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Bluford High #5
The Bully
A new life. A new school. A new bully. That's what Darrell Mercer faces when he and his mother move from Philadelphia to California. After spending months living in fear, Darrell is faced with a big decision. He can either keep on running from this bully or find some way to fight back.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
580 people are currently reading
5536 people want to read
About the author
Paul Langan
46 books529 followersBorn in Philadelphia, Paul Langan spent his early childhood in the city before moving with his single mother to southern New Jersey. There he attended public school and worked a variety of jobs—including salesperson at a shoe store, attendant at a horse ranch, landscaper at a mental hospital, and a night-shift stockperson in a warehouse store near Atlantic City. “Each job,” he says today, “could be the topic of several juicy novels.”
In 1991, he enrolled at Camden County College and a year later transferred to La Salle University, where he studied creative writing and literature, earning a B.A. in English. While at La Salle, he lived with international students, traveled to his roommate’s home in Kenya, became a prison tutor, and found “the courage” to write.
After graduation, he worked for a nonprofit agency in Philadelphia and then joined Townsend Press (TP) as an Assistant Editor. After he contributed to a number of TP textbooks and taught English at a community college, Paul reconnected to his interests in creative writing through the Bluford Series. Originally working as an assistant with the Bluford novels, Paul’s role steadily grew. He now serves as both editor of the series and author or coauthor of several novels, including The Bully, The Gun, and The Fallen. His stories reflect his personal experiences, including the difficulties of growing up without a father, being the “new kid” in school, and dealing with the loss of a loved one.
In 2001, Paul completed a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to expanding the Bluford Series, he dreams of writing a successful movie script, preferably a “supernatural thriller.” Today Paul lives with his wife and three children near Philadelphia and stubbornly clings to the hope that he will one day see the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl.
In 1991, he enrolled at Camden County College and a year later transferred to La Salle University, where he studied creative writing and literature, earning a B.A. in English. While at La Salle, he lived with international students, traveled to his roommate’s home in Kenya, became a prison tutor, and found “the courage” to write.
After graduation, he worked for a nonprofit agency in Philadelphia and then joined Townsend Press (TP) as an Assistant Editor. After he contributed to a number of TP textbooks and taught English at a community college, Paul reconnected to his interests in creative writing through the Bluford Series. Originally working as an assistant with the Bluford novels, Paul’s role steadily grew. He now serves as both editor of the series and author or coauthor of several novels, including The Bully, The Gun, and The Fallen. His stories reflect his personal experiences, including the difficulties of growing up without a father, being the “new kid” in school, and dealing with the loss of a loved one.
In 2001, Paul completed a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to expanding the Bluford Series, he dreams of writing a successful movie script, preferably a “supernatural thriller.” Today Paul lives with his wife and three children near Philadelphia and stubbornly clings to the hope that he will one day see the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 863 reviews
April 2, 2008
This book is a great
it come out of a series of books that are really good too.
it come out of a series of books that are really good too.
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December 7, 2009this book is about a boy who knew it wasnt a good idea to move to california, but he didnt want to complain to his mother about it but didnt have a good feeling at all about moving away especially since he had really good friends where he lived.
When he got there he had the thought of making new friends so when his mother asked him to walk to the store he took the opportunity to make that time as meeting new people and he tried but when he took the chance he got almost beat up for something so petty that he had to start paying the guy so he wouldn't get tormented as much.
He went to school and he knew that he would never live it down he thought the idea of paying the guy when he told him would work out but he still tormented darrell.but his teacher mr. mitchell knew what was partially going on but gave darrell the hatchet and he didnt understand it at first but then understood what the boy had to go thhrough to survive and that is just what darrell had to do with tyray and he did he joined the wrestling team which gave him more confidence and ate more to give him more growth..
one day at lunch tyray pushed him to the limit and he beat tyray in front of everyone and the guy that was once feared wasn't feared and anymore.
When he got there he had the thought of making new friends so when his mother asked him to walk to the store he took the opportunity to make that time as meeting new people and he tried but when he took the chance he got almost beat up for something so petty that he had to start paying the guy so he wouldn't get tormented as much.
He went to school and he knew that he would never live it down he thought the idea of paying the guy when he told him would work out but he still tormented darrell.but his teacher mr. mitchell knew what was partially going on but gave darrell the hatchet and he didnt understand it at first but then understood what the boy had to go thhrough to survive and that is just what darrell had to do with tyray and he did he joined the wrestling team which gave him more confidence and ate more to give him more growth..
one day at lunch tyray pushed him to the limit and he beat tyray in front of everyone and the guy that was once feared wasn't feared and anymore.
December 5, 2014
I really like this book. It was the first book I read in the Bluford Series and it was great. My favorite part was when Darrel joined the wrestling team and at first he couldn't keep up, but he kept working at it and he started to notice he was gaining confidence. I like that part just because if you keep on working at it you can succeed. Throughout the book he was gaining much more confidence he even told his friend Harold to join! I read the book awhile ago, but I know that Darrell ended up with a girl he really liked and I also like that part because, they couldn't really be together because of Tyray. Overall this book was great.
April 21, 2009
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Paul Langan is one of ma favorite authors. He writes a lot of great books. One of my personal favorites is "The Bully". This book is about a teenage boy named Darrell Mercer who lived an okay life in Philadelphia. He was a small boy, very skinny and not very strong. He had a lot of friends and his best friend always fought for him. Every time he got into fight or anytime Darrel needed somebody, he was there. One day Darrel's mom decided to move to California. Darrel was upset because he was not only leaving behind his friends, he was leaving behind his protection. he had to go to a new school and make new friends and was a little worried about it. When he got to Bluford high. he met Tyray... the school bully. As time passed on Tyray was pushing Darrel around everyday, taking his money, and embarrassed him and made him cry.Darrell got sick of it and had to do something about it. Darrell worked out everyday and ate lots. He even joined the wrestling team. As it ended, Darrel finally stood up to the bully.
I love this book because i can relate to it. I know how he felt when he had to move to a whole new state. Growing up i frequently changed schools and always had to make new friends. I went Lidey Elementary for kindergarden and part of first grade. My mom moved the family to North Carolina so i went to J.R. Ingrum Elementary for the rest of first grade. I then moved back to Philadelphia with my dad and I went to Kerney Elementary for second grade. I moved back with my mom and i went to Frederick Douglass for 3rd, 4th, and fifth grades. I then moved so i went to Gillespie Middle school for 6th and the beginning of 7th grade. For the rest of 7th and 8th grade i went to Charles Drew Elementary and here i am today for 9th and 10th grads at Constitution. As you can see i always had to adjust and meet new people.
Moving to North Carolina was the worst. It was a whole new life style to me coming from Philadelphia. In North Carolina there are a lot of roads and a lot of yard space. In Philadelphia there is usually a small yard and there are a lot of houses. In North Carolina there are no corner stores and everywhere you go you have to drive. In Philadelphia, everything is accessible. You can go to the corner store, the market, to school, and to the park and still be right around the corner from your house!! Where i lived, it was old plantations. I was living in a remodeled house where slaves used to live. There was a lot of land because it used to be a plantation. We didn't have any washer or dryer. We had to hand wash our clothes and hang them outside to dry. I really felt good when i moved back to Philly.
I hate being the new girl!! I don't like making new friends. Its a process. First you have to fill everybody out. Then you have to see what people are most like you. Then you have to get to know them. Then you have to earn their trust and they have to earn yours. Its a lot! It is also stressful. Moving from place to place is not easy. I understand how Darrell felt when he left basically his whole life behind him. I felt like that when i left Philadelphia. But when i got back i was so happy and excited to see all my old friends.
In conclusion i like the bully because i can relate to most of the emotions Darrel felt because as you can see i have been in similar situations. I hope this doesn't happen again!
Paul Langan is one of ma favorite authors. He writes a lot of great books. One of my personal favorites is "The Bully". This book is about a teenage boy named Darrell Mercer who lived an okay life in Philadelphia. He was a small boy, very skinny and not very strong. He had a lot of friends and his best friend always fought for him. Every time he got into fight or anytime Darrel needed somebody, he was there. One day Darrel's mom decided to move to California. Darrel was upset because he was not only leaving behind his friends, he was leaving behind his protection. he had to go to a new school and make new friends and was a little worried about it. When he got to Bluford high. he met Tyray... the school bully. As time passed on Tyray was pushing Darrel around everyday, taking his money, and embarrassed him and made him cry.Darrell got sick of it and had to do something about it. Darrell worked out everyday and ate lots. He even joined the wrestling team. As it ended, Darrel finally stood up to the bully.
I love this book because i can relate to it. I know how he felt when he had to move to a whole new state. Growing up i frequently changed schools and always had to make new friends. I went Lidey Elementary for kindergarden and part of first grade. My mom moved the family to North Carolina so i went to J.R. Ingrum Elementary for the rest of first grade. I then moved back to Philadelphia with my dad and I went to Kerney Elementary for second grade. I moved back with my mom and i went to Frederick Douglass for 3rd, 4th, and fifth grades. I then moved so i went to Gillespie Middle school for 6th and the beginning of 7th grade. For the rest of 7th and 8th grade i went to Charles Drew Elementary and here i am today for 9th and 10th grads at Constitution. As you can see i always had to adjust and meet new people.
Moving to North Carolina was the worst. It was a whole new life style to me coming from Philadelphia. In North Carolina there are a lot of roads and a lot of yard space. In Philadelphia there is usually a small yard and there are a lot of houses. In North Carolina there are no corner stores and everywhere you go you have to drive. In Philadelphia, everything is accessible. You can go to the corner store, the market, to school, and to the park and still be right around the corner from your house!! Where i lived, it was old plantations. I was living in a remodeled house where slaves used to live. There was a lot of land because it used to be a plantation. We didn't have any washer or dryer. We had to hand wash our clothes and hang them outside to dry. I really felt good when i moved back to Philly.
I hate being the new girl!! I don't like making new friends. Its a process. First you have to fill everybody out. Then you have to see what people are most like you. Then you have to get to know them. Then you have to earn their trust and they have to earn yours. Its a lot! It is also stressful. Moving from place to place is not easy. I understand how Darrell felt when he left basically his whole life behind him. I felt like that when i left Philadelphia. But when i got back i was so happy and excited to see all my old friends.
In conclusion i like the bully because i can relate to most of the emotions Darrel felt because as you can see i have been in similar situations. I hope this doesn't happen again!
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December 5, 2014This book is about a boy named Darrel Mercer. He moves to Philadelphia to California with his mom. When he gets there he starts getting bullied by Tyray. Tyray is making him pay money to him all the time, he joins wrestling to try to make himself stronger to stand up to Tyray, and he's uncle is always making front of him about how he's so skinny.
November 23, 2014
This is a great book to read i like it a lot. I think everyone should read it. I enjoy reading it.
February 21, 2009
In the book "The Bully" by Paul Langan its about a teenager named Darell Mercer who moves in to California from Philidelphia. He moves in there because his mom finds a good job there, so he has to move in to Bluford Highschool. At first when he goes there he doesn't like it because he misses his old friends, and he is being bullied by a guy named Tyray. Tyray makes fun of Darell and beats him up and Darrel doesn't like it and he gets sick of it. Since Darrell is smaller and weaker than Tyray, he can't beat him up. Tyray tells Darrell that if he pays him $10 dollars every friday, he will be nicer to him, so then Darrell decides to pay him. Then one day, Darrell sees a poster that says to join the Bluford wrestling team, and he decides to join it.
Darrell's coach tells him that if he wants to change something, he has to do something about it. Then its Darrell's first match and his coach tells him to do something so that he can beat his aponent, but Darrell looses. On his 2nd match, he won because he did what his coach told him to do. Then one day, when Darrell was in the cafeteria, Tyray made him trip by spilling juice on floor. Darrell couldn't take it anymore and told tyray that people don't like him, and that people hang out with him, because they are afraid of him. Tyray was going to beat up Darrell, but Darrell didn't let him, because he used wrestling on him. Eventually, Darrell got sent to the office but his freinds were proud of him.
My critique of this book is that I enjoyed reading this book because it shows how Darrell faces a bully. I would recommend this book to people who like to read realistic fiction books on teenagers. I would also reccomend it because its about a book about things that could really happen to teenagers. I would give this book 4 stars because it shows how Darrell faces a bully and what he does to face him. This book was an interesting book for me to read because it was about how Darrell faces a bully, and what he does about it.
Darrell's coach tells him that if he wants to change something, he has to do something about it. Then its Darrell's first match and his coach tells him to do something so that he can beat his aponent, but Darrell looses. On his 2nd match, he won because he did what his coach told him to do. Then one day, when Darrell was in the cafeteria, Tyray made him trip by spilling juice on floor. Darrell couldn't take it anymore and told tyray that people don't like him, and that people hang out with him, because they are afraid of him. Tyray was going to beat up Darrell, but Darrell didn't let him, because he used wrestling on him. Eventually, Darrell got sent to the office but his freinds were proud of him.
My critique of this book is that I enjoyed reading this book because it shows how Darrell faces a bully. I would recommend this book to people who like to read realistic fiction books on teenagers. I would also reccomend it because its about a book about things that could really happen to teenagers. I would give this book 4 stars because it shows how Darrell faces a bully and what he does to face him. This book was an interesting book for me to read because it was about how Darrell faces a bully, and what he does about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2017
The book is called the bully it’s about a little boy who’s getting bullied at school and facing his bully and standing up for himself.
Darrell one thing i really liked was when he stood up for himself and that’s a major thing in life you can’t let anyone do you any kind of way.
One thing i really didn’t like was he gave the bully money. The reason why i didn’t like it was he lived a bad life no one should live afraid.
This is a great book. If you are a bully or getting bullied you should read this book.
Darrell one thing i really liked was when he stood up for himself and that’s a major thing in life you can’t let anyone do you any kind of way.
One thing i really didn’t like was he gave the bully money. The reason why i didn’t like it was he lived a bad life no one should live afraid.
This is a great book. If you are a bully or getting bullied you should read this book.
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November 4, 2010Lathan Scott
11/3/10
Ms. Valentino
Section 4
Book Review on The Bully By: Paul Laugan
The Bully by: Paul Laugan was a book that I read in the 6th grade. That realistic fiction book captivated me. The book was so good that I couldn’t even blink. I recommend this book The Bully, because like I said it is so good, and remarkable. If you are wondering the book is about a boy that moves to a new school, and has to deal with a bully that harasses him constantly. He has to make a decision if he wants to keep running, or if he wants to stop the being bullied. He also learns a lot about himself and what he is able to do. If you like books like, The Hatchet,(another book I read in 6th grade) or other stories that has to do with adventure and having to overcome the odds, then you will really like this book. Lastly, I won’t revile it but the book has an awesome ending I mean awesome.
