maguire_m03's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jerrica's review
1.0
One-dimensional cookie cutter characters, the story grabs you for a second and then forcefully lets you go. Short, but nothing sweet about it.
rakishabpl's review
4.0
It takes a strong stomach for a bullying-victim to read a book about a bullying-victim seeking justice, but I zipped through this book once I got over my flashbacks.
An over-zealous teacher forces Ivy to bring a mock civil suit against her tormentors in order to demonstrate the legal system to the middle-school's third period American Government class. Told from the varying perspectives of the students, we gain insight into the personalities of the studnets who range from the geek to the jock to the wise acre. We also get a startling peek into the psyches of the accused bullies. Each character is fleshed out without sympathy and the outcome of the book is surprising.
This would be the perfect book for a tween/teen book club or reluctant readers.
An over-zealous teacher forces Ivy to bring a mock civil suit against her tormentors in order to demonstrate the legal system to the middle-school's third period American Government class. Told from the varying perspectives of the students, we gain insight into the personalities of the studnets who range from the geek to the jock to the wise acre. We also get a startling peek into the psyches of the accused bullies. Each character is fleshed out without sympathy and the outcome of the book is surprising.
This would be the perfect book for a tween/teen book club or reluctant readers.
librariann's review
3.0
Ages 10+
When Ivy spills to her Social Studies teacher about how three popular girls (the Evil Three) have been treating her, her teacher decides that the class needs to hold a mock civil trial. This book, told from multiple points of view of the participants in the trial, explores what happens during the two weeks. There's no cookie-cutter happy ending, and the don't upset the boat mentality of middle school prevails, much to the surprise of the teacher (and a few students as well).
When Ivy spills to her Social Studies teacher about how three popular girls (the Evil Three) have been treating her, her teacher decides that the class needs to hold a mock civil trial. This book, told from multiple points of view of the participants in the trial, explores what happens during the two weeks. There's no cookie-cutter happy ending, and the don't upset the boat mentality of middle school prevails, much to the surprise of the teacher (and a few students as well).
gitadine's review
2.0
I liked the format; I felt it was fresh and different... But that's about ALL I like from this book. The ending ruined the whole experience!
mon_ique's review
This was a horrible book.
I guess for any book delving into bullying, it's quite horrifying to read.
Ivy's word play was witty! The constant feeling and comparison to underwater activity was entertaining, if a little concerning.
"It was the end of the day, so all the fish swam in the same direction: out to the breeding grounds. Moving together as the connected scales of one cold, single-minded sea beast. I'd lost track of my binder, however, so I swam upstream, alone against the current. Way off course, like those whales who end up panting in terror, waiting to die on dry sand. Seagulls shriek and circle. Flies appear out of nowhere to swarm. To a whale, flies and gulls are bizarre, nightmarish beings from an alien dimension; air creatures!"
I would definitely read a book featuring Marco and his life; he was maybe the only fleshed out character, family mentioned and intriguing. Although his reaction to Ann was at times unnecessary and annoying...
I guess for any book delving into bullying, it's quite horrifying to read.
Spoiler
At first I thought this book just ended, quite unexplained. One of the last things Ivy says was: "Actually, it was almost satisfyingly nightmarish. It proved it hadn't been all in my head. I hadn't imagined I was alone on earth- I really was alone." And then the book ends! What was the whole point of this? I was distraught, but it wasn't until I reread Bryce's story that the underlying result of the "court case" was fully explained. Still calling her "Poison Ivy" he heard someone say she was in the "nuthouse for trying to ice herself." There was so much left unsaid, but that line made this whole story collection make sense. Someone was investigating this "court case" because a student almost killed herself. How responsible was the teacher to exploit the situation without reporting to proper authorities? The fact that permission slips were signed obviously made the situation clear to parents... but was it not taken as seriously because bullying became part of the curriculum? Ms. Gold wasn't likable in the least, but I'm curious what happened to her.Ivy's word play was witty! The constant feeling and comparison to underwater activity was entertaining, if a little concerning.
"It was the end of the day, so all the fish swam in the same direction: out to the breeding grounds. Moving together as the connected scales of one cold, single-minded sea beast. I'd lost track of my binder, however, so I swam upstream, alone against the current. Way off course, like those whales who end up panting in terror, waiting to die on dry sand. Seagulls shriek and circle. Flies appear out of nowhere to swarm. To a whale, flies and gulls are bizarre, nightmarish beings from an alien dimension; air creatures!"
I would definitely read a book featuring Marco and his life; he was maybe the only fleshed out character, family mentioned and intriguing. Although his reaction to Ann was at times unnecessary and annoying...
ralhassan's review against another edition
1.0
Honestly, the entire thing was really confusing and ended up going NOWHERE. The synopsis I read on the Barnes & Noble Teen Book Blog made it sound so much more interesting than it is. I was expecting at least some sort of justice or real effort from the prosecutor. Daria's issues were never really explained and it all just left me disappointed and confused. Ivy's attitude towards the entire thing was very rude, I mean I know you didn't exactly want your dirty laundry aired in front of your history class, but your teacher is trying to help you and you just sit there and make no effort to help your lawyer. Ann's POV was extremely obnoxious and irritating, I wanted to punch her through the pages and I am honestly really peeved by the fact that I spent money to read this. Overall, totally not worth the read unless you like being confused and thoroughly disappointed by the end. I also didn't really like the fact that Ms.Gold just kind of let them all run wild. Like the students didn't take the trial seriously at all and I have actually done a mock trial before for my forensics class and we took that thing SERIOUSLY. Like, these girls have bullied the absolute crap out of Ivy for years and you know they did it! You KNOW IT and they know it and yet they get away with it for what reason? I understand why it was written the way it was: to make it more realistic and have some of the student's accounts of what happened but I honestly think it would have been better if it wasn't written like this, for one, and the end had something that didn't make you want to throw the book out a window. Like, the end completely killed the book for me, and I'll be honest, I was in it to finish it and see something really happen and I got to the end and was seriously disappointed. It ends how you're kind of expecting it to, but I was hoping for a twist, but I guess that's just how high school works, you get all excited at the beginning, the middle is a build up to the end and then senior year is just a giant ball of stress, deadlines and disappointment when nothing cool happens.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
Ivy's class holds a mock trial to study judicial systems. Three popular girls are charged with bullying Ivy, which they've done since elementary school and everyone knows it. Eight characters narrate the story, afterwards, as they are interviewed for possible disciplinary action against the teacher. Interesting look at human nature and bullying, with some humor, but mostly a realistic look at many classrooms and the behavior of kids.
line_so_fine's review
4.0
Ivy (or "Poison Ivy" as she is called by her classmates) has been bullied at school for as long as anyone can remember. This year, her teacher, Ms. Gold, decides to stage a mock trial to showcase the legal system. The crime? Bullying. The defendant? A very unwilling Ivy. The palintiff? The lead bullies. The story is told through multiple characters' perspectives, and the result is a book just begging to be discussed. The ineffectual concern of adults and the power of social leverage are particularly striking.
library_brandy's review
3.0
Since she was 9 and moved to this town, Ivy has been bullied by her classmates. Ann, Sophie, and Benita have been calling her "Poison Ivy" for so long, she doesn't even think of herself as just plain Ivy anymore. Now things have come to a head, and their Government teacher kicks off a mock civil trial, bringing the Evil Three up on charges. Students are chosen as lawyers, judges, jury, and other positions, the trial commences. If the Evil Three are found liable for the harassment, they'll need to apologize in writing and leave Ivy alone. But their liability hinges on Ivy's lawyer's ability to prove what everyone knows.
This is really more about the trial--and mistrial--and the quest for justice than it is the bullying, but it's still a worthwhile conversation-starter. I'll be including it in my short list of Potential Titles for 8th Grade Summer Reading.
[Warning: there are THREE bad words in the book, and I'll confess they're gratuitous--a kid called "pin-dick," plus one "ass" and one "dick." Not an issue to me, but the middle school administration might feel differently.]
This is really more about the trial--and mistrial--and the quest for justice than it is the bullying, but it's still a worthwhile conversation-starter. I'll be including it in my short list of Potential Titles for 8th Grade Summer Reading.
[Warning: there are THREE bad words in the book, and I'll confess they're gratuitous--a kid called "pin-dick," plus one "ass" and one "dick." Not an issue to me, but the middle school administration might feel differently.]