Bystander

I know I've found a good book when I hit the end of a chapter and just have to read on. Bystander is a real page turner. Whether you're a teen, a teacher, or a parent, reading this book will remind you how important it is to have a no-tolerance view of bullying. It is so easy to tell a teen to "ignore" the bully. But as Eric Hayes experienced, it's not that easy. Especially when you're trying to fit in. Bystander is filled with suspense. From the first chapter, when Eric sees David Hallenback running scared across the basketball court, to the end it is hard to put the book down. Teens will connect with the situations and characters and this will surely open up conversations about what's right and what's wrong.

Bystander is a great read for middle schoolers, their parents and their teachers. Boys and girls will find characters in it that they relate to, and the issues that are raised will give them a lot to talk about. Eric Hayes, like any new kid in town, is worried about finding his place and fitting in. From the first page, you feel the tension of Eric's struggle to make new friends and avoid trouble. And the main source of tension comes from Griffin Connelly, a scheming, manipulative bully. Unlike the stereotypical dimwitted bully, Preller makes Griffin believable, and therefore, all the more frightening - he's a popular seventh grader at Bellport Central Middle School. The plot has plenty of twists and turns as it follows Eric through the difficult first few months at his new school. Young readers will love this book, placing themselves in it scene by scene, wondering what they'd do if they were Eric. Preller has got kids down. He knows how they think, how they talk, how they maneuver through the challenges and confusions of middle school life. Kids will love the humor that runs through the realistic dialogue and school scenes, even as they feel the tension that comes along with being a target, a bystander, or a bully. An important and timely topic - this book should hit a big public nerve.

As educators, we are always looking for a sure thing; something you know will work. When we find it, we need to shout it from the roof tops! So, I shout, "Here it is! Find this, buy this, read it to your class, share it with your teacher friends. Read it with kids. Make sure kids read it!" If the true job of literature is to help us understand the human condition, pick this up, read it and discuss it! Discuss it with any child availalble for learning. Work on reading comprehension, bullying prevention/intervention with this very real, very relevant, very important read on a very real, very relevant, very important topic. Educators everywhere will be applauding Mr. Preller's efforts efforts on this one!