Now like I said I would highly recommend it to those who want a quick read and an eye opener. Now personally the things that I love about it are the intense of conflict rising between him and the bully. Don’t get me wrong I really despise bullying but the way the author writes it is just so, I can’t even put it to words. In this book I can really connect to a text to television or even text to world. It’s so good because its true and the author Paul didn’t make it in to a any old fake fantasy book he really put it to life. The characters and the situations are just so realistic. A quote that makes it real is “Why you always pick on me?” “Because I want to,” (52). Those are some real words from real people in that type of situation. This is also has some boring parts to it like all books. For instance, in this book after a day of school and when he walks home it gets boring and when you finish the first chapter you would expect the book to be constantly overwhelming and just continuing to bring on the action. When he is home he talks to his mom and in the book sometimes he just talks to people about different things. When those parts came up the book drops its intensity. Also, the reason why read this book because my teacher Ms. Milder told the class, “this is a great book to teach teenagers how they can take control of their own lives even if they find themselves in an abusive situation.” When my teacher said that, it hypnotized me. None of the dislikes will keep me away from giving this book 5 stars. This book makes me feel elated.
This guy Paul Langan was born in Philly in 1972. He grew up without a father in his life and that is why his stories reflect on personal experiences including the struggles of growing up without a father and challenges students face in school. (I got this info from http://www.readwritethink.org/files/r...)
11/3/10
Ms. Valentino
Section 4
Book Review on The Bully By: Paul Laugan
The Bully by: Paul Laugan was a book that I read in the 6th grade. That realistic fiction book captivated me. The book was so good that I couldn’t even blink. I recommend this book The Bully, because like I said it is so good, and remarkable. If you are wondering the book is about a boy that moves to a new school, and has to deal with a bully that harasses him constantly. He has to make a decision if he wants to keep running, or if he wants to stop the being bullied. He also learns a lot about himself and what he is able to do. If you like books like, The Hatchet,(another book I read in 6th grade) or other stories that has to do with adventure and having to overcome the odds, then you will really like this book. Lastly, I won’t revile it but the book has an awesome ending I mean awesome.
Now like I said I would highly recommend it to those who want a quick read and an eye opener. Now personally the things that I love about it are the intense of conflict rising between him and the bully. Don’t get me wrong I really despise bullying but the way the author writes it is just so, I can’t even put it to words. In this book I can really connect to a text to television or even text to world. It’s so good because its true and the author Paul didn’t make it in to a any old fake fantasy book he really put it to life. The characters and the situations are just so realistic. A quote that makes it real is “Why you always pick on me?” “Because I want to,” (52). Those are some real words from real people in that type of situation. This is also has some boring parts to it like all books. For instance, in this book after a day of school and when he walks home it gets boring and when you finish the first chapter you would expect the book to be constantly overwhelming and just continuing to bring on the action. When he is home he talks to his mom and in the book sometimes he just talks to people about different things. When those parts came up the book drops its intensity. Also, the reason why read this book because my teacher Ms. Milder told the class, “this is a great book to teach teenagers how they can take control of their own lives even if they find themselves in an abusive situation.” When my teacher said that, it hypnotized me. None of the dislikes will keep me away from giving this book 5 stars. This book makes me feel elated.
This guy Paul Langan was born in Philly in 1972. He grew up without a father in his life and that is why his stories reflect on personal experiences including the struggles of growing up without a father and challenges students face in school. (I got this info from http://www.readwritethink.org/files/r...)
January 15, 2011
To summarize this book, it was about a bot names Darrell who lived in a bad part of Philadelphia and had to move to California. He and his mom didn't have a lot of money and her brother got her a better job in California. He hated leaving all of his friends behind and having to start school without knowing anyone. Since he was sort of a tiny kid, he was shy and got made fun of a lot. Once they were in California, he was bullied by a kid named Tyray and his group of friends. After he gets fed up with Tyray, he starts working out and joins the wrestling team. Finally he has to make the decision of whether he wants to keep avoiding Tyray, or fight back.
This book was really great. I have trouble reading extremely long and drawn out books, especially if they're not interesting. This book was pretty short and kept me interested the entire time I was reading. Each time I reached the end of a chapter, it kept me wanting to read more. I love books that relate back to high school because often times there are certain situations that I can relate to. If not, it allows for me to see a different viewpoint. Since I like reading books that I can relate to and that aren't so long that I get overwhelmed just by looking at it, I enjoyed this book very much.
I believe the author's purpose in writing this book is to show kids that everyone has feelings and what bullying can do to people. It emphasizes the feelings of bullies and victims through characters such as Tyray and Darrell. For example, Darrell tells us feelings throughout the entire book and we see how they change as he gets bullied. The theme of the novel is that you should always treat others the way that you would want them to treat you. I think that since the author conveys to us the feelings of Tyray and Darrell, he wants us to understand how important treating each other right really is.
This book was really great. I have trouble reading extremely long and drawn out books, especially if they're not interesting. This book was pretty short and kept me interested the entire time I was reading. Each time I reached the end of a chapter, it kept me wanting to read more. I love books that relate back to high school because often times there are certain situations that I can relate to. If not, it allows for me to see a different viewpoint. Since I like reading books that I can relate to and that aren't so long that I get overwhelmed just by looking at it, I enjoyed this book very much.
I believe the author's purpose in writing this book is to show kids that everyone has feelings and what bullying can do to people. It emphasizes the feelings of bullies and victims through characters such as Tyray and Darrell. For example, Darrell tells us feelings throughout the entire book and we see how they change as he gets bullied. The theme of the novel is that you should always treat others the way that you would want them to treat you. I think that since the author conveys to us the feelings of Tyray and Darrell, he wants us to understand how important treating each other right really is.
March 25, 2011
if you like problems in life not your life but other people this book is for you.so what happen in the book is derrall lived in philadelphia and he was having a good time to but his mom fount a new gob in californa and she took it. so derrell is startind a new school an that school is called bluford high. the sunday before darrell's first day at bluford.one sunday night, darrell had truble sleeping he cept looking at the time he wonted to have so time to rest but he wonted to go to sleep and never wake up he jest wounted to be in a good sleep.derrell went to school and he wont to build some strength,disciplane and confidence because at school he was always down so he try to find a sport that will fit him and he came up with indoor-sports like track,basketball or wrestling.It think that darrell going for sports to he can get the word fight back in his head but i know its hard to fight back from stuff that happen to me. i think he should go and tell its not being a snich it being safe.
so too my this book is really good and i like it i will
recommend this book to poeple because it can teach you bout life by that i mean it can help you by him telling you what happen in his life you will no what sto do if this happens to you or you can prepare for it.
I dont love this book but i realy like this book it is cool i recommend this book to people that is having a hard time in life the book the bully is an really powerfull book if you are an person that is alittle down rite now or any time you will do me a big faver by reading this book
so too my this book is really good and i like it i will
recommend this book to poeple because it can teach you bout life by that i mean it can help you by him telling you what happen in his life you will no what sto do if this happens to you or you can prepare for it.
I dont love this book but i realy like this book it is cool i recommend this book to people that is having a hard time in life the book the bully is an really powerfull book if you are an person that is alittle down rite now or any time you will do me a big faver by reading this book
December 1, 2010
Hard Time in School
How dose it feel to be in a school when you bullied? The Bully by Paul Lagan is a excellent book that feels so sad about yourself that you think that they are better than you but they are not. The story is about a boy that lives with his uncle and going to new school. Running away from people that he would not get himself bullied.
Darrell Mercer is a thirteen years old boy. Darrell and his mom now live in California with his uncle. Darrell new school is Buford High. He wants his friends from his old school into his new school but only one of them. It was a girl but the thing is that she did not realize him. He also wants the bullies to stop calling him names and trying to beat him up, they always in his way. So Darrell is trying to ignore him and figure out how he could get back at them.
I was touched by the story of The Bully by Paul Lagan because I was so sad about what happen to him. I recommend this book to people that had been bullied when they are young.
