Common Sense Media Review
Gritty but powerful read about bullied teen.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 29 kid reviews
Kids say that although the book has relatable themes about teenage life, it can be overly graphic and mature for younger readers, which some found to detract from its overall appeal. However, many teens found it engaging and impactful, appreciating its realistic portrayal of high school challenges and the complexity of growing up, making it a compelling read for those who can handle its mature content.
- realistic themes
- mature content
- engaging narrative
- relatable protagonist
- emotional depth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After years of being an unnoticed dweeb, Tyler gets noticed in high school when he spray-paints graffiti on the school. He also gets arrested and sentenced to a summer of community service, from which he earns a newly muscular physique from the labor, and a reputation as slightly dangerous.
For a while things are OK for Tyler: he is no longer afraid of bullies, and the hottest girl in school (daughter of his father's boss and sister of the worst bully) seem interested in him. But his father is verbally abusive, his mother an alcoholic, all of the adults in his life are suspicious of him, and the bullies are looking for a chance for revenge. And when his life spirals out of his control, he begins to think that his only options are the most drastic ones.
Is It Any Good?
At first, you'll think you've seen this before; but then you start to notice some intriguing differences. The dweeb is buff and has a police record, some of the adults actually seem to care, the siblings like each other, the little sister has a good head on her shoulders, and the teenaged main character has become an adult before he or any of the other characters have noticed. And it's not much longer before you're completely swept up into a story with powerful emotional resonance, in which the protagonist may actually see a light at the end of the tunnel before the reader does.
Author Laurie Anderson does a good job with her first try at getting inside the head of a boy and speaking in his voice. Everything rings true here, and Tyler has more than earned the sympathy of the reader long before he is pushed beyond what anyone should have to deal with. It's a terrific thing, and all too rare, to see a protagonist develop hard-won strength of character right before your eyes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this book compares to the author's other work, like Speak and Wintergirls. This time, the author writes from a male perspective. Did you find that convincing?
In this book, Tyler has to deal with bullies. Does his experience seem realistic? At your school, what are some of the ways that kids get bullied? Do you think things have gotten harder for kids with the rise of cyberbullying? Parents who go down this path may want to consult our Cyberbullying Discussion Guide.
Book Details
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