The Fight

Surviving Southside

by Elizabeth Karre

Was he . . . you know? Bella doesn't know if Dominic was gay or not, but she knows he was bullied. And she knows the adults who could have helped didn't because of some stupid policy. Now Dominic's dead. It's never been Bella's thing to stand up for a cause, but for some reason, this fight has become her fight.

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jennifer Paz]

My favorite passage is when Bella goes with her friend to the group that was bullying Dominic to ask bravely who killed him. This book was realistic for me because this could happen in real life. I love this book cause it touch my heart. The characters seemed very believable cause and plus it seemed that could happened. I don't have anything in common but I could say if that was to happen to me I would be sad but would have a heart like Bella to put the killer in jail. My favorite part is that bravery that she had to ask the group of bullies, my last favorite part is when the kid died he didn't deserve to die. And finally I would recommend this book cause it will help at least yall bullies to stop bullying.

[Brent Seheult · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very well written book. I really enjoyed it. It dealt with two serious issues that are dear to my heart. The bullying of gay youth and the suicide of gay youth. This was sad in which a school board wouldn't commit to the protection of LGBTQ youth, nor would schools. I gave this book five stars.

[Juliene Schaefer]

it was great.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

very important, easy to read, but… just fine

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabel, or Bella, is a student at South Side High School. On the way to her favorite class taught by Ms. Weller, who is her favorite teacher, she hears the word “Faggot” being shouted at a classmate named Dominic. It was Jay, and he was bullying and pushing Dominic against a locker. Bella's hope was that Ms. Weller would intervene, but she didn't. This concerned Bella, especially since there have been numerous accounts of bullying against kids who were suspected of being gay and religious groups encouraging students to lead a straight life. Bella decides to help if she can and in her efforts joins a group called the GSA, or gay-straight alliance. But when Dominic commits suicide his secret is out and Bella finds the courage to ask her parents for help with the PTA. It's too late for Dominic, but with her new found alliance it will be up to Bella to make sure no one else is hurt. Bella's mission will be to teach tolerance by getting faculty, students and parents involved.

Parents and teachers will find that this story is an excellent teaching tool for tolerance. Opening up dialogue for young readers is important and the characters in this story could be any student at any school. The underlying tone will have readers engaged and looking inside themselves. Although this content is of a serious nature it is a book for any middle grade reader. The language is easy to comprehend.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an educator I took offense that the author portrayed administrators and teachers as not preventing/intervening in blatant bullying. No one I have ever worked with would have acted that way. Addition: As the author pointed out, this may happen in conservative areas. However, I still don't know any teens who would read a preachy book like this. There are several wonderful LGBTQ books for teens such as Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, which I can see teens reading and enjoying.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Southside High series has a little for everyone and this is a poignant topic, discussing not only GLBT issues but the suicide epidemic and teachers and administrators' roles in preventing or reporting bullying. In this story, Bella sees bullying but cannot get anyone to stop it and when Dominic commits suicide, feels powerless but learns to advocate.
It's short and simple as are all in the series bit they certainly pack a punch.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book touches on a really timely subject, the suicide "epidemic" that has inspired such movements as the "It Gets Better" campaign. The story is set in a high school, but to me it seemed like the author was writing for a younger crowd (which is not a bad thing). It did not go into depth at all, but I appreciated that someone was writing for the people the bullying is effecting.

[Andra · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with the other Southside School books, this is a really black and white story with no real depth or dimension. The message is good, but the content awful. These should really be longer or combined in order to make more sense and have more power.