The Bully Book: A Novel

I have just finished the book and it was amazing, albeit heartbreaking. It brought back a lot of memories for me. The character’s really come to life in the pages and I felt like I was back in the sixth grade again; I could completely identify with the main character.It wasn't an enjoyable read, not because of a bad story but because for the duration of the 200 pages I felt like I was back in middle school. I felt like all that was happening to Eric was me in some way. It brought back all the painful memories of my own experience. I felt myself getting hurt and angry with Eric as he went on his journey. Over all it was a very good read.The book moves at a fast pace and is very well written. This story truly captures what goes on behind the scenes in the world of kids that teachers and parents don’t pick up on. I would recommend this book to any child so they can learn their own self-worth and not fall victim to bullies. I would especially recommend this book to parents, teachers, and any school staff. It can give you a lot of perspective into what kids face daily. It’s one of the most accurate portrayals of bullying that I’ve come in contact with. This story shows that bullying reaches deeper than a few shoves and trips in the hallway. Man, where was this book when I was in school!

I read all the reviews before I purchased this book but was curious to see for myself! I was looking for a good book for my 5th grade tutoring students and WOW, did I ever find one! Both students had reported instances of bullying at school which at times involved them and other times, involved their friends. The author has written a book that is very hard to put-down. It flows with the same urgency for resolution as any mystery novel. It keeps you questioning, searching, trying to figure out what is happening and what WILL happen!I really enjoyed the layout and the message. The book intersperses the pages of the main character's diary with the actual pages of the bully book that he's trying to find. I hadn't put this together right away... because the age of the writer of the bully book seemed all wrong... but it all comes together in the end. That said, I was curious about the ending because some reviewers didn't agree with the book ending the way it did. I have no idea what they were wanting instead. I thought it was perfect and I was actually in tears.One of the best juvenile fiction books I've ever read!

Eric is an average kid, so he shouldn’t stand out. But this school year, he will. Former friends and ruthless classmates turn on him. He wants to find the underlying cause of this sudden treatment and discovers a terrible conspiracy against boys who are given his label. Eric is this year’s Grunt.The Grunt is someone chosen to be an abused outcast. There’s a Bully Book out there, an instruction manual on how to choose and torment the Grunt. Eric does whatever it takes to get his hands on it. He goes to extreme lengths and risks his safety. His bullies are onto him and threaten him, but that doesn’t stop Eric.This is a powerful novel about bullying and the social interactions of middle schoolers. The pacing and action make this a fast read. I rooted for Eric as he researched, spied on people, and interviewed others in order to find the Bully Book.

As a parent and juvenile probation officer this book is enlightening. It should be required reading not only for kids but for parents as well. Aren’t we all responsible for bullying? Great read!

"The Bully Book" was a difficult read, not in the sense of the level of writing (which was good writing but clearly written at a young person's reading level) so much as in the sense that I very strongly identified with the feelings of the main character. Growing up I often felt as if there must be some secret conspiracy, uniting all my peers in hating me, vehemently and openly. The mystery of the Bully Book is enthralling, and the characterization of the adults as either unwilling to help or actively deterring the quest felt real, genuine, like something I would have felt at that age. I read this book in one sitting and had to sit back and just sit for a moment when I was done, to think about the secret revealed at the end and how it made me feel...and whether I agreed with it.Over a year later, it still has me thinking.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. However, I do have some complaints.1. There are numerous grammatical errors. Things someone should have caught before publishing. For example, there were multiple uses of the word "you're" when "your" should have been used.2. Although this book is from the point of view of a ten year old, the vocabulary suggests someone much older wrote it. Which, of course, they did. In my opinion, this is just lazy writing. I did not believe for one page that a 5th grader was writing it.3. Based on the positive reviews, most of which mentioned a twist at the end, I was excited to find out what it was. The "twist", if you can even call it that, was predictable and anti-climactic.The concept of this book is original and brilliant, but the follow-through was lacking. This seemed to me to be an amateur attempt. Although I thought the story in itself was alright, overall, The Bully Book was a letdown.

My 10 yr old son got this book for his BDay. He really enjoyed it. It is nice to find books for late elementary boys that aren’t all about violence and potty humor. This is a good book to make your kids think about their actions while not being preachy at all. It has sparked many great discussions as he has worked through it.

I bought this for my 11 year old daughter, and she loved it. Me, my husband and my 13 year old daughter have also read it - because once we picked it up just to browse through it we just couldn't put it down! It's a very good book, and very easy to read. On the down side it's quite short, and uses very informal/American language (in some cases mild 'bad language') and of course there are lots of scenes of bulling, so wouldn't recommend for kids younger than about 10.

First of all, I am a huge Starkid fan. I say this because although I am trying not to be be biased, I'm sure I inevitably will be.This book actually deserves more than 4 stars, maybe 4.5? I can't give it 5 because there were a few grammatical mistakes that as a grammar freak, detracted from my experience of reading it.Now to review...I don't really fit into this books demographic; I'm a 15 yr old English school-girl and so many of the references to American schooling lost me and it's aimed at a younger age-range. However, regardless of this, I loved it. Completely, in-the-process-of-lending-it-to-all-my-friends loved it. It's such a menacing and interesting idea explored so interestingly and in such an engaging, easy to read style that you lose yourself in the story. And as for it's thoughts on bullying and it's effect, they, again, really make you think and really struck a chord with me. I was bullied (I won't turn this into a sob story), not badly but I don't think it has to be badly for it too really hurt and it did hurt. I'm happy and over it now but some of those feelings still remain and I think this is true for a lot of people. This book confronts that and there were several parts of this that, despite being very different from the main character, I strongly identified with. A particular one of Eric's diary entries made me sob for while, just because it was so true and so brutally honest. Not only is this book well worth reading for the social commentary and analysis of bullying it provides but the plot is engaging, interesting and twists and turns, so it is by no means predictable.I am a seasoned reader- I 'devour' books and I loved this. My friend loved it too and I have others queuing up to read it. This book stayed with me a long time and it is well worth a read, for anyone, Starkid or non-Starkid, bullied, bully or not. It speaks truths but also manages to be a fun, easy, enjoyable read.As I said in the beginning, it's by no means perfect but 'The Bully Book' is so close to 5 stars and I strongly recommend it.

I couldn't put this book down from the start. Didn't take long to read even for someone with Dyslexia like me.Very well written! Each page contains some new twist or turn that keeps you gripped right until the very end. I would definitely recommend for this to be read by anyone. I am sure everyone can relate to the story in the book from one point or another. Whether you were a Grunt, Bully-Booker or just a follower. Eric Kahn Gale has taken the truest parts of every kids life and broadcasted it in a way that should be more often.A Must read for people of all ages!

As soon as I started reading this book I could not put it down until it was finished. An amazing story that I had to just keep reading and reading. A very emotional read that keeps you hooked right to the very last page. This book puts down into words a childhood everyone can relate to in some way. I recommend this book to people of all ages.

Great