Bullies in the Headlights A Novel

by Matthew Buckley, David L. Walker (Narrator)

Book by Matthew Buckley

Genres: Lds Fiction, Humor, Lds, Fiction, Comedy, Childrens, Audiobook

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Thobe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. They are so fun and they always have a good message. The personal family stories are HILARIOUS. You can't help but laugh aloud. If you have never read these, or even heard of them, I HIGHLY recommend them. They are great for families and it's guaranteed to make you laugh. The first one is called Chickens in the Headlights.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well if you're in the mood for something romantic... this is not your kind of book. This is filled with humor, and stories to tell to your younger siblings to make them fall down laughing!!!I loved this book and I think you will too!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hysterical with a good message. We listened to the audiobook in the car and everyone was laughing and giggling, even my four year old. Probably because we are a houseful of boys ourselves and can relate to many of the stories. Parents can also relate to what the parents in the book go through, and some of the kids' antics from their own childhood. I love that my kids were taught a good lesson from this book, because they referred to loving our enemies in later conversations with me. Highly recommend the audiobook.
*There is another book before this one, we just didn't have it on audiobook. But one of my son's has read it and it's just as funny.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 9 and 11 year old have read this book multiple times since they were gifted it a Christmas. So I finally had a chance to pick it up and check it out. It’s funny, teaches a good lesson and was very enjoyable to read. It has Christian themes and is written by a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun story about “loving your enemies and doing good to those who despitefully use you.” A family of brothers learn that a family of bullies have more in common with themselves than they could have imagined. They also learn that character flaws in individuals are often caused by circumstances that deserve pity rather than hate.

[Annie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. I have so many good memories of listening to this book when I was growing up. It makes me laugh so much and has such a good message. It was so fun to listen with my youngest sister this time around.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children and I loved reading it together. We all laughed so hard! I loved the moral at the end. It was unexpectedly sweet, uplifting, and even Christmas-y at the end. It reminded me of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. We'll definitely need to reread this one in another Christmas or two.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family hilarity, coming of age story, with the wisest way to treat "bullies."

[Thomas C.Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a complicated reading. I found it simple, easy to read, and often quite humorous.

[Joni Memmott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give it 4 stars for me but 5 stars for my kids

[Tabetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

We didn't think the awesomeness of the first book could be repeated - but we were happily proved wrong.

[Bill Biff · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books! It has a great story line, and is overall thrilling! Has a good moral at the end, and can teach young kids good things. It is a very fun book, and I would highly recommend.

[Kate N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Troubles with bullies and how to deal with them.
Also made me laugh out loud.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each night my wife and I read with the kids before bedtime. Over the summer, the kids got this pair of books and we started reading them.

We unintentionally read them out of order, starting with Bullies. It didn't make a huge difference. There were a couple of references to the first book, but they were explained well enough that we didn't miss anything. And when we did go back and read Chickens, we already knew who the bullies were when they showed up at the 4th of July celebration.

The books were written simply enough that young kids could follow along with the story line easily enough. At the same time, there was vocabulary that would make kids stretch and there were some phrases and references that I felt would likely go over the heads of the kids. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as it provides co-reading adults with something more advanced to keep them occupied, but at the same time, these moments didn't seem necessary and felt more like an attempt to be 'literary' than an effort to actually add something to the story.

The characters in the book are enjoyable. We particularly get close to the young narrator and he is the most fleshed out of all the characters. His brothers and parents seemed a little flat at times, but Matthew really felt alive.

Both books were great portrayals of life in a large family, life in a semi-secluded farming community, and life in an LDS household. There were a number of "inside jokes" that will only be picked up by an LDS reader, but overall the books should be accessible to anyone and they certainly don't attempt to preach. They do provide morals at times in subtle ways (some of the lessons in Bullies aren't subtle at all but blatant talking points from a church teacher or parent).

