What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bully Book
What is The Bully Book? Part mystery, part tragedy, part comedy. Originally self-published as an ebook by a member of Team Starkid, The Bully Book is now available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook editions. The paperback includes a Q&A with the author.
Eric Haskins, the new sixth-grade bully target, is searching for answers. And unlike many of us who experienced something awful growing up, he finds them. Though they may not be what he expected.
When the author was eleven, he was bullied. This book is loosely based on incidents that happened to him in sixth grade.
The Bully Book is a Top Ten Indie Next List pick of 2013, and Publishers Weekly called The Bully Book a "gripping debut novel."
Eric Haskins, the new sixth-grade bully target, is searching for answers. And unlike many of us who experienced something awful growing up, he finds them. Though they may not be what he expected.
When the author was eleven, he was bullied. This book is loosely based on incidents that happened to him in sixth grade.
The Bully Book is a Top Ten Indie Next List pick of 2013, and Publishers Weekly called The Bully Book a "gripping debut novel."
240 pages, Hardcover
First published December 26, 2012
105 people are currently reading
1983 people want to read
About the author
Eric Kahn Gale
11 books132 followersIn my fiction, I am channeling life experience into an abstracted reality.
In my nonfiction, I am writing factual stories about the real-life, magical holiday character in charge of birthdays: Professor Birthday.
I'm a proud dog dad and aspiring human dad.
In my nonfiction, I am writing factual stories about the real-life, magical holiday character in charge of birthdays: Professor Birthday.
I'm a proud dog dad and aspiring human dad.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
February 2, 2013
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I think I can count on exactly one hand, minus one or two fingers, how many Middle Grade novels I actually enjoy. Now I have one more to add to that number. I admit to being very skeptical of MG for myself because they just don't usually work for me. I can appreciate them from a literary standpoint and may even recommend a few titles to younger readers, but do they entertain this picky reader? Nu-uh. But I decided to give it a chance because I liked the premise. Guys, I am shocked because I really loved this book! There is only one other MG novel that had me this excited and that was A Monster Calls for obvious reasons. (I mean, c'mon. That books just freakin' rips your heart out.) But The Bully Book was hilarious and utterly charming.
The reason why I think I connected so well with this book is because it covers a topic that everyone must have dealt with at some point in their lives as kids. Once upon a time I was bullied in school by a group of girls. I remember thinking it was some type of conspiracy since I had barely said three words to them. I was a pretty laid back kid and didn't enjoy conflict. Whatever the reason, I guess I was easy pickings for them. And no matter how many times I tried to defend myself and appeal to my teachers, I was the one always in trouble. It was then that I realized one very important fact of life: kids are evil. But then I grew up to be a beautiful runway model, rolling in the green stuff and they did not. Well, not really, but it sounded awesome at age 10.
In a place where hormones are at first bloom, where no one wants to be left out and everyone wants to be accepted, it's not hard to see the potential for problems. That's where we find the main character Eric. He essentially discovers that he has been labeled "The Grunt" of his grade and proceeds to become the victim of bullying even by a boy who was once considered his best friend. But what I loved about Eric, besides his witty comments, was his determination to not sit back and accept this role his peers decided for him.
The Bully Book chronicles Eric's quest to discovery with both journal entires from himself and pages of the actual Bully Book. I really enjoyed this stylistic choice because it added a nice layer of mystery and suspense. Eric is racing to find the original creator of this book that was systematically created to ruin one kid's entire school life. It was so compelling, I found myself caught up in the allure of discovering the author as well.
By the end, though the book is short, I realized just how many issues it tackled: Mob mentality, peer pressure, emotional distress of a child that is bullied, the conflicted feelings of bystanders unsure of how to help and, ultimately, the ramifications of the damage it does to a person's self-confidence well past when the bullying ends. These are huge issues and I feel the author did such a great job of presenting them in not only a thought-provoking manner, but in such a way that didn't bore me to tears.
I was *this close* to not reading it, but I've learned something from this experience. Your next favorite read can surprise you and come in the most unlikely of packages. This is a great read for kids that seamlessly entertains and enlightens. One that I'll be gifting to a certain special kid.
Unsolicited ARC was provided by the publisher for an honest review. Thanks, HarperCollins!
More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
I think I can count on exactly one hand, minus one or two fingers, how many Middle Grade novels I actually enjoy. Now I have one more to add to that number. I admit to being very skeptical of MG for myself because they just don't usually work for me. I can appreciate them from a literary standpoint and may even recommend a few titles to younger readers, but do they entertain this picky reader? Nu-uh. But I decided to give it a chance because I liked the premise. Guys, I am shocked because I really loved this book! There is only one other MG novel that had me this excited and that was A Monster Calls for obvious reasons. (I mean, c'mon. That books just freakin' rips your heart out.) But The Bully Book was hilarious and utterly charming.
The reason why I think I connected so well with this book is because it covers a topic that everyone must have dealt with at some point in their lives as kids. Once upon a time I was bullied in school by a group of girls. I remember thinking it was some type of conspiracy since I had barely said three words to them. I was a pretty laid back kid and didn't enjoy conflict. Whatever the reason, I guess I was easy pickings for them. And no matter how many times I tried to defend myself and appeal to my teachers, I was the one always in trouble. It was then that I realized one very important fact of life: kids are evil. But then I grew up to be a beautiful runway model, rolling in the green stuff and they did not. Well, not really, but it sounded awesome at age 10.
In a place where hormones are at first bloom, where no one wants to be left out and everyone wants to be accepted, it's not hard to see the potential for problems. That's where we find the main character Eric. He essentially discovers that he has been labeled "The Grunt" of his grade and proceeds to become the victim of bullying even by a boy who was once considered his best friend. But what I loved about Eric, besides his witty comments, was his determination to not sit back and accept this role his peers decided for him.
The Bully Book chronicles Eric's quest to discovery with both journal entires from himself and pages of the actual Bully Book. I really enjoyed this stylistic choice because it added a nice layer of mystery and suspense. Eric is racing to find the original creator of this book that was systematically created to ruin one kid's entire school life. It was so compelling, I found myself caught up in the allure of discovering the author as well.
By the end, though the book is short, I realized just how many issues it tackled: Mob mentality, peer pressure, emotional distress of a child that is bullied, the conflicted feelings of bystanders unsure of how to help and, ultimately, the ramifications of the damage it does to a person's self-confidence well past when the bullying ends. These are huge issues and I feel the author did such a great job of presenting them in not only a thought-provoking manner, but in such a way that didn't bore me to tears.
I was *this close* to not reading it, but I've learned something from this experience. Your next favorite read can surprise you and come in the most unlikely of packages. This is a great read for kids that seamlessly entertains and enlightens. One that I'll be gifting to a certain special kid.
Unsolicited ARC was provided by the publisher for an honest review. Thanks, HarperCollins!
More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
June 13, 2011
Okay. I'm just going to say this is is an absolutely amazing book. I think it's supposed to be a children's book (I'm really not sure) but let me tell you, this is a book for everyone. People who have been bullied, have been bullies, have never been bullied - whatever. From the moment I started reading this book, I was drawn in. I read this in one sitting. At many points in the book, I felt like I was about to cry, and at one point, I did.
I think I'm one of the luckier ones, since I've never really been bullied. And what happens to Eric Hastings is just awful. You can tell by the writing that Eric Kahn Gale has experience in this kind of stuff, because the story's very believable and it has real emotions and real thoughts that real people would think. It's a fiction story, but the things that happen in this book happen everywhere.
