eBully

by Dave Conifer

Vice Principal Steve Lukather is desperate. Just like last year, an internet bully is terrorizing one of his students at Lakeland Middle School. Last time it ended badly when the victim was found with two slashed wrists after an attempted suicide. This year, after a series of nasty computer messages and an indiscreet photograph of Carly Gillette spread through the student body Lukather knows it's happening again. This time he's determined to stop the bully in his tracks before Gillette ends up reaching for a razor blade.

Thirteen-year-old Scott Halifax has a juvy rap sheet that could peel wallpaper but he's just what Lukather needs -- a street-smart, tech-savvy kid with no roots. Lukather makes a deal with Halifax: go undercover as a student at Lakeland and nail the bully in return for a ticket out of the County Detention Center and a clean slate.

Once he's in at Lakeland Halifax teams up with Tom Seidel, the nerdy kid that everyone loves to hate. It isn't long before Scott, Tom and Carly’s best friend Lisa are working together. It takes a lot of hard work, some sly computer sleuthing and a little dumb luck before they expose the bully. And it’s the last person that anybody would have suspected.

eBully draws on recent headlines about cyber-bullying, including the need to update harassment and stalking laws to reflect new technologies.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Childrens

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2009

Reviews

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very short read. This seemed more targeted towards middle aged youth. I felt that if the characters were a little more developed, or the story was just told from one person's point of view, then it would have added more mystery to the story and the ending would have been surprising.

This was a cute story about trying to find an online bully. It really shows how it can affect the victim. Also, when someone is saying anything mean to someone online, it shows that the person may not realize how it is affecting the other person because they feel that a actual person isn't on the other side of the screen. I felt the message was very clear and shows how anyone can be an "eBully". Overall, this was a good book with a great message.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

eBully is a great read. It's very accessible, I think, to younger audiences. The subject of the book is cyber stalking / cyber bullying, which, unfortunately, is a very real problem that kids today are facing. Well written with great characters, eBully did a good job of building suspense and also added in some twists that I didn't see coming. Good read, and something that might lead to good discussions between parents and teens. I docked a star for pretty much the same reason that Red took off points.

***** SPOILER WARNING *****
I don't want to go into it too much as I don't want to spoil the ending, but it left me with a kind of "ick" feeling. I honestly thought "Serves her right!" at the end, which is probably not a good thing. It also made me see the "victim" as a bit of a sociopath. I don't think that's a good thing when this is someone we've been sympathizing with for the whole novel.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Lukather, a middle school vice-principal solicits help from a troubled 13-year old Scott in the form of discovering what he can about cyber-bullying. One of the students who recently attended Lukather’s school was bullied enough to attempt suicide and now he wants to put a stop to it or at least do what he can to prevent it.

Before reading this story, I had thought “What’s the big deal about bullying these days? Why is it such a big thing now when it’s always been around? And why aren’t kids able to deal with it?” The vice principal Mr. Lukather gives a good explanation of bullying when done behind a hidden screen name. But then why do the victims continue to visit sites where they’re being hassled? Why are they drawn to misery?

This was a great page-turner right from the start, and a real eye-opener.

[Teri Reitmeyer perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read for all ages

...i was never blessed with children but have a nephew who spent the first year of his life in the hospital with several visits per year up until about the age of 12...his family is so grateful for every day that we have with him that we aren't aware of his speech impediment - unfortunately, his cruel classmates did & made life miserable for him...if that wasn't bad enough, he is now an employable adult & believe it or not the bullying has continued to the extent that he's left 2 jobs due the stress - it is a terrible shame that adults also bully their peers...my nephew's bullying wasn't all electronic but it didn't have to be to make his life miserable...i believe that teens & adults should take the time to read this book - it's not a long one & keeps your attention throughout - it is definitely worth your time & is thought provoking...would be a good book for a reading group with regular discussion sessions...

[Jojobean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok.

This book is about a girl Carly being bullied through the internet and text messages. Embarrassing pictures of her were also send to cell phones to everyone in her school. Carly became depressed. The Vice principal of the school recruited/hired Scott who is basically lives in a juvie type center and is a kid criminal. Scott is hired to go undercover in Carly's school to catch the bully in exchanged for a clean slate. A few other kids get involved to help Scott.

