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Egghead
Will Reid is a gawky kid who wears fake turtlenecks, is obsessed by his ant farm project, and is lousy at gym. In other words, he's the perfect target for Shane, the Grade 9 bully. Katie has been Will's friend in elementary school, but defending him in the high school environment comes at an unforeseen cost - she dreads the rumours that link them in a boyfriend/girlfriend way she's never considered. Devan has been part of Shane's bullyboy team until now, when he comes to realize that it's not so smart to mindlessly back up each nasty attack of Shane's. Together the three young teens are struggling to find their way out of one of the classic dilemmas of life: how not to be a bystander to bullying, how to stand up for your friends, and how to deal with consuming rage.
Young readers will find lots to think about as they turn the pages of this crisp and compelling story by newcomer Caroline Pignat. Each character takes a turn at telling the story -- through the spare blank verse of Will, wrapped up in the world of his single-parent father and his own eccentric preoccupations; through the clear-eyed accounts of Katie, wrestling with her own private demons; and in the sensitive narrative of the slowly awakening Devan, who comes to notice Katie as a spunky, attractive individual whom he'd like to know better but fears thinks he's a goof.
Note that Kids Help Phone's has included Egghead on their site as a book to help kids in their Get Information section under Bullying for Ages 13 and Up.
Young readers will find lots to think about as they turn the pages of this crisp and compelling story by newcomer Caroline Pignat. Each character takes a turn at telling the story -- through the spare blank verse of Will, wrapped up in the world of his single-parent father and his own eccentric preoccupations; through the clear-eyed accounts of Katie, wrestling with her own private demons; and in the sensitive narrative of the slowly awakening Devan, who comes to notice Katie as a spunky, attractive individual whom he'd like to know better but fears thinks he's a goof.
Note that Kids Help Phone's has included Egghead on their site as a book to help kids in their Get Information section under Bullying for Ages 13 and Up.
173 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2007
82 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Pignat
15 books141 followersCaroline Pignat is the two-time Governor Generalʼs Award winning author of highly acclaimed young adult novels. Her historical fiction, contemporary, and free verse novels use multiple points of view and varied forms to engage readers of all ages.
As a Writer's Craft student, Caroline wrote a short story that years later became Greener Grass, the first of a critically acclaimed series, and went on to win her first Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature in 2009.
A teacher with the Ottawa Catholic School Board, Caroline has taught elementary, intermediate and high school students. She spends her mornings teaching grade 12 Writer’s Craft and her afternoons working with students in Writing Workshops and Author Visits, or deep in her next work-in-progress.
A confident and inspiring speaker, Caroline has presented to students and educators; to historical societies and library groups; and at writing conferences such as: MASC, CANSCAIP, and SCBWI. In 2012, she was one of 12 Canadian authors chosen to tour with TD Book Week.
Recipient of two Red Maple Honour Book Awards and the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year Honour Book, Caroline has been shortlisted for many others including: the CLA Book of the Year, three Geoffrey Bilson Awards for Historical Fiction, and the IODE Violet Downey Book Award.
Born in Ireland, she grew up in Ottawa where she lives with her family.
As a Writer's Craft student, Caroline wrote a short story that years later became Greener Grass, the first of a critically acclaimed series, and went on to win her first Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature in 2009.
A teacher with the Ottawa Catholic School Board, Caroline has taught elementary, intermediate and high school students. She spends her mornings teaching grade 12 Writer’s Craft and her afternoons working with students in Writing Workshops and Author Visits, or deep in her next work-in-progress.
A confident and inspiring speaker, Caroline has presented to students and educators; to historical societies and library groups; and at writing conferences such as: MASC, CANSCAIP, and SCBWI. In 2012, she was one of 12 Canadian authors chosen to tour with TD Book Week.
Recipient of two Red Maple Honour Book Awards and the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year Honour Book, Caroline has been shortlisted for many others including: the CLA Book of the Year, three Geoffrey Bilson Awards for Historical Fiction, and the IODE Violet Downey Book Award.
Born in Ireland, she grew up in Ottawa where she lives with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 2, 2017
(This was written for school, so it might be a little weird. Sorry!)
