idea of an incident happening and how quickly people side with one person or another without having witnessed the event. And from just a news article sharing one side of the story, people will attack and send hurtful messages when they don't even have all the info. I think it makes for good discussion about rules, even rules that seem stupid, and how to go about making change or staging up for rights.
A book with mixed feelings. It's so frustrating and irritating and WRONG that you want to throw it when you're done.
But that's what makes this a good book. Because I think this is plausible.
Parents who are squashed by their jobs "want something different for their kids". THEIR kids aren't just going to roll over and get bullied (like they do). THEIR kid is going to stand up to a teacher and sing the star spangled banner.
Right, couldn't you see that happening?? Can't you see a certain type of parent reacting that way.
But for no one to support the teacher. It's just hard to read. It's hard to see, but is it far from the truth?! I want to believe it is. I want to believe a school district, vice principal, principal and school administration would support the teacher. But, am I positive?
No.
A book that makes you think - even if you cringe and want to toss it - is still a good book. If we remember just how easy it was to do this wrong - to slip so easily, maybe we can avoid it and be able to say emphatically "This could NEVER happen!"
But that's what makes this a good book. Because I think this is plausible.
Parents who are squashed by their jobs "want something different for their kids". THEIR kids aren't just going to roll over and get bullied (like they do). THEIR kid is going to stand up to a teacher and sing the star spangled banner.
Right, couldn't you see that happening?? Can't you see a certain type of parent reacting that way.
But for no one to support the teacher. It's just hard to read. It's hard to see, but is it far from the truth?! I want to believe it is. I want to believe a school district, vice principal, principal and school administration would support the teacher. But, am I positive?
No.
A book that makes you think - even if you cringe and want to toss it - is still a good book. If we remember just how easy it was to do this wrong - to slip so easily, maybe we can avoid it and be able to say emphatically "This could NEVER happen!"
Interesting read...as educators, we have to always be aware of what we say and do, as it can easily be misconstrued.
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
This book has been a part of my life for a very long time. I was first introduced to this book back when I was a freshman in high school. My English teacher at the time, Ruth, taught us from various novels instead of the typical "read a classic, write a paper" sort of way. She used to let us read the book, together as a class, and helped us really try to understand its characters and messages. In short, I loved the way she taught. I still do. I've always loved reading, but it was because of Ruth that my passion for reading increased ten-fold.
When she introduced Nothing But The Truth to the class, I was very much excited to read it. She always had great taste in books so I wasn't worried in the slightest about whether or not I was going to like this book; I knew I was going to LOVE it. And I did. From the unique writing style to the annoying but necessary characters (this does not apply to ALL characters, mind you, just the majority) to the ever moving plot, this book is one I think that's worth reading.
Many people who read this seem to miss the point of the whole book. They look down on it thinking that it's meant only for kids who don't like school and like seeing the adults around them suffer for making them, say, do their homework. However, that is not the case. The whole point of this book is to help children realize that there are consequences to the negative actions you make and those children will not feel happy or at peace if they deliberately go out of their way to hurt those around them. It teaches children great morals through example and I think it is a very intelligent way to get through to kids.
Avi did a fantastic job writing this novel. His writing style for this book, though unique, does not hinder the story-telling one bit. It has a way of pulling you in. Making you take place of the characters so you can see things from their point of view and see how the truth about the issue at hand gets bent and twisted by word-of-mouth. This novel is story-telling at its finest! I couldn't be more pleased with it!
Give this book a chance. Decide for yourself whether you will like it or not. Don't let anyone convince you it is not worth the read because every book, no matter how rotten someone tells you it is, is worth reading at least once. If it's not for you then it's not for you. But you should at least give it a chance. The story is a wonderfully tragic one; the main character, Philip, is an annoying trouble maker but Miss Narwin, his English teacher, more than makes up for it; and the writing is just amazing! Read this book. Trust me. It's worth it and I thank Ruth every single time for introducing it to me and helping to enhance my love for reading all the more.
Thank you, Ruth! <3
When she introduced Nothing But The Truth to the class, I was very much excited to read it. She always had great taste in books so I wasn't worried in the slightest about whether or not I was going to like this book; I knew I was going to LOVE it. And I did. From the unique writing style to the annoying but necessary characters (this does not apply to ALL characters, mind you, just the majority) to the ever moving plot, this book is one I think that's worth reading.
Many people who read this seem to miss the point of the whole book. They look down on it thinking that it's meant only for kids who don't like school and like seeing the adults around them suffer for making them, say, do their homework. However, that is not the case. The whole point of this book is to help children realize that there are consequences to the negative actions you make and those children will not feel happy or at peace if they deliberately go out of their way to hurt those around them. It teaches children great morals through example and I think it is a very intelligent way to get through to kids.
Avi did a fantastic job writing this novel. His writing style for this book, though unique, does not hinder the story-telling one bit. It has a way of pulling you in. Making you take place of the characters so you can see things from their point of view and see how the truth about the issue at hand gets bent and twisted by word-of-mouth. This novel is story-telling at its finest! I couldn't be more pleased with it!
Give this book a chance. Decide for yourself whether you will like it or not. Don't let anyone convince you it is not worth the read because every book, no matter how rotten someone tells you it is, is worth reading at least once. If it's not for you then it's not for you. But you should at least give it a chance. The story is a wonderfully tragic one; the main character, Philip, is an annoying trouble maker but Miss Narwin, his English teacher, more than makes up for it; and the writing is just amazing! Read this book. Trust me. It's worth it and I thank Ruth every single time for introducing it to me and helping to enhance my love for reading all the more.
Thank you, Ruth! <3
I think everyone should read this book once in their lifetime. It has so much to say about our political system and the pressures of being accepted in society!!! Bravo!
This book was originally printed almost 40 years ago, but boy does it still ring true today.