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Destroying Avalon
When Avalon moves to the city her life is turned upside down. Starting at a new high school, she finds herself at the centre of a brutal cyber-bullying campaign. She is inundated with obscene text messages, and subject to increasingly vicious web site postings, as things spiral out of control.
Miserable and isolated, Avalon relies on a small group of new friends. But as the threats escalate, is anyone safe?
Miserable and isolated, Avalon relies on a small group of new friends. But as the threats escalate, is anyone safe?
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
51 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Kate McCaffrey
11 books104 followersKate grew up in Perth’s northern suburbs. She has a degree in English and Art and a diploma in Education.
Kate is the author of three award-winning novels for young adults: Destroying Avalon (2006), winner of the WAYBRA Award for older readers and the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award for Young Adults; In Ecstasy (2008), winner of the Australian Family Therapists Children’s Literature Awards; and Beautiful Monster (2010), named a 2011 White Raven, selected from newly published books from around the world as especially noteworthy by the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany. She is currently putting the finishing touches on a fourth novel to be published by Fremantle Press in 2014.
Awards
Winner, Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature, 2008
Highly Commended, Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature, 2007
Winner, Western Australian Premier’s Book Award, 2007
Notable Book, Children’s Book Council of Australia, 2007
Winner, West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award, 2007
Kate is the author of three award-winning novels for young adults: Destroying Avalon (2006), winner of the WAYBRA Award for older readers and the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award for Young Adults; In Ecstasy (2008), winner of the Australian Family Therapists Children’s Literature Awards; and Beautiful Monster (2010), named a 2011 White Raven, selected from newly published books from around the world as especially noteworthy by the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany. She is currently putting the finishing touches on a fourth novel to be published by Fremantle Press in 2014.
Awards
Winner, Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature, 2008
Highly Commended, Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature, 2007
Winner, Western Australian Premier’s Book Award, 2007
Notable Book, Children’s Book Council of Australia, 2007
Winner, West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award, 2007
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
May 10, 2016
It was ridiculously badly written. We were forced to read it for school and I was tearing my eyes out because it was so boring. It's extremely outdated for one, and should be taken out of school systems. The way she gets bullied is so unrealistic and trivialises the entire thing.
It is also extremely cliche. The storyline and the characters are so stereotypical and predictable. The idea is very unorginal.
There are also entire scenes that seem like they were added in only to make the book seem longer. The scene where she is sitting in a tree is completely irrelevant. Instead, the author should've added more details about Jake, her bestfriend since KINDER that she just forgets about. There could've been so potential in that character, but they just left him out completely.
In conclusion, do NOT read this book. It is completely useless and I'm certain there are a lot more anti-cyberbullying books out there that are more realistic and up to date than this one.
It is also extremely cliche. The storyline and the characters are so stereotypical and predictable. The idea is very unorginal.
There are also entire scenes that seem like they were added in only to make the book seem longer. The scene where she is sitting in a tree is completely irrelevant. Instead, the author should've added more details about Jake, her bestfriend since KINDER that she just forgets about. There could've been so potential in that character, but they just left him out completely.
In conclusion, do NOT read this book. It is completely useless and I'm certain there are a lot more anti-cyberbullying books out there that are more realistic and up to date than this one.
July 24, 2016
This isn't the most realistic book about bullying in my opinion but I think people could learn from this book.
I do think there are way better books out there about bullying to teach at schools instead of this one.
This book was very plain, bland and predictable but I liked it.
I never wanted to put the book down. I was so excited to see what would happen on the next page and it was impossible to put the book down so I could eat dinner. I can now add eating and reading at the same time as a new talent of mine.. ;D
I don't agree with the slut shaming in the book at all. I know why the bullies slut shame but the bullies victims also slut shame and ??? Why??? Slut shaming ain't cool.
If a boy has sex, people are like: "congrats dude" "score" "such a legend".
If a girl has sex, people are like: "Slut" "whore" "have some self respect" "close your legs for once"
Like.. Double standards much?
I do think there are way better books out there about bullying to teach at schools instead of this one.
This book was very plain, bland and predictable but I liked it.
I never wanted to put the book down. I was so excited to see what would happen on the next page and it was impossible to put the book down so I could eat dinner. I can now add eating and reading at the same time as a new talent of mine.. ;D
I don't agree with the slut shaming in the book at all. I know why the bullies slut shame but the bullies victims also slut shame and ??? Why??? Slut shaming ain't cool.
If a boy has sex, people are like: "congrats dude" "score" "such a legend".
If a girl has sex, people are like: "Slut" "whore" "have some self respect" "close your legs for once"
Like.. Double standards much?
December 19, 2011
Put simply, this book is one of my favourite books of all time. It’s beautifully written and it has that cliché feeling at the start, but when you finish, you realise just how original it is.