How dose it feel to be in a school when you bullied? The Bully by Paul Lagan is a excellent book that feels so sad about yourself that you think that they are better than you but they are not. The story is about a boy that lives with his uncle and going to new school. Running away from people that he would not get himself bullied.
Darrell Mercer is a thirteen years old boy. Darrell and his mom now live in California with his uncle. Darrell new school is Buford High. He wants his friends from his old school into his new school but only one of them. It was a girl but the thing is that she did not realize him. He also wants the bullies to stop calling him names and trying to beat him up, they always in his way. So Darrell is trying to ignore him and figure out how he could get back at them.
I was touched by the story of The Bully by Paul Lagan because I was so sad about what happen to him. I recommend this book to people that had been bullied when they are young.
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June 1, 2011Will you ever give your money to a bully? Will you ever fight a bully or tell on him? Will your mom be sad or mad if she finds out you have been giving a bully your lunch money?
This is what Darrell Mercer thought about in the book. Darrell lives in Philadelphia and has a friend named Mark who is always ready to help Darrell in a fight. Darrell is short and skinny and not very strong. But Darrell's mom was looking for a job in Philadelphia,then one day his uncle named Jason, told Darrell mom that there were a lot of jobs in California. So they started moving immediately.After a while Darrell reached CA.The next day Darrell got scared of his new school because he would not see Mark again, eventually Mark will not help him in fights any more and it would be hard looking for a friend like Mark again. So he thought people would bully him in school.
One day Darrell was walking to the super market and he saw a girl that was going to the same school as him which was Bluford High School. So then they talked and surprisingly they were both freshmen.
Then Darrell started going to Bluford High and a bully started picking on him so Darrell got scared so the next day Darrell started paying Tyray the"the bully"$10 every Friday because he was too scared of getting hurt.I recommend this book because it is heart touching and bullying is happening in a lot of schools.
if love fighting and romances this is the type of book you should read.Also, I will extremely recommend this books to kids today so they could stop getting bully and fight their fears.one big reason some of the readers would dislike this book because it has series change.I would definitely read the next series of this by Paul Langan.This book is like making a lot of shots in a basket ball hoop.
This is what Darrell Mercer thought about in the book. Darrell lives in Philadelphia and has a friend named Mark who is always ready to help Darrell in a fight. Darrell is short and skinny and not very strong. But Darrell's mom was looking for a job in Philadelphia,then one day his uncle named Jason, told Darrell mom that there were a lot of jobs in California. So they started moving immediately.After a while Darrell reached CA.The next day Darrell got scared of his new school because he would not see Mark again, eventually Mark will not help him in fights any more and it would be hard looking for a friend like Mark again. So he thought people would bully him in school.
One day Darrell was walking to the super market and he saw a girl that was going to the same school as him which was Bluford High School. So then they talked and surprisingly they were both freshmen.
Then Darrell started going to Bluford High and a bully started picking on him so Darrell got scared so the next day Darrell started paying Tyray the"the bully"$10 every Friday because he was too scared of getting hurt.I recommend this book because it is heart touching and bullying is happening in a lot of schools.
if love fighting and romances this is the type of book you should read.Also, I will extremely recommend this books to kids today so they could stop getting bully and fight their fears.one big reason some of the readers would dislike this book because it has series change.I would definitely read the next series of this by Paul Langan.This book is like making a lot of shots in a basket ball hoop.
March 28, 2011
The 190 page book called "The Bully" is written by Paul Langan. In the story the main charater is Darrell,he is sad/mad because him and is mother is moving from Philadelphia to Califorina. He says that life would not be the same anymore beacuse, he is moving away from his firends, school and neighborhood. Darrell mother is trying to explain to him that when they get out there he will probaly like it, and that he would meet new people. Darrell is upset because his mother is telling him that it would be okay but Darrell said it's not goin to be okay because he don't have his best friends with him and that when he gets to Califorina and he starts school people would make fun of him beacuse he is skinny and short, and that he won't have his friends to portect him form the big kids. Darrell and his mother got on a bus to go to Califorina. When they arrive there Darrell's Uncle Jason drove them to their new neighborhood. When they got their his mother said come on Darrell lets go see our new house, Darrell mumbled and said "This ain't my house are my neighborhood". Darrell was feeling even madder because on they way to their new house his uncle Jason was talking about how small he is and that how is new school got all kind of sports, and that he need to do push-ups(Work Out)so he can get mucles so he can paly sports. -Read more to find out!
May 3, 2011
Have you ever been bullied? Felt like there was nothing you could do? That's how 15 year old Darrell Mercer felt when he moved to California. Darrell moved to California during the school year. He was trying to be friendly, but in trying to make friends, he met Tyray Hobbs.
This book is very interesting and exciting. That is why I recommend it to most people. It has a good amount of action, but not too much. People looking for a book with a lot of shooting and fighting will be disappointed. Anyone who likes books with action will enjoy this book.
However there are a few fight scenes and plenty of tense moments between Tyray and Darrell. The ending is also very satisfying. There are many scenes where you think something will happen between them. This creates a lot of tension which makes for a great story. If you like tense moments between antagonists and protagonists, you will enjoy this book.
There are reasons why someone would not like this book, however. While it does have action, it is not filled with action. If you only like books where there is constant action, you will not like this book. On the contrary, if you don't like books that have tense moments or fighting, you won't like this book. Most people will like this book, however.
This book is very good. Some people may not like it, but I recommend it to most anyone.
This book is very interesting and exciting. That is why I recommend it to most people. It has a good amount of action, but not too much. People looking for a book with a lot of shooting and fighting will be disappointed. Anyone who likes books with action will enjoy this book.
However there are a few fight scenes and plenty of tense moments between Tyray and Darrell. The ending is also very satisfying. There are many scenes where you think something will happen between them. This creates a lot of tension which makes for a great story. If you like tense moments between antagonists and protagonists, you will enjoy this book.
There are reasons why someone would not like this book, however. While it does have action, it is not filled with action. If you only like books where there is constant action, you will not like this book. On the contrary, if you don't like books that have tense moments or fighting, you won't like this book. Most people will like this book, however.
This book is very good. Some people may not like it, but I recommend it to most anyone.
Read
December 17, 2008In The Bully by Paul Langan, Darrell Mercer faces huge ordeals in his life; from his mom losing her job to there big move to California. Darrell deals with being the new student at Bluford High, and dealing with a new bully. The main characters in The Bully are; Tyray, the new bully, Darrell Mercer, the new kid from Detroit, and Amberlynn Bailey, the beautiful girl both Darrell and Tyray are crushing over.
This book is very consuming and realistic, like many others in the series also.
There real people going through life just like we are. Well at least they make it seem that way. Many ordeals that go on could be between any of the students that I go to school with .One a scale of one to ten I give this book a sure 8.5, because this book is not really on mi level of reading, but I also wasn’t as drawn as I was to the other books in the Bluford High series. In conclusion I’d have to say over all this book was phenomenal, if you like real life stories and I’m sure many people can compare to the things going on. Will Darrell ever stand up to the bully everyone is afraid of, Tyray Hobbs?
This book is very consuming and realistic, like many others in the series also.
There real people going through life just like we are. Well at least they make it seem that way. Many ordeals that go on could be between any of the students that I go to school with .One a scale of one to ten I give this book a sure 8.5, because this book is not really on mi level of reading, but I also wasn’t as drawn as I was to the other books in the Bluford High series. In conclusion I’d have to say over all this book was phenomenal, if you like real life stories and I’m sure many people can compare to the things going on. Will Darrell ever stand up to the bully everyone is afraid of, Tyray Hobbs?
