Hangman

by Julia Jarman

Toby's heart sinks when he hears that Danny Lamb is coming to Lindley High School. Danny will expect Toby to be his friend, and Toby doesn't want that again. Danny is different and Toby is embarassed to be his friend. It would destroy his street cred and put his friends off him. He doesn't want to harm Danny. He wouldn't bully him. Of course not. But on a school trip to France, close to the D-Day beaches where men fought to defeat Fascism, a harmless game goes dreadfully wrong. Toby has to choose sides—the bullies or Danny—and his choice could save a life.

Genres: Young Adult

152 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 1999

About the author

Julia Jarman is a British author of books for children of all reading ages and ability.

Reviews

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby is relieved when his ex best friend Danny went to a different school. They’d outgrown each other, and Danny was, well, different. He loved learning Latin and telling people about it. He was fascinated in History, always had his head in a book and he spoke very correctly.
So when Toby found out that Danny’s new school didn’t work out for him and that they were to be at the same school again, Toby was worried.
Danny arrived and as expected, didn’t fit in. The others thought he talked funny, couldn’t take a joke and was a mummies boy.
Danny thought he and Toby would be best mates again, but when Toby practically ignored him, he wasn’t sure what to do or say. Only a few girls were kind to Danny, the boys avoiding him and calling him names. But the ringleader was Nick – captain of the football team and popular amongst his classmates. Nick can’t believe it when Danny gets special treatment because he doesn’t like going on the playground (like he was a baby), and gets even madder at Danny.
When they go on a school trip to France Nick is keen to make Danny’s life as horrible as possible. Toby has been accepted into Nick’s group (but only if he ignores Danny). Toby is fine with this in the beginning, especially when Nick says he might be able to play in the top football team with him. But the meaner Nick becomes, the more uncomfortable Toby becomes with Danny’s treatment.
As this bullying escalates, Danny is pushed to breaking point...

I enjoyed this story immensely, cringing through it at the treatment Danny received and the way people around him made things worse. His mother, his teacher and Danny himself. I felt for both Toby and Danny as this is a very real situation in classrooms today - but kindness and understanding is the answer. Peer pressure is a powerful thing and bullying can be terribly cruel. I'm glad most NZ schools have a zero tolerance to bullying - but sometimes, as in this story, it's hidden very well.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book was interesting to say the least! To start with I am not sure the book needs to be read as a whole especially not to primary children (there are a few swear words and some of it would probably not keep them engaged enough to understand the importance of what it is trying to symbolise; bullying!) If used in a primary setting I believe it would be key if there was a rise in bullying and / or the school was spending some time thinking/ discussing how important it is to be kind and approachable to new children and/ or those who may be seen as 'different'. Danny the main character in the story is one of those characters everyone I feel could relate to at some point in their lives. Feeling left out, less than and different. Having to make a big change and hope that it will be okay knowing deep down there will be a lot of challenges on the way. The obvious theme throughout was bullying but I felt the importance of 'friendship' was being highlighted also; analysing what friendship really means and what extent people will go to in order to be noticed or not seen as less than/ different. It was heartfelt and at times quite a difficult read but really showed the impact a few words or actions can have on another. I feel the book could be used well as a tool to battle bullying in schools/ groups of young people. Using a few pages at a time to analysis who was feeling what and why. There were many different emotions going on throughout the story from all the characters but I did like the way in which the three boys at the forefront of the novel were described and Julia Jarmin seem to make their feelings clear at all times even by just the language they used or the actions they took. She managed to explain in such a short time how things that start as a joke can soon turn life threatening also that if you see something at any point in your life you do not agree with do you let it happen or try to make a difference/ tell someone. It made me think about significant times in my own life where there probably could have been better outcomes for others if I had spoken up and I feel this may be the impact for many children who come across this novel. I feel it is very relevant and is a subject that at times can not only be hard to approach but also quite hard to manage especially as a lot of the time it goes unnoticed until something is very wrong just like in this book. I believe the book would benefit older children maybe secondary school age year 7/8 and is extremely prevalent for that age group at this time. However it could be a good tool for year 5/6 looking at their next challenges when moving to secondary, meeting new people, how they will treat others and portray themselves.

[Leo Gebleux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enfant différent, se fait taper dessus, son ami le protège pas.

[Valeriane C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

réaliser que les mauvaises blagues peuvent parfois faire beaucoup de mal et que les gens fragiles de notre entourage ont besoin de soutien

[Natasha May Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this in year 6 or 7 I believe (in Middle School). I got it signed by the author too. Thriller. Bullying. Bullies traumatized.

[Debora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminds me of an episode from my childhood. Unfortunately, many kids are unaware and adults refuse to see.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read the different view points of those involved and on the periphery of bullying. The deception, the unseeing and injustice.

[Aoibhin]

There's a thread on TikTok about a book you read at 13 and will forever be obsessed with.
Well this mine expect I was 11