Lemme just give you a heads-up for this book: Things aren’t always what they seem. Oh, and trust no-one.
The ending was really creepy, and I can tell you right now that I had shivers after reading this. It was nighttime, but I had the impact that this was a book completely on horror. The worst part is how it could be real. How so many people do what Marshall does (look into the story) and then they get the people around them so worried. The thing is, it’s permanent.
Cyberbullying plays a huge part nowadays, trust me. Every time I go onto Facebook, I see something mean directed at somebody else. It’s true. I hate it, actually, but I don’t try to get involved or anything. This book is showing how you should report things –you shouldn’t let things slip by.
Have you ever heard “Scar” by Missy Higgins? The song’s lyrics is cited in this book, but instead of this upbeat and bittersweet song, I now find it haunting and unescapable. Read the book and you will understand.
Kate McCraffey is my all-time favourite author for teenage issues, hands down. Her books are so realistic. Actually, she’s among few others, but she’s amazing. Her other books are quite good as well.
Read them.
Anything else I’d like to add? I can’t really say much about this book without spoiling it. But yeah. The characters in this book are surprisingly realistic, even though we have those few cliché characteristics. Avalon plays a part in one of the “unpopular” kids. Now that I think about it, I would hate to be in her situation. She moves from her old home to another, only to be the newest victim of cyber-bullying.
The actual person who was cyber-bullying her (it’s not mentioned until the end) shocked me. I had the assumption of one person but I was wrong.
Overall, if you’re looking for something haunting, read this. Although it’s not really scary, it has that slight edge to it. I can honestly say I will never be able to forget this book. I would be able to read it over and over again without getting bored.
July 28, 2015
Destroying Avalon by Kate McCaffrey is the story of a young girl in high school who, after moving house and attending a new school, becomes the target of an ongoing on-line attack by students at her school.
The book itself is fairly simple with a few surprise twists and turns. The characters themselves were mostly well thought out and multidimensional although I think some characters could have gained from being a little bit better thought out. The conflict was interesting and I applaud the fact that one of the main approaches for Avalon to move past being cyberbullied was to not look at it. This is really good like, websites have blocking and reporting buttons for a reason.
There are a few things I was a bit disappointed about during the book however. (Spoilers to come, ye been warned) Throughout most of the book the character Marshal, a student outcast who is apart of the mismatched group of friends Avalon comes to have, is thought to be gay by our main character. Other characters hint that he may have feelings for Avalon but she and a majority of the students in their year remain under the impression that he is gay. After Marshals death Avalon discovers his journal in which he confessed that he was confused about his sexuality up until he met Avalon, at which point he basically says "I'm not gay, I want to kiss Avalon, so I can't be gay! Must have been a phase!"
As a queer individual reading this book, I was very disappointed. This final proclamation of his straightness felt like the author was trying to say "Feel more sympathy for him as he was never gay." I know she was probably trying to set up a sort of tragic love story but it felt like an afterthought after deciding she couldn't have a queer character. Every time I think about this book I can't help but think about what this book could have been. I know McCaffrey wanted a book about the dangers of on-line activity and cyber safety but I feel Like she missed the an opportunity to look more effectively at discrimination and homophobia inside and outside the classroom. She does touch on it but I feel it could have been better. As I said, I am queer and homophobia and discrimination by my student peers kept me from being open and out of the closet during my high school years. When reading this it would have been nicer to just have a character I could strongly identify with. This could have been Marshal but, hey that was just a phase.
The book itself is fairly simple with a few surprise twists and turns. The characters themselves were mostly well thought out and multidimensional although I think some characters could have gained from being a little bit better thought out. The conflict was interesting and I applaud the fact that one of the main approaches for Avalon to move past being cyberbullied was to not look at it. This is really good like, websites have blocking and reporting buttons for a reason.
There are a few things I was a bit disappointed about during the book however. (Spoilers to come, ye been warned) Throughout most of the book the character Marshal, a student outcast who is apart of the mismatched group of friends Avalon comes to have, is thought to be gay by our main character. Other characters hint that he may have feelings for Avalon but she and a majority of the students in their year remain under the impression that he is gay. After Marshals death Avalon discovers his journal in which he confessed that he was confused about his sexuality up until he met Avalon, at which point he basically says "I'm not gay, I want to kiss Avalon, so I can't be gay! Must have been a phase!"
As a queer individual reading this book, I was very disappointed. This final proclamation of his straightness felt like the author was trying to say "Feel more sympathy for him as he was never gay." I know she was probably trying to set up a sort of tragic love story but it felt like an afterthought after deciding she couldn't have a queer character. Every time I think about this book I can't help but think about what this book could have been. I know McCaffrey wanted a book about the dangers of on-line activity and cyber safety but I feel Like she missed the an opportunity to look more effectively at discrimination and homophobia inside and outside the classroom. She does touch on it but I feel it could have been better. As I said, I am queer and homophobia and discrimination by my student peers kept me from being open and out of the closet during my high school years. When reading this it would have been nicer to just have a character I could strongly identify with. This could have been Marshal but, hey that was just a phase.
