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Liked It “Realistic Fiction. Junior high and up, slightly challenged readers should still try this one. |
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“Realistic Fiction. Junior high and up, slightly challenged readers should still try this one.
L. Scott-Kellermeier wrote this review Friday, January 20, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Main characters: Susan Calloway, Brendan Slater.
Susan is fat, Brendan is gay. Together with four other students, they attend an afterschool class with the guidance counselor. Each student has done something that could result in expulsion unless they attend the pilot project “Alternative Education.” Susan and Brendan develop a friendship through unpleasant shared experience: they are both victims of bullying and harassment. Each week, they have to face one of their most vicious tormentors (Cale,) a perfect and popular student (Tracy) whose goals for college eclipse any notice she would normally take of such outsiders as Susan and Brendan. Then there is football star Randy (Susan has a secret and hopeless crush) and the sluttish (name is a blank. Mandy?)
This is a very plausible portrayal of the cruelties of adolescent “dissing”, sexual and alcohol abuse (gang rape) and of how seeking peer group approval often overrides compassion. The story explores the concept that encounter groups can be effective and helpful without entirely solving the underlying problems. Susan is also struggling with a father and brother who have yet to come to terms with the death of Susan & Tom’s mother. The story brings in the important themes of silence about loss and parental blindness to teenage problems. This could definitely be a good read for junior high students as they are at the highest risk of initially perpetrating or being victims of bullying and, as witnesses, often feel ill equipped to
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“Satisfying.
Kristi A wrote this review Sunday, January 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“great book for teens!”
Laura Shennum wrote this review Saturday, January 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“middle school”
UWM2012lgbt wrote this review Tuesday, November 15, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Alt Ed is a wonderful story. Definitely worth reading. But..it's not banned where you live right?”
ReQuitA wrote this review Friday, July 22, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I like how they all got together in a group and had to talk about things. It was funny.”
Dawn K wrote this review Wednesday, May 18, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Returned to library; never finished”
Hannah G. wrote this review Thursday, December 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a nice, easy, refreshing read. I had a little trouble connecting with the main character, Susan. I have been called fat and chubby but I would never let it control my life like she did. I guess I'm lucky. ”
Clarissa wrote this review Sunday, January 17, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Heartfelt read with Susan as an overweight needy girl. Realistic diaglogue and reasonalbe outcome.”
Joan C wrote this review Thursday, December 10, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This novel is full of drama, not bad drama but real life drama that no one ever really thinks about. As you read on, the book draws you in and it's difficult to stop. You are always on the tip of your chair wondering what will happen next!”
Kelsey L wrote this review Wednesday, October 21, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