At any rate, I urge you to read this book. I was led to this book by StarKid, thinking that it'd be a totally awesome comedy story or something. This is still totally awesome, but it's about a serious matter (although the book did make me laugh quite a few times).
I think I'm one of the luckier ones, since I've never really been bullied. And what happens to Eric Hastings is just awful. You can tell by the writing that Eric Kahn Gale has experience in this kind of stuff, because the story's very believable and it has real emotions and real thoughts that real people would think. It's a fiction story, but the things that happen in this book happen everywhere.
At any rate, I urge you to read this book. I was led to this book by StarKid, thinking that it'd be a totally awesome comedy story or something. This is still totally awesome, but it's about a serious matter (although the book did make me laugh quite a few times).
December 15, 2012
This book pretty much blew me away. It's disturbing to read, since half of the book (in alternating "chapters) is a book about being the star of sixth grade by mercilessly tormenting one classmate to gain status among the rest of the class. The other half is a journal of what it's like to be that scapegoat, which they call "The Grunt". Except this year's Grunt, Eric Haskins, isn't giving up to the bullies--he's trying to find more about them to stop them. He discovers that a "Bully Book" exists, and has been handed down for years. And he needs that book to find out why he was chosen to be the Grunt (until now he'd been popular and had had a very easy time in school). His detective work is brave and inspiring, and what he learns shocking. This book is moving and what I think should be a must read for the 10-12 group, and their parents and teachers. So many amazing discussions can come from the ideas in this book. I was bullied when I was a bit older than Eric, and I wish I could go back and give this book to that version of myself--it might have changed my life. But since I can't do that, I'm going to do my best to put this book in as many hands as possible. Yes, I think it is THAT important.
May 8, 2014
One Sentence Review: Undoubtedly this is the best bullying related work of middle grade fiction I've ever read, which is particularly impressive when you consider the sheer swath of such books that exist in the world, none of them coming close to what Gale has accomplished here.
October 24, 2013
I had really mixed feelings when I first started this book. Even though it was clear that it wasn't the author's purpose you could see certain kids using ideas from this book to bully others. At times I was angry at the author for even putting the ideas on paper. The thing is it was so well written that it drew me in as a story, I'm glad I kept going. Eric, "The Grunt" wants to change the situation so it really does provide some lessons about fighting back against the bullying.
It would be interesting to see what some teens and tweens had to say about the book.
It would be interesting to see what some teens and tweens had to say about the book.
December 30, 2013
3.5/5
I am, shamelessly, a member of the StarKid fandom. If you don’t know who they are, they’re a musical theatre company responsible for the viral Harry Potter parody musical, A Very Potter Musical, amongst other brilliant productions. I can sing essentially every StarKid song by heart, I’ve seen all the musicals multiple times, I’ve seen Little White Lie (their webseries), I’ve scoured the internet for videos, I attended the Space tour concert that they put on… you get the gist.
(… an hour later, I’m back. I got caught up in nostalgia and went back to watch StarKid videos.)
The Bully Book was written by Eric Kahn Gale. First released as an ebook and promoted by Team StarKid, it (as you can see by my tumblr post below), eventually made its way to me as a physical copy. (By the way, nice LWL reference in this book, EKG.)
Generally, I’m a bit wary about books that deal with the topic of bullying. Many that I’ve read are overly preachy, and difficult to relate to. When I saw many of the blurbs advertising the book, and when I started reading the book, I was initially worried that this one would turn out that way as well.
Fortunately, the Bully Book isn’t like any book about bullying that I’ve read before.
It tells the story of Eric Haskins, a boy in grade 6, who is identified as ‘The Grunt’, the lowest rank in the grade’s social structure. There is a book that is passed through the years called ‘The Bully Book’ which provides instructions to a single person on how to rule over the grade and to be the most popular. The most critical part of these instructions is the selection of ‘The Grunt’, the person that everyone will turn against. Eric doesn’t know why he has been chosen, and is determined to find out. This story is told in a format that alternates between the protagonist’s journal, and the Bully Book itself.
Although the extent of the “well-run machine” that is the Bully Book (as described by Eric Kahn Gale) is rather unrealistic, this book does show how political maintaining a social life can be, even with elementary school kids. Authority figures in school can’t always understand what students are going through, and parents don’t always ask the right questions. One part that stood out for me was when there was an assembly about knives and ‘zero tolerance’ at Eric’s school, and Eric writes in his journal, “Who does [the principal] think is bringing knives to school? Nobody. If he had half a brain, he’d be talking about the things that can really hurt you here. Like other freaking kids.” This is a point that is highly relevant, that schools often don’t understand or know how to deal with issues that its students face. This book shows how bullying is perpetuated through not only the actions of the bullies themselves, but takes into account all of the other players in the game.
The lesson that I took from the book is that you don’t have to play the game. You don’t have to accept the social structure that is imposed upon you. Even though this structure can be consuming, you can take a step back, evaluate things, forge your own identity. This is an interesting perspective that I don’t think enough books that deal with the topic of bullying touch on, and that is something that I appreciate that this book has done.
In terms of weaknesses, I was unsatisfied with how Mr. Whitner’s storyline was left dangling. I thought the second half of the book was much stronger than the first in terms of pacing and dialogue. Personally, the font choice for Eric’s journal bothered me a bit. As well, I think it would have been nice to have a bit more insight into some of the secondary characters such as Jason and Donovan. I also think that this book could be marketed a bit better to emphasize the fact that it it is somewhat atypical of its genre.
Overall, this book is a much-needed addition to books dealing with the topic of bullying. It presents a fresh perspective. His treatment of the character Colin Greene in particular shows that Eric Haskins isn’t just a one-dimensional bullying victim. Bullying is a serious issue in schools, and why it happens is not as simple as many think. I’d recommend this book to all students in elementary school.
Entertainment value: 4/5
Writing quality/style: 3.5/5
Readability: 1/5 (5 being the most difficult to read)
Characters (depth/development): 3.5/5
Plot: 4/5
You can find me on twitter here
I am, shamelessly, a member of the StarKid fandom. If you don’t know who they are, they’re a musical theatre company responsible for the viral Harry Potter parody musical, A Very Potter Musical, amongst other brilliant productions. I can sing essentially every StarKid song by heart, I’ve seen all the musicals multiple times, I’ve seen Little White Lie (their webseries), I’ve scoured the internet for videos, I attended the Space tour concert that they put on… you get the gist.
(… an hour later, I’m back. I got caught up in nostalgia and went back to watch StarKid videos.)
The Bully Book was written by Eric Kahn Gale. First released as an ebook and promoted by Team StarKid, it (as you can see by my tumblr post below), eventually made its way to me as a physical copy. (By the way, nice LWL reference in this book, EKG.)
Generally, I’m a bit wary about books that deal with the topic of bullying. Many that I’ve read are overly preachy, and difficult to relate to. When I saw many of the blurbs advertising the book, and when I started reading the book, I was initially worried that this one would turn out that way as well.
Fortunately, the Bully Book isn’t like any book about bullying that I’ve read before.
It tells the story of Eric Haskins, a boy in grade 6, who is identified as ‘The Grunt’, the lowest rank in the grade’s social structure. There is a book that is passed through the years called ‘The Bully Book’ which provides instructions to a single person on how to rule over the grade and to be the most popular. The most critical part of these instructions is the selection of ‘The Grunt’, the person that everyone will turn against. Eric doesn’t know why he has been chosen, and is determined to find out. This story is told in a format that alternates between the protagonist’s journal, and the Bully Book itself.