3.5
Egghead is a book addressing bullying that follows the highschool life of three young teenagers. William, who has been an outcast for a long time; he is gawky, anti-social, and considered “weird” by most people. Although now, that’s the least of his problems, considering the fact that a trio of bullies has targeted him. Katie, a girl who has stuck by Will since elementary school. She’s not about to stop protecting him now, despite the fact she has her own problems to deal with as well. Devan, a part of the bullying trio, who has always followed his friend Shane, the dominate bully in the grade. Deven has never questioned the actions of Shane in the past, but that begins to change as he becomes acquainted with Katie. Follow these three teens to see how they tackled the problems around them, but also in themselves. Will they succeed in making themselves better people, or will they succumb to the pressure in their life?
Egghead was a very well written book, with characters that were easy to understand and connect to. It brought a needed attention to not only bullying in highschool, but also problems and struggles kids might have in their life at that time. Not only this, it brought an equal perspective from all sides of the story, without favouring one. It allowed the point of view of the bully, the bullied, and the bystander, and captured their thought processing in accordance to their behaviors and personalities. In other words, the writing changed enough to distinguish which character was thinking. Furthermore, the storyline flowed well, and was fast paced, which prevented boredom when reading. All throughout this, there was also humour slipped in, which allowed it to be a light and fun read, despite the serious topic.
Although, like most books, there were some things that could have been better. For example, the whole general story was a bit cliché, with the problems and solutions being very overused, and not always realistic. In one instance, Will was locked out of the change room in his underwear, but how many times does that actually happen in real life? Another issue was that the storyline was very predictable. The book set all the major events up in a way that tells the event before it happens, which dulls the excitement once you get to that particular part. The characters actions were also very exaggerated, and therefore caused unneeded drama in sections that perhaps would have been better left as is. This would have then become a more relatable story. Also, even though the added humour was nice, it might cause the serious topics in the book to lose some of their importance. If someone dealing with these problems looked towards this book in need of advice, then it can lead them to believe that their issues are perceived as comical, despite the solemness of the matters. However, regardless of these things, this is a good book for a light, easy read, and can have a certain degree of impact towards the interpretation and understanding of the struggles many kids go through, at home and at school.
3.5
Egghead is a book addressing bullying that follows the highschool life of three young teenagers. William, who has been an outcast for a long time; he is gawky, anti-social, and considered “weird” by most people. Although now, that’s the least of his problems, considering the fact that a trio of bullies has targeted him. Katie, a girl who has stuck by Will since elementary school. She’s not about to stop protecting him now, despite the fact she has her own problems to deal with as well. Devan, a part of the bullying trio, who has always followed his friend Shane, the dominate bully in the grade. Deven has never questioned the actions of Shane in the past, but that begins to change as he becomes acquainted with Katie. Follow these three teens to see how they tackled the problems around them, but also in themselves. Will they succeed in making themselves better people, or will they succumb to the pressure in their life?
Egghead was a very well written book, with characters that were easy to understand and connect to. It brought a needed attention to not only bullying in highschool, but also problems and struggles kids might have in their life at that time. Not only this, it brought an equal perspective from all sides of the story, without favouring one. It allowed the point of view of the bully, the bullied, and the bystander, and captured their thought processing in accordance to their behaviors and personalities. In other words, the writing changed enough to distinguish which character was thinking. Furthermore, the storyline flowed well, and was fast paced, which prevented boredom when reading. All throughout this, there was also humour slipped in, which allowed it to be a light and fun read, despite the serious topic.
Although, like most books, there were some things that could have been better. For example, the whole general story was a bit cliché, with the problems and solutions being very overused, and not always realistic. In one instance, Will was locked out of the change room in his underwear, but how many times does that actually happen in real life? Another issue was that the storyline was very predictable. The book set all the major events up in a way that tells the event before it happens, which dulls the excitement once you get to that particular part. The characters actions were also very exaggerated, and therefore caused unneeded drama in sections that perhaps would have been better left as is. This would have then become a more relatable story. Also, even though the added humour was nice, it might cause the serious topics in the book to lose some of their importance. If someone dealing with these problems looked towards this book in need of advice, then it can lead them to believe that their issues are perceived as comical, despite the solemness of the matters. However, regardless of these things, this is a good book for a light, easy read, and can have a certain degree of impact towards the interpretation and understanding of the struggles many kids go through, at home and at school.
