cocoanut7's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really unique story told from the perspective of the bully. Unexpected. As a teacher, I really appreciated having some compassion molded into a character that reminds me of some of my students. It did run the risk of being a bit cliche with some stock characters. I found myself sympathizing and forgiving Tod because of who he really is, but then the complexity of our bully gets a bit hypocritical (not him but the writing) because other bullies in the book are jerks. I dunno. Are all bullies secretly harboring trials and kindness? Or are some bullies just genuine bad eggs? I wish the book hadn’t broken that stereotype only to move it to other characters. But it was still a really new plot and good read. I really liked the development and some of the big reveals. I’m glad I can look at “problem kids” with a little more compassion.
kjones31's review against another edition
4.0
More like four and a half stars. This book is what "There's A Boy in the Girls' Bathroom" would have been if Bradley Chalkers hadn't met an adult who viewed him as a good kid until high school. Great story arc, vivid characters, a few plot twists I didn't see coming, and a wholly believable portrayal of life in a low-income school and the burdens & stigma of child poverty. Main character Tod is a lesson in paradox. He's overweight but always hungry (no doubt due to his nutritionally deficient diet), a bully to most but perfectly nice to his blind lab partner, very smart but content to be seen as a loser. I empathize with his plight and always kind of wonder if I would have been a fat, bored bully if I'd been born into circumstances like his.
Favorite quotes:
"If you would not be forgotten,
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing."
(p.21, quoting Ben Franklin)
"They think I'm predictable. Let them. I like it when people figure me out wrong. That gives me some room to work."
(p. 62)
"I'm pretty sure [the principal] wanted us to scream, all together, Yes we can! Apparently he's new here. Our school spirit stops at the metal detectors."
(p. 225)
Favorite quotes:
"If you would not be forgotten,
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing."
(p.21, quoting Ben Franklin)
"They think I'm predictable. Let them. I like it when people figure me out wrong. That gives me some room to work."
(p. 62)
"I'm pretty sure [the principal] wanted us to scream, all together, Yes we can! Apparently he's new here. Our school spirit stops at the metal detectors."
(p. 225)
mon_ique's review against another edition
4.0
I agree with Ms. W. Too much cursing.
This book brought a smile to my face though with Tod and his bully hypocrisy (He's not actually mean, he just needs the money, he's nice to his victims. Sometimes) and the mom and stepfather eventually grew to be very good characters. The one question I'm itching to ask the author is, "What happened to Bernie???" I'll just assume he went to the hospital. Rex and that other guy are crazy. Loved, loved, loved how Tod stood up for what he did, no matter what those close minded classmates and teachers of his think about it. I just really don't like how teachers judge the poor kids thinking they'll come out JDs and they're probably right. But when that one kid who gets good grades and spells good and is really smart yet poor comes along, they stick up their nose, hate and overall add prejudice to the school system. You always think teachers do what's right but they were kids once too, and they had prejudices and faults and a whole bunch of stuff wrong with them. All but Ms. w disappointed me. Luz was crazy of course, Bernie, ah, the little arsonist. Rex, wrecks the book. And I love Stu. He's just adorable. I wish there were more Stu moments, which would show that Tod really isn't a mean guy.
This book brought a smile to my face though with Tod and his bully hypocrisy (He's not actually mean, he just needs the money, he's nice to his victims. Sometimes) and the mom and stepfather eventually grew to be very good characters. The one question I'm itching to ask the author is, "What happened to Bernie???" I'll just assume he went to the hospital. Rex and that other guy are crazy. Loved, loved, loved how Tod stood up for what he did, no matter what those close minded classmates and teachers of his think about it. I just really don't like how teachers judge the poor kids thinking they'll come out JDs and they're probably right. But when that one kid who gets good grades and spells good and is really smart yet poor comes along, they stick up their nose, hate and overall add prejudice to the school system. You always think teachers do what's right but they were kids once too, and they had prejudices and faults and a whole bunch of stuff wrong with them. All but Ms. w disappointed me. Luz was crazy of course, Bernie, ah, the little arsonist. Rex, wrecks the book. And I love Stu. He's just adorable. I wish there were more Stu moments, which would show that Tod really isn't a mean guy.
nematome's review against another edition
3.0
Well, if you’re looking to get deep into the mind of a bully, this ain’t it. (Go check out Courtney Summers instead.) That’s because Tod Munn isn’t really a bully. Or if he is, he’s a rather benevolent one. He’s also on the honor roll, has perfect attendance, and is a pretty talented seamstress (seamster?). He’s well-read, a fantastic speller, and doesn’t use drugs or drink or even swear.