Read
April 27, 2012Destroying Avalon is a captivating book based on real life problems that happen in school every day such as cyber bullying and teen suicide, the main theme of the book is about a girl called Avalon moving to the city of Perth and starting at a new school and her life has been made hard by the students of the school.
The story is about life in the city and starting at a new school and the hardships of bullying and the bonds of friendship. The main characters are Avalon, Marshall and Dragon girl. The main characters went through the hardship of being bullied and being verbally abused.
The main characters had problems throughout the whole story of either being bullied or being bullies. I couldn’t choose a favourite character. I can relate to the story even thoe I haven’t had any personal experiences like the story. I have seen the effect of bullying on other people and it can push people to the extreme an example of this is in year 10 of school a student was a bully but he was also being bullied but he eventually got pushed to far and brought a gun to school.
I haven’t ever done or felt the same things the characters did. My opinion of the book is that it is a gripping and detailed story of Avalon’s life. Yes I liked the book I thought it was very informative and helpful about signs of cyber bullying and how to deal or avoid it. My favourite part of the book is when she kept thinking it was Alice who perpetuated the bullying of Avalon’s friend the whole time when it was someone really close to her.
If I could change a part of the story so that it wouldn’t end the same way I would make it so that Marshall wouldn’t get bullied again. I recommend this book to teenager’s because this book tells people about what it is like to be bullied and attack persistently. Yes I would recommend this book to other people of my age because the target audience is teenagers and young adults.
Destroying Avalon is a compelling book about bullying and hardship’s in general I though it was a really good book and I would recommend it to other people.
The story is about life in the city and starting at a new school and the hardships of bullying and the bonds of friendship. The main characters are Avalon, Marshall and Dragon girl. The main characters went through the hardship of being bullied and being verbally abused.
The main characters had problems throughout the whole story of either being bullied or being bullies. I couldn’t choose a favourite character. I can relate to the story even thoe I haven’t had any personal experiences like the story. I have seen the effect of bullying on other people and it can push people to the extreme an example of this is in year 10 of school a student was a bully but he was also being bullied but he eventually got pushed to far and brought a gun to school.
I haven’t ever done or felt the same things the characters did. My opinion of the book is that it is a gripping and detailed story of Avalon’s life. Yes I liked the book I thought it was very informative and helpful about signs of cyber bullying and how to deal or avoid it. My favourite part of the book is when she kept thinking it was Alice who perpetuated the bullying of Avalon’s friend the whole time when it was someone really close to her.
If I could change a part of the story so that it wouldn’t end the same way I would make it so that Marshall wouldn’t get bullied again. I recommend this book to teenager’s because this book tells people about what it is like to be bullied and attack persistently. Yes I would recommend this book to other people of my age because the target audience is teenagers and young adults.
Destroying Avalon is a compelling book about bullying and hardship’s in general I though it was a really good book and I would recommend it to other people.
July 26, 2013
I decided to read this book as it's the text for my 14 year old's English this year and I like to stay in touch with his reading material. I found this book absorbing, terrifying (from a parent's perspective) and uplifting. All the characters are believable and I really sensed the misery experienced by the main character. At the back of my mind I also felt the person perpetrating the bullying was seriously disturbed and it upset me to think that a 'child' could be capable if such hateful behaviour. A parent's worst nightmare is to discover their child is being bullied but the other more disturbing side is the devastation I would feel if my child was the instigator. I think this book should be in every teenage must read list to highlight how serious the consequences of bullying are and also the terms under which 'having a joke around' turns into the sinister element of bullying. I suspect most teenagers don't realise where that line is drawn.
I also recommend this for all parents and teachers to read purely for the benefit of reminding ourselves that this sort of activity goes on and that we cannot ignore its existence. We as the adults must strive to eliminate it from our lives so that no child ever has to feel so worthless and hopeless that they take their own life. If the book helps just one person speak out about bullying and prevents a tragic death, it will be worth every penny.
I found it uplifting because the victim created a positive solution to help other victims seek help.
I also recommend this for all parents and teachers to read purely for the benefit of reminding ourselves that this sort of activity goes on and that we cannot ignore its existence. We as the adults must strive to eliminate it from our lives so that no child ever has to feel so worthless and hopeless that they take their own life. If the book helps just one person speak out about bullying and prevents a tragic death, it will be worth every penny.
I found it uplifting because the victim created a positive solution to help other victims seek help.