October 30, 2025
Every year I read this book to my grade 9 class and I swear it’s the only time they actually listen to me! They loved it. I always love it. Can’t go wrong!
December 28, 2011
Egghead is a heartfelt story about bullying told from the perspective of 3 teens. Unlike other attempts at tackling this difficult and unfortunately all too common occurrence, it isn't exaggerated, nor unrealistic. It was a poignant and inspiring novel about growing up, friendship, fitting in.
It's a great novel that many people will relate to... either in the role of the victim, that of the bully, or that of the person who watched it happen and regrets not having intervened. More young people should read this!
It's a great novel that many people will relate to... either in the role of the victim, that of the bully, or that of the person who watched it happen and regrets not having intervened. More young people should read this!
June 13, 2012
Will is the perfect target for Shane, the grade 9 bully. Devan has always hung out with Shane, backing him up in nasty attacks. Katie is always there for Will, standing up for him. Devan doesn't tell him that he thinks bully other kids is wrong, so he just stands there watching him because he knows Shane gets abused at home. Devan starts fancying Katie because she stands up for Will. At the science fair, Shane knocks down Will and Katie's ant farm killing their chance of winning first place and beating Will up. When Katie sees the mess, she sees Devan and immediately thinks he was the culprit. Devan is filled with guilt because if Katie and Will's project hadn't been ruined, they wouldn't have won third place. At the ski trip, Shane takes Will's hat and throws it down Devil's Hill; everyone knows beginners shouldn't go down that hill, but Will does. He collides with a tree at the bottom and goes into a coma. When Devan sees Shane and Brad cornering Katie, he comes to the rescue and on the way, tells them off, saying that what they're doing is wrong. They abandon him, but he doesn't care because he feels good about it. Devan starts visiting Will in the hospital. Katie finds out that Will left for England and she feels guilty for not apologizing for what she did at the Winter formal but all is forgotten when Devan gives a letter from Will to Katie.
I picked this book because the cover caught my eye and when I read the back cover, I was curious about what would happen in the book.
I finished this book because I wondered if Devan would have the guts to stand up to his friends and if Will would be able to stand up to them.
I recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction because this book is about a kid being picked by a bully which happens a lot.
I picked this book because the cover caught my eye and when I read the back cover, I was curious about what would happen in the book.
I finished this book because I wondered if Devan would have the guts to stand up to his friends and if Will would be able to stand up to them.
I recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction because this book is about a kid being picked by a bully which happens a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2024
it was so good! and it actually kept me quite entertained. it’s a quick read and rly cute.
February 21, 2025
Caroline is more optimistic about people’s ability to change than I am.
March 5, 2021
This is an interesting take on bullying through various viewpoints. The bullied, the bystander and the accomplice. I look forward to discussing this with my students.
May 6, 2025
This was so painfully predictable and disney-show coded, I physically had to put down the book and take a deep breath on MULTIPLE occasions. I was forced to read this for school against my will.
Do not read unless you're maybe a second grader
Do not read unless you're maybe a second grader
May 6, 2016
Summary: A boy named Will started grade 9 with his best friend Katie and Jenna. Will is a unique kid and he got bullied for being unique by Shane, Brad and Devan. Shane is the biggest bully in the 9th grade. Devan is a bystander/bully. He doesn't bully anyone but, he laughs whenever Shane does something wrong. Katie defends Will but it was difficult for Katie because Shane on messing with Will. Devan realized it’s wrong when he catches feelings for Katie. At the science fair, Devan was setting up his display when he saw Shane walk in and knocks down his ant farm. Devan felt bad for him and that he didn't help prevent it. Devan and Shane won but, Devan didn't feel like he won. Later on, Katie, Devan, Will, Brad, Shane, and Jenna go to the school dance. Jenna got mad at Katie because, her crush asks Katie to dance. Katie refused and danced with Will instead. When Shane and Devan left the dance, they saw Shane's mom hurt in the car. Shane argued with his mom throughout the car ride. Shane and Brad keep on bullying Will and still tried to get Devan back on their side. Eventually Devan switched to Will and Katie’s side
Opinion
Opinion #1 - I like the book and how it teaches you not to bully or be a bystander. I think this because, it tells you in the book how badly it may end unless you stop bullying or be an up stander
Opinion #2- I think it's a good book and it is interesting about Devan's life at School. I say this because, he switches sides and defends Will by telling Shane.
