Benched

by Cristy Watson

When Cody and his friends accept a challenge from a local gang to steal a park bench, their main concern is keeping themselves on the gang's good side. Cody learns that the stolen bench had been dedicated to the father of the English teacher who sponsors the school newspaper―the paper that Cody has just started writing for―and he's worried about the consequences. As the gang applies pressure for more from Cody and his friends, he realizes they've crossed a line, and now he has to figure out how to make it right.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

I am a retired teacher and writer living in Calgary, Alberta. Since retiring I have grown the writer part of my life and now edit and mentor authors, as well as offering writing workshops. Along with eight published novels, my poetry appears in anthologies and online. Thanks for visiting my page!
Check out my author Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/watsoncristy

And my new YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD76...

Reviews

[Ricardo Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a good book for anyone to read.

[JermaineDowning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book and why. i read it in 7th grade for a story in class that i had to write in order for me to pass the grade this is what i had to. the story of benched is about a boy named cody his friends were in a sticky situation with the gang of boys. they want him to steal a bench from the park that's been there for years. they said it would be hard.

[bjneary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Laurie O for reading and reviewing this for PSLA 2012!
Cody wants to be just another normal kid in school; join the newspaper, admire an older crush and grieve the loss of his brother. So Cody and his friends try to fly under the radar. But they realize it is hard to do when they are approached by Beaker's gang to steal a park bench. Cody, Taz, and Bowman accept the challenge, hoping to stay on the gang's good side and maybe earn some money in the process. They figure stealing a bench won't harm anyone but once they fulfill their duties, Cody quickly realizes that his actions have greatly affected his teacher Ms. Cindy. He also realizes that Beaker's gang won't leave them alone; Beaker has another job for them. How will Cody mend things with Ms. Cindy and get Beaker off their backs? This book is full of action and tension, great for reluctant readers.

[Ahil Lalani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "Benched" was recommended to me by a Librarian. First, when I checked out this book I thought it would be about sports so I was going to give it back and get another book. But, then I started to read it and I started to like it. The main character in this book is Taz. Taz has a group of friends. But then they get into a mess with a gang that they wanted to have nothing to do with. Then, from there everything ads starts to happen. He receives threats if Taz and his group don't do what the gang tell's them to do. I would recommend this book to someone who likes thrill, Adventures, and someone who has the creativity to imagine what's goes in the book

[JL Salty · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: pg for gang activity - MILD gang activity, and resistance to being recruited, but there it is. no sex, no profanity
recommend: JH / HS hi-lo readers

the story is a little weak, but with 115 pages, there's a limit to what an author can do. Some mysteries are kept open: what really happened to Dylan in his motorcycle accident? did the gang have something to do with it? and the romance with Cassie, will that go anywhere? BUT for the readability and pace for non and resistant readers, it's a good choice.

[Caden Massa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with some suspense and has had a lot of thought put into it.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Benched in a pile of to-be-weeded books at the library. It's a short little book and the cover caught my eye - I'm always on the lookout for accessible hi-low books for adult readers so I thought I'd give this a try. I think it fits the bill nicely for someone who is struggling with reading, disinterested, or learning English for the first time. While the characters are all in high school, the story is centered around a moral dilemma that should be familiar to any age.
Being a hi-low reader, the story is definitely simplified and left me wanting a little more. There are several storylines that are only briefly touched on such as the death of a family member, family depression, and the pressures of gang life on young adults. The author doesn't offer a detailed resolution to any plot line, but by including these elements, there are several interesting discussion points for a struggling reader or even a discussion group.

[Garrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

BENCHED is about a boy named Cody and some of his friends that get into some trouble with a local gang. In order to stay on the gangs good side the boys had to do what the gang wanted them to do. So the gang followed them around town and then the gang people said "Meet us at the park at 9." That quote is showing the reader that this gang is ready for anything that the boys do so they have to go to the park at 9.

[Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good short-story novel. Cody Manning is the narrator, and the protagonist. His older brother Dylan was killed in a motorcycle accident and he was involved with a gang. His involvement gets the gang to approach Cody and his friends, to commit petty crimes for money. They steal a park bench, which seems like nothing but Cody discovers that it was more than just a bench.

[Corinne Mathews · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an average book. Quick read, heavy on action and dialogue. Best suited to low level readers.

[BCPL Youth Services Librarian]

Click to see book in BCPL's online catalog

[Erin]

FIC WAT; Reality Fiction; Gangs; Peer Pressure; Sept.18/12

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast-paced read for hi-lo readers, esp high school boys. Ending comes somewhat quickly and a bit too pat.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished a book called Benched by Cristy Watson. It's about a group of people that have to remove a bench without getting caught. If want to find the rest of it out get it and read it.

[Ms. Tongate, TLC Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

For fans of the Bluford series. (Local gang, trying to fit in, relationships, friendship, death, park benches, school newspaper).