The Bully of Barkham Street

THE BULLY OF BARKHAM STREET I have not read the whole thing. As soon as I opened it I realized it is for much older kids. Mine is only 4. I was looking for books about bullies to help him now. This is a long book without pictures. I am guessing this is more for 10 to 12 year olds. I read thru pieces of it and it appears to be a nice story. I imagine my son will enjoy reading it when he gets old enough. Sorry I can't give you more information about it than that. When I give a review I like to do it right. Unfortunately I ordered a bunch of bully books that were too mature for my purpose. I ended up with a really good bully book called "Pinky and Rex and the Bully" which is right on for us. And Bully Trouble which is great too. When I ordered this one there was very little information about it but I gave it a try based on a review I read somewhere else. I was considering a totally different bully book and the reviewer said it wasn't a good book but to read Bully of Barkham St instead. This was highly recommended by that reviewer. So I ordered it based on that. They didn't tell me what age it was appropriate for. It does appear to be well written and understandable. But like I said I haven't read the whole thing, only bits and pieces.

Martin HJastings, the bully of barkham street doesn't care if he does not have friends. Martin was hateful and irresponsible. But what was he? THE BULLY!

This book occurs in the same timeframe as "A Dog on Barkham Street". It is how Martin Hastings, the bully in both books, sees life. At the beginning of the book, Martin was being his ususal "bully" self and then he starts to shape up. Towards the end of the book I realized he was just misunderstood. It is a good book to see how a bully feels. You should read this book

This book captures the essence of two young boys' fears and frustrations as they explore life on the cusp of puberty. In unusual fashion, the protagonist and the bully are not necessarily good and evil, in that order. As these two traverse territory wholly unexplored in their lives, they find insight, joy, and a few misadventures along the way. A must for those, "on the cusp".