Although the extent of the “well-run machine” that is the Bully Book (as described by Eric Kahn Gale) is rather unrealistic, this book does show how political maintaining a social life can be, even with elementary school kids. Authority figures in school can’t always understand what students are going through, and parents don’t always ask the right questions. One part that stood out for me was when there was an assembly about knives and ‘zero tolerance’ at Eric’s school, and Eric writes in his journal, “Who does [the principal] think is bringing knives to school? Nobody. If he had half a brain, he’d be talking about the things that can really hurt you here. Like other freaking kids.” This is a point that is highly relevant, that schools often don’t understand or know how to deal with issues that its students face. This book shows how bullying is perpetuated through not only the actions of the bullies themselves, but takes into account all of the other players in the game.
The lesson that I took from the book is that you don’t have to play the game. You don’t have to accept the social structure that is imposed upon you. Even though this structure can be consuming, you can take a step back, evaluate things, forge your own identity. This is an interesting perspective that I don’t think enough books that deal with the topic of bullying touch on, and that is something that I appreciate that this book has done.
In terms of weaknesses, I was unsatisfied with how Mr. Whitner’s storyline was left dangling. I thought the second half of the book was much stronger than the first in terms of pacing and dialogue. Personally, the font choice for Eric’s journal bothered me a bit. As well, I think it would have been nice to have a bit more insight into some of the secondary characters such as Jason and Donovan. I also think that this book could be marketed a bit better to emphasize the fact that it it is somewhat atypical of its genre.
Overall, this book is a much-needed addition to books dealing with the topic of bullying. It presents a fresh perspective. His treatment of the character Colin Greene in particular shows that Eric Haskins isn’t just a one-dimensional bullying victim. Bullying is a serious issue in schools, and why it happens is not as simple as many think. I’d recommend this book to all students in elementary school.
Entertainment value: 4/5
Writing quality/style: 3.5/5
Readability: 1/5 (5 being the most difficult to read)
Characters (depth/development): 3.5/5
Plot: 4/5
You can find me on twitter here
May 15, 2013
I'm tough when it comes to rating YA books. Basically I want them to truly be written for the enjoyment of adults and just hidden on the shelves of the children's section at the library so they are always available when I want to check them out. This one really is for the younger set. I enjoyed Gale's style of bouncing back and forth from journal entries to segments from The Bully Book and the "mystery" aspect of who originally wrote The Book and how they picked The Grunt kept my interest. It also gets wrapped up in a nice little package at the end with some good advice for the adolescent reader.
August 23, 2011
It needs a good comb-through to pick out all the little spelling and grammatical errors, but my personal anal-retentiveness aside, this was an enjoyable read. And that's not just my love of Team Starkid speaking.
In other news, this is the book that, out of necessity, made me give eBooks a try. Sadly, I'm too much of a purist to do it again for any reason other than that necessity. Staring at a screen and occasionally pressing an arrow key can't substitute for the weight and smell and feel of a real book, sorry to say.
In other news, this is the book that, out of necessity, made me give eBooks a try. Sadly, I'm too much of a purist to do it again for any reason other than that necessity. Staring at a screen and occasionally pressing an arrow key can't substitute for the weight and smell and feel of a real book, sorry to say.
October 7, 2013
Let me tell you about something called The Social Order. You can't see it, smell it, or touch it, but it's everywhere and it controls everything. It says who's cool, who's lame, and who's not worth talking to.
What is it saying about you? Look around your class. Where do you fit in?
This was a great book about bullying. It is a story of a bully "guide" book and a journal style by another boy named Eric.
although the day to day awful struggles are powerful, by far the last chapter is the strongest I've read in a while. and it made me want to stand and clap at his author.
My only frustration was the use of the phrase "you're gay" or "he's gay"
I'm glad Eric FINALLY screamed at them about it - to stop! And I love this author's stance on it - that there is NOTHING wrong with being gay! And calling someone gay, whether they are or aren't, isn't an insult!
What is it saying about you? Look around your class. Where do you fit in?
This was a great book about bullying. It is a story of a bully "guide" book and a journal style by another boy named Eric.
although the day to day awful struggles are powerful, by far the last chapter is the strongest I've read in a while. and it made me want to stand and clap at his author.
My only frustration was the use of the phrase "you're gay" or "he's gay"
I'm glad Eric FINALLY screamed at them about it - to stop! And I love this author's stance on it - that there is NOTHING wrong with being gay! And calling someone gay, whether they are or aren't, isn't an insult!
October 10, 2013
This is a nice book. I don't normally like middle grade fictions, but I did have a good time reading this one. However, the ending was not very satisfying.
One thing I find strange is that the substitute teacher turned a blind eye to all the torment Eric had to endure when those kids read aloud hurtful sentences about him in class.
The plot was well-developed and the characters were also well-written. I loved that Eric was strong enough to stand up for himself.
One thing I find strange is that the substitute teacher turned a blind eye to all the torment Eric had to endure when those kids read aloud hurtful sentences about him in class.
The plot was well-developed and the characters were also well-written. I loved that Eric was strong enough to stand up for himself.
June 15, 2011
It's by people from Starkid Productions, so naturally I'm loving it so far :-D.
December 27, 2012
Originally posted on www.yareads.com, reviewed by Nichole.
The rules governing middle school are often a mystery, but for Eric Haskins, they’re a mystery he needs to solve, and fast. He’s a normal, average kid, until sixth grade starts. For some inexplicable reason, the class bully and his pack make Eric the Grunt. Even his best friend since first grade turns on him. Eric can’t figure out why he’s the Grunt until he hears about the Bully Book, a cryptic guide that teaches you how to “make trouble without getting in trouble, rule the school and be the man” and how to select the Grunt-the kid who will become the lowest of the low.
Eric Haskins may be this year’s Grunt for now, but he’s determined not to stay at the bottom of the social ladder forever. Hilarious and compelling, The Bully Book is a must-read for every tween, tween parent, librarian and educator!
Eric Haskins has just started 6th grade. Up till now, he’s been perfectly normal. He’s had good friends, even a best friend, Donovan. He’s done pretty will at school, he’s never been bullied or gotten into any real fights. Life has always been pretty good for Eric. Of course, that all changed the moment he walked into his 6th grade homeroom class and was labeled the “Grunt.”
What exactly is the “Grunt?” That’s exactly the question that Eric wants to know. Everyone liked him before, so why all of a sudden is he the social outcast? Now, Eric is being constantly bullied by people he’s never even met. He’s being beat up, picked on, humiliated. Poor Eric has got some real trouble on his hands, and he doesn’t even know what he did to cause it.
On a mission to find out what the “Grunt” truly is, he starts to investigate. Shockingly enough, Eric soon learns that he’s not the only Grunt around! In fact, there seems to be one for pretty much every grade level starting after sixth grade. Teaming up with his fellow grunts, Eric sets out to find out exactly why he’s the grunt, what made him the grunt, and how to stop his tormenters and ruin their Bully Book once and for all.
The Bully Book was very hard for me to pick up, because I’ve experienced some of the bullying and trauma that Eric was subjected to. I felt like I was going to be placing myself into an unsafe situation which made me a little uncomfortable. Once I picked up The Bully Book, I finished it in an entire setting. I read The Bully Book in under 4 hours, which is the fastest I have read any book since elementary school.
Eric’s story was so realistic that it simply broke my heart throughout most of the entire book. Bullying is a very real thing that goes on in this world, especially in public schools, which is something that Eric Kahn Gale portrayed very nicely. I was captivated from the very first journal entry, and it lasted until the very last page.