October 4, 2010
Dear al pacinno,
this book i have read, is amazing.Its about a boy named darrel who moves to california in order for his mother to have a better decent job than the one back home, and as he explores his new home, he comes accross a bully, now your probably thinking that ok hes a bully, we all have that in our lives once in awhile, but this guy is down to the core mean, every friday darrel has to give the bully cash for him and his friends, in order for him to not get hurt, in the process of him trying to get noticed at his new school, he decides to join a wrestleing team, first off he isnt the athlete type , so that makes the bullys job easyer.As he realized that his mucles are getting big, hes getting taller and gaining a few pounds, he realizes to step up to the bully, in the end he fights the bully and leaves the bully on the floor, thanks to the wrestleing he learned.What i learned from this book is, no matter how small, skinny, chubby, tall, you are, you dont exactly need to have stregnth fisicully, you need to have strength mentally in order to suceed in life.
this book i have read, is amazing.Its about a boy named darrel who moves to california in order for his mother to have a better decent job than the one back home, and as he explores his new home, he comes accross a bully, now your probably thinking that ok hes a bully, we all have that in our lives once in awhile, but this guy is down to the core mean, every friday darrel has to give the bully cash for him and his friends, in order for him to not get hurt, in the process of him trying to get noticed at his new school, he decides to join a wrestleing team, first off he isnt the athlete type , so that makes the bullys job easyer.As he realized that his mucles are getting big, hes getting taller and gaining a few pounds, he realizes to step up to the bully, in the end he fights the bully and leaves the bully on the floor, thanks to the wrestleing he learned.What i learned from this book is, no matter how small, skinny, chubby, tall, you are, you dont exactly need to have stregnth fisicully, you need to have strength mentally in order to suceed in life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2014
Paul Langan’s, “The Bully” was about a kid named Darrell Mercer who has to move from Philadelphia to California because his mom got a new job. He has a hard time finding new friends and is constantly bullied by a kid named Tyray. Darell joins the wrestling team and starts to get stronger. One day when Tyray flips over his lunch tray at school Darell gets mad and fights Tyray. Darell wins and gets respect and finds new friends.
Darell was a very small freshman only weighing 110 pounds. He decided to join the wrestling team and he grew an inch and built up strength by eating more and working out.
Tyray is the bully in this book. He is very tall and strong and always is hanging out with his friends and bullying other students.
The time is present day and the place is a school in California. It is important because he is at a new school and has to make new friends with other students.
I would recommend this book to anyone because it teaches you to stand up for yourself.
I would give this book a 4 out of 5 star rating.
Darell was a very small freshman only weighing 110 pounds. He decided to join the wrestling team and he grew an inch and built up strength by eating more and working out.
Tyray is the bully in this book. He is very tall and strong and always is hanging out with his friends and bullying other students.
The time is present day and the place is a school in California. It is important because he is at a new school and has to make new friends with other students.
I would recommend this book to anyone because it teaches you to stand up for yourself.
I would give this book a 4 out of 5 star rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2010
The Bully was about a boy named Darrell Mercer who had to move to California because his mom got a better job. He had to go to Bluford High School. Darrell was bullied by a Tyray Hobbs, who forced Darrell to give him money until Darrell decided to fight back. In the end Tyray got what he deserved.
In the beginning of the book I knew I would hate Tyray. The more he messed with Darrell the more I wanted him to suffer. That’s why at the end of the book I wanted to shout “hooray!” The book was so suspenseful I could hear my heart beat getting quicker. If I were Darrell, even if I were scared like he was, I would have retaliated earlier than he did. Darrell took to much, physical and emotional pain for too long.
All in all I think this was a very good story and I really want to read the sequel.
In the beginning of the book I knew I would hate Tyray. The more he messed with Darrell the more I wanted him to suffer. That’s why at the end of the book I wanted to shout “hooray!” The book was so suspenseful I could hear my heart beat getting quicker. If I were Darrell, even if I were scared like he was, I would have retaliated earlier than he did. Darrell took to much, physical and emotional pain for too long.
All in all I think this was a very good story and I really want to read the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2013
This boyname darrell is moving to california but he didn't want to because he was short and get bullied.when he around this neighboorhood he doen't because he have friends to back up with so he didn't had to worry. but when he was at the schol these bullies name tyray and his groups started to bully him. asking him for money and lot of things. until one day he started to workout. then one day when tyray spilled darrell lunch on his face. they fought and darrell won the fight. from that day no one ever bullied darrell.
December 15, 2014
I didn't enjoyed this book that much, because it has a lot of violence but I believe that this is a good book because it teaches young people about the type of friends that they have and to be careful in streets because of gngs and all crazy and bad people. Also it teaches parents to be careful with their kids and pay attention to the people that their kids are being frinds with, and it actually talks about the best places to leave with your familyand to be always ALERT OF EVERYTHING & EVRYONE!!!
March 12, 2008
My Little Sister have been reading these books together, and I found this book especially inspiring. It's about a boy who moves from Philadelphia to California just before starting high school. (cue the music - West Philadelphia, born and raised) The scrawny boy gets bullied, but finds new confidence through reading and building friendships. It's a very realistic story with a cliff-hanger ending.
October 3, 2022
Great read about a very relevant topic...The main character has to move from the east coast to the west coast as he begins his freshman year in high school. He's a small kid in stature, but he has a lot of heart which he needs as he learns how to deal with being the new kid and a bully that just won't leave him alone. If you're looking for a quick read about young adult topics, you can't go wrong with any of the books from the Bluford Series. I highly recommend it.
May 22, 2015
This book was really good like the other books. It was a good ending.
October 25, 2017
Personal Response:
I read the book, The Bully , written by Paul Langan. This book was really good. At first, it didn’t have a strong attention grabber. I kept on reading it and ended up enjoying the book. I like how this book was short but yet nice and specific.
Plot:
This book is about a young boy named Darrell Mercer who’s a young, freshman boy. Darrell moved from Philadelphia to California due to his mom getting a job where her brother works. Darrell wasn’t very pleased with the idea, because he knew he was going to be all alone at school with no one to help him or protect him like his friends did in Philadelphia. Especially with him knowing that he’s a very short, weak guy, and his uncle made sure he never forgot that. His first night in California he had already attracted a new bully, Tyray. Tyray saw him, and made sure that he knew that he was the one that owned the Freshman's, and that if he didn’t like something then he would make sure he would resolve it. Before he left he pushed him and made fun of him. Luckily, he met a nice girl at the Supermarket in town named Amberlynn. To his luck she was also a Freshman in Bluford High. There was not a day that Tyray would embarrass him in front of the whole class or just everyone in general. Then one day Tyray offered him a deal saying that if he gave him $10 every Friday morning he wouldn’t hurt him, but if he didn’t pay up then he would break his face in two. Poor Darrell hated giving his mother’s money to that bully, but he also didn’t want to be embarrassed, or tormented anymore, so he paid him. Even though he paid Tyray he lived in fear. Every Thursday Tyray would remind him during English or Gym that he had to pay up or he’ll learn the consequences. One day Darrell was tired of everything, so he went to his English teacher after he had told him to go to him if he ever needed help with anything. When Darrell went to his room, he just sat still there and didn’t say anything. His English teacher respected that. He had told him that he used to be like him when he was Darrell’s age. He gave him a book and told him to read it. Of course, Darrell got mad because he was not asking for a book to read. He was looking for help. Darrell read the book through Thanksgiving break and ended up liking it. He was confused at first but he understood it little by little throughout his school year. Darrell ended up joining wrestling thanks to the book, at first he hated it but he kept going because he didn’t want to give up. The longer he stayed in wrestling the more he noticed his change, the exercises were getting easier for him and he was getting stronger. One night at the school dance, he finally got the courage to talk to Amberlynn after the way Tyray had embarrassed both of them. He also had noticed that he had grown taller than when they had first met, and he had also gained 15 pounds. Of course, there was a bad thing to this. Tyray took him to the bathroom and warned him to stay away from her by shoving him in the garbage can. Darrell decided to leave the dance before he got embarrassed again. Towards the end of the book Darrell won his second match and he got the courage to stop paying Tyray. On Friday morning, he didn’t go the usual spot and went straight to his first hour class, and for some reason he felt more alive than ever. Tyray saw him and he told him that he had to pay him, or he would break him in half. Of course, Darrell didn’t listen to him. During lunch, Tyray embarrassed Darrell one last time by bumping into him that caused Darrell to get food all over him. Darrell finally had enough of him. He started yelling at him saying he was sick of him and how he bullies everyone. Of course, Tyray got surprised but he kept provoking Darrell which caused Darrell to use his favorite wrestling move on him, which was the double leg takedown. The wrestling move sent Tyray to the ground, which caused his wrist to break. Causing them to go to the principal’s office. There Darrell told his friends the truth and what he had to go through the whole year. Darrell ended up crying of joy, anger, relief, and shame. The school board chose not to suspend Darrell for what he had gone through. Tyray got suspended for three days. After that, Darrell was finally able to walk the school without fear, he was proud of what he had done and felt more alive than ever.
Characters:
Darrell: Main Character
Darrell is a fifteen year old freshman, who is really small and short for his age. In Philadelphia he had friends that looks after him and keep him safe. Darrell’s father had passed away when he was very young, so his mother has to work for both of them. Since she doesn’t have enough money to support them her brother got her a job in California, which means they have to move. Since Darrell’s just a tiny, short guy with no friends, he easy attracted Tyray to pick on him. Even though Darrell is really scared, tiny, and short, he has a lot of guts to show up to school everyday, even though he’s terrified. To his luck, he made a new friend that was also new to that school. Throughout the book, he changes once he reads, The Hatchet, a book that his English teacher suggested him to read. He joins wrestling and goes to every single practice, even though he gets exhausted after each practice. At the end of the book, he finally has enough with Tyray, so he put a stop to it. Darrell doesn’t get in trouble, but at the end he does notice that he had changed. He felt stronger, he got taller, and he finally had made some good friends.
Tyray:
Tyray is the freshman bully who wants everything his way. If he doesn’t get what he wants, he makes sure he and his friends fix the problem. Many people at Bluford High are terrified of him, especially Darrell. Tyray has a crush on Amberlynn, but since he notices she likes Darrell he makes sure to embarrass both of them, so they can stop talking to each other. Since his plan doesn’t work, he makes sure that Darrell stays away from her. He makes other students give him money, and tells them that he would stop embarrassing them in front of everyone. Even though Darrell pays him, he still picks on him just for the fun of it. Towards the end of the book, Darrell finally put him in his place and broke his wrist.
Setting:
This book takes place in San Diego, California. Darrell was born and raised in Philadelphia but moves to California due to his mom getting a better job. Darrell is mostly in Bluford High in the book. In the book, the time frame is probably in the early 2000’s due to how they explain how they dress and how the technology is used.
Theme:
This book has many themes, but the one that I see the most is that people should have more self confidence. Once people start believing in themselves, they succeed. Then they finally stand up for themselves. I see a drastic change in Darrell. I noticed how in the beginning he complained too much about him moving, leaving all his childhood friends, and how he already hated California. At the end of the book, he was stronger, more mature, and realized that it was all part of life and he just had to accept it.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to anyone in middle school. Anyone from ages 13 through 15 could read this book. The vocabulary is simple and so is the reading level is simple. Since it was an easy book to read, I would probably also recommend this book to anyone who is scared to speak up in a situation like this.
I read the book, The Bully , written by Paul Langan. This book was really good. At first, it didn’t have a strong attention grabber. I kept on reading it and ended up enjoying the book. I like how this book was short but yet nice and specific.
Plot:
This book is about a young boy named Darrell Mercer who’s a young, freshman boy. Darrell moved from Philadelphia to California due to his mom getting a job where her brother works. Darrell wasn’t very pleased with the idea, because he knew he was going to be all alone at school with no one to help him or protect him like his friends did in Philadelphia. Especially with him knowing that he’s a very short, weak guy, and his uncle made sure he never forgot that. His first night in California he had already attracted a new bully, Tyray. Tyray saw him, and made sure that he knew that he was the one that owned the Freshman's, and that if he didn’t like something then he would make sure he would resolve it. Before he left he pushed him and made fun of him. Luckily, he met a nice girl at the Supermarket in town named Amberlynn. To his luck she was also a Freshman in Bluford High. There was not a day that Tyray would embarrass him in front of the whole class or just everyone in general. Then one day Tyray offered him a deal saying that if he gave him $10 every Friday morning he wouldn’t hurt him, but if he didn’t pay up then he would break his face in two. Poor Darrell hated giving his mother’s money to that bully, but he also didn’t want to be embarrassed, or tormented anymore, so he paid him. Even though he paid Tyray he lived in fear. Every Thursday Tyray would remind him during English or Gym that he had to pay up or he’ll learn the consequences. One day Darrell was tired of everything, so he went to his English teacher after he had told him to go to him if he ever needed help with anything. When Darrell went to his room, he just sat still there and didn’t say anything. His English teacher respected that. He had told him that he used to be like him when he was Darrell’s age. He gave him a book and told him to read it. Of course, Darrell got mad because he was not asking for a book to read. He was looking for help. Darrell read the book through Thanksgiving break and ended up liking it. He was confused at first but he understood it little by little throughout his school year. Darrell ended up joining wrestling thanks to the book, at first he hated it but he kept going because he didn’t want to give up. The longer he stayed in wrestling the more he noticed his change, the exercises were getting easier for him and he was getting stronger. One night at the school dance, he finally got the courage to talk to Amberlynn after the way Tyray had embarrassed both of them. He also had noticed that he had grown taller than when they had first met, and he had also gained 15 pounds. Of course, there was a bad thing to this. Tyray took him to the bathroom and warned him to stay away from her by shoving him in the garbage can. Darrell decided to leave the dance before he got embarrassed again. Towards the end of the book Darrell won his second match and he got the courage to stop paying Tyray. On Friday morning, he didn’t go the usual spot and went straight to his first hour class, and for some reason he felt more alive than ever. Tyray saw him and he told him that he had to pay him, or he would break him in half. Of course, Darrell didn’t listen to him. During lunch, Tyray embarrassed Darrell one last time by bumping into him that caused Darrell to get food all over him. Darrell finally had enough of him. He started yelling at him saying he was sick of him and how he bullies everyone. Of course, Tyray got surprised but he kept provoking Darrell which caused Darrell to use his favorite wrestling move on him, which was the double leg takedown. The wrestling move sent Tyray to the ground, which caused his wrist to break. Causing them to go to the principal’s office. There Darrell told his friends the truth and what he had to go through the whole year. Darrell ended up crying of joy, anger, relief, and shame. The school board chose not to suspend Darrell for what he had gone through. Tyray got suspended for three days. After that, Darrell was finally able to walk the school without fear, he was proud of what he had done and felt more alive than ever.
