Why Pick on Me?

Has someone ever said something horrible about you, which wasn't true? Louis Sachar's book Marvin Redpost: Why Pick on Me? deals with just that. This book is the second in the series of the Marvin Redpost series. This series shows the struggles of being a third grade in Mrs. North's class. Marvin Redpost, a red-headed nine year old little boy, has new lessons to learn in each book. Marvin is the middle child in his family, with his mother, father, older brother Jacob, and younger sister Linzy, and you can't forget Marvin's lizard, General Jackson. His family is prominent in each book, and sometimes provides guidance for young Marvin. In Why Pick on Me? Marvin has to come up with a survey question to ask all of his classmates and his teacher for his social studies project. While he was coming up with a really great question, recess came around. He was playing wall-ball and was up against Clarence, the biggest boy in his class. Marvin won at wall-ball but Clarence denied it and quickly changes the subject yelling that "Marvin picked his nose!" The whole class, including the teacher catches on. Marvin can't believe that even Mrs. North thinks he picks his nose! Marvin, the nose picker, believes he is the most disgusting boy in the world now. What will Marvin do to stopped being picked on about picking his nose? Also, how in the world can he finish his social studies survey question with the whole class making fun of him? (Read the book to find out!) Overall, this book was excellent in dealing with problems that the primary grade children (Kindergarten to Second) would deal with. We would highly recommend this book and many of the Marvin Redpost books to be read aloud as a group in the classroom. This will create a great learning environment for discussions about others' feelings. Louis Sachar really has created an amazing series for children, parents, and educators to love. Kelly, Katherina, and Lauren EDRD 303

These are great books. It is one of a series and they are full of entertainment. I like them a lot. My mom sends them to me since I am away at school. These are great books to read and easy to read and understand.

Let's face it, kids can be cruel. Marvin Redpost goes to 3rd grade where kids are kids and adults sometimes don't investigate the situation completely.While playing ball, Marvin is accused of picking his nose by the class bully. Like most bullies, he is just looking for something to taunt Marvin with and nose picking happens to be it. Of course, Marvin wasn't, and of course, it upsets him. He tries to stand up for himself, but everyone is so caught up in how funny-gross it is that no one is listening. The trouble starts with neither Marvito the wound. Very soon, Martin himself, now friendless, begins believing that he's a disgusting person. That is, until inspiration strikes and he finds out that we're really all very much alike (I'll not spoil the ending for you!!)Sachar has done a tremendous job of taking the subject of bullying and elementary school obsession and putting it into a very readable form for young children. Bullies will bully and try to turn everyone against that one poor soul they don't care for at any chance they get. What often gives them more power, oddly enough, is the victim denying the bully's accusation; in this case, Marvin vehemently saying that he DOESN'T pick his nose. By Marvin constantly talking about it, he's actually feeding into the situation without knowing it. Better in these cases to ignore it and let it drop.However, most elementary school children don't realize the power of ignoring mean comments like that or realize that the person doing the bullying will soon get bored with the whole thing if you don't respond. Though this tactic wasn't taken in "Why Pick on Me?", it's still a good suggestion for the "alternative solution" crowd who may use this in schools.Sachar also treats the subject matter with tact, knowing that nose picking can reduce a class to screams of "eeeeew!" in a heartbeat. He doesn't add unnecessary details about the act, but nor does he shy away from it. Therefore this book is very likely to draw in even reluctant readers because they'll want to see what happens next!! In a world where we could all use a little more respect, Marvin shows us that we're all the same: human.

At the beginning of every school year, I read Marvin Redpost:Why Pick on Me? to my new 4th graders. Marvin has to deal with abully in his class who starts a rumor that Marvin is a nose-picker. Everyone believes the rumor is true, even Marvin's 2 best friends. Marvin's family supports him, and he resolves the problem in an interesting way that leaves the bully looking rather foolish. This is a funny book, a sad book, and an insightful book. I read it to my students to open up a discussion about bullying and teasing. There's a big lesson to be found in this little book.

I loved reading this book as much as my child did (maybe even more). It is a story about a boy who gets unfairly picked on and in the end teaches us all a little lesson. Sachar is a gifted writer who remembers what it is really like to be a kid. A truly enjoyable book!