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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I'm impresssed. Who says a rapper can't write a novel?
This book was far from perfect. I found Butterball warming up so quickly to his therapist seemed pretty unlikely. He's just not the talk-about-your-feelings kind of guy.
But the book was just so lovable. I read it all at omce. Butterball is so funny and honest. It really shows the pressures placed on teenagers to act certain ways to fit in.
This book was far from perfect. I found Butterball warming up so quickly to his therapist seemed pretty unlikely. He's just not the talk-about-your-feelings kind of guy.
But the book was just so lovable. I read it all at omce. Butterball is so funny and honest. It really shows the pressures placed on teenagers to act certain ways to fit in.
I actually really, really liked this story-especially for younger folks aged between 12-15.
It was a bit predictable in plot, but I appreciated the character of Butterball-he was an imperfect, bratty kid who has a heart of gold in my eyes.
I was also surprised by other representations of marginalized folks in the book and personally thought it was well done.
Not bad Curtis!
It was a bit predictable in plot, but I appreciated the character of Butterball-he was an imperfect, bratty kid who has a heart of gold in my eyes.
I was also surprised by other representations of marginalized folks in the book and personally thought it was well done.
Not bad Curtis!
Wow, this book was fantastic. I didn't always like Butterball, but after reading this book I can imagine why he did and acted like he did.
Butterball, or let's call him with his real name: Burton. A boy with divorced parents, stuck in a bad school and surroundings. When we first get to know him we have no clue why he suddenly decided to follow the road of a bad guy, but we slowly find it out piece by piece.
I never had the feeling that Burton was a bad guy, he just tried to act tough. His life wasn't the easiest. A dad that is not there (and also encourages bad behaviour), a mom that works/studies all the time (and is also a lesbian), add to that expectations from his peers/friends. I can imagine that one would try to act tough and try to be the man.
His language was horrendous, the numerous times he cursed, wow.
I felt sorry for him, for his weight, for his family, for everything that happened in his life.
Liz was a fantastic character and I really enjoyed her talks with Burton. She is a wonderful person and I can see why she became a counsellor.
On the cover is a sentence that says: The mostly true story of a former bully.
So when I went in this book, I expected a guy who bullies people... and I didn't really get any of that. Again, Burton does some things, but I wouldn't call him a bully.
I loved the ending part of the book. I am so happy for Burton, that he can finally do all this and that he can finally put his tough guy part in the past.
All in all, this is one book I would highly recommend. Don't be turned off that it is apparently written by 50 Cent. Believe me, this book is awesome and you will like Burton.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Butterball, or let's call him with his real name: Burton. A boy with divorced parents, stuck in a bad school and surroundings. When we first get to know him we have no clue why he suddenly decided to follow the road of a bad guy, but we slowly find it out piece by piece.
I never had the feeling that Burton was a bad guy, he just tried to act tough. His life wasn't the easiest. A dad that is not there (and also encourages bad behaviour), a mom that works/studies all the time (and is also a lesbian), add to that expectations from his peers/friends. I can imagine that one would try to act tough and try to be the man.
His language was horrendous, the numerous times he cursed, wow.
I felt sorry for him, for his weight, for his family, for everything that happened in his life.
Liz was a fantastic character and I really enjoyed her talks with Burton. She is a wonderful person and I can see why she became a counsellor.
On the cover is a sentence that says: The mostly true story of a former bully.
So when I went in this book, I expected a guy who bullies people... and I didn't really get any of that. Again, Burton does some things, but I wouldn't call him a bully.
I loved the ending part of the book. I am so happy for Burton, that he can finally do all this and that he can finally put his tough guy part in the past.
All in all, this is one book I would highly recommend. Don't be turned off that it is apparently written by 50 Cent. Believe me, this book is awesome and you will like Burton.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
So much better than I expected. Also, the most popular book at one of the middle schools I work with.
I seriously loved this book. It was well written, with a unique plot and a wonderfully original but realistic main character. I do recommend this work because I couldn't stop reading it. Playground is a page-turner, because although it is not action-based or anything, you simply want to know what happens next and all that jazz. An awesome and quick read.
I had low expectations for this book, but was blown away. The second chapter was a little too violent and threw me off, but once I got past that the story was fantastic. Butterball was easy to like and root for, his story was complex, the end was satisfying, and the message of the whole book a positive one. The fact that 50 cent is the writer lends some authority to the overall message: Art can save lives.
About a boy who has, kind of accidentally, turned into a bully. Therapy helps him deal with his issues after he beats up another kid with a sock full of batteries. Not really my kind of book, except I realized that I totally love therapy in books.
Butterball winds up having to talk to a therapist twice a week after beating up Maurice, someone Butterball had thought was a friend. Butterball is not happy with his life. His mom moved them out of New York City and away from his dad. He gets teased because of his weight.
Until Butterball hits Maurice. Now the popular guys are paying attention to him. They want him to beat up another guy. And home life is changing too, as Butterball begins to understand what's really going on with his mom.
A good story and well thought out. Not necessarily for reluctant readers, like I thought at first, but not bad.
Until Butterball hits Maurice. Now the popular guys are paying attention to him. They want him to beat up another guy. And home life is changing too, as Butterball begins to understand what's really going on with his mom.
A good story and well thought out. Not necessarily for reluctant readers, like I thought at first, but not bad.
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book wasn't great, but wasn't bad, either. It is hard to categorize as it doesn't really fit anywhere. The language, some character interactions, and level of violence are young adult, but the simplicity of the plot and Butterball's character progression are much more middle grade. It's hard to imagine who this book will appeal to: middle graders probably won't be allowed to read it, while older teens might find it too easy.