January 4, 2011
Such a heartbreaking but beautiful story of dealing with a very harsh case of bullying. Every person in high school should be made to read this, teachers included. Similar to 13 reasons why in the fact that they both deal with teenage bullying but it is very original. The issues that come up in this book are extremely relevant to todays school system, showing how the internet and mobile phones can be used as weapons to help destroy peoples lives.
October 23, 2017
3.5* I haven't read this book since high school, and decided to reread it after reading a couple of newer Kate McCaffrey books earlier this year. At first it felt quite simplistic and clichéd, but the story really pulls you in, and by about halfway through I just wanted to keep reading. I think this is definitely still an important book especially for teenagers, and I don't think it's overly dated, though I'm sure teens are on their phones a lot more constantly now than when I was in high school when this book first came out. Apart from the updated technology aspect, I defintely think Destroying Avalon is still relevant, and a must read.
June 29, 2019
A must read for all teens. Heartbreaking x
August 14, 2021
Was a nice climax and satisfying ending but felt very outdated.
April 27, 2025
2 1/2 stars.
For 🏫.
For 🏫.
October 2, 2025
I loved the story and the message of the book however the writing was pretty bad.
April 29, 2022
I never read this when I was at school and now 16 years on from when this book was published it’s pretty dated. It was suggested to me as a book for my Year 9 novel study and I’m glad a different class chose this book set so I didn’t choose it!
I think even at age 15 I would’ve found it unbelievable or unconvincing: it’s very much an adult’s interpretation of teenage bullying. But how could an adult in 2006 know what cyber bullying amongst teenagers is really like, having never experienced it themselves? And as a teenager I would’ve know the author wouldn’t know, couldn’t know, and in typical teenage fashion I would’ve been pretty judgemental of that; who wants adults lecturing you on things they don’t know about?
The message around bullying being terrible is a solid one and its point about how social media can feel inescapable a lot of the time is still relevant.
But it’s lessened by off the cuff references that would be seen as normal in 2006 but today stick out: Tamara being referred to as ‘the fat girl’ and Avalon judging her body at different times but it being presented as Avalon being SUCH a good friend for being friends with a fat girl and never mentioning it to that girl’s face and taking her clothes shopping even though she’s fat and doesn’t fit a size 18 jeans; Avalon and Sukey laughing ‘At least we’re not called Fatima!’ because that’s clearly a ridiculous name; Avalon describing Marshall as ‘a poofter’ to her dad when she could’ve just left it at ‘I think he’s gay and therefore not interested in me in that way’; Avalon thinking two other popular girls look ‘like whores’ because of the clothes they were wearing after school.
We’re supposed to connect with Avalon and feel sorry for her but the authorial voice blends in with the narrative voice and it’s uncomfortable to read those descriptions. If there’d been some development of Avalon where she’s like ‘oh wow, I have been making similar unfair and unkind judgements about other people and labelling them which is bad even if I didn’t verbalise them’, it might have helped (but probably wouldn’t) But the author wants us to think Avalon is a good person and it’s clear that the author doesn’t see an issue with the thoughts Avalon is having about other characters and they are probably her own thoughts as well.
So yeah, mixed bag to read, appreciate the author trying to point out how bad bullying can get, but I definitely wouldn’t teach it at school.
I think even at age 15 I would’ve found it unbelievable or unconvincing: it’s very much an adult’s interpretation of teenage bullying. But how could an adult in 2006 know what cyber bullying amongst teenagers is really like, having never experienced it themselves? And as a teenager I would’ve know the author wouldn’t know, couldn’t know, and in typical teenage fashion I would’ve been pretty judgemental of that; who wants adults lecturing you on things they don’t know about?
The message around bullying being terrible is a solid one and its point about how social media can feel inescapable a lot of the time is still relevant.
But it’s lessened by off the cuff references that would be seen as normal in 2006 but today stick out: Tamara being referred to as ‘the fat girl’ and Avalon judging her body at different times but it being presented as Avalon being SUCH a good friend for being friends with a fat girl and never mentioning it to that girl’s face and taking her clothes shopping even though she’s fat and doesn’t fit a size 18 jeans; Avalon and Sukey laughing ‘At least we’re not called Fatima!’ because that’s clearly a ridiculous name; Avalon describing Marshall as ‘a poofter’ to her dad when she could’ve just left it at ‘I think he’s gay and therefore not interested in me in that way’; Avalon thinking two other popular girls look ‘like whores’ because of the clothes they were wearing after school.
We’re supposed to connect with Avalon and feel sorry for her but the authorial voice blends in with the narrative voice and it’s uncomfortable to read those descriptions. If there’d been some development of Avalon where she’s like ‘oh wow, I have been making similar unfair and unkind judgements about other people and labelling them which is bad even if I didn’t verbalise them’, it might have helped (but probably wouldn’t) But the author wants us to think Avalon is a good person and it’s clear that the author doesn’t see an issue with the thoughts Avalon is having about other characters and they are probably her own thoughts as well.