Opinion #3- it is a good book because it has different perspectives. I think this because, it shows you how the victim, bystander, up stander feel and think about the situation.
Opinion #4- I have mixed feelings about the book because it doesn't show much about the bullies life . I like two different perspectives but not many books have. I think this because, Shane is one of the main character in the book and I would want to know more about his life. At the same time I find it interesting that it shows the different perspectives of characters that are usually on the sidelines.
Recommendations
I think that all ages from 8 to 12 should read this book because it shows you not to be A bully or a bystander and to stand up to bullies or else someone could be emotionally or physically hurt. It is also good for teaching kids about bullying and how it could turn out.
February 4, 2023
Picked this up as one of my tutoring students is reading it in Gr 7 English.
It’s a fast read for an adult but it’s powerful. Bullying of others comes from a place of pain, of trauma - Shane needs someone to teach him what it means to be a man and he doesn’t have that. So he bullies mercilessly.
Devan is the one who can make a difference but he takes a while to realise that he needs to do so
Katie is in a rough spot- gr 9 is so full of changes and she wants to be Will’s friend but it’s hurting her image
And Will? He’s a young man whose pain turned him inwards. He’s a little different and what happens to him at the hands of Shane is sad
I would love to see these kids a year later. What have they learned about what’s really important and have they learned to heal.
It’s a fast read for an adult but it’s powerful. Bullying of others comes from a place of pain, of trauma - Shane needs someone to teach him what it means to be a man and he doesn’t have that. So he bullies mercilessly.
Devan is the one who can make a difference but he takes a while to realise that he needs to do so
Katie is in a rough spot- gr 9 is so full of changes and she wants to be Will’s friend but it’s hurting her image
And Will? He’s a young man whose pain turned him inwards. He’s a little different and what happens to him at the hands of Shane is sad
I would love to see these kids a year later. What have they learned about what’s really important and have they learned to heal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2021
I read this with a student group. This is a classic bully story, but it expands on this by finding all points of view. The bully, the victim and the bystanders. I really liked how they told it from different points of view.
June 28, 2025
1.5. I didn’t actually finish this book. We were reading it in class and never got to finish it and I don’t know what page we’re on and I definitely don’t feel like looking through each individual page on a digital copy.
Either way, I wasn’t extremely interested in this book. I’m more into the fantasy, romance, and mystery books so this didn’t really excite me. However, the few parts that did excite me were immediately changed and the book moved on to something else.
I know that a lot of people like this book, but I am really just not a fan of it. I feel like even if I did finish the book it would still be in and around the same ranking.
Despite this, I did like how it tied everything into real life situations (hense the .5 of a star) and Katie and Devan’s relationship (the other star) were my favourite parts of the book. I found myself rooting for them the whole time. I also enjoyed how they switched back and forth between different peoples perspectives. I always enjoy when books do that cause you can see the different characters take on the situation. It was kind of cool that wills parts were written in poem, however, certain parts of those chapters where very confusing and our teacher had to go through these parts in depth, just for us to understand it.
Once again, I feel like this bias could have come from the fact that I read this in class, however, a good chunk of it is because I’m just not a fan of the genre and plot.
Either way, I wasn’t extremely interested in this book. I’m more into the fantasy, romance, and mystery books so this didn’t really excite me. However, the few parts that did excite me were immediately changed and the book moved on to something else.
I know that a lot of people like this book, but I am really just not a fan of it. I feel like even if I did finish the book it would still be in and around the same ranking.
