Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

Seventh grader Eric moves with his mom and brother to Long Island; his mentally ill father remains absent from the family. Eric falls in with a group of boys dominated by enigmatic bully Griffin. When Eric dares to challenge the gang about one of their vicious pranks, he becomes a victim himself. The story's anti-bullying message, though overt, isn't heavy-handed or didactic.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The question at the heart of this story turns on what Martin Luther King Jr. called “the appalling silence of the good people.” Is it just as bad to see someone get mistreated and not act as it is to be the bully? The villain is Griffin Connelly, a smooth operator with a megawatt smile and a dark heart, who regularly receives the back of his father's hand and passes along the abuse to any “sick gazelles” he finds at Bellport Central Middle School. When new student Eric refuses to play lapdog, he becomes the target. The strength of Preller's (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Along Came Spider) narrative lies in how well he orchestrates Eric's response—he knows there is no easy answer and that going to adults is not always the best thing to do. As he wrestles with his conscience, Eric is befriended by Mary, a classmate making her own stand against malicious teasing. Plenty of kids will see themselves in these pages, making for painful, if important, reading. The resolution, though realistic, may leave some dissatisfied, as the bully moves on but never gets the comeuppance he so richly deserves. Ages 10–up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Oct.)

Kirkus Reviews

Bullying is a topic that never lacks for interest, and here Preller concentrates on the kids who try to ignore or accommodate a bully to keep themselves safe. Victim David's pain is evident from the first moment newcomer Eric sees him, but he tries not to acknowledge the reality before him. His mother is trying for a fresh start in this Long Island community, as his father has succumbed to schizophrenia and left her and their two boys on their own. Griffin, the bullying instigator, has charisma of sorts; he is a leader and yet suffers under his father's bullying and aggression. For Eric to do the right thing is neither easy nor what he first wants to do, and the way he finds support among his classmates is shown in logical and believable small steps. Eminently discussable as a middle-school read-aloud, the narrative offers minimal subplots to detract from the theme. The role of girls is downplayed, except for classmate Mary, who is essential to the resolution, enhancing appeal across gender lines. (Fiction. 11-14)

Voice of Youth Advocates

When Eric moved from Ohio to Long Island, he expected there to be challenges, but he did not anticipate being befriended by the local bully, charismatic and troubled Griffin. As the boysÆ relationship grows, Eric is unsettled by GriffinÆs actions, which include stealing from elderly people, physically abusing classmates, and emotionally tormenting peers. Eric decides to stand up to Griffin through his actions, but quickly becomes a target. He must access all support availableùthrough friends, teachers, and within himselfùto do the right thing. EricÆs struggles are portrayed in a believable, accessible way that is sure to engage readers on both sides of the bullying experience. Heavy foreshadowing lets teens know what to expect as they move through the text, and the story stays focused on Eric and Griffin, which will be appreciated by readers looking for a straightforward narrative. Secondary characters are cast vaguely, which is fine for this text, and details of EricÆs father, who left the family when his schizophrenia became too much to handle, are appropriate and feel realistic. The inclusion of Mary, a strong ally for Eric, balances the text and offers a dynamic female presence. Although didactic, many teens will relate to this story and find strength in EricÆs experiences. A fitting conclusionùthat might leave some teens disappointedùlacks drama but rings true. An easy pick for middle school classroom and school libraries, this book is a worthy addition to collections focused on bullying and larger public libraries, especially those with an active younger teen population.ùElsworth Rockefeller.

School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2010)

Gr 6-9 Eric Hayes has moved from Ohio to Long Island, NY, with his mother and younger brother. His schizophrenic father left long ago. Eric soon meets Griffin Connelly, a handsome kid with natural leadership, lots of charisma, and a real mean streak. While Griffin is the perfect bully, David Hallenback is the perfect victim: beaten down and willing to do anything to get Griffin's approval. At first, Eric is a bystander, not participating in the bullying but not doing anything to stop it. However, several events move him out of this passive role: Griffin steals from him and reveals Eric's confidences about his father; adults at school address bullying; and Mary, a girl he likes, takes a stand against it. Eric realizes that his silence makes him complicit and speaks out, only to become Griffin's next victim. Preller has perfectly nailed the middle school milieu, and his characters are well developed with authentic voices. The novel has a parablelike quality, steeped in a moral lesson, yet not ploddingly didactic. The action moves quickly, keeping readers engaged. The ending is realistic: there's no strong resolution, no punishment or forgiveness. Focusing on the large majority of young people who stand by mutely and therefore complicitly, this must-read book is a great discussion starter that pairs well with a Holocaust unit. Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME

ALA Booklist (Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Bully stories often tend to be one-note workouts, and although Preller keeps his story focused on this theme, he strikes an unusually complex chord of the various sides of the abuse of power and the strong manipulating the weak. When Eric moves to a new town in Long Island, he quickly sizes up the social order of his new seventh-grade class. Griffin, with a thousand-watt smile and undeniable charisma, sits at the top, while pudgy, annoying David is routinely trampled at the bottom. Griffin takes Eric into his group of friends, but it doesn't take long for Eric to recognize the creep beneath the charm. As Eric alternates between being a witness, accomplice, and victim, Preller displays a keen awareness of the complicated and often-conflicting instincts to fit in, find friends, and do the right thing. Although there are no pat answers, the message (that a bystander is hardly better than an instigator) is clear, and Preller's well-shaped characters, strong writing, and realistic treatment of middle-school life deliver it cleanly.