So yeah, mixed bag to read, appreciate the author trying to point out how bad bullying can get, but I definitely wouldn’t teach it at school.
January 13, 2016
i stared at the email in disbelief, the skin around my mouth prickling in horror.. i had to know what they were saying. i shut my eyes and clicked on the link..
This book was good and really surprised me so much, the story began very light and happy then it started to get darker and more deeper. The story touched on cyber bullying and bullying in general and the effects it has on the person being bullied. Kate did an excellent job at writing from Avalon's point of view she dealt with a 14 year old girl who was in the grade above her age dealing with moving from a small country town to the big city. Avalon begins at a very expensive private school and most of the students take a very huge dislike to her. This then starts the spreading of rumours and hate campaign against Avalon after she receives and email with a link to a website that is popular with kids from her school.
I did like how this book reminded me of the small little details of australian culture i felt as if i was right at home because i knew what they were talking about straight away. All the teenage characters were all written perfectly i really did feel like Kate took note of how teenagers act and communicate with each other today and it showed in the story.
Towards the end of the book things did start to get a little twisted i was left with chills running down my back especially when Avalon was reading the stuff from Marshall's journal. A MASSIVE shock at the end of the book with the revelation with the Sukey character i DID not guess it was her.
This book was good and really surprised me so much, the story began very light and happy then it started to get darker and more deeper. The story touched on cyber bullying and bullying in general and the effects it has on the person being bullied. Kate did an excellent job at writing from Avalon's point of view she dealt with a 14 year old girl who was in the grade above her age dealing with moving from a small country town to the big city. Avalon begins at a very expensive private school and most of the students take a very huge dislike to her. This then starts the spreading of rumours and hate campaign against Avalon after she receives and email with a link to a website that is popular with kids from her school.
I did like how this book reminded me of the small little details of australian culture i felt as if i was right at home because i knew what they were talking about straight away. All the teenage characters were all written perfectly i really did feel like Kate took note of how teenagers act and communicate with each other today and it showed in the story.
Towards the end of the book things did start to get a little twisted i was left with chills running down my back especially when Avalon was reading the stuff from Marshall's journal. A MASSIVE shock at the end of the book with the revelation with the Sukey character i DID not guess it was her.
July 19, 2016
Drek. Enough comma splices to kill a goat. Seriously side-eyeing the person that recommended this to me. I feel kind of bad because hell, I've never managed to write a book, but this is perhaps one that needed better editors.
July 31, 2009
A timely novel when we look at the daily news. No its not a feel good novel, but a disturbing look at the effect cyberbullying has on our adolescents. Parents, teachers and students-read it!
February 18, 2017
It was a pretty relatable book. It was so simple and original and I wasn't used to that. But it did send my emotions wild.
September 21, 2016
T E R R I B L E. out of every book i have been forced to read during the grueling years of highschool i have completed, this was THE WORST. HANDS DOWN. THE MOST TERRIBLE THING I HAVE READ.
February 4, 2023
coming back over a decade later to say: how was it fair to use "and he wasn't even gay!" as the tragic part? go to hell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2018
Malgré quelques défauts, j'ai mis 5/5 sur ce livre car il traite très bien des problématiques d'actualité que sont
* Le harcèlement scolaire ;
* Le cyber-harcèlement ;
* L'homophobie ;
* La difficulté pour certains ados de savoir qui ils sont, de se trouver sexuellement, de ne pas savoir s'ils sont attirés par des filles ou des garçons ou les deux et d'en souffrir car les autres voient leur différence, la jugent et s'en moquent ouvertement ;
* Le suicide chez les ados ;
J'ai eu du mal à entrer dans le récit en raison d'une part, du trop de confiance en elle qu'Avalon présentait (elle était aussi dans le jugement, même si elle n'en disait rien ouvertement, étant un peu déçue de se retrouver reléguée avec le clan "des rejetés" de son école et espérant "trouver mieux" comme compagnie) mais aussi car le harcèlement la concernant va commencer dès le premier jour, ce que j'ai trouvé peu crédible.
L'auteure aborde avec intelligence les problématiques du harcèlement et cyber-harcèlement en posant d'abord les comportements des victimes les plus rencontrés dans ce genre de situation (repli sur soi, silence pour ne pas empirer la situation, doutes / questionnements sur soi, sur ce qu'on a pu faire pour mériter ça, dévalorisation de soi voire jusqu'à la haine de soi,...) pour ensuite montrer que ces comportements ne sont pas la solution, qu'au contraire, il ne faut pas hésiter à PARLER.
p.176 "My silence had given them power. They had freedom to terrorise through the internet and text messaging because I kept my mouth shut."
L'auteure parle aussi des conséquences du harcèlement : la souffrance psychologique vécue par ceux qui la subissent et qui peut mener au suicide.
J'ai aussi beaucoup aimé qu'elle parle des solutions que certaines écoles peuvent mettre en place pour prévenir le harcèlement et sensibiliser les ados à ce fléau. Comme le livre le montre, pour certains harceleurs, le harcèlement se limite à la violence physique. Ils considèrent que les mots, les insultes, ce sont des moqueries juste pour rire qui ne sont pas du harcèlement. Il est bien de mettre ces ados face à la définition du harcèlement pour qu'on prenne enfin compte que l'aspect psychologique de celui-ci.
Par contre, je regrette un peu le traitement que fait l'auteure par rapport à la différence de Marshall. Il se sent perdu, ne sait pas s'il aime les filles ou les garçons et cette différence, cette période où il se cherche va amener les autres à le considérer comme homosexuel et à le juger, le critiquer pour cela. Même Avalon pense qu'il est gay alors que lui ne le sait pas. Quand il va enfin réussi à se trouver, celui-ci va se réjouir d'aimer les filles et le traitement qui en est fait donne l'impression qu'être homosexuel, finalement c'est mal, ce n'est pas normal. Or, je pense que l'auteur voulait juste montrer que Marshall est content à l'idée de savoir où il en est par rapport à sa sexualité et qu'une fois que les autres sauront, ils arrêteront de le harcèler. Malheureusement, c exprimé d'une manière maladroite et je pense que les personnes homosexuelles pourraient mal percevoir le message tel que l'auteure l'a écrit.
La fin m'a surpris, quand on connaît le nom de la personne qui a entraîné tout le cyber-harcèlement envers Avalon. Comme quoi, on ne peut jamais être sûre de rien. On croît connaître qqn et en ligne, cette personne peut devenir une autre, méchante et sans scrupule. C'est effrayant.
Les mots de la fin car ils sont vrais :
p.264 "One day this will all be a faint memory. And you'll sit with your friends remembering back to that awful time when you were bullied at school. But you'll belong and you will be happy. This won't go on forever."
* Le harcèlement scolaire ;
* Le cyber-harcèlement ;
* L'homophobie ;
* La difficulté pour certains ados de savoir qui ils sont, de se trouver sexuellement, de ne pas savoir s'ils sont attirés par des filles ou des garçons ou les deux et d'en souffrir car les autres voient leur différence, la jugent et s'en moquent ouvertement ;
* Le suicide chez les ados ;
J'ai eu du mal à entrer dans le récit en raison d'une part, du trop de confiance en elle qu'Avalon présentait (elle était aussi dans le jugement, même si elle n'en disait rien ouvertement, étant un peu déçue de se retrouver reléguée avec le clan "des rejetés" de son école et espérant "trouver mieux" comme compagnie) mais aussi car le harcèlement la concernant va commencer dès le premier jour, ce que j'ai trouvé peu crédible.
L'auteure aborde avec intelligence les problématiques du harcèlement et cyber-harcèlement en posant d'abord les comportements des victimes les plus rencontrés dans ce genre de situation (repli sur soi, silence pour ne pas empirer la situation, doutes / questionnements sur soi, sur ce qu'on a pu faire pour mériter ça, dévalorisation de soi voire jusqu'à la haine de soi,...) pour ensuite montrer que ces comportements ne sont pas la solution, qu'au contraire, il ne faut pas hésiter à PARLER.
p.176 "My silence had given them power. They had freedom to terrorise through the internet and text messaging because I kept my mouth shut."
L'auteure parle aussi des conséquences du harcèlement : la souffrance psychologique vécue par ceux qui la subissent et qui peut mener au suicide.
J'ai aussi beaucoup aimé qu'elle parle des solutions que certaines écoles peuvent mettre en place pour prévenir le harcèlement et sensibiliser les ados à ce fléau. Comme le livre le montre, pour certains harceleurs, le harcèlement se limite à la violence physique. Ils considèrent que les mots, les insultes, ce sont des moqueries juste pour rire qui ne sont pas du harcèlement. Il est bien de mettre ces ados face à la définition du harcèlement pour qu'on prenne enfin compte que l'aspect psychologique de celui-ci.
Par contre, je regrette un peu le traitement que fait l'auteure par rapport à la différence de Marshall. Il se sent perdu, ne sait pas s'il aime les filles ou les garçons et cette différence, cette période où il se cherche va amener les autres à le considérer comme homosexuel et à le juger, le critiquer pour cela. Même Avalon pense qu'il est gay alors que lui ne le sait pas. Quand il va enfin réussi à se trouver, celui-ci va se réjouir d'aimer les filles et le traitement qui en est fait donne l'impression qu'être homosexuel, finalement c'est mal, ce n'est pas normal. Or, je pense que l'auteur voulait juste montrer que Marshall est content à l'idée de savoir où il en est par rapport à sa sexualité et qu'une fois que les autres sauront, ils arrêteront de le harcèler. Malheureusement, c exprimé d'une manière maladroite et je pense que les personnes homosexuelles pourraient mal percevoir le message tel que l'auteure l'a écrit.