Despite this, I did like how it tied everything into real life situations (hense the .5 of a star) and Katie and Devan’s relationship (the other star) were my favourite parts of the book. I found myself rooting for them the whole time. I also enjoyed how they switched back and forth between different peoples perspectives. I always enjoy when books do that cause you can see the different characters take on the situation. It was kind of cool that wills parts were written in poem, however, certain parts of those chapters where very confusing and our teacher had to go through these parts in depth, just for us to understand it.
Once again, I feel like this bias could have come from the fact that I read this in class, however, a good chunk of it is because I’m just not a fan of the genre and plot.
April 11, 2023
A realistic depiction of bullying and bystander syndrome in the ninth grade, Canada. The nerd archetype, Will (autistic-coded) was sweet, wise, and funny, but Shane and Brad were more stereotypical jerks. However, this is an easy and important read for teens; the multiple POVs make this more nuanced than the usual mean kid verses the outcast.
Not sure where this is set; a small town, I imagine, because of the hospital scenes. I also have issue with
TW: Bullying, Cancer, Animal death (ants), Domestic violence
Not sure where this is set; a small town, I imagine, because of the hospital scenes. I also have issue with
TW: Bullying, Cancer, Animal death (ants), Domestic violence
October 2, 2018
My 13 year old read this was school and handed it to me. He loved it and would give it a 4/5. I loved parts of it but thought it was a bit heavy handed in other ways. Three teens in grade 9 struggle with their own identities and bullying. Its told in each of the three kids perspectives which I liked, I particularly thought the Devan (friends of the bully initially) was really well done. My complaints were the two of the three kids had dead mothers, one a distant father, the other a dying father! Why can't we have kids be bullied or social outcasts without some tragic backstory?
November 20, 2018
I used this as a read aloud in my middle years classroom. The students, who aren't always receptive to sitting and listening to me read, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Each of us has had times where we felt like Will, acted (or sometimes have not taken action) like Devan and Katie, and behaved like Shane. This is a great book for teaching kids that everyone has some kind of battle going on in their lives that we may not know about and thus, it is important to always be kind.
September 20, 2019
I read this book with my middle school students, and we all really enjoyed it. A story of school bullies and humanity, it reminds us all to take a step back and think before we judge, that every person is fighting an invisible battle. Personally, I was left a little unsatisfied with the ending, but overall it was a good, quick read.
Want to read
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2022
This book was awesome!
I loved all the suspense. My favourite character was in this book. She reminded me of me! If the author is reading this, please, please, please, make a second book! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ THIS BOOK IS AWESOME
PS MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS KATIE
I loved all the suspense. My favourite character was in this book. She reminded me of me! If the author is reading this, please, please, please, make a second book! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ THIS BOOK IS AWESOME
PS MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS KATIE
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2023
i get the message, but ... i don't really like how the whole Devan and Katie interactions stems from how they were "attracted" to each other romantically, i would've preferred this to be purely ending with the friendship between the three of them, but alas. I mean, they are 9th graders in this, so .
May 22, 2017
A school book that Liberty said I have to read...and yes I did. It is written from the perspective of the characters watching bullying take place. Amazing to see how bullying affects everyone...easy read and well written...I would highly recommend!
July 31, 2020
What I didn’t like about Egghead was the lack of imagery. Not much about the setting was described or even the appearance of main characters. I didn’t like the awkward use of slang , and words like “man” and “holy crap” were very overused.
December 12, 2020
Our class read this book and did a novel study on it. The characters are very interesting and it was nice to hear everyone’s views of the book. The book was very dramatic though. Not what I was expecting.
March 10, 2023
GIRL OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK 😭⁉️ SO BASICALLY MY TEACHER READ IT TO MY CLASS AND OMG KATIE N DEAVON😍 LIKE WE WERE ALL FREAKING OUT ON THE LAST PAGE. SO GOOD OMG. MY JAW DROPPED WHEN HE SHOWED UP AT KATIES HOUSE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2019
hnbnjb nmn
February 24, 2019
Truly an amazing and deeply moving read, revealing many struggles of modern-day high school.
August 26, 2019
Good YA book focusing on bullying and bystanders. Will read to my class this year.
June 17, 2020
It is a good book
January 23, 2023
I need to reread it!
October 4, 2023
This book is nostalgic and a childhood read for me. Super sweet, and Katie and Devan still have my heart to this day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews