- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Square Fish; Reprint edition (April 21 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 031254796X
- ISBN-13: 978-0312547967
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13.4 x 1.7 cm
- Shipping Weight: 240 g
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#68,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #28 in Books > Children's Books > Issues > Bullies
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
“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.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
“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. 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, [with] appeal across gender lines.”—Kirkus Reviews
“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.”—Booklist
“Plenty of kids will see themselves in these pages, making for painful, if important, reading.”—Publishers Weekly
“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.”—VOYA
Product Description
Eric is the new kid in seventh grade. Griffin wants to be his friend. When you’re new in town, it’s hard to know who to hang out with—and who to avoid. Griffin seems cool, confident, and popular.
But something isn’t right about Griffin. He always seems to be in the middle of bad things. And if Griffin doesn't like you, you’d better watch your back. There might be a target on it.
As Eric gets drawn deeper into Griffin’s dark world, he begins to see the truth about Griffin: He’s a liar, a bully, a thief. Eric wants to break away, do the right thing. But in one shocking moment, he goes from being a bystander . . . to the bully’s next victim.
But something isn’t right about Griffin. He always seems to be in the middle of bad things. And if Griffin doesn't like you, you’d better watch your back. There might be a target on it.
As Eric gets drawn deeper into Griffin’s dark world, he begins to see the truth about Griffin: He’s a liar, a bully, a thief. Eric wants to break away, do the right thing. But in one shocking moment, he goes from being a bystander . . . to the bully’s next victim.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Real Page Turner, Oct 21 2009
By Jennifer Steil - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Bystander (Hardcover)
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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bystander by James Preller - A "Must-Read" in All Upper-Elementary and Middle School Classrooms, Oct 8 2009
By Elizabeth A. Dolan "Lisa Dolan" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Bystander (Hardcover)
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!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Read - Will Give Kids Plenty To Talk About, Oct 12 2009
By Matthew Ball - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Bystander (Hardcover)
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.
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