La fin m'a surpris, quand on connaît le nom de la personne qui a entraîné tout le cyber-harcèlement envers Avalon. Comme quoi, on ne peut jamais être sûre de rien. On croît connaître qqn et en ligne, cette personne peut devenir une autre, méchante et sans scrupule. C'est effrayant.
Les mots de la fin car ils sont vrais :
p.264 "One day this will all be a faint memory. And you'll sit with your friends remembering back to that awful time when you were bullied at school. But you'll belong and you will be happy. This won't go on forever."
September 29, 2021
Destroying Avalon is novel I would recommend for people ages 13+. This book focuses on the consequences of cyberbullying and although cliché at times, has a strong and meaningful message behind it.
SPOILER ALERT!!
As someone who has witnessed the consequences of cyberbullying leading someone to suicide, I would say Marshall's character was written very well. Most people that experience what Marshall was going through will have similar traits as him (e.g. quiet and reserved and not speaking up about their feelings).
McCaffrey wrote the book to mainly revolve around Avalon (MC) although Marshall, Alice, Sukey and many more I would classify as dominate side characters. I would have loved to see Jake and Caleb's character development more in depth as I feel as though they were almost 'wasted'. I found it a bit strange how Jake was supposedly Avalon's best friend for her entire life but when she moved and the bullying started happening, we only heard about him once. An interesting plot that could've been used would be bring Jake back into the picture and having him come and visit Avalon and her friends in the city.
As for Caleb, in the last few pages of Destroying Avalon it is revealed that Caleb had joined forces with Avalon and was helping her with forming a website for bully's and people being bullied. Although it would've been a bit unrealistic for Avalon to move on from her potential feelings for Marshall to Caleb only within weeks of his death, I would've loved to see the chemistry between Avalon and Caleb come alive!
Morals in this story:
1. Don't assume anything about anyone despite what everyone is saying (Avalon assumed Marshall was gay because that's what everyone else was saying but she only found out the truth too late...)
2. Treat everyone with kindness, you never know what someone is going through online, at home or anywhere.
3. It doesn't make you weak to speak up about your feelings (Who knows, maybe Marshall wouldn't have died if he'd just talked to someone)
SPOILER ALERT!!
As someone who has witnessed the consequences of cyberbullying leading someone to suicide, I would say Marshall's character was written very well. Most people that experience what Marshall was going through will have similar traits as him (e.g. quiet and reserved and not speaking up about their feelings).
McCaffrey wrote the book to mainly revolve around Avalon (MC) although Marshall, Alice, Sukey and many more I would classify as dominate side characters. I would have loved to see Jake and Caleb's character development more in depth as I feel as though they were almost 'wasted'. I found it a bit strange how Jake was supposedly Avalon's best friend for her entire life but when she moved and the bullying started happening, we only heard about him once. An interesting plot that could've been used would be bring Jake back into the picture and having him come and visit Avalon and her friends in the city.
As for Caleb, in the last few pages of Destroying Avalon it is revealed that Caleb had joined forces with Avalon and was helping her with forming a website for bully's and people being bullied. Although it would've been a bit unrealistic for Avalon to move on from her potential feelings for Marshall to Caleb only within weeks of his death, I would've loved to see the chemistry between Avalon and Caleb come alive!
Morals in this story:
1. Don't assume anything about anyone despite what everyone is saying (Avalon assumed Marshall was gay because that's what everyone else was saying but she only found out the truth too late...)
2. Treat everyone with kindness, you never know what someone is going through online, at home or anywhere.
3. It doesn't make you weak to speak up about your feelings (Who knows, maybe Marshall wouldn't have died if he'd just talked to someone)
June 2, 2017
This novel was great. I loved the main character (written in first person) and how she adapted into a new environment then her previous school. The cyber bullying really made me mad also with the perspective of Avalon (main character). And how she tried to keep her secret safe from others about her cyber bullying.
The ending was very sad. When I read the part when Marshall (Avalon's best friend) died from cyber bullying and killed himself. I couldn't hold the tears of Avalon having a heartbroken moment of one of her trustworthy friends just dead by one of the bullies at school, especially Alice. I thought that Alice was one of those kind kids that wanted to help, but when she was being a bitch (excuse my french) to Avalon and her friends, I was furious. And also the other bullies that were friendly to people but in reality was being bullies to the outcasts.
In conclusion, I love this author, Kate McCaffrey, and her inspiration on how teenage girls deal with social problems and bullying.
