Sticks & Stones

My tween daughter and I were reading this as a team, each with our own copies and comparing our thoughts after every few chapters. This is quite an interesting read, especially for tweens who are beginning to understand the impact of their words and thoughts. We both very much enjoyed this book!

It’s detailed and wonderful.Makes me wish there was a sequel.The ending is very interesting and I recommend it anywhere anytime

‘Sticks and Stones’ is the story of sixth grader, Elyse. Elyse has suffers from a disease that causes the names others call her to appear on her body. Positive names feel fine but negative names are itchy. This novel is, what I would call sort of, magical realism novel. This is because the disease Elyse suffers from is real only in the novel. The disease may be seen as a metaphor for the effect words can have on someone. Elyse’s story is indicative of some of the difficult times many pre-teens and teens suffer through in middle school.I really loved this book. It took me a few chapters to really understand the underlying premise of the story. I believe few of us emerge from the middle school unscathed. ‘Sticks and Stones’ is a really important book for any middle schoolers to read. Although the outer signs of Elyse’s disease are make believe, the inward scares are all too real.I loved that Elyse’s feelings about her disease evolved through the story. Her relationship with herself and her disease moved to one of shame and self-consciousness and acceptance. I also loved the characters. I felt the character development was amazing. Both the pre-teens and the adults were real but also flawed. I especially loved Elyse’s ‘helicopter mom’ , her grumpy teacher ‘Ms. Sigafiss’ and her very hairy principle, Mr.Todd.The basic premise of ‘ Sticks and Stones’ is, you must except yourself for who you are and not worry about the words that others use to describe you. I think in today’s world. there are a million ways for children to be bullied. Self-acceptance is an amazing lesson to learn. I highly recommend this novel, especially for anyone who are currently struggling with themselves.

The minute I heard the premise of this book I knew I wanted to read it. The whole "Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me" saying has long been seen as a myth by myself. Words do have the power to hurt, and hurt badly. This book uses magical realism to highlight the damage that words can do to a person. Elyse has a disorder that causes words used to describe her to appear on her arms and legs. Bad words itch horribly, whereas good words are soothing to Elyse. Things get complicated though as Elyse enters middle school, where for the first time, many of her classmates don't know about her disorder. In addition to struggling with losing her best friend, Jeg, to the popular crowd, she also struggles with her self-esteem and her crush on an unattainable boy. When she starts getting anonymous notes encouraging her to 'do' things, she's curious and encouraged. But stepping up to become the Explorer Leader for the upcoming class field trip might be more than she's ready for.I loved how genuine Elyse feels as she struggles with not only the bullying from 'Snotty Ami' and the abandonment of her friend, Jeg, but her own sense of self worth. And her mother's hovering and the doctor's reassuring words don't really help. But as she listens to the words of the mysterious note writer, Elyse comes to realize that her disorder does not define who she is and that her problem does not need to hold her back. This is a book that many young adolescents will be able to relate to, not the strange malady, but the friendship and confidence and bullying struggles.

Sticks and Stones is an amazing book about a girl named Elyse who seems like your run of the mill middle school girl. The only difference is that she wears the words of others and the words of her own mind on her arms and legs for all to see.This book is one that I feel kids need to read. Students deal with the words of others on a daily basis. And just like Elyse, our students allow those words to shape who they are. This book focuses on learning to trust your own perception, and not rely on the perception of others. I found myself rooting for Elyse as she grew, changed, and began to trust herself more. I am able to see myself, and so many of my students, in Elyse. I think the lessons learned from this, on both sides, will resonate. Students will learn about the power of their words on others, as well as how they can be comfortable in their own skin despite what others may say.I feel like Abby Cooper beautifully captured the heartbreak and self-doubt of middle school that we all experienced. She weaved the theme of the power of words and self-belief seamlessly into a story of teenage angst. Elyse will be sticking with me for a long time!