Stickboy

by Shane L. Koyczan, John Rummen (Illustrator)

Shane s new novel in verse, Stickboy, is narrated by a boy who, after enduring years of bullying from his classmates, finally snaps and becomes a bully himself. The title is a reference to both the old sticks and stones saying, and the narrator s feeling of being made of sticks of dynamite waiting to explode. This tale, based on Shane s childhood experiences with bullying, is as beautiful as it is haunting. And it reminds us that although we can assume any role bully, victim, or passive observer ultimately, we must each choose where we stand...

With cyber-bullying on the rise, this is truly a timely and important book for all ages and backgrounds: students, parents, teachers, and more. It is sure to ignite lively debate and discussion about bullying in our society and what we can do about it.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Canada, Young Adult, Novel In Verse

178 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Shane L. Koyczan is a Canadian poet and writer. Born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Koyczan grew up in Penticton, British Columbia. In 2000, he became the first Canadian to win the Individual Championship title at the US National Poetry Slam. Together with Mighty Mike McGee and C. R. Avery, he is the co-founder of spoken word, "talk rock" trio, Tons of Fun University (T.O.F.U.).

Koyczan performed a variation on his piece "We Are More" at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Reviews

[Laura A. Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shane Koyczan, in my opinion, is a powerful spoken word poet, and that power translates into the words on paper. This is an amazing story-told-through-poetry of how being bullied can turn a person into a bully himself, but also how he can redeem himself from that, too. It takes us through the boy's perspective as he is beaten down from being bullied, how this changes him and he snaps and fights back, becoming like those who beat him down and how he decides to come back from this. Because of Koyczan's power with words, the emotions are raw and poignantly felt throughout the text as we feel and sympathize for the boy as he goes through everything. This is really a fabulous piece of work.

[Sarah Battersby-lebarron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was moved to laughter and tears in equal measure. His voice resonates, even in print.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put words to this is of no use. Shane creates masterpieces and makes it look as simple as breathing.

[Sarah Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, real-life book written in verse. And in within that verse and lines of imaginative metaphors to describe the smallest things, is a story of a boy who was bullied for no reason.

It's not your typical book or autobiography - there isn't a big crescendo of growing up and why things happened, and there isn't even a happy ending conclusion. It's as he says in the opening pages of the book, "I can only tell you how it felt."

[Danielle Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! To say that this book left me speechless is an understatement. Koyczan's words are profound and haunting. As a teacher, I address bullying regularly, and I know the grave consequences of actions taken to harm another person's humanity, but this novel gave me new perspective. The deep agony within the pages gripped me, and I wanted significant and moving Hollywood style redemption (for my own lingering memories); there is redemption, but it is subtle and realistic. This is a must read if for no other reason than to remind yourself of the cost of wanting to push another down in an effort to raise yourself up.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard Shane Koyczan perform his poetry before and was blown away, so I thought I would try reading some of his published verse. He did not disappoint!

Koyczan’s words are powerful and evocative. Over the course of this short novel, I found myself feeling heartbroken, enraged, relieved, lonely, loved, crestfallen, hopeful, and finally at peace right along with the narrator.

[Bri Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I've been a fan of Shane Koyczan since a teacher introduced me to his spoken word performances back in the 10th grade and I've never failed to learn something about myself and the world from his words in whatever context or medium they're presented...can't believe it took me so long to read this. Dude is a freakin' national treasure.

[Natalie Grave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic prose, but the end was anticlamactic with no definite resolution, which was a little damaging for my overall impression of the book.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always found Koyczan to be a singular voice; impassioned and insightful about the human condition and it's cruel underbelly. With Stickboy I found that the way he speaks his work aloud is, I think, critical to my reception of it, and reading it on the page was not as cathartic as I'd imagined. Perhaps Stickboy is a little sophomoric, perhaps it just doesn't resonate if he's not punching up the syllables in a TED talk. The subject matter was important to me, the story and characters were well realized, but the language fell flat and as a result I couldn't sympathize. I think it may have worked better as a straight narrative story, and I think the subject matter was also handled more effectively in some of his shorter, direct poetry (like To This Day). I still highly recommend getting to know him as a poet. His words are just better when he's actually speaking them to you.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful novel in verse, reminiscent of Karen Hesse's "Out of the Dust" and just as poignant. Painfully told in the first person, this is one boy's journey through school from the age of ten when the merciless bullying begins. A bit of a mixed beginning as the hypercharged language does not feel right for a ten year old, but the nuanced and surprising words gain more and more momentum as the story is revealed to the reader. Shane Koyczan will be a writer to be reckoned with -- he already is, as the Performance Poet of the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first few lines and couldn't put it down. Shane has a way of taking you on the journey of being bullied with him and the sorrow I felt in his words connected me to the boy he was. The love he shows for his Grandmother is so evident and I will be looking for more of his work.

[Courtnay Boateng · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Shane. What a stellar guy. Not to mention he comes from the same place I do! this book is a really powerful story, written in amazingly vivid poetry to tell about the journey or a boy who gets bullied - to a boy who becomes the bully. Such a relevant topic.

[Care · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel written in poetry about bullying and the devastating effects. Shane Koyczan is an author/poet/speaker worth keeping both eyes on.

[Peter Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel in verse. An unusual approach. Powerful, moving, painful and funny. A powerful protest against bullying.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a powerful story of a boy's journey from bullied to bully. It will change your life. I highly recommend it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exploration of bullying, difference, and loneliness. Also themes of self harm, adoption, abandonment, the North, and coming of age.