Why Pick on Me? [Turtleback]

The book's message is that if you're doing something don't say anything because they might catch you they will tell everybody and they could embarrass you. If they catch you do not ask everybody if they heard about yesterday because they will start laughing and you are the one that is reminding them about it, so don't tell them.

My opinion is that this is a good book. I liked it I think it is an interesting book and I would read it again. There were a lot of funny parts and it was a real cool book. I liked the book a lot.

The Marvin Redpost series is an ideal beginning Adopt-a-Book, blending approachable vocabulary with a straight-forward, yet sage storyline There is one Stumper that may be particularly helpful to kids, arising when Marvin1s teacher pens her report card comments. Another in a fine series that may hook kids on Marvin after they sample some as Adopt-a-Books...

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.