Scan barcode
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Insiders by Mark Oshiro is a middle grade magical realism novel about three kids looking for friendship and belonging and find it through a magical door. Héctor Nuñez is new to Orangevale Middle School, and he is determined to be his fabulous, drama-loving self. But when the school bully Mike targets him, Héctor finds himself hiding in a janitor's closet. But this isn't any closet - it's a magical Room that leads him to Juliana and Sal, two kids from different schools miles away from Héctor. Together, they help each other face their problems and discover true friendship along the way.
Oshiro always manages to write charming and lovely middle grade books that have whimsy but also deal with some heavy topics. Héctor experiences a wide range of bullying from shoving and food throwing to racism and homophobia. Juliana also faces homophobia from her principal, and Sal faces transphobia from their classmates.
Something I really appreciated about this book is how it explores the deep psychological effects of bullying. Héctor has a very supportive and loving family, and a great art teacher he could turn to, but he's afraid of disappointing his family and not being believed by his teacher. He starts to feel like the bullying is his own fault.
This book also explores the failings of bad faith teachers who can foster a space for bullies. The teacher who refuses to hear when victims of bullying tell the truth, or the teacher who is the bully themselves.
I loved how much true friendship is in this book, not just Héctor, Sal, and Juliana, but the other friends Héctor makes at his school. Héctor has to find confidence in himself and in their friendship to stand up to his bullies and call out bystanders.
Overall, this is a great, fast-paced and heartfelt story about friendship and belonging that's so worth the read.
Oshiro always manages to write charming and lovely middle grade books that have whimsy but also deal with some heavy topics. Héctor experiences a wide range of bullying from shoving and food throwing to racism and homophobia. Juliana also faces homophobia from her principal, and Sal faces transphobia from their classmates.
Something I really appreciated about this book is how it explores the deep psychological effects of bullying. Héctor has a very supportive and loving family, and a great art teacher he could turn to, but he's afraid of disappointing his family and not being believed by his teacher. He starts to feel like the bullying is his own fault.
This book also explores the failings of bad faith teachers who can foster a space for bullies. The teacher who refuses to hear when victims of bullying tell the truth, or the teacher who is the bully themselves.
I loved how much true friendship is in this book, not just Héctor, Sal, and Juliana, but the other friends Héctor makes at his school. Héctor has to find confidence in himself and in their friendship to stand up to his bullies and call out bystanders.
Overall, this is a great, fast-paced and heartfelt story about friendship and belonging that's so worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing