Scan barcode
A review by margaretann84
Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen
1.0
Telling teachers about bullying problems: good.
Telling parents about bullying problems: good.
Sticking up for yourself against people who bully you: good.
Getting photographic/video evidence about bullying going on: good.
Posting it anonymously online with mean songs, insulting comics, and so on: cyber-bullying. BAD.
I usually like Van Draanen's books, but this one was massively disappointing. I was actually offended when the teacher pulled Nolan aside and told him he APPROVED of the site--really? I mean, I guess you could argue that Alvin/Bubba deserves a taste of his own medicine, but if any teachers I know said something like that (that a kid's revenge on another kid was a good idea), they'd probably be fired. Nolan would've been better off just turning in the photos and videos in to the office, rather than acting like a bully himself. In an age where cyber-bullying is such a big deal and a lot of kids think they can just say or do what they want online with no negative consequences, this book sends a terrible message. Anything positive that can be gained from it (sticking up for yourself, don't change to please other people, and treat others as if someone was always watching you) is completely overshadowed by the fact that Nolan acts just as bad Alvin/Bubba in the end!
Telling parents about bullying problems: good.
Sticking up for yourself against people who bully you: good.
Getting photographic/video evidence about bullying going on: good.
Posting it anonymously online with mean songs, insulting comics, and so on: cyber-bullying. BAD.
I usually like Van Draanen's books, but this one was massively disappointing. I was actually offended when the teacher pulled Nolan aside and told him he APPROVED of the site--really? I mean, I guess you could argue that Alvin/Bubba deserves a taste of his own medicine, but if any teachers I know said something like that (that a kid's revenge on another kid was a good idea), they'd probably be fired. Nolan would've been better off just turning in the photos and videos in to the office, rather than acting like a bully himself. In an age where cyber-bullying is such a big deal and a lot of kids think they can just say or do what they want online with no negative consequences, this book sends a terrible message. Anything positive that can be gained from it (sticking up for yourself, don't change to please other people, and treat others as if someone was always watching you) is completely overshadowed by the fact that Nolan acts just as bad Alvin/Bubba in the end!