I think this book is a case of a good idea that was not executed that well. For me the age of the teenagers makes everything a bit unrealistic. Everyone is 13 years old. Its just unrealistic. A vice principal HIRES a juvenile delinquent to go UNDERCOVER in his school to find a bully and no one cares. I mean really? And in exchange the THIRTEEN year old boy gets a FREE CLEAN SLATE that no one seems to know where or why he gets it? It just doesn't make sense. I mean if the teens were older or if an actual I don't know COP was put undercover then it'd make more sense. It just seemed like the deal that was made between the vice principal and Scott was like a deal made with a murderer and the D.A. Oh and not to mention the fact that the vice principle even said that he's not sure what he's doing is legal. So its not legal and an ADMINISTRATOR of a school building with children in it is allowing and hell even seeking this out. Um no. I just think that this is something that should have been considered by the author.

There characters were ok. You don;t really learn too much about them aside from the personalities that show when you just meet people. Scott is the bad boy with a record and is generally a nice guty. Tom is the weird nerdy computer whiz. Lisa is Carly's best friend who is the popular pretty cheerleader type girl. Carly is the all around the nice girl next door type who is getting bullied. Basic school stereotypes. I didn't hate any of the characters but I didn't love any of them either.

The ending was cray though. Not crazy action or anything but crazy as in who was bullying Carly and why. Also the very end is something unexpected. I didn't like how the book ended because you get this unexpected thing and then bam it just ends. I was like really? There is also no sequel to the book so it just ends with lots of questions.

I do appreciate the author writing about such a big thing that is going on in schools which is bullying and this story may be good for kids who are 12 or 13 to learn about bullying.

This review is also posted on Spantalian's Book Reviews

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those subjects that you wish didn't need attention. In fact, the whole thing kind of makes you ill. I think bullying is probably one subject that nearly everyone can identify with. Whether it was in school, at home, at work or with friends, we have all known a bully or two, many of us up close and personal.

For those of us that are 30-something, our schoolyard bullies were much different. We knew their faces and we knew what the danger was. These days, bullies are faceless. They lurk in cyberspace where they feel braver. Brave enough to say and do things that we could only imagine. They don't have to face you during lunch and call you names, they can broadcast it to the entire school with a few keystrokes.

The author does a wonderful job handling such a difficult subject. He handles it in such a way that I would encourage those with teenagers to talk to your kids about the book and let them read it. There's nothing too graphic in here and it's a great young adult (middle school level) book. The only way to combat situations like this is to talk about them and talk loudly. Kids need to know that it's okay to "tell" their parents and it's NOT okay to let a bully get away with it.

The storyline flowed very well. The author didn't go off on any tangents where I felt the need to read through the pages and pull him back on track. He was able to keep the story going while still keeping the character development on point. I actually stayed up way too late one night trying to finish this one but ended up giving it up until the next day. Well worth the lost sleep though!

I'm giving this four stars, it loses a star because some of the dialogue was a bit stilted. Interestingly enough, I felt the adults were the problem. The kids seem to feel more true, but the adults - especially the vice principal seemed too rehearsed in parts. I realize the author wanted to get information to us with some of the dialogue, but it felt too forced.

Having said that, it doesn't detract from the story and I would recommend this to all middle and high school students AND their parents. In these days of every kid having a cell phone, I think it's an important subject to broach with your kids and this is a great way to start that conversation.

Note: The ending was changed in mid-October 2010. From what I read, I think it was for the better. I was completely okay with this ending, but not sure I would have been with the previous.

[Caleb Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very topical book and a pretty quick read, eBully was dedicated to but not so much based on a true story where a teen bullied on the internet eventually committed suicide.

In this story, a recent nearly fatal case of e-bullying prompted a teacher to take a very unconventional course of action to prevent another incident with a different student. This leads to a juvenile defender being brought in undercover to try to find the culprit in exchange for his freedom from the detention centre. It's a pretty common opener, but interesting to see a generational twist.

The "ex-con" character in this is probably the strongest from an adult reader's point of view as I think he may be easier to connect with. His concerns about his life and his future (at least for me) were easy to picture. Additionally, he was quite adult in his outlook through much of the book. However, the victim of the crime in progress may well appeal more to a young adult reader as the "sticks and stones" assault might not register as much with an adult.

