mtngirl4 's review for:

There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar

3.0

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This is a cute book for second-third graders to learn about friendship, self-esteem, and social/emotional learning. Though some concepts in the teaching world are a bit outdated now (such as the angry parent meeting about the counselor) due to the 1987 copyright, it can still teach a child about self-awareness, the fear of failing, and how to identify an actual bully. In my opinion, Bradley wasn't a bully, he was being bullied, even by his teacher. I do think that the ending party scene was a bit far-fetched, acceptance wouldn't have come as easily and quickly as depicted in this book, but for an 8-year-old reader, it is probably appropriate. Sachar is one of my favorite children's/middle-grade authors and he doesn't disappoint here. As usual, he has an underlying moral message that sneaks up on you while you are busy trying to figure out the plot. Definitely recommend for an elementary read-aloud to teach SEL.