The ending was very sad. When I read the part when Marshall (Avalon's best friend) died from cyber bullying and killed himself. I couldn't hold the tears of Avalon having a heartbroken moment of one of her trustworthy friends just dead by one of the bullies at school, especially Alice. I thought that Alice was one of those kind kids that wanted to help, but when she was being a bitch (excuse my french) to Avalon and her friends, I was furious. And also the other bullies that were friendly to people but in reality was being bullies to the outcasts.
In conclusion, I love this author, Kate McCaffrey, and her inspiration on how teenage girls deal with social problems and bullying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2022
This book is a 4.5 star, the only reason it’s not a five, is there was some little disturbing content but I guess I knew that when I got the book, (yes I read the back cover before) anyways this is short you can look at my medium here for the longer review https://medium.com/@Sarahbooks13/what...
Content warnings: suicidal, death, suicide, lots of mentions of Sl—t because bullies were spreading rumours, other related content,
thank you Fremantle press for the review copy, I hope to do more collaborations with you!
Content warnings: suicidal, death, suicide, lots of mentions of Sl—t because bullies were spreading rumours, other related content,
thank you Fremantle press for the review copy, I hope to do more collaborations with you!
February 24, 2022
I read this at school for my English class and I willingly read it 4 times, it was such a heartfelt sad book, I do agree it was a bit unrealistic but things like that do happen in the world all the time even if it is only the worst case scenario it nonetheless happens.
Overall though a super engrossing story, made me cry everytime and I literally love Marshall it broke my heart when he ended his life-I was balling my eyes out honestly
Overall though a super engrossing story, made me cry everytime and I literally love Marshall it broke my heart when he ended his life-I was balling my eyes out honestly
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2025
This is my second time reading this book and I did really enjoy it. I think it has a really strong and important message that a lot of young people should read and understand. I read this book for the first time as a teenager and absolutely sobbed when everything fell apart. I didn’t have the same reaction reading it now as a 24 year old but I still believe it is was a well written, thought provoking book.
June 2, 2017
Possibly the worst book I have ever read. I was forced to read it for school and it is so boring, cliché and poorly written it made me want to chuck it out the window. Had so much potential but it is SO unrealistic. This would never happen. Avalon herself is an extremely unlikable character. I was rooting for dragon girl and Alice.
January 13, 2021
Teen fiction. Read it as I'm teaching it in Year 10 English this year.
Simple language that is suitable for younger teenagers, however, they may need support with navigating some intense themes. A good book for parents and teenagers to read together as an introduction to the impact of bullying, particularly cyber bullying.
Simple language that is suitable for younger teenagers, however, they may need support with navigating some intense themes. A good book for parents and teenagers to read together as an introduction to the impact of bullying, particularly cyber bullying.
July 21, 2020
Raw and realistic - it takes the reader, whilst they may be aware already, inside the world of cyber bullying. It’s relevance and levels of response clearly reflect the problems for teens,schools, parents and society.
November 22, 2021
A quick and enjoyable read about a bullying situation that quickl spirals out of control. As a teacher I think this would be an educative read for students. I'll remember the book as a reminder to always encourage young people to speak up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 17, 2017Destroying Avalon is a book written in 2006 by Kate McCaffery it outlines the theme of bulling and cyber safety. Kate McCaffery is the author of many successful books including
Avalon a fourteen-year-old girl reluctantly moves to Perth away from her home in Grace Point. When she arrives, she is instantly rejected by the ‘popular’ group and becomes the victim of serious cyber bulling with no one behind her except her small group of friends who are also known as the ‘queeros and weidos’.
Destroying Avalon is narrated in Avalon’s point of view, this is effective when describing the emotions Avalon felt whilst she was being bullied, if it was in third person the reader might start to think “How does the narrator know how Avalon feels?”.
Destroying Avalon is a great book however it is very confronting and I would not recommend it unless you are prepared for some very deep and possibly triggering information regarding bulling and mental health.
Majority of this book is set in Avalon’s school and home life if the book was never set around her home life the book would have been dramatically different as if she wasn’t at home whilst being bullied maybe the teachers would have noticed.
Avalon a fourteen-year-old girl reluctantly moves to Perth away from her home in Grace Point. When she arrives, she is instantly rejected by the ‘popular’ group and becomes the victim of serious cyber bulling with no one behind her except her small group of friends who are also known as the ‘queeros and weidos’.
Destroying Avalon is narrated in Avalon’s point of view, this is effective when describing the emotions Avalon felt whilst she was being bullied, if it was in third person the reader might start to think “How does the narrator know how Avalon feels?”.
Destroying Avalon is a great book however it is very confronting and I would not recommend it unless you are prepared for some very deep and possibly triggering information regarding bulling and mental health.
Majority of this book is set in Avalon’s school and home life if the book was never set around her home life the book would have been dramatically different as if she wasn’t at home whilst being bullied maybe the teachers would have noticed.
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