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Jelly Roll
When Jenny and Austin end up at a March Break leadership camp together, Jenny thinks her week will be miserable.
At school, Jenny Royce is bullied by Grade A Jerk Austin Parks. And now, not only is her tormentor spending March Break at the same retreat, she and Austin are grouped together for the camp’s main assignment! They have to run a stall at a local farmer’s market. The market could be a lot of fun. But when Jenny learns that Austin wants their group’s project to fail, she has to decide if she can risk standing up to him.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
At school, Jenny Royce is bullied by Grade A Jerk Austin Parks. And now, not only is her tormentor spending March Break at the same retreat, she and Austin are grouped together for the camp’s main assignment! They have to run a stall at a local farmer’s market. The market could be a lot of fun. But when Jenny learns that Austin wants their group’s project to fail, she has to decide if she can risk standing up to him.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2020
19 people want to read
About the author
Mere Joyce
17 books109 followersMere Joyce lives in Atlantic Canada. As both a writer and a librarian, she understands the importance of reading, and the impact the right story can have.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 25, 2024
So much to take away from this short read!
Jenny's got a bully in her life that she just can't shake off. After witnessing someone else getting bullied, she gains a new perspective on the situation. She realizes it is up to her to accept or change things, and so with determination and newfound confidence she stands up to her bully.
I like the lessons that Jenny learns. She understands that you can't usually change a bully, so you have to change how you look at their behavior. Her perspective changes not just on being bullied, but also on the bully themself. She realizes that they might be going through something in their life that is difficult for them and that causes them to act out. She can't change that either, all she can offer is friendship and kindness.
Jenny's actions made me proud; she was quick-thinking with the ambition and drive to turn around a bad situation. She's stepping into a new role as a leader and she proves she's got what it takes to overcome setbacks and find success.
A cute story with inspiring and realistic handling and overcoming of the bully situation. Recommended to young readers looking to combat bullying in themselves or others, and those who are working on confidence or leadership skills.
Jenny's got a bully in her life that she just can't shake off. After witnessing someone else getting bullied, she gains a new perspective on the situation. She realizes it is up to her to accept or change things, and so with determination and newfound confidence she stands up to her bully.
I like the lessons that Jenny learns. She understands that you can't usually change a bully, so you have to change how you look at their behavior. Her perspective changes not just on being bullied, but also on the bully themself. She realizes that they might be going through something in their life that is difficult for them and that causes them to act out. She can't change that either, all she can offer is friendship and kindness.
Jenny's actions made me proud; she was quick-thinking with the ambition and drive to turn around a bad situation. She's stepping into a new role as a leader and she proves she's got what it takes to overcome setbacks and find success.
A cute story with inspiring and realistic handling and overcoming of the bully situation. Recommended to young readers looking to combat bullying in themselves or others, and those who are working on confidence or leadership skills.
November 7, 2021
"I like the way I look. And I love the food I create. But it would be too easy to make fun of the big girl who feels most at home in the kitchen. I don't want to be shamed about something I enjoy doing."
March 27, 2021
When you're used to being picked on, everyone you meet is a potential enemy.
I guess Austin has many talents. Above everything else, his greatest skill is making me miserable.
People tease me enough about my size without knowing how much I love cooking. I like the way I look. And I love the food I create. But it would be too easy to make fun of the big girl who feels most at home in the kitchen. I don't want to be shamed about something I enjoy doing.
Here's the plot in two sentences: A plump 14-year-old girl is getting bullied, and to her horror, ends up at summer camp with the guy who is doing the bullying. She learns to stand up for herself over the course of the week, and even finds it within herself to be kind the the boy when she learns why he's nasty (family problems).
The writing, pacing, story-line and dialogue are all good. And being a short and fast read, it's ideal for reluctant readers. But how realistic are the characters? When Jenny says "I like the way I look," what heavy girl is going to believe that of someone who all but bursts into tears when called an insulting name? (Sensitive, yes. That sensitive? A stretch.)
Also, on a bully-scale of one to ten, Austin ranks around .5. The worst he has ever done to Jenny is call her Jelly Roll, paint that insult on her locker and shove cake crumbs in through the slats. He has been doing this for years, and she nearly cries each time, feels he is making her life miserable and never stands up to him.
If they were nine, that would be authentic, but they're 14.
Plus, having never seen him bully anyone else (seriously?), she decides after witnessing him belittle a camp-mate that it's time to stand up for herself. (Maybe that could be called a V-shaped character arc.) As soon as she asserts herself, he is shocked into silence, "looks broken" and sulks. That doesn't feel realistic at all. Yes, he eventually takes a stab at sabotaging her camp project efforts, but once she understands the reasons behind his meanness, she refuses to report him, and is even nice to him.
Why am I even bothering to be nice? I can't stand Austin. And I certainly don't forgive him for all the horrible stuff he has done. But I don't want to be like hi. I guess that is why.
So, it has a nice ending, and if you don't mind a Bully-Lite, it's a good read. But probably not for 14-year-olds.
I guess Austin has many talents. Above everything else, his greatest skill is making me miserable.
People tease me enough about my size without knowing how much I love cooking. I like the way I look. And I love the food I create. But it would be too easy to make fun of the big girl who feels most at home in the kitchen. I don't want to be shamed about something I enjoy doing.
Here's the plot in two sentences: A plump 14-year-old girl is getting bullied, and to her horror, ends up at summer camp with the guy who is doing the bullying. She learns to stand up for herself over the course of the week, and even finds it within herself to be kind the the boy when she learns why he's nasty (family problems).
The writing, pacing, story-line and dialogue are all good. And being a short and fast read, it's ideal for reluctant readers. But how realistic are the characters? When Jenny says "I like the way I look," what heavy girl is going to believe that of someone who all but bursts into tears when called an insulting name? (Sensitive, yes. That sensitive? A stretch.)
Also, on a bully-scale of one to ten, Austin ranks around .5. The worst he has ever done to Jenny is call her Jelly Roll, paint that insult on her locker and shove cake crumbs in through the slats. He has been doing this for years, and she nearly cries each time, feels he is making her life miserable and never stands up to him.
If they were nine, that would be authentic, but they're 14.
Plus, having never seen him bully anyone else (seriously?), she decides after witnessing him belittle a camp-mate that it's time to stand up for herself. (Maybe that could be called a V-shaped character arc.) As soon as she asserts herself, he is shocked into silence, "looks broken" and sulks. That doesn't feel realistic at all. Yes, he eventually takes a stab at sabotaging her camp project efforts, but once she understands the reasons behind his meanness, she refuses to report him, and is even nice to him.
Why am I even bothering to be nice? I can't stand Austin. And I certainly don't forgive him for all the horrible stuff he has done. But I don't want to be like hi. I guess that is why.
So, it has a nice ending, and if you don't mind a Bully-Lite, it's a good read. But probably not for 14-year-olds.
November 21, 2024
A quick middle-grade read about a leadership camp, delicious food, and a wonderful girl who comes into her own.
I picked it up because I love food trucks.
I picked it up because I love food trucks.
November 30, 2023
I wanted Jenny to punch Austin but was amazed at her resilience and courage. A quick read filled with emotion.
June 20, 2021
This is a well-written and engaging novel for reluctant readers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews