Max Quigley, Technically Not a Bully

I highly recommend MAX QUIGLEY for all middle-grade readers because not only is it a very entertaining book, but it also deals with a very serious issue -- bullying. I love that this book is written for middle-grade aged children because sometimes it is difficult for kids at this age to talk about bullies. I hope this book can be the opportunity for parents to open up communication with their children about bullying -- whether they are being bullied or even are the bully! My daughter and I both liked this book, but I think this story will resonate better with young boys. The characters of Max and Triffin are somewhat typical of boys in every school -- the bully vs. the smart boy. I think Max and his insights into life are extremely funny, but the humor is definitely geared towards boys. That's not to say that girls won't like this book too -- I'm just saying that MAX QUIGLEY is a story that boys will love! As a mother, I realize that it's "normal" for some kids to be bullies; however, I don't think we just have to accept this behavior. I'm fortunate that (so far) my kids have not been on the receiving end of serious bullying behavior, but that doesn't mean that I don't see it. It just breaks my heart to see how much damage one child can do to another, with not only with physical abuse but also with harsh words. Our elementary school as a fantastic bully prevention program that seems to be helping, but I think books like MAX QUIGLEY might be another way to bring attention to this topic. There were definitely some valuable messages in this book that all children need to hear. First and foremost, the issue of bullying was covered from both sides. I have read quite a few books about children who were being taunted by bullies, but I can't remember reading about a bullying situation from the bully's point of view. I love that this book got into the mind of the school bully, and I think some kids will definitely be able to relate to Max. However, what I really liked about this story was how Max eventually realized how he was being perceived by others; and I was so proud of him for realizing how to be a good friend. Here are Booking Daughter's thoughts: I liked MAX QUIGLEY although I thought it was kind of boyish. I think the book was not just for kids that get bullied, but also for kids that bully. I liked how Max changed throughout the story by becoming nicer. I also liked the drawings on some of the pages. I enjoyed reading about the other characters in the story, not just about Max.

They say not to judge a book by its cover. But then, they say a lot of things, you know. And nine times out of ten I ten to ignore "them". Particularly in the case of Max Quigley, Technically Not a Bully because one glance at the cover and I knew what I would find. Yet another Diary of a Wimpy Kid knock-off, ho hum de hum. Sorry, dudes. Not interested. Go ply your wares elsewhere. But then this fellow children's librarian I know says to me, "Actually, it's really good. You should try it." Uh-huh. Pull the other one. Then again... the title is kind of entrancing. Okay, fine, I'll bite. What's it about? "It's about this kid who's a huge bully, but doesn't think of himself that way." An unreliable narrator middle grade novel? With funny pictures inside? Look I'm a thirty-one year old woman, but I have this finely honed radar for boy-tastic fare, and this sounded amazing. That is, once I got past the cover. Good thing I did too. The story is fast-paced, the writing stellar, and the plot hilarious. A book for the bullies, the bullied, and everyone in-between. Look, Max Quigley is not a bully, okay? I mean, granted he kind of rules the school with his best mate Jared in tow. And he makes the life of Triffin Nordstrom (a.k.a. Nerdstrom) a living misery. But when his parents decide to put an end to his bullying behavior their solution is ridiculous. Max now has to be tutored in math by Nerdstrom (embarrassing for both of them, really) AND they have to hang out at one another's homes every other weekend. Worst. Punishment. Ever. Even Nerdstrom can understand how stupid this all is, but they have no choice. Max Quigley may not think of himself as a bully, but when this crazy plan is all said and done, he may not know how to think of himself at all. When a kid starts reading this book . . . how shall I put this? Basically imagine a pair of hands reaching out of the pages, fastening themselves around the reader's throat, and refusing to let go. Mr. James Roy sort of has the art of the first chapter down to a science. Because essentially he has a couple difficult jobs on his hands. He needs to (A) make his main character noticeably unreliable, not to say a downright jerk. BUT (B) he can't be such a jerk that you don't want to hear what he has to say. And then (C) he sets up the central conceit (which is to say, his belief that Nerdstrom is a human skin tag) within three pages, without strain or seeming effort. On top of that it's a really fun chapter to read. If you ever know a kid who needs to recite a monologue for some reason, many of the passages in this book would be brilliant choices. Just sayin'. I need to stop for a moment here. You know, when a main character makes fun of another character's name for an entire book, it really kind of puts a reviewer like myself in a weird space. I mean, I don't want to call Triffin by that name. I want to call him Nerdstrom. But if I call him Nerdstrom then I'm just as bad as Max is, right? But if I DON'T call him

Another great book by a great Aussie author, who is also the illustrator. This book came out in Australia under the title of "Problem Child", and I only picked that up after seeing the author speak about how he writes and where he gets ideas from - at the Norman Lindsay Gallery. Quite a good yarn, giving the reader the 'opposite' side of the story. It did have me thinking - How do you decide that someone is a bully?