Characters:
Darrell: Main Character
Darrell is a fifteen year old freshman, who is really small and short for his age. In Philadelphia he had friends that looks after him and keep him safe. Darrell’s father had passed away when he was very young, so his mother has to work for both of them. Since she doesn’t have enough money to support them her brother got her a job in California, which means they have to move. Since Darrell’s just a tiny, short guy with no friends, he easy attracted Tyray to pick on him. Even though Darrell is really scared, tiny, and short, he has a lot of guts to show up to school everyday, even though he’s terrified. To his luck, he made a new friend that was also new to that school. Throughout the book, he changes once he reads, The Hatchet, a book that his English teacher suggested him to read. He joins wrestling and goes to every single practice, even though he gets exhausted after each practice. At the end of the book, he finally has enough with Tyray, so he put a stop to it. Darrell doesn’t get in trouble, but at the end he does notice that he had changed. He felt stronger, he got taller, and he finally had made some good friends.
Tyray:
Tyray is the freshman bully who wants everything his way. If he doesn’t get what he wants, he makes sure he and his friends fix the problem. Many people at Bluford High are terrified of him, especially Darrell. Tyray has a crush on Amberlynn, but since he notices she likes Darrell he makes sure to embarrass both of them, so they can stop talking to each other. Since his plan doesn’t work, he makes sure that Darrell stays away from her. He makes other students give him money, and tells them that he would stop embarrassing them in front of everyone. Even though Darrell pays him, he still picks on him just for the fun of it. Towards the end of the book, Darrell finally put him in his place and broke his wrist.
Setting:
This book takes place in San Diego, California. Darrell was born and raised in Philadelphia but moves to California due to his mom getting a better job. Darrell is mostly in Bluford High in the book. In the book, the time frame is probably in the early 2000’s due to how they explain how they dress and how the technology is used.
Theme:
This book has many themes, but the one that I see the most is that people should have more self confidence. Once people start believing in themselves, they succeed. Then they finally stand up for themselves. I see a drastic change in Darrell. I noticed how in the beginning he complained too much about him moving, leaving all his childhood friends, and how he already hated California. At the end of the book, he was stronger, more mature, and realized that it was all part of life and he just had to accept it.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to anyone in middle school. Anyone from ages 13 through 15 could read this book. The vocabulary is simple and so is the reading level is simple. Since it was an easy book to read, I would probably also recommend this book to anyone who is scared to speak up in a situation like this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2018
Personal Response
I really liked this book because they did not lack details about the characters unlike the other books in the series. It was also really good because it shows the struggle of a kid from Philadelphia transfering to a different school mid year. The book showed a lot of lessons that many kids should use in real life then what they actually use.
Plot
It started out with Darrell talking to his best friend right before he was leaving his hometown. Once Darrell and his mother got to California, his uncle picked them up and showed them where they would be staying. After a few days Darrall went to his new school and he already started to get bullied. Darrell did not stand up for himself instead took being bullied for a while. Darrell got forced to give the bully money, instead of getting bullied so he stuck with giving him money. After school he walked home, where his neighbor started talking to him about her son. She asked him if he would be friends with her son because he was also new at the school. He became friends with Harold and they started to hang out. Then Darrell decided to join the wrestling team to try to avoid being bullied. Darrell still had to pay his bully, Tyray, and he could not stop it. Then Darrell had his first wrestling match and lost. After that Darrell went to go home and met a girl and she wanted to go to the dance with him. When the dance showed up he went with his buddy Harold. Then he went to the bathroom, and Tyray started bullying him again telling him not to see the girl again. A few days later he won his first match in wrestling, and decided to stop paying Tyray. Tyray got mad that Darrell stopped paying him and started a fight with him at lunch. Darrell started wrestling him and broke his arm and got suspended. After that Tyray stopped bullying Darrell, and he finished off his freshman year of high school.
Characterization
Darrell was the main character of the book and he changed a lot throughout. Darrell hated the idea of moving to California for a long time because he wanted to stay in his hometown. By the end of the book he loved California once Tyray stopped bullying him. He also never liked wrestling but joined so he could get bigger and fend off himself.
Tyray is another main character who did not change much. He bullied Darrell throughout the book and took his money for months. It was by the end of the book where he fought Darrell, and ended up with his arm broken. He stopped bullying him after that and never talked to Darrell again.
Darrell’s mother also did not change that much throughout. She stayed optimistic about moving but she was not too happy either about moving. By the end of the book she loved California, and planned to stay there as long as she could. Her mood changed a lot when Darrell started to like California because he was against the move.
Setting
The book took place in Philadelphia in the beginning, and switched to California for the rest of the book. It’s important to the story because that’s where the book took place for the whole story. It also took place in Bluford High which is important because that’s where Darrell got bullied. The novel never said the time period but I would say it is in the 2000’s.
Theme
The theme of this book is facing reality. Tyray bullied Darrell throughout the whole book, and by the end Darrell got back at him. Tyray had to face reality from all the bullying he had done at the end of the book. Darrell faced reality because, he realized he had to do something so he would not get bullied again.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about a kid getting bullied throughout the whole book. I also recommend this book to anyone who has had the struggle of changing schools in the middle of the year. I recommend this book to high schoolers up because of the content in the book.
I really liked this book because they did not lack details about the characters unlike the other books in the series. It was also really good because it shows the struggle of a kid from Philadelphia transfering to a different school mid year. The book showed a lot of lessons that many kids should use in real life then what they actually use.
Plot
It started out with Darrell talking to his best friend right before he was leaving his hometown. Once Darrell and his mother got to California, his uncle picked them up and showed them where they would be staying. After a few days Darrall went to his new school and he already started to get bullied. Darrell did not stand up for himself instead took being bullied for a while. Darrell got forced to give the bully money, instead of getting bullied so he stuck with giving him money. After school he walked home, where his neighbor started talking to him about her son. She asked him if he would be friends with her son because he was also new at the school. He became friends with Harold and they started to hang out. Then Darrell decided to join the wrestling team to try to avoid being bullied. Darrell still had to pay his bully, Tyray, and he could not stop it. Then Darrell had his first wrestling match and lost. After that Darrell went to go home and met a girl and she wanted to go to the dance with him. When the dance showed up he went with his buddy Harold. Then he went to the bathroom, and Tyray started bullying him again telling him not to see the girl again. A few days later he won his first match in wrestling, and decided to stop paying Tyray. Tyray got mad that Darrell stopped paying him and started a fight with him at lunch. Darrell started wrestling him and broke his arm and got suspended. After that Tyray stopped bullying Darrell, and he finished off his freshman year of high school.
Characterization
Darrell was the main character of the book and he changed a lot throughout. Darrell hated the idea of moving to California for a long time because he wanted to stay in his hometown. By the end of the book he loved California once Tyray stopped bullying him. He also never liked wrestling but joined so he could get bigger and fend off himself.
Tyray is another main character who did not change much. He bullied Darrell throughout the book and took his money for months. It was by the end of the book where he fought Darrell, and ended up with his arm broken. He stopped bullying him after that and never talked to Darrell again.
Darrell’s mother also did not change that much throughout. She stayed optimistic about moving but she was not too happy either about moving. By the end of the book she loved California, and planned to stay there as long as she could. Her mood changed a lot when Darrell started to like California because he was against the move.
Setting
The book took place in Philadelphia in the beginning, and switched to California for the rest of the book. It’s important to the story because that’s where the book took place for the whole story. It also took place in Bluford High which is important because that’s where Darrell got bullied. The novel never said the time period but I would say it is in the 2000’s.
Theme
The theme of this book is facing reality. Tyray bullied Darrell throughout the whole book, and by the end Darrell got back at him. Tyray had to face reality from all the bullying he had done at the end of the book. Darrell faced reality because, he realized he had to do something so he would not get bullied again.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about a kid getting bullied throughout the whole book. I also recommend this book to anyone who has had the struggle of changing schools in the middle of the year. I recommend this book to high schoolers up because of the content in the book.
Read
November 15, 2017The book the bully is about a boy named Darrell Mercer he lived in Philadelphia but he was moving to California and he was going to be away from his best friend Malik and he was also going to a new school called Bluford High, Darrell was bullied by a boy named Tyray and Tyray pulled a knife out on Darrell but one Darrell stood up to Tyray and Darrell was never bullied by him. My opinion about this book is that Tyray just wanted to be cool by bullying Darrell. Another opinion I have is that Darrell should've told his from the beginning that he was being bullied by Tyray so she couldve went the school and told the principal. I would recommend this book to people who have been bullied before and a person that is a bullying so they can see how people feel when you miss treat them.
November 22, 2017
The bully was very good! I think this is my favorite out of the Bluford High series. It tells a story of triumph and courage. It made me feel proud and emotional at the same time. I was so happy that Darrell faced his fears and stood up to his bullies. I had tears from the beginning to the end of this book! Recommend this to everyone to read.
February 19, 2021
I didn't have very high expectations for this book. But I was delightfully surprised. Darrell seems so real and relatable. I cant find a thing wrong with him and yet he is not "Mr. Perfect." He makes plenty of mistakes but his growth and goodness seems so real and encouraging to everyone who has been harrassed by the bullies we face at every stage of our lives. It's not a "classic" but it's an excellent read and one I encourage for all middle schoolers.
March 26, 2018
Personal Response:
I thought this was a pretty good book. It showed the life of a young high schooler who had a rough life growing up, but had friends to defend him. He moved to a different school, was nowhere near his friends anymore, and got bullied very bad. I liked how the boy was struggling with life, but he decided to take it into his own hands and change everything around and make life better for himself. He did it all in a good way, I believe, too.
Plot
This book was about a boy named Darrel. Previously, he lived in a bad town in Philadelphia from birth to freshman year. His mother had received a new job offer in California about a third of the way through Darrel’s freshman year. He was upset, because everything he knew was going to be left behind. Another reason he was upset was because, without his group of friends, he would have gotten picked on at his old school. He was worried that he would get picked on at his new school. When they arrived in California, Darrel decided he was going to try to make some new friends right away. He saw a group of guys and walked up to them with a big smile on his face. As he approached them, they saw him and pushed him around, looking for money to steal from him. They told him he was to come back every friday with money or they would beat him up. Darrel realized that he needed to grow physically and mentally stronger, so he decided to join the wrestling team. He learned many moves, but most importantly, he got stronger. After being on the team for some time, he began to make friends as well. He finally decided that he was done paying Tyray. When he did not pay him, Tyray was furious. He came to school and immediately tried to bully Darrel. He was prepared for this, though. He stared down Tyray, which was something Tyray was not used to. When Tyray went to hit Darrel, he was prepared for it. He dodged the fist, picked up Tyray, and he slammed him into the ground. While Tyray fell, he landed on his arm and broke it. The staff decided that Darrel defended himself and was off the hook, while Tyray was suspended.
Characterization:
Darrel was the main character. He was a freshman in high school and from a poor town in Philadelphia. His mother received a job offer from a slightly safer town in California. While Darrel was at his hometown, he often felt the only defense he had was his best friend, who was very large and strong. Having no friends and being very small, Darrel was an easy target in his new school and was bullied pretty badly. He tried to deal with it for a while, but it became too much. He decided to fix it himself and joined the wrestling team. He became stronger and stood up to his bully; solving his problem.
Tyray was Darrel’s main bully. He was also a freshman who was in a gang and he was very strong and built, too. The bullying started on the very first day of Darrel’s arrival in California. He harassed him in school and took money from him every week. Eventually Darrel stood up for himself and broke Tyray’s arm and his reputation. No one was afraid of him anymore, and he was suspended from school.
Setting:
The setting was in Bluford High in California. It was during the first semester of Darrel’s freshman year. This was important for the story, because Bluford High was a sketchy school with a lot of gang activity and heavy bullying. It was important that it was during freshman year, because he was still very small and timid. He also did not have any friends.
Thematic Connection:
I feel that the theme of overcoming fear was the best fit for this book. The reason that I chose this theme was because at the beginning of the book, Darrel was very afraid of Tyray and his gang. As the book went on, Darrel made himself a stronger person. He joined the wrestling team and made friends while maturing a great deal. Eventually, he overcame his fear of Tyray and stood up to him. It ended up working out perfectly in Darrel’s favor.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to freshmen men. The main character of this book was a male. I chose freshman year, because that was the year that the main character was currently going through. People who moved schools during freshman year tended to struggle with finding friends.
I thought this was a pretty good book. It showed the life of a young high schooler who had a rough life growing up, but had friends to defend him. He moved to a different school, was nowhere near his friends anymore, and got bullied very bad. I liked how the boy was struggling with life, but he decided to take it into his own hands and change everything around and make life better for himself. He did it all in a good way, I believe, too.
Plot
This book was about a boy named Darrel. Previously, he lived in a bad town in Philadelphia from birth to freshman year. His mother had received a new job offer in California about a third of the way through Darrel’s freshman year. He was upset, because everything he knew was going to be left behind. Another reason he was upset was because, without his group of friends, he would have gotten picked on at his old school. He was worried that he would get picked on at his new school. When they arrived in California, Darrel decided he was going to try to make some new friends right away. He saw a group of guys and walked up to them with a big smile on his face. As he approached them, they saw him and pushed him around, looking for money to steal from him. They told him he was to come back every friday with money or they would beat him up. Darrel realized that he needed to grow physically and mentally stronger, so he decided to join the wrestling team. He learned many moves, but most importantly, he got stronger. After being on the team for some time, he began to make friends as well. He finally decided that he was done paying Tyray. When he did not pay him, Tyray was furious. He came to school and immediately tried to bully Darrel. He was prepared for this, though. He stared down Tyray, which was something Tyray was not used to. When Tyray went to hit Darrel, he was prepared for it. He dodged the fist, picked up Tyray, and he slammed him into the ground. While Tyray fell, he landed on his arm and broke it. The staff decided that Darrel defended himself and was off the hook, while Tyray was suspended.
Characterization:
Darrel was the main character. He was a freshman in high school and from a poor town in Philadelphia. His mother received a job offer from a slightly safer town in California. While Darrel was at his hometown, he often felt the only defense he had was his best friend, who was very large and strong. Having no friends and being very small, Darrel was an easy target in his new school and was bullied pretty badly. He tried to deal with it for a while, but it became too much. He decided to fix it himself and joined the wrestling team. He became stronger and stood up to his bully; solving his problem.
Tyray was Darrel’s main bully. He was also a freshman who was in a gang and he was very strong and built, too. The bullying started on the very first day of Darrel’s arrival in California. He harassed him in school and took money from him every week. Eventually Darrel stood up for himself and broke Tyray’s arm and his reputation. No one was afraid of him anymore, and he was suspended from school.
Setting:
The setting was in Bluford High in California. It was during the first semester of Darrel’s freshman year. This was important for the story, because Bluford High was a sketchy school with a lot of gang activity and heavy bullying. It was important that it was during freshman year, because he was still very small and timid. He also did not have any friends.
Thematic Connection:
I feel that the theme of overcoming fear was the best fit for this book. The reason that I chose this theme was because at the beginning of the book, Darrel was very afraid of Tyray and his gang. As the book went on, Darrel made himself a stronger person. He joined the wrestling team and made friends while maturing a great deal. Eventually, he overcame his fear of Tyray and stood up to him. It ended up working out perfectly in Darrel’s favor.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to freshmen men. The main character of this book was a male. I chose freshman year, because that was the year that the main character was currently going through. People who moved schools during freshman year tended to struggle with finding friends.
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