One thing that I loved about this book, and it’s probably going to offend some, is how realistic Eric Kahn Gale portrayed the teacher’s in this story. Many teachers out there do not stand up for their student’s who are being bullied. They ignore it, don’t notice it, blame the victim, etc. Is that harsh? Maybe, but that’s what I experienced. I never had a teacher stand up for me, and I went to many different schools. Many teacher’s will not do anything unless the student who is being bullied directly confronts the teacher about it. Why should the student have to say anything? Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are plenty of cases out there where the teacher’s really don’t know that bullying is going on. However, there are MANY cases where they should know. It’s not the student’s responsibility to ask for help. It’s the teacher’s job, and they need to stand up for their student’s.
The substitute teacher in The Bully Book made me so mad. I just wanted to jump into the story and throttle that stupid woman. If student’s were using their vocabulary words to harass another student right in front of me, I would do something about it. I would get student’s suspended or expelled over that, because bullying is NEVER acceptable. NEVER. I was really offended for Eric, and I wish just one person would have really stood up for him.
Another thing that bothered me during The Bully Book were the parents. A parent should know when their child is miserable. They should know when something is wrong. You may not want to admit to yourself that your child is being bullied, but odds are that it has happened at least once. You need to ask your children how other student’s treat them. It doesn’t matter that it’s an uncomfortable conversation or if your child gets angry that you brought it up. What matters is that you took an interest and made sure that they were safe. I honestly, for a large part of this book, thought that Eric was going to commit suicide from the torture that he was receiving. Never once did an adult take an interest in him. Never once did his mom say, “Eric, is everything alright at school?” And his dad? His dad laughed! Not at the fact that Eric was being bullied, but he turned bullying into some sort of joke. It’s not a joke. It’s not funny. It’s actually rather disgusting. And the parent’s in this book disgusted me even more.
I was hoping for a little bit more with Melody, Donovan and Colin, three of the main characters in The Bully Book. Donovan had been Eric’s best friend since the first grade, and, all of a sudden, he hated Eric. He went along with Eric being the grunt and he turned into a complete and utter asshole. I was hoping to see a change in Donovan, and I didn’t. I also wanted to see more interaction between Eric and Donovan. It didn’t matter if it was good or bad interaction, but I really feel that their story is unfinished.
I absolutely despised Melody’s character. Melody played a good friend to Eric, and he also had a really big crush on her. Melody ends up dating the guy who labeled Eric the Grunt, and she watches him get beat up and bullied and doesn’t do anything about it. This is actually very common. I understand that these are sixth graders, but sixth graders are not babies. They know right from wrong, and Melody was definitely in the wrong almost 100% of the time. She’s lucky she wasn’t my kid, because I would have never put up with that. I just wish that we had seen a little more interaction between Melody and Eric towards the end of the book. They definitely have a lot to hash out, and we didn’t get to see that. I’m not sure if there will be a second book, but there’s a lot in The Bully Book that needs to be resolved and finished out.
Then we come to poor, little Colin. Colin was my absolute favorite character, and only a slightly lesser geek in the sixth grade population than Eric. He was so sweet and lovable, and I wish we would have seen Eric and Colin grow into very close friends. That’s what I expected to happen from the beginning, and I was very disappointed that that didn’t happen. I wasn’t very thrilled with how Eric treated Colin, and I really hope to gain the opportunity to watch Eric apologize and have them grow into very close friends.
This book definitely hit a lot of my triggers. If you’ve been bullied, then The Bully Book might be a little difficult for you to read. The messages in it are amazing, though, and I definitely think that everyone should give it a chance. Most importantly, I think that people who haven’t been bullied or people who have bullied other people should read this book. It’s important that you know how you’re making others feel when you pick on them. It’s not ok, and it’s not something that I will or would ever forgive. Bullying is a big issue in America and it needs to stop. The Bullying Book was an amazing read that took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. My heart broke, my eyes welled with tears, and I swear my blood pressure rose massive amounts. I got angry, sad, happy, fearful….all these emotions that I can’t even describe to you guys. I definitely will be looking out for more work by Eric Kahn Gale. Great book!
Pages: 240
Publication Date: December 26th, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Rating: : 3.5
Teaser Quote: “I hate the Bully Book and I hate the Grunt.”
“Stop making fun of Colin. It makes you sound like an idiot. And stop calling people gay. I don’t even know why that’s an insult. There are real gay people in the world, you know, and there’s nothing wrong with them. Calling someone gay, like it’s a bad thing, is like calling someone a dentist- it doesn’t make any freaking sense!”( Pg 139 ARC)
The rules governing middle school are often a mystery, but for Eric Haskins, they’re a mystery he needs to solve, and fast. He’s a normal, average kid, until sixth grade starts. For some inexplicable reason, the class bully and his pack make Eric the Grunt. Even his best friend since first grade turns on him. Eric can’t figure out why he’s the Grunt until he hears about the Bully Book, a cryptic guide that teaches you how to “make trouble without getting in trouble, rule the school and be the man” and how to select the Grunt-the kid who will become the lowest of the low.
Eric Haskins may be this year’s Grunt for now, but he’s determined not to stay at the bottom of the social ladder forever. Hilarious and compelling, The Bully Book is a must-read for every tween, tween parent, librarian and educator!
Eric Haskins has just started 6th grade. Up till now, he’s been perfectly normal. He’s had good friends, even a best friend, Donovan. He’s done pretty will at school, he’s never been bullied or gotten into any real fights. Life has always been pretty good for Eric. Of course, that all changed the moment he walked into his 6th grade homeroom class and was labeled the “Grunt.”
What exactly is the “Grunt?” That’s exactly the question that Eric wants to know. Everyone liked him before, so why all of a sudden is he the social outcast? Now, Eric is being constantly bullied by people he’s never even met. He’s being beat up, picked on, humiliated. Poor Eric has got some real trouble on his hands, and he doesn’t even know what he did to cause it.
On a mission to find out what the “Grunt” truly is, he starts to investigate. Shockingly enough, Eric soon learns that he’s not the only Grunt around! In fact, there seems to be one for pretty much every grade level starting after sixth grade. Teaming up with his fellow grunts, Eric sets out to find out exactly why he’s the grunt, what made him the grunt, and how to stop his tormenters and ruin their Bully Book once and for all.
The Bully Book was very hard for me to pick up, because I’ve experienced some of the bullying and trauma that Eric was subjected to. I felt like I was going to be placing myself into an unsafe situation which made me a little uncomfortable. Once I picked up The Bully Book, I finished it in an entire setting. I read The Bully Book in under 4 hours, which is the fastest I have read any book since elementary school.
Eric’s story was so realistic that it simply broke my heart throughout most of the entire book. Bullying is a very real thing that goes on in this world, especially in public schools, which is something that Eric Kahn Gale portrayed very nicely. I was captivated from the very first journal entry, and it lasted until the very last page.
One thing that I loved about this book, and it’s probably going to offend some, is how realistic Eric Kahn Gale portrayed the teacher’s in this story. Many teachers out there do not stand up for their student’s who are being bullied. They ignore it, don’t notice it, blame the victim, etc. Is that harsh? Maybe, but that’s what I experienced. I never had a teacher stand up for me, and I went to many different schools. Many teacher’s will not do anything unless the student who is being bullied directly confronts the teacher about it. Why should the student have to say anything? Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are plenty of cases out there where the teacher’s really don’t know that bullying is going on. However, there are MANY cases where they should know. It’s not the student’s responsibility to ask for help. It’s the teacher’s job, and they need to stand up for their student’s.
The substitute teacher in The Bully Book made me so mad. I just wanted to jump into the story and throttle that stupid woman. If student’s were using their vocabulary words to harass another student right in front of me, I would do something about it. I would get student’s suspended or expelled over that, because bullying is NEVER acceptable. NEVER. I was really offended for Eric, and I wish just one person would have really stood up for him.
Another thing that bothered me during The Bully Book were the parents. A parent should know when their child is miserable. They should know when something is wrong. You may not want to admit to yourself that your child is being bullied, but odds are that it has happened at least once. You need to ask your children how other student’s treat them. It doesn’t matter that it’s an uncomfortable conversation or if your child gets angry that you brought it up. What matters is that you took an interest and made sure that they were safe. I honestly, for a large part of this book, thought that Eric was going to commit suicide from the torture that he was receiving. Never once did an adult take an interest in him. Never once did his mom say, “Eric, is everything alright at school?” And his dad? His dad laughed! Not at the fact that Eric was being bullied, but he turned bullying into some sort of joke. It’s not a joke. It’s not funny. It’s actually rather disgusting. And the parent’s in this book disgusted me even more.
I was hoping for a little bit more with Melody, Donovan and Colin, three of the main characters in The Bully Book. Donovan had been Eric’s best friend since the first grade, and, all of a sudden, he hated Eric. He went along with Eric being the grunt and he turned into a complete and utter asshole. I was hoping to see a change in Donovan, and I didn’t. I also wanted to see more interaction between Eric and Donovan. It didn’t matter if it was good or bad interaction, but I really feel that their story is unfinished.
I absolutely despised Melody’s character. Melody played a good friend to Eric, and he also had a really big crush on her. Melody ends up dating the guy who labeled Eric the Grunt, and she watches him get beat up and bullied and doesn’t do anything about it. This is actually very common. I understand that these are sixth graders, but sixth graders are not babies. They know right from wrong, and Melody was definitely in the wrong almost 100% of the time. She’s lucky she wasn’t my kid, because I would have never put up with that. I just wish that we had seen a little more interaction between Melody and Eric towards the end of the book. They definitely have a lot to hash out, and we didn’t get to see that. I’m not sure if there will be a second book, but there’s a lot in The Bully Book that needs to be resolved and finished out.
Then we come to poor, little Colin. Colin was my absolute favorite character, and only a slightly lesser geek in the sixth grade population than Eric. He was so sweet and lovable, and I wish we would have seen Eric and Colin grow into very close friends. That’s what I expected to happen from the beginning, and I was very disappointed that that didn’t happen. I wasn’t very thrilled with how Eric treated Colin, and I really hope to gain the opportunity to watch Eric apologize and have them grow into very close friends.
This book definitely hit a lot of my triggers. If you’ve been bullied, then The Bully Book might be a little difficult for you to read. The messages in it are amazing, though, and I definitely think that everyone should give it a chance. Most importantly, I think that people who haven’t been bullied or people who have bullied other people should read this book. It’s important that you know how you’re making others feel when you pick on them. It’s not ok, and it’s not something that I will or would ever forgive. Bullying is a big issue in America and it needs to stop. The Bullying Book was an amazing read that took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. My heart broke, my eyes welled with tears, and I swear my blood pressure rose massive amounts. I got angry, sad, happy, fearful….all these emotions that I can’t even describe to you guys. I definitely will be looking out for more work by Eric Kahn Gale. Great book!
Pages: 240
Publication Date: December 26th, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Rating: : 3.5
Teaser Quote: “I hate the Bully Book and I hate the Grunt.”
“Stop making fun of Colin. It makes you sound like an idiot. And stop calling people gay. I don’t even know why that’s an insult. There are real gay people in the world, you know, and there’s nothing wrong with them. Calling someone gay, like it’s a bad thing, is like calling someone a dentist- it doesn’t make any freaking sense!”( Pg 139 ARC)
February 4, 2013
Seen at Scott Reads It
I usually don't read books like The Bully Book. Before I received an ARC of The Bully Book, I had never even heard of this book or the author. I gave this book the benefit of the doubt and I'm glad I gave The Bully Book a chance.
For the most part I really enjoyed reading this book but the ending was a bit of a letdown. I was looking forward to a powerful and emotional ending that would come across with a thought provoking lesson or moral. The ending did tie up everything nicely but I wanted there to be something that would warn us about the dangers of bullying or how bullies never win or something like that. The Bully Book just had a happy ending but I really wished it ended more powerfully. The ending just had so much potential and I feel like Gale could have done so much more with the conclusion. I guess my lack of enthusiasm with the conclusion of The Bully Book is rooted in Wonder by R.J. Palacio. When I finished Wonder I was blown away by such a powerful ending that showed how bullies never win and I was just speechless.
**Thank you to HarperTeen for providing me with an ARC of The Bully Book in exchange for a honest review.**
The Bully Book follows Eric who is the "Grunt" or the victim of bullying in his grade. Eric finds out that he was chosen using the guidelines of The Bully Book, a book that the 6th graders use to “make trouble without getting in trouble, rule the school and be the man”. Eric is desperate to find out why he was picked to be the Grunt.
Eric was an interesting protagonist because for a 6th grader he acts incredibly mature. I remember when I was in 6th grade, none of the kids acted even half as mature as Eric did. Besides being mature, Eric was also definitely really dedicated to finding The Bully Book. After finishing The Bully Book, I began to question Eric's dedication. Was Eric concerned with the welfare of all the kids in his grade or was he only concerned with his well-being? Eric felt sincere for the most part but I couldn't help questioning whether he was unfeigned.
The Bully Book was a pretty quick read and it certainly was entertaining. I enjoyed reading Eric's narration because it was full of humor and nice insight. In this book you truly get to see how horribly kids treat each other and I just wish everyone in the world could just get along. It really puzzles me as to why people feel the need to put down and bully each other.
The Bully Book is an entertaining book but it lacked a powerful or heartwarming message. Despite the fact that I was less than pleased with the ending, I would still recommend it to people of all ages. The Bully Book was like nothing I have ever read and I look forward to reading more by Eric Kahn Gale.
I usually don't read books like The Bully Book. Before I received an ARC of The Bully Book, I had never even heard of this book or the author. I gave this book the benefit of the doubt and I'm glad I gave The Bully Book a chance.
For the most part I really enjoyed reading this book but the ending was a bit of a letdown. I was looking forward to a powerful and emotional ending that would come across with a thought provoking lesson or moral. The ending did tie up everything nicely but I wanted there to be something that would warn us about the dangers of bullying or how bullies never win or something like that. The Bully Book just had a happy ending but I really wished it ended more powerfully. The ending just had so much potential and I feel like Gale could have done so much more with the conclusion. I guess my lack of enthusiasm with the conclusion of The Bully Book is rooted in Wonder by R.J. Palacio. When I finished Wonder I was blown away by such a powerful ending that showed how bullies never win and I was just speechless.
**Thank you to HarperTeen for providing me with an ARC of The Bully Book in exchange for a honest review.**
The Bully Book follows Eric who is the "Grunt" or the victim of bullying in his grade. Eric finds out that he was chosen using the guidelines of The Bully Book, a book that the 6th graders use to “make trouble without getting in trouble, rule the school and be the man”. Eric is desperate to find out why he was picked to be the Grunt.
Eric was an interesting protagonist because for a 6th grader he acts incredibly mature. I remember when I was in 6th grade, none of the kids acted even half as mature as Eric did. Besides being mature, Eric was also definitely really dedicated to finding The Bully Book. After finishing The Bully Book, I began to question Eric's dedication. Was Eric concerned with the welfare of all the kids in his grade or was he only concerned with his well-being? Eric felt sincere for the most part but I couldn't help questioning whether he was unfeigned.
