2010 Reviews by Library: Marinette

Jill Brenner doesn't think she's a classroom bully. She joins in on the fun with Wendy and the other girls as they torment Linda (a.k.a. Blubber) by tripping her, making her eat a chocolate covered ant, and showing everyone in the class her underwear. Jill can't understand why Linda lets everyone walk all over her until the tables get turned, and Wendy and the other girls start bullying Jill.

This was a hard book to read because I don't like to read about people being mean and cruel to one another. It makes me anxious inside. I think, however, that it was good for me to read because it helped me realize that bullying happens even in places where students are supposed to feel safe--their classroom. Although I wasn't particularly fond of the narrator's presentation, I recommend getting the audiobook and listening to the final conversation between Judy Blume and a librarian to hear Ms. Blume's take on her reasons for writing this particular story and what you can do to stop bullying around you.