And this is where I, as a reader, had to shift my own perceptions a little. It's very easy for me to trivialise the attack. But this is why I believe the author has chosen his intended audience well. I think a young adult is going to empathise with Carly and I believe this empathy is important to the success of the novel as it's very much a cautionary tale.

Unfortunately, I also thought there was some clumsiness in this novel and I think one of the characters said it better than I could have at the end of the novel:

"It turned out to be like a Scooby Doo episode"

It really did feel a bit like Scooby Doo with the rampant 'deputisation' that occurred amongst students and the relatives thereof. As an undercover operation it was a complete failure.

Perhaps a young adult reader is not going to have a problem with it - but it was a little far-fetched to begin with and seemed to get sillier as it progressed. Maybe that aspect of the story was actually too young even for young adult.

There were some twists and I believe they added to the interest. I did see them coming (all of them), but it didn't stop me from enjoying the ride.

Overall this is a worthwhile novel that, while being a bit too Scooby Doo for me, delivers a relevant message about the internet and the new wave of anonymous bullying amongst school children that it has unwittingly facilitated.

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 4 out of 5]

eBully is a very quick read; I read this book in one day. It's a great book, that I very quickly got sucked into. I felt for the main character & her pain, and often relived my own, painful, tormented childhood, and wondered what anguish I might have gone through if I was a teenager today, instead of in the late 80's/early 90's, before anyone had heard of this thing called an internet. I admit, I didn't know who the eBully was until 3/4ths of the way through the book, which was wonderful because usually I figure out the "mystery" way too quickly (both in books & movies, which is why I don't often read mysteries). The heartbreak that everyone feels when the ebully is discovered & they realize that the person won't be punished felt very believable & real to me. And then there's a wonderful twist at the end that I absolutely HATED, but it's that you-love-to-hate-it vibe. And I hated how the book ended, but it worked so incredibly well, and was very well written.

The only reason why I gave this book four stars, instead of five, was I felt a few things were a little bit of a stretch of the imagination. I can't really see teenage boys acting quite as mature as they are portrayed in the book, not to mention what are the odds that all of these seeming coincidences that happen, all would really happen in such a manner? (I know, I'm very vague, but I'm trying not to give spoilers because the book is really excellent, but if I explained what I meant, I would completely ruin the book).

Great book, one definitely worth reading & discussing.

[Maria Hooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by telling you what E-Bully isn't. It's not about vampires or other paranormal creatures. It's not Gossip Girl, either. It's not a love story at the core. Lacking those things doesn't mean it's bad It means it's geared toward a specific niche--ya issues, and if you enjoy books like Thirteen Reasons Why, Swallowing Stones, or Speak, then this book is definitely worth the read.

As a high school teacher, one of the things I appreciated most about this novel is that the characters were well-grounded, and every part of the story was cause-and-effect based. Kids are like everyone else. If they tell you they don't know why they did something, it's probably not true. More than likely, they just don't want to tell you. All of the characters in this novel are complicated and well-developed. While the characters thoughts definitely drive them, those thoughts and motivations aren't necessary out in the open for everyone besides the reader. There are even some motivations the reader doesn't get access to, but that's not a spoiler I'm willing to give away.

As far as the subject matter goes, I really believe this is important to kids. It can be difficult enough for some teenagers to understand right and wrong in a face-to-face situation. When they hide behind the computer, it becomes so much easier to blur that distinction, and Conifer never lets you forget there are real consequences for the characters.

[Lori Henrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carly has been receiving some texts and IMs that are making her very uncomfortable. She is getting scared. No matter what she does they won't stop.

Vice Principal Lukather is trying to do something about eBullys. One of his students tried to commit suicide because of being bullied by someone using the internet and a cell phone. He doesn't want that to happen again. So when he discovers that another student is under the gun, he brings in a kid with a sketchy past to help him find out who is doing the bullying.

Scott has been in trouble his whole life so when he is approached to help with the offer of his past crimes being expunged, he decides to take the chance. After all what does he have to lose.

I like this. I think that it is a sad state of the world when your kids aren't safe from a bully in their own homes and the privacy of their room. This is the biggest reason I dislike young people having computers in their rooms and cell phones. I was picked on in school, but unless they wanted to follow me home or call on the phone, I was safe at home. I wish that security would be availalbe to kids now. Maybe then we wouldn't be hearing about kids killing themselves because of an idiot who has nothing better to do than harass another person. It makes me angry when I hear about this kind of behavior and that school officials seem to have their hands tied or chose not to help.

