mlottermoser's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Noni is sad when her friends start to bully Hector. She wants to help him, but she freezes each time. What is the others turn on her as well?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Toxic friendship
bbckprpl's review
4.0
Noni Speaks Up by Heather Hartt-Sussman - (Which is also apparently part of a series, the first book being Noni Says No, about Noni's people-pleasing ways, which is also quite interesting, and worth a read.) This second book is about bullying, and standing up for what you know is right, in the face of friends, and the fear of the resulting social isolation. Noni's a good kid who has great manners and practices kindness, but "when she sees the kids bullying Hector at school, Noni freezes. She does not budge. She cannot get out a single word." Of course, she knows what's happening is wrong, but she's afraid of what might happen if she says so... she likes being accepted, having friends, and if all her friends hate Hector, how does she oppose them? "On the way home, Noni isn't very proud of herself." She imagines all the potential pitfalls of saying that Hector is a pretty cool dude and they should all be nice to him, like having to sit by herself at lunch, or having her friends turn and laugh at her. The text is so relate-able, and so relevant, that any kid will understand Noni's dilemma. While the ending is abrupt, and seems slightly unfinished, it might be a good conversation starter, a place to get kids thinking about what might happen after Noni does do the right thing, and how she/they could respond.
wordnerd153's review
3.0
Good read aloud for talking to kids about being an upstander and a bystander. The end felt too easy.
cbashore's review
3.0
Bystander Upstander -- good intro to being an upstander, what a bystander feels like
kristinajean's review
3.0
Delightful, sketchy and digitally rendered illustrations give life to Noni's experiences. The text, however, is heavy handed, and not as nuanced as the illustrations.
elephant's review
4.0
In this simple story, Noni struggles with the fact that she sees a boy named Hector being bullied. Finally, she speaks up for him. The illustrations are bright and nice. The story is rather simple, but I think it could be used to teach children to speak up for others who are being bullied.
cweichel's review
4.0
Noni tries to do the right thing all the time, but when she sees a boy at school getting bullied, she freezes. She knows she should do something, but is afraid if she does, she will also get bullied.
veganemelda's review
3.0
I feel like this book is a good book to compliment discussing bullying and injustice. But it could go deeper, be better. Good for discussion, tho. Wish I could give it 3.5 stars.
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