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Parents' Guide to

Playground

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Rap star's moving novel about a bully redeemed.

Playground Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

age 12+
I grabbed this on a whim for my school's library, but after skimming a few pages I set it aside and hadn't yet decided to put it out for students. Until today, home on a Snow Day. Couldn't put it down - riveting story, easy to read, and I heard my students' voices on every page. The language isn't anything most middle school kids haven't heard (or used) and the frustration Butterball feels about his family situation will resonate with most middle schoolers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The author, rapper 50 Cent, made the right choice when deciding to tell the story from Butterball's perspective. It allows readers to understand the main character's motivation, pain, anger, frustration, and insecurities while keeping them tuned into his sense of humor and desire to be a good person. We can both empathize with Butterball's plight and be infuriated by his naivete and foolishness.

The story gives a pretty even-handed account of how bullies like Butterball are often created -- through poor treatment by other bullies and, in his case, poor examples set by authority figures. Butterball is an engaging character and an excellent storyteller, with a great, dry sense of humor. Readers will find it difficult to put the book down.

Book Details

  • Author: 50 Cent
  • Genre: Contemporary Fiction
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Razorbill
  • Publication date: November 1, 2011
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
  • Number of pages: 242
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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