The Bully Book was a pretty quick read and it certainly was entertaining. I enjoyed reading Eric's narration because it was full of humor and nice insight. In this book you truly get to see how horribly kids treat each other and I just wish everyone in the world could just get along. It really puzzles me as to why people feel the need to put down and bully each other.
The Bully Book is an entertaining book but it lacked a powerful or heartwarming message. Despite the fact that I was less than pleased with the ending, I would still recommend it to people of all ages. The Bully Book was like nothing I have ever read and I look forward to reading more by Eric Kahn Gale.
December 11, 2012
This book is a great story about both the bully and victim. This book totally took my back in time to the days of school. *cringes*
The plot is really good. It's about a young man, who all of the sudden is getting picked on for no reason. He asks why and begins a search as how it all started. First off, I think that's what most people ask. Why? Why me? What have I've done to deserve this? Back in high school, I was a nice girl. It wasn't until both my heart and my feelings got hurt soo much that I grew claws, a sharp tongue, and money. The minute someone came back at me, I used all of those to my advantage. Most people who knew back in high school would say that I was stuck up. While, yes that was true, but it all resulted out of what THEY did to me. The taunting of my clothes ( I was poor, before I had money), my mother, my siblings, our car, our home, etc. So yeah, just like Eric, I asked questions. I couldn't believe that my own "friends" would talk about that to me behind my back. *smh*
Just like this book, the bully book is an instruction manual as how to become a bully and pick a victim. Like Eric, I was victim of two books back in my day. The burn book in junior high, lots of things said about me in that. And the black book, in which seniors took bets on who they (freshman girls or fresh meat) can have sex with by prom. *smh* Like Eric I too ask to look at the book, I wanted to know what was said in them but I only got rumors and threats to stop asking about it. Later on, teachers got a hold of the book and it was never seen again.
But it did harden my heart to ice as the damage was already done.
Sorry, that this review got a little off track but things like this really rile me up. I too was bullied and picked on. This story brought back everything I never want to go through again. For some people, high school is like the movies, but for me...it was a nightmare.
The Bully Book is great book that all should read. Regardless of what role you played in high school, I think much can be learned from it. Since I got a taste of both worlds, neither is fun. I wanted immensely for high school to be over and well, I just glad that I don't ever have to be in that position again. Read The Bully Book. It will open your eyes to things you never knew before.
The plot is really good. It's about a young man, who all of the sudden is getting picked on for no reason. He asks why and begins a search as how it all started. First off, I think that's what most people ask. Why? Why me? What have I've done to deserve this? Back in high school, I was a nice girl. It wasn't until both my heart and my feelings got hurt soo much that I grew claws, a sharp tongue, and money. The minute someone came back at me, I used all of those to my advantage. Most people who knew back in high school would say that I was stuck up. While, yes that was true, but it all resulted out of what THEY did to me. The taunting of my clothes ( I was poor, before I had money), my mother, my siblings, our car, our home, etc. So yeah, just like Eric, I asked questions. I couldn't believe that my own "friends" would talk about that to me behind my back. *smh*
Just like this book, the bully book is an instruction manual as how to become a bully and pick a victim. Like Eric, I was victim of two books back in my day. The burn book in junior high, lots of things said about me in that. And the black book, in which seniors took bets on who they (freshman girls or fresh meat) can have sex with by prom. *smh* Like Eric I too ask to look at the book, I wanted to know what was said in them but I only got rumors and threats to stop asking about it. Later on, teachers got a hold of the book and it was never seen again.
But it did harden my heart to ice as the damage was already done.
Sorry, that this review got a little off track but things like this really rile me up. I too was bullied and picked on. This story brought back everything I never want to go through again. For some people, high school is like the movies, but for me...it was a nightmare.
The Bully Book is great book that all should read. Regardless of what role you played in high school, I think much can be learned from it. Since I got a taste of both worlds, neither is fun. I wanted immensely for high school to be over and well, I just glad that I don't ever have to be in that position again. Read The Bully Book. It will open your eyes to things you never knew before.
March 27, 2013
In past years Eric Haskins' had been just one of the guys... not the brightest, not the most athletic, but not the worst, not the clumsiest. At the beginning of 6th grade he finds himself no longer being treated like the average kid he sees himself as being but instead is the target for Jason, the new class bully, and his sidekicks. To make it even worse, Eric's former best friend Donovan is now one of Jason's buddies and joins the taunting. Before long almost the entire class takes part in the verbal abuse that follow Eric everywhere. Finally, in desperation he follows Donovan home one day and accosts him, demanding why Donovan has changed and why he now makes fun of Eric at every chance. Surprised, Donovan blurts out that it wasn't the way he wanted it, but "The Book chose" Eric. This is the first time Eric has heard of The Bully Book, a mysterious book that was supposedly written by another 6th grader years ago and is handed down from keeper to keeper, a book that tells its keeper how to rule the 6th grade. The idea of the Bully Book inflames Eric and sets him on a quest to find the book and discover why he was chosen as this year's "Grunt," the victim whose pain is necessary for the keeper to achieve his power goal and control the class. Along the way Eric discovers former keepers and former Grunts and realizes that he must break the mold or else his new loser image will follow him for years.
Eric Gale says this book was inspired by his own experience as the victim of a bully in 6th grade. It must have been devastating because Gale nails Eric Haskins' bewildered despair at suddenly becoming the "Grunt." The story alternates between excerpts from Eric's journal and the pages of the old Bully Book itself. Eric's hurt is in stark contrast to the cold indifference of the Book which may infuriate some readers. However, I have a nagging fear that others may take the Book's instructions to heart and try to become rulers of their own class. This is the only thing that stops me from giving The Bully Book a five-star rating. Perhaps not every student needs to read this work, but every teacher definitely should.
Eric Gale says this book was inspired by his own experience as the victim of a bully in 6th grade. It must have been devastating because Gale nails Eric Haskins' bewildered despair at suddenly becoming the "Grunt." The story alternates between excerpts from Eric's journal and the pages of the old Bully Book itself. Eric's hurt is in stark contrast to the cold indifference of the Book which may infuriate some readers. However, I have a nagging fear that others may take the Book's instructions to heart and try to become rulers of their own class. This is the only thing that stops me from giving The Bully Book a five-star rating. Perhaps not every student needs to read this work, but every teacher definitely should.
March 27, 2013
6th grader Eric, a who has always thought of himself as a pretty average kid, is suddenly singled out as "The Grunt"--the one kid in class who is the target of bullying and verbal abuse. He has no idea why he has been chosen, but it's clear he has, as even a boy who was his best friend growing up has turned against him. Vocabulary lessons evolve into an opportunity to torment him, the bathroom is now a danger zone, and he is helpless to stop the bullying.
When Eric hears an older boy who was also the 6th-grade Grunt mention "The Book", a manual that teaches its owner how to gain power and keep it, he makes it his mission to find out all he can about The Book and how the Grunt is chosen so that he can change whatever it is about himself that caused him to be labeled.
Interspersed with Eric's on-going journaling about his experiences as the Grunt are pages from The Book, so readers essentially see the story from both sides.
I found this to be compelling and a quick read, because I genuinely wanted to learn everything about The Book along with Eric. I wanted to help him. I wanted him to stand up for himself. I wanted him to be confident enough to not let the constant teasing bother him. I wanted him to tell his parents and Mr. Whitner the complete truth. I knew, though, that was entirely unrealistic. It's an extremely rare 6th grader who can take the abuse of bullies here--especially an entire classroom full of them--and not be affected by it.
