A Year with Butch and Spike

by Gail Gauthier

Jasper Gordon, a model student, is suddenly placed between the two worst kids in school in an attempt by his teacher to provide them some good influence, yet when the opposite happens, everyone in class is shocked over the unexpected transformation of Jasper. Reprint.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Gail Gauthier has written eight books for children, as well as short stories, essays, and creative nonfiction for adults. She also writes about children's books and writing at her blog Original Content.

Reviews

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's books with bad teachers always make me uncomfortable. I was able to get through it in The Wednesday Wars because there were exceptional circumstances and it didn't last long, but in this book it lasts an entire year. I think Mrs. McNulty should have been fired long ago. She would definitely be on the news nowadays. I am aware that the kids needed a protagonist but as a teacher that was really irritating. She was an evil teacher caricature.

Butch and Spike were surprising characters. We are led to believe that they are horrid bullies and then we have our expectations turned upside down. I ended up liking Spike a whole lot. He reminded me of my dad.

A strong theme in the book is how school is not set up where smart students are the ones who always pass and get the great grades. Spike is very smart and creative and does his assignments his own way and in his own time. In my school, he'd be part of the GT program and might struggle in his regular classes, but his teachers would know how much he really was capable of. He bemoans the fact that to get an A a student doesn't have to be smart, but just has to follow directions. He finds a topic that really makes him sizzle with interest and it isn't the right day to discuss it. He writes an incredible poem for a project and fails due to the fact that it isn't an essay. That is true for some students. A good lesson for teachers to take in.

[Duane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for preteen readers who enjoy humor and everyday life stories. Jasper is the model ace student who does everything right and suceeds at everything he does. When he finds himself being assigned to sit between two of the school's biggest goof offs, he has to figure out how to survive. The author does a masterful job of showing the thoughts, fears, and conficts that Jasper goes through as he discovers everyone has hidden talents and gifts. Filled with laughs and great storylines, this is a great book for preteens/teen readers.

[Ragan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book about bullies. The story is told in the first person and I enjoyed seeing the main character grow and mature. Also funny.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book was ok

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book for reluctant readers! I sent a copy to a friend of mine who hates reading, now shes starting to like it!