My wife and I were taken a little aback by some of the behaviors and actions presented by the kids and in the family. While not awful and certainly not anything new, the mischievous activities of the kids are not wholly condemned or condoned but the narrative voice of Matthew often leaves things ambiguous on the side of giving permission for mischievous behavior. I think the author picked up on this to a degree as Bullies is a little more forthcoming in looking down on "wrong" behavior instead of saying nothing.

The activities and adventures of the Buckley family were entertaining. There were segments of each book that felt a little dry, like we were just passing time while waiting for the next point of action. These slow points provided background on the Buckley family and gave opportunities for interaction, but didn't do much to progress the story.

Overall, these books were alright and I don't mind that we read them as a family or that we have copies in our home. But they're not necessarily books that I'm going to rush out and recommend to others or try to pass my books around so others can read.

From a storytelling perspective, I enjoyed Chickens better than Bullies. I enjoyed the moral perspective of Bullies more than Chickens but it did feel a little heavy handed (especially the ending).

If you want to check them out, go for it, if not...don't.

Scores:
Chickens - 2.5 stars
Bullies - 2 stars

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew Buckley and his brothers, Peter and Simon, have a problem-bullies. The bullies,the Hagberts, have been picking on them since school started because they had a huge fight in the summer. There was also a new kid in town named Allen, who became their friend. So the Buckley's had to get back at the bullies; they pulled a little prank on them. That is what started the war. Prank after prank happened until around Christmas. That is when they were going to get them back for good. At the Christmas Eve's party they were going to make it look like the Hagberts were thieves, but Matthew overheard one of the Hagbert kids getting beat up by his dad, and that is when they changed their mind about everything that the Hagberts had done. So, they decided not to do their prank.

Allen was in the story to create friendship. For example a quote from the book says, "He thought for a minute and then said, 'Hey, you should come over to my house after school. We could play ping-pong, or something.'"

Gil Hagbert was mean and he was there to create pain. A quote from the book says, "I'm gonna beat you up." This is after Matthew and his brothers pulled the first prank on the Hagberts.

The theme of this story, what I think, is not to bully, and even if you are getting bullied, not to be bullies back. Teasing isn't always funny and can be very mean and hurtful. Also, you might not know what is going on in the bully's life. They could be getting bullied by their parents, and that is all they've ever known is to bully.

I think this book was a good book because it was really interesting, and it taught a good life lesson. The author made you think about your own actions, and how they can affect other people, and bullying is bad. It also showed the other story behind the bully. He was only being mean because that is all his father has ever shown him. I also liked the book because it was short. The author wasn't explaining every single tiny detail and he got to the point really quick, which I liked.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not quite as laugh out loud hilarious as the first book, at least for me, until well over halfway through, but I still really enjoyed it and I actually went ahead and gave it 5 stars because of the message and how well, I thought, it was taught. The people in the book aren't perfect, any of them. Even Brother Winston who teaches Matthew's Primary class has a past. I did figure out who was helping the Hagbarts (aka the bullies) pretty much right away. There were so many funny things woven into this story, from the dad trying to find urinals at the hardware store to the boys practically undressing before leaving church in order to be the first one changed into play clothes at home. I was kinda bummed that the issue with the librarian wasn't resolved more in the first book, and I loved how it finally was in this one. The pixieing that the Buckleys do in this book is awesome. I love the day-by-day, play-by-play account of that. I did wonder at the continuing theme of headlights in the title, but that is nicely brought around towards the end.

The preface to this book states that the author was working on another book with the theme of scouting, and that is very subtly referred to at the end (which you probably wouldn't know if you hadn't read the preface), but I don't see that he has published any other books since this one (which was in 2007). I really would love to read more of his work and the adventures of the Buckleys and hope that he finishes the scouting one or does write more books.

[Emmalynne Crist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned to love those around you no matter how they treat you. I had an experience early on in my life similar to the main character Matthew (who is also the author), not quite the bully one, but similar. My mother always told me growing up not to judge others by their actions as you don't know what they have been through to make them that way. I had a couple experiences with that life lesson and it will forever be ingrained on my mind and in my heart to love those around us as we really have no idea why they are the way they are. I enjoyed this, yet another, book from Matthew Buckley - and I hope that one day he continues to write about the story of his life growing up in a house of 7 boys.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great book to read with your kids. I hinted horribly that I wanted it for Mother's Day right after it came out in 2007. Luckily, my oldest son bought a copy for me & one for him. We had the best time asking each other, "What page are you on?" We cannot wait for the next one, "Scouts in the Headlights". At the time I started reading this series of books, I did not have any Scouts in my house, I just had Cub Scouts and was learning the ropes of Cub Master. Well now I have two boys who are in Scouts and guess who there leader is? Yep, My Hubby! I think we will end up with four copies of "Scouts in the Headlights" floating around our house.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Chickens in the Headlights series. It's a cute book for the whole family. It is about the Buckley family, who has seven boys, and the boys' problems with the Hagbart bullies. It gives you something to think about. What is the best way to handle really mean bullies who hurt you every time they see you? Do you keep getting them back or do you forgive? What if they deserve everything you dish out? What if you aren't really hurting them? Then, is it okay to play mean tricks on them because they beat you up? What if there is a reason they are so mean?

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good story from Matthew Buckley. My boys are again enjoying as I read it to them - especially since the book starts at the beginning of school and they just started school again. I love how the author tells a story--his timing is always perfect. This didn't have me chortling as often, but I liked it just as much as "Chickens in the Headlights" or maybe even more because of the touching finish of how it all comes together.

[Turah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is good as the first. There are parts that I remember especially from the first time I read it with my family. Like the black walnuts and the pot licker. But there is something more we can find in this one. We learn a lesson that we all have a hard time with. And that is we all need to love everyone, no matter what they have done in the past. And that is something that makes this book so good.

[Dahlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boys and I loved this book. We read a chapter or two each night before bed. They always wanted to read more. The Buckley boys had quite the adventures dodging the bullies and seeking revenge. In the end they found out it is not always fun to get revenge, but saw the bullies in a different light. It was a good moral for my boys to learn. Turning the other cheek is not just for whimps.

[Emily]

My family has listened to this audio book on a few roadtrips and has kept us awake, laughing, and a bit more understanding of each other. I loved the way this book was written from a child's perspective. It helped me understand what must be going through my boys' heads when I am scratching mine. The message in this book was a great one too.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We listened to the audio book on a long car trip and my family was laughing out loud all over again in this sequel. We love the first one best, but this was great too and something my whole family enjoyed--which is pretty amazing with kids ranging from 17-5! (Several of my kids had read this book, but thought it was funnier listening to it aloud.)

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

We listened to this book on tape on our way home from Utah one time, and my boys were so enthralled with it that when we got home they sat on the couch and listened to the rest of it. It's not quite as good as Chickens in the Headlights, but it's very close. And it has a good message.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun stuff! Just as good or better than the first in this series. I liked the parents better in this one. I laughed out loud and had to share this one too! I can't wait for the next one. It is supposed to be about scouting. LDS, but not churchy.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this one 4 1/2 stars. Overall it wasn't QUITE as funny as the first, but still a really fun read. He's so good at remembering what it was like to be a kid. Also there's a good lesson to be learned in this book. I loved it, and I'm excited for more of his books to come out.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the last one had a lot more funny parts in it, but this was good too. I'm more excited for the next book, as my brother is in scouts and always has all kinds of funny stories to tell us. (2.5, but that rounds up to three).

[Trista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, listened to the audio book. Laughed til it hurt a few times. This book has a more serious side than the first book and has a pretty heavy message at the end that luckily my 4-year-old didn't really understand. But it's a great listen for parents.

[Jennifer Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An believable portrayal of what it's like to be a kid, growing up in a big family, making friends, and being harassed by school bullies. Funny and cute, the book is directed at an LDS audience but I think it could be enjoyed by anyone.