[Matt Schiariti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the best thing about this novel is that it's entirely plausible. In fact, it may as well have 'ripped from the headlines' as a tag line.

Carly is just your average every day middle schooler. That is until someone takes a compromising picture of her in the girl's bathroom at school and sends it to the entire student body. It doesn't stop there though. She starts receiving nasty text messages and is the focus of the same nastiness on the book's version of today's popular social networking site. The vice principal, who saw something similar happen a year earlier when a popular girl who was also the victim of such attacks botched an attempt to kill herself, enlists the help of a computer savvy troubled kid from a local kid's shelter.

This is another well written, can't help but turn the pages read by Dave Conifer. It's frightening in how topical it is. Cyber bullying is all to prevalent in today's society. It's easy to forget that people on the other side of the computer screen are just that: people. What starts out as 'kids just being kids' can really ruin lives and this book hits that nail right on the head.

The perpetrator of all the cyber bullying is not exactly a shocking revelation by the time the team figures out 'whodunnit' but the ending is just twisted enough to make up for that fact.

Although it's fiction, these things do happen and this novella is a good reminder to keep an eye on what your kids are doing on the computer. Good read.

[Jeff Beesler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided I needed a break from reading my usual sci-fi/fantasy/horror stuff and landed on eBully as the book of choice. I must say that the book underscores the whole bully phenomenon as it pertains to the digital era. Any young adult who feels bullied could certainly relate to this book. At times, however, I wasn't quite sure which character was talking. Also, the bounce back and forth between the story and the "IM screen" made it a little difficult for me to stay focused on the story.

All in all, though, a rather enjoyable book.

[Starla B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The idea is a little scary, and knowing that even though this story is fiction, this kind of thing happens all of the time and could happen to anyone. I had a suspicion about the "bad guy" from about 40% through...but didn't really KNOW it was that person until 75% through so that was good. I was hoping there was a sequel out there, but no such luck. Maybe some day.

[Talia Jager · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick read about a very important subject. I got sucked in and had to read until I was done. The author was very good at keeping the identity of the bully a mystery and the ending was surprising. I liked how the main characters of this book include boys and girls. I think either would enjoy reading eBully. I think it's an important matter today and I am now letting my teenager read it.

[Shelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Half a star if possible. The writing was geared towards a way younger age range. Probably younger than what was even suggested. Though I didn't finish this book, what I read was completely unlikely. While I love a good story about things that are very unlikely, they have to be done in a certain way and this one did not work. Sometimes freebies turn out to be hidden treasures but this one is not one of them.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good young adult novel that read quickly. I'm very glad when I was in school, we did not have to deal with this type of bullying since cellphones did not exist yet and neither did we have the internet. I never guessed the ending, I thought I had figured it out, but it was definitely not who I thought.

[Tam Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you think about cyberbullying. I'm not a big fan of students having electronic devices at school. This is a really good reason why they should not be allowed in school. Another aspect people should think about is you never know who is on the other end. There were many good lessons to take away from this book. I think students should read it.

[Bj Hawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read if you have children

While my children have children and these issues haven't surfaced in their lives, I still believe that they should read this book. It's a book written objectively and addresses an issue that is relevant in today's society. Good job addressing the issue of ebullying.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read, especially in today's climate. My only complaint is the lack of resolution in the end with some of the information. I really feel that that is a HUGE weakness of the moral of the book.

[April Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I would reccomend it to teachers who are interested in reading about bullying and how students use technology against one another.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it was an easy read, I found some of the characters to be flat, and REALLY didn't like the ending.

[Libbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given this three stars, maybe even four but I found the end a bit clumsy and annoying.

[Priyanka Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book!!! I loved it so much.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and makes you realize that this is an issue that is very close to all of us...

[Candice Roper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read and brings up some important issues about how dangerous technology can be and when it goes too far.

[Margaret Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent young adult detailing the horrors of e bullying. Really a twist at the end.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good YA book. I liked the characters and it was something that could have really happened.

[Colleen Lahey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too disorganized for my taste.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks

What a great story. More people should Read this and find out what is happening in schools and other places.

[Kimberly Pelkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting concept because it could happen to anyone