I think this would make a very interesting classroom read. There is so, so much here to discuss with kids--kids who live Eric's story every single day. Would reading this book as a class and discussing it make life easier for those kids? Would it instill an inkling of compassion into those kids who so thoughtlessly join in the bullying and then forget they ever did? Would it let some of the air out of those bullies, to have their secrets and their motivations read out loud from the printed page? I don't know for certain, but it would sure be worth a try.
When Eric hears an older boy who was also the 6th-grade Grunt mention "The Book", a manual that teaches its owner how to gain power and keep it, he makes it his mission to find out all he can about The Book and how the Grunt is chosen so that he can change whatever it is about himself that caused him to be labeled.
Interspersed with Eric's on-going journaling about his experiences as the Grunt are pages from The Book, so readers essentially see the story from both sides.
I found this to be compelling and a quick read, because I genuinely wanted to learn everything about The Book along with Eric. I wanted to help him. I wanted him to stand up for himself. I wanted him to be confident enough to not let the constant teasing bother him. I wanted him to tell his parents and Mr. Whitner the complete truth. I knew, though, that was entirely unrealistic. It's an extremely rare 6th grader who can take the abuse of bullies here--especially an entire classroom full of them--and not be affected by it.
I think this would make a very interesting classroom read. There is so, so much here to discuss with kids--kids who live Eric's story every single day. Would reading this book as a class and discussing it make life easier for those kids? Would it instill an inkling of compassion into those kids who so thoughtlessly join in the bullying and then forget they ever did? Would it let some of the air out of those bullies, to have their secrets and their motivations read out loud from the printed page? I don't know for certain, but it would sure be worth a try.
January 14, 2013
Wow. I honestly don't know why I like reading stories about bullies. No, I am not a bully, I mean the worse kind of bully. I am a playful bully, the person/s I am bullying knew I was just joking so they don't let it hurt them. I even let them bully me back. LOL. That's how we show our love. :p
But the stories in a book like this one is something that is real, happening to a kid or kids in all over the world. There would be a bully in different country, cities, schools. There're lots of bullies and bullied in every corner of our different countries. This is an insight on how they work, how the bullies affect their targets, how they cope up, how they try to make it better.
This is a way of letting everyone all over the world that bullying needs to STOP. And by bullying, I mean excessive name calling, physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse. Bullies, you could still enjoy your school, classmates or have fun WITHOUT making fun of someone else. You need to put yourselves in their shoes first. Don't give us a reason that because he/she is lame you are doing bad things to this kid.
The Bully Book gave us insight on how Bully Bookers made Eric's life miserable and HOW he LET them. You'll know after you read this book the reason how they choose you to be the GRUNT. The reason is somewhat helpful to the said Grunt, but the way the Bully Bookers do it is NOT.
I feel that everyone should read this book. And please stop bullying. Some people couldn't cope with bullies so sometimes they end up taking their own lives. America got the worst of it. They got bullies too many to mentioned. And the rate of their suicides because they are being bullied at schools are high. Please know that you are not alone and you should talk to someone.
It's hard and adults may not listen to you, but there is someone out there who definitely will listen and help you. Don't give up.
But the stories in a book like this one is something that is real, happening to a kid or kids in all over the world. There would be a bully in different country, cities, schools. There're lots of bullies and bullied in every corner of our different countries. This is an insight on how they work, how the bullies affect their targets, how they cope up, how they try to make it better.
This is a way of letting everyone all over the world that bullying needs to STOP. And by bullying, I mean excessive name calling, physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse. Bullies, you could still enjoy your school, classmates or have fun WITHOUT making fun of someone else. You need to put yourselves in their shoes first. Don't give us a reason that because he/she is lame you are doing bad things to this kid.
The Bully Book gave us insight on how Bully Bookers made Eric's life miserable and HOW he LET them. You'll know after you read this book the reason how they choose you to be the GRUNT. The reason is somewhat helpful to the said Grunt, but the way the Bully Bookers do it is NOT.
I feel that everyone should read this book. And please stop bullying. Some people couldn't cope with bullies so sometimes they end up taking their own lives. America got the worst of it. They got bullies too many to mentioned. And the rate of their suicides because they are being bullied at schools are high. Please know that you are not alone and you should talk to someone.
It's hard and adults may not listen to you, but there is someone out there who definitely will listen and help you. Don't give up.
February 22, 2013
One of my friends wrote a tantalizing review of The Bully Book and I downloaded it onto an e-reader and devoured it that evening.
I recommend it for reluctant readers because it's short.
I recommend it for all readers because it is powerful.
The story is about Eric Haskins, a nice fellow who becomes the target of bullies at the beginning of 6th grade.
Now Eric, is perfectly nice and there's no obvious reason he's targeted, but a former friend lets slip that it's in the Book, the Bully Book to select him.
Eric is consumed with surviving his 6th grade class and figuring out what it was about him that made him "The Grunt," a victim (below even a clumsy kid who blows spittle everywhere) to the bullies of the class. These bullies have turned the whole class against him with subtle and destructive tactics.
Eric finds answers, but not without consequences.
Whether there is a Bully Book conspiracy in your school, place of employment or social group, if you've ever been a victim of the hierarchies found in any group of organized human beings, you need to read this book. If you are a teacher, a psychologist or sociologist who works with children and you want to understand how bullying and groupthink work together to destroy and subdue their targets, you need to read this book.
I recommend it for reluctant readers because it's short.
I recommend it for all readers because it is powerful.
The story is about Eric Haskins, a nice fellow who becomes the target of bullies at the beginning of 6th grade.
Now Eric, is perfectly nice and there's no obvious reason he's targeted, but a former friend lets slip that it's in the Book, the Bully Book to select him.
Eric is consumed with surviving his 6th grade class and figuring out what it was about him that made him "The Grunt," a victim (below even a clumsy kid who blows spittle everywhere) to the bullies of the class. These bullies have turned the whole class against him with subtle and destructive tactics.
Eric finds answers, but not without consequences.
Whether there is a Bully Book conspiracy in your school, place of employment or social group, if you've ever been a victim of the hierarchies found in any group of organized human beings, you need to read this book. If you are a teacher, a psychologist or sociologist who works with children and you want to understand how bullying and groupthink work together to destroy and subdue their targets, you need to read this book.
September 8, 2016
I read this book based on my friend's recommendation, and I'm so glad I did! Reading this book was at once both painful and intriguing...it brought me back to middle school (not so great years) and reminded me of how great it is to be out of the social trauma of middle school. The story also drew me in so that I wanted to find out what happens to the main character and who actually wrote the Bully Book!
Eric Haskins is a 6th grader, whose school year starts off horrible when his best friend ignores him and he becomes the brunt of jokes/insults to a group of vicious boys. He doesn't understand why they target him, but after a while, learns that they call him "The Grunt," someone targeted that year to bear all their insults. Eric tries to find out why he was chosen as "The Grunt," and spends the whole year avoiding conflict as much as he can. The path of answers leads Eric to startling revelations to just how much of an impact the Bully Book is on past, present, and future students.
This would be a great book for boys to read (or upper elementary/middle schoolers in general). And especially important for parents to discuss with their children.
Eric Haskins is a 6th grader, whose school year starts off horrible when his best friend ignores him and he becomes the brunt of jokes/insults to a group of vicious boys. He doesn't understand why they target him, but after a while, learns that they call him "The Grunt," someone targeted that year to bear all their insults. Eric tries to find out why he was chosen as "The Grunt," and spends the whole year avoiding conflict as much as he can. The path of answers leads Eric to startling revelations to just how much of an impact the Bully Book is on past, present, and future students.
This would be a great book for boys to read (or upper elementary/middle schoolers in general). And especially important for parents to discuss with their children.
April 23, 2013
I thought The Bully Book was a a great debut novel. The Bully Book is about a boy named Eric. He is tormented by his classmates and he can’t figure out why. It turns out that there is a book passed down every year from the sixth graders called The Bully Book. In the book, it says if you want to become popular you have to pick a student to bully, among other things. Eric makes it his mission to find the book and put an end to the bullying. The Bully Book teaches kids how bad it feels to be bullied. It hurts physically, mentally, and emotionally. The plot had me turning pages wondering if Eric was going to find the book. I liked all the characters. I could identify with Eric. I was bullied quite a bit in middle school. I thought the ending was great. I don't think the author could have picked a more perfect ending for the book. I look forward to reading more of the Eric Kahn Gale's work in the future.
February 13, 2016
This book was interesting, but also quite depressing. I also skipped through the bully pages, they just made me feel sick. :\
I really hated the attitude of the teachers in the school. Never did they once help Eric, no as soon as something happens they believe the bullies. It is sad, but I know this also happens in real life. Teachers just turning a blind eye.
I do however started to like and cheer for Eric. And I am really glad that in the end he was able to stand up and do something. Though the ending wasn't really that great. I felt it was just the easy way out.
Also the principal? Seriously?
I really hated the attitude of the teachers in the school. Never did they once help Eric, no as soon as something happens they believe the bullies. It is sad, but I know this also happens in real life. Teachers just turning a blind eye.
I do however started to like and cheer for Eric. And I am really glad that in the end he was able to stand up and do something. Though the ending wasn't really that great. I felt it was just the easy way out.
Also the principal? Seriously?
January 22, 2014
I have been thinking about the issue of bullying for some time now and how little we speak of it here [in Hungary], even though the more people I talk to about it, the more it becomes clear that most of us has experienced it to some extent during their schoolyears. I have spent most of my life in different schools, I've been to both of the classroom now and I'm getting more and more worried about this problem.
But onto The Bully Book. I discovered it thanks to the StarKid connection and it was really a lucky find, as I think it's a good introduction to the topic for everyone involved: it's an easy yet insightful read, whichm with alternating chapters, explores the perspectives of both the bully and the bullied. It's really easy to get into, and the conclusion is, if not new, but really something we (and not only kids) should keep in mind - that is, you'd better figure out for yourself who you are before letting the world define you.
But onto The Bully Book. I discovered it thanks to the StarKid connection and it was really a lucky find, as I think it's a good introduction to the topic for everyone involved: it's an easy yet insightful read, whichm with alternating chapters, explores the perspectives of both the bully and the bullied. It's really easy to get into, and the conclusion is, if not new, but really something we (and not only kids) should keep in mind - that is, you'd better figure out for yourself who you are before letting the world define you.
December 27, 2012
Eric has just started the 6th grade and his life couldn’t be worse. Three boys, one of whom was his best friend have made it their mission to make his life miserable. They are turning the class against him and even the girl he likes is becoming more distant. Whisperings of a secret book that tells you how to be the most popular kid in the school reaches Eric and he realizes he must find out the truth or he will be the “grunt” in his class forever! An inspiring story that is great for children, parents and teachers. Eric Kahn Gale writes with a smart, funny and brave voice in this debut book that speaks about his personal history with bullying.
Read
February 16, 2023I started this book around 3pm today and just finished it, three hours later. Im more of a YAbooks kind of girl, but guys... This. Book. You have to read it. It's honest, witty, damn close to heartbreaking and it's true. Bullying like in this book happens al the time. But mostly, there are no words that can explain how touching it was. Eric captured the whole school envoirment flawlessly and sometimes I had to put the book down and take a deep breath because it hit way too close to home. The Bully Book is a book everyone should read, no matter what age.
October 8, 2013
An interesting story about bullying that is loosely based on the author's experiences. It is a quick, enjoyable read with a positive message.
It saddened me that the teachers .
I loved the ending. It gave us a powerful resolution and Eric really seemed to learn a lot about who he was and wanted to be.
It saddened me that the teachers .
I loved the ending. It gave us a powerful resolution and Eric really seemed to learn a lot about who he was and wanted to be.
October 24, 2013
I got this book expecting to breeze through it with a few laughs and a warm fuzzy feeling at the end, but I learned a few things about the psychology of bullying. This story is clever and well written, and I would definitely recommend it to anybody who asked me about it. I have to thank my daughter, the librarian for the recommendation.
February 6, 2017
This is a book about a boy named Eric Haskins who is purposedly getting bullid by other kids so they can seem popular.
I would recommend this book to anyone because it is a good book about middle school
I would recommend this book to anyone because it is a good book about middle school
July 27, 2018
What an amazing read
Eric Haskins is a boy starting 6th grade and what might be an awesome year, turns into hell when three kids decide to make his life miserable.
Eric makes his mission to discover what is going on and most important “Why him?”
————-
I totally loved the narration, you can feel the desperation and the need of this kid to tell what he is going trough and to hopefully help someone else to avoid what happened to him.
It was a fast read, and I’d totally recommend it.
————-
My experience with middle school was pretty much normal, I thank that I found amazing friends that made it a great experience.
On the other hand, my brother was heavy bullied when his time in middle school came. He was really quiet and his number of friends started reducing considerably. It was a really hard time, specially for him, because even know at his 20 years I can still see traces that being “The Grunt” left him.
This book allowed me to see what he might have gone trough, and it breaks my heart that things like this still happen at school.
——————
“I totally accepted that I was the Grunt. I never once said, This is not who I am. Because, maybe, I didn’t know who I was, so I just let someone else tell me.
Eric Haskins is a boy starting 6th grade and what might be an awesome year, turns into hell when three kids decide to make his life miserable.
Eric makes his mission to discover what is going on and most important “Why him?”
————-
I totally loved the narration, you can feel the desperation and the need of this kid to tell what he is going trough and to hopefully help someone else to avoid what happened to him.
It was a fast read, and I’d totally recommend it.
————-
My experience with middle school was pretty much normal, I thank that I found amazing friends that made it a great experience.
On the other hand, my brother was heavy bullied when his time in middle school came. He was really quiet and his number of friends started reducing considerably. It was a really hard time, specially for him, because even know at his 20 years I can still see traces that being “The Grunt” left him.
This book allowed me to see what he might have gone trough, and it breaks my heart that things like this still happen at school.
——————
“I totally accepted that I was the Grunt. I never once said, This is not who I am. Because, maybe, I didn’t know who I was, so I just let someone else tell me.
March 30, 2020
A very close to home book about bullying and its effects. A slow start, but once you’re into it, you can’t stop. (Many thanks to Team StarKid for the recommendation.) This is a wonderful book, and a reminder that kindness is important, not just to others, but to yourself as well.
March 29, 2017
I rate this book five star because it talks about a life of a boy that struggles. His name is Eric Haskins and he is in 6th grade. He has many obstacles to overcome during his year of 6th grade. Eric used to be super popular in 5th grade, but it all changed. Now he is getting bullied.
I recommend this book to people who like books about people and written like a journal. There is a special book and it was a myth, now Eric is trying to defeat it. The book is called "The Bully Book" and it has been in the school for years, it has been passed on and on. Can you fight "The Bully Book"? If you can then read the book if you dare.
I recommend this book to people who like books about people and written like a journal. There is a special book and it was a myth, now Eric is trying to defeat it. The book is called "The Bully Book" and it has been in the school for years, it has been passed on and on. Can you fight "The Bully Book"? If you can then read the book if you dare.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews