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saraplovestoread's review
5.0
Wonderful book that every elementary and middle school teacher should read. It was recommended to me and I've put it off. We do an anti-bullying program at school that I think encourages students to become bullies. This book really gets into the how it happens at one school.
salot3's review
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
hybum's review
5.0
This is an important book. I've been meaning to read this for a while, ever since it was advertised on Team Starkid's YouTube channel; I just never got around to it. I'm glad I finally did.
I was never bullied as a kid. I hope no one ever saw me as a bully. I don't think they did, but that's kind of the problem with bullies: a lot of the time, they don't even necessarily know they're bullying. But right off the bat with this book, I was reminded of a fellow student in my own Grade 6 class. I remember one time, this student got excused to go to the bathroom, and while he was gone, my teacher (for whom I had great respect) took the opportunity to tell us all that we all needed to treat that student better. He was disappointed in us. At that point, I didn't even realize that the student was feeling left out. I was so clueless. My heart wrenches to think that I didn't do more to be his friend.
That's the kind of emotion that this book creates. It really was put together quite beautifully. Mr Gale tells the tale of a Grunt who gets picked on by the Bully Bookers, but fights back and leaves future generations with his own story. I've long since left grade school, but I hope this book finds it way into the hands of young Bullies and Grunts alike, so they can change the way they look at bullying.
I recommend this book to everyone, not just those who have been affected by bullying.
I was never bullied as a kid. I hope no one ever saw me as a bully. I don't think they did, but that's kind of the problem with bullies: a lot of the time, they don't even necessarily know they're bullying. But right off the bat with this book, I was reminded of a fellow student in my own Grade 6 class. I remember one time, this student got excused to go to the bathroom, and while he was gone, my teacher (for whom I had great respect) took the opportunity to tell us all that we all needed to treat that student better. He was disappointed in us. At that point, I didn't even realize that the student was feeling left out. I was so clueless. My heart wrenches to think that I didn't do more to be his friend.
That's the kind of emotion that this book creates. It really was put together quite beautifully. Mr Gale tells the tale of a Grunt who gets picked on by the Bully Bookers, but fights back and leaves future generations with his own story. I've long since left grade school, but I hope this book finds it way into the hands of young Bullies and Grunts alike, so they can change the way they look at bullying.
I recommend this book to everyone, not just those who have been affected by bullying.
suzannedix's review
2.0
I am really conflicted about this story. Knowing that the author went through a similar situation in school made me stick with this story until the end but I really didn't enjoy it on so many levels. The idea of an instruction manual for how to be a bully was interesting but too forced. The main character's reactions to what was happening to him as the "Grunt" were painful but so much of the plot was unrealistic.
Grades 5 and up.
Grades 5 and up.
libkatem's review
3.0
This book is depressing as Hell.
But I'm glad I read it. It was a little predictable at times, but well worth the read.
I wonder how Eric's story continues - how he refuses to let his made up label define him. That's the story I'm more interested. I feel like very little was resolved.
Maybe that's the point?
This was the first ebook I've read, and to be honest, I really don't like the medium. If nothing else, I can't share it. Pass it off to a friend, saying, "You should read this." I also don't like having to be so dependent on my laptop to read this book. That's just a personal preference, though. I understand that.
But I'm glad I read it. It was a little predictable at times, but well worth the read.
I wonder how Eric's story continues - how he refuses to let his made up label define him. That's the story I'm more interested. I feel like very little was resolved.
Maybe that's the point?
This was the first ebook I've read, and to be honest, I really don't like the medium. If nothing else, I can't share it. Pass it off to a friend, saying, "You should read this." I also don't like having to be so dependent on my laptop to read this book. That's just a personal preference, though. I understand that.
tcbueti's review
5.0
P163 "The scariest thing in the world is knowing it goes on when you're not there." People might talk, laugh about you. The danger of being out if the loop, disconnected (phone) PARANOIA?
Could this book be used for evil?
Update 5/7:
The author and editor visited our library last night, and I was really impressed by how honest and sincere Mr. Gale was, and how carefully he had thought out this book. About including the bully book passages, he felt that it was important to see WHY the bully was doing what he did (to get ahead, to be the one in power, instead of the victim, and exactly how; not really concerned with the impact on the "grunt" and it might help potential victims to know.
Some of us had thoguht that the substitute teacher/vocabulary lesson parts were implausible, but they were nearly verbatim his actual experience.
Re: the ending, the author felt that it was important to get the victim's story out, so he tied it to the "manifesto" and put it out into the world.
EMPATHY: seeing the inmpact of what you do from the other person's POV, or trying to understand their motivations: it may not be about YOU per se.
What can parents do? Talk about your experiences. Ask more detailed questions: Are you happy in school? Do kids ever call you names? Who do you eat lunch with?
I would LOVE to see this used in a school on a wider basis
Could this book be used for evil?
Update 5/7:
The author and editor visited our library last night, and I was really impressed by how honest and sincere Mr. Gale was, and how carefully he had thought out this book. About including the bully book passages, he felt that it was important to see WHY the bully was doing what he did (to get ahead, to be the one in power, instead of the victim, and exactly how; not really concerned with the impact on the "grunt" and it might help potential victims to know.
Some of us had thoguht that the substitute teacher/vocabulary lesson parts were implausible, but they were nearly verbatim his actual experience.
Re: the ending, the author felt that it was important to get the victim's story out, so he tied it to the "manifesto" and put it out into the world.
EMPATHY: seeing the inmpact of what you do from the other person's POV, or trying to understand their motivations: it may not be about YOU per se.
What can parents do? Talk about your experiences. Ask more detailed questions: Are you happy in school? Do kids ever call you names? Who do you eat lunch with?
I would LOVE to see this used in a school on a wider basis
heyshay07's review
5.0
Overall, The Bully Book is just a really well written, interesting story with some surprise twists and an amazing ending. I read it all in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I work with K-8 students and I'm a little on the fence about using this book in a book group or a counseling lesson. I think the discussions it could inspire would be amazing but I really hate to give the kids any more ammunition than they already have against each other since they are already so dang mean to each other! I think as a whole class study it would be awesome for a reading teacher to do because everyone would be on the same page. Eric, the protagonist of the story and the target of the bullying, is a 6th grade boy but I think it could resonate with any grade and girls because it really involves the relational aggression bullying that girls are so apt to use. What impressed me the most about the book was that it was interesting to read and you really get captured with the author's struggle emotionally which a lot of teen fiction bully books I've read seem to miss. Also, the ending is very powerful and not corny which is again something that a lot of the books of this genre miss. Wonderful read!
kariadams's review
4.0
Probably one of the most honest books about bullying written for the children going through it as well as children who are bullies.