bystander

Bystander by James Preller ISBN: 978-0-312-37906-3 ©2009 223 pages

Good sections to read aloud: pp. 1-2 where Eric notices David (running for his life) pp. 6-7 where Eric meets four individuals (including Griffin) who are chasing David (so he thinks)

Summary: Eric is new to town and feels forced to be friends with Griffin, the school bully. Eric figures it is better to be on his good side vs. his bad side. That’s until the tables get turned. Eric is smart enough to make better choices, so when his hand is forced, he retaliates in his own way...with a little help from a female friend. Eric is also dealing with his parents divorce and limited contact with his father. Other than that, mom is in the book very little, as is Eric’s younger brother, Rudy.

YA fiction-- Teen issue; bullies; middle schools; moving; divorce; New YorK

©Jennifer Lang - 2010 - WDMS