And okay, yes, this book is written as a series of journal entries from Tod to his guidance counselor so maybe he's heavily editing/putting a good spin on his own behavior. But I just never got that impression. Even when Tod begins writing in his own private notebook, the journal entries don’t become any more explicit. I never felt like he was lying to me…and I love narrators that lie to me.
However, for what this is – essentially the story of a good kid, forced to deal with poverty, absent parents, and teachers who’ve labeled him the bad kid – it’s an enjoyable read. It’s very rewarding to see Tod discover writing as both a release and a way to examine his own life and try to make it better.
I grew up in similar circumstances as this main character. I can still remember clearly all the mortification that I felt at being poor, using free lunch tickets, having no clothes to wear, no food at home, no parents. I remember shame, selfish desperation, and learned resourcefulness. Unfortunately, this book did not make me recall any of those feelings. In one way I am thankful for that, because I don’t enjoy reliving those memories. But this book would have earned more of my respect if it had challenged me.
Everything here feels toned down and oversimplified. Tod’s home life seems hard, but then much of it is explained away. His bullying, rather tame to begin with, is brushed aside with “mitigating” factors. In fact, Tod isn’t even the real bully…he’s the victim! Of course. The ending is just ridiculous. Tod takes almost no responsibility for anything that he’s done, but when the real bully is finally revealed, no consideration is given to his/her mitigating circumstances. He/she is just plain mean. So yes…let’s all take a walk in Tod’s shoes and understand just where he’s coming from…but everyone else? Nah.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Queen – Under Pressure
This song makes me feel all the emotion about poverty, hunger, and compassion that I think this book is lacking. Put it on after finishing this book if you feel the same way! Or, you could just play it right now…because Queen is one of the greatest bands of all time. You’re welcome.
Also seen on The Readventurer.
And okay, yes, this book is written as a series of journal entries from Tod to his guidance counselor so maybe he's heavily editing/putting a good spin on his own behavior. But I just never got that impression. Even when Tod begins writing in his own private notebook, the journal entries don’t become any more explicit. I never felt like he was lying to me…and I love narrators that lie to me.
However, for what this is – essentially the story of a good kid, forced to deal with poverty, absent parents, and teachers who’ve labeled him the bad kid – it’s an enjoyable read. It’s very rewarding to see Tod discover writing as both a release and a way to examine his own life and try to make it better.
I grew up in similar circumstances as this main character. I can still remember clearly all the mortification that I felt at being poor, using free lunch tickets, having no clothes to wear, no food at home, no parents. I remember shame, selfish desperation, and learned resourcefulness. Unfortunately, this book did not make me recall any of those feelings. In one way I am thankful for that, because I don’t enjoy reliving those memories. But this book would have earned more of my respect if it had challenged me.
Everything here feels toned down and oversimplified. Tod’s home life seems hard, but then much of it is explained away. His bullying, rather tame to begin with, is brushed aside with “mitigating” factors. In fact, Tod isn’t even the real bully…he’s the victim! Of course. The ending is just ridiculous. Tod takes almost no responsibility for anything that he’s done, but when the real bully is finally revealed, no consideration is given to his/her mitigating circumstances. He/she is just plain mean. So yes…let’s all take a walk in Tod’s shoes and understand just where he’s coming from…but everyone else? Nah.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Queen – Under Pressure
This song makes me feel all the emotion about poverty, hunger, and compassion that I think this book is lacking. Put it on after finishing this book if you feel the same way! Or, you could just play it right now…because Queen is one of the greatest bands of all time. You’re welcome.
Also seen on The Readventurer.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
3.0
Tod's a troubled kid and is being forced to spend his detention in a classroom with his guidance counselor writing in a notebook. She gives him a daily page count and he just writes.
We don't know why he's been punished, but little by little, he tells us what happened. We see an adult who cares about this guy and this guy who really and truly has a good heart buried inside. His life isn't easy, and we see it.
I liked this book, but it moved far too slowly for me. When I would read it and take a break, I wasn't super compelled to keep going. I'm glad I worked through it and finished it because the last page was absolute dynamite, but it really did test my patience. It's part of the convention, the style that Shulman aims for, but it's one that makes it hard for me to read. For many readers, this alone will be the payoff.
There's definitely a strong, solid male voice in this one. Tod's a believable character. I'm not sure how much you root for him through the story since you're never quite sure whether or not you SHOULD be. What you know about him from the start comes from his guidance counselor, and it's not until the end you get a real sense of him. You get the stories and the history of him piece by piece, but it's never *quite* enough to lead you to your feelings about him as a whole.
This was the second time I read this book. The first time -- just a month or so ago -- I couldn't make it past page 50. I was disinterested and reluctant and didn't believe the voice, but I forced myself through this time and I'm glad I did. It won't be a favorite of mine nor will it likely be all that memorable, but it's one that I know I can match with specific readers who *will* appreciate it on a level I just can't/don't.
We don't know why he's been punished, but little by little, he tells us what happened. We see an adult who cares about this guy and this guy who really and truly has a good heart buried inside. His life isn't easy, and we see it.
I liked this book, but it moved far too slowly for me. When I would read it and take a break, I wasn't super compelled to keep going. I'm glad I worked through it and finished it because the last page was absolute dynamite, but it really did test my patience. It's part of the convention, the style that Shulman aims for, but it's one that makes it hard for me to read. For many readers, this alone will be the payoff.
There's definitely a strong, solid male voice in this one. Tod's a believable character. I'm not sure how much you root for him through the story since you're never quite sure whether or not you SHOULD be. What you know about him from the start comes from his guidance counselor, and it's not until the end you get a real sense of him. You get the stories and the history of him piece by piece, but it's never *quite* enough to lead you to your feelings about him as a whole.
This was the second time I read this book. The first time -- just a month or so ago -- I couldn't make it past page 50. I was disinterested and reluctant and didn't believe the voice, but I forced myself through this time and I'm glad I did. It won't be a favorite of mine nor will it likely be all that memorable, but it's one that I know I can match with specific readers who *will* appreciate it on a level I just can't/don't.
zellian's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting book where you think you'd get into the mind of a bully, find out why he would possibly hurt and torment another person just for fun... except you kinda don't in this book.
The idea behind this book is good, Tod Munn is put into detention where he has to write every afternoon in a notebook while his "droogs" get the pleasure of instead picking up rubbish. The notebook contains his writing, his feelings and stories which are read and kept private by Mrs W. We get an insight into Tod just like the Guidance Councillor, you read that Tod is stick in poverty with a mum who doesn't seem to care and step-father who's a jerk to him. But you don't really get into why he seems to bully some of the other students for their lunch money, torment them into giving their seats up just with a stare. You learn more about his background and what he is like, someone who actually gets good grades, is a pretty decent seamstress and isn't actually that bad of a bully.
The style of writing I felt was good, it fit in well with the way that it was meant to come across - a teenager writing whatever and however they wanted in their little notebook with the small added comments from Mrs W. An informal and young feel to it.
I like it but felt like it could have maybe been better if it ventured into a bit more of a deeper connection with his bullying side - what caused him other then he just seemed to be trying to hide the fact that he was living in poverty - though the poverty side of the story was quite heavily pushed in it.
The idea behind this book is good, Tod Munn is put into detention where he has to write every afternoon in a notebook while his "droogs" get the pleasure of instead picking up rubbish. The notebook contains his writing, his feelings and stories which are read and kept private by Mrs W. We get an insight into Tod just like the Guidance Councillor, you read that Tod is stick in poverty with a mum who doesn't seem to care and step-father who's a jerk to him. But you don't really get into why he seems to bully some of the other students for their lunch money, torment them into giving their seats up just with a stare. You learn more about his background and what he is like, someone who actually gets good grades, is a pretty decent seamstress and isn't actually that bad of a bully.
The style of writing I felt was good, it fit in well with the way that it was meant to come across - a teenager writing whatever and however they wanted in their little notebook with the small added comments from Mrs W. An informal and young feel to it.
I like it but felt like it could have maybe been better if it ventured into a bit more of a deeper connection with his bullying side - what caused him other then he just seemed to be trying to hide the fact that he was living in poverty - though the poverty side of the story was quite heavily pushed in it.
emilydittmar's review against another edition
3.0
I first heard this book as a forensics prose selection. The story that competitor read was so compelling that I needed to pick up this book. It was an interesting look at motivations behind behavior. I like how this book hid the fact that there was bullying happening to the main character. I would recommend the story others.
l1ttlel1braryn00k's review against another edition
3.0
This book had surprised me in both a good and bad way. I saw this book and thought it would be similar to but it both and was not; if that makes any sense. This book does provide the side of the bully with background of his home life and his circle of friends but nothing else. I though this book will provide a psychology exploration into why a teenager will and/or does bully other teenagers. Instead the book is more of a journal (an assignment) of why Tod Munn is in detention. There is also subplots and small stories about Tod and his life. Towards the end of the book is were I felt I understood where Shulman was going with the book. Along with the conclusion of the subplots and shift in the school ecosystem from Tod's point of view.
It is really is not a bad book, I can see how teenagers in middle and high school would read this book for an assignment in school.
It is really is not a bad book, I can see how teenagers in middle and high school would read this book for an assignment in school.
cheyreads28's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so amazingly good!! Tod is such a great character and I really love how he develops throughout the book. ALSO, I ship Luz and Tod so much wow.