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Branded
The principal announces that the school is implementing uniforms, and Ian finds himself caught in a conflict. His friend Julia wants him to devise a plan to fight the decision, and the principal is determined to convince Ian the uniforms are a good idea. Ian wants nothing to do with the issue. While doing research for a social-justice class, he learns that the manufacturer of the uniforms is on the top-ten list for human-rights violations. When he tells the principal this, all he gets is a reminder that the penalty for refusing to wear the uniforms is suspension, and Ian finds himself caught in a whole new conflict--one with himself.
Also available in French.
Also available in French.
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
26 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
156 books908 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 28, 2021
I remember Eric Walters visiting my elementary school, waaaay back in the day (well, it feels like a long time to me). We All Fall Down was a big book at the time, and I ended up doing a book report for it. Another classmate also did the book report and had the entire class make fun of me because I did a better job (and got a better mark). I stopped reading Eric Walters books after that because I was tortured for enjoying his books.
Well, here I am. Adult me! I found Branded at a local book store and it was on clearance, so I grabbed it. I figured, why not give Eric Walters another chance? It wasn't his fault my bullies were giant jerk faces! I remember his tiger books fondly...
This book? I don't feel too fondly about, and not because it isn't good. This is a great book to get kids talking about political issues. This book dives deeply into moral responsibility and how we take care of the world. We buy clothes that kids make, and they don't make a true living off of. It's forced labour and isn't fair. What happens when the school our heroes go to buy their new uniforms from a sweat shop? Well, the kids take charge!
I didn't like this book because of how it ended on a cliffhanger. I wanted to see how it would turn out, but obviously the book's goal was not to show us that. It's to start a conversation. I can easily see this book being used in the education system to bring up tough topics, and I like that.
Overall, this is a great middle grade book to start talking about those tough, social justice issues.
Two out of five stars.
Well, here I am. Adult me! I found Branded at a local book store and it was on clearance, so I grabbed it. I figured, why not give Eric Walters another chance? It wasn't his fault my bullies were giant jerk faces! I remember his tiger books fondly...
This book? I don't feel too fondly about, and not because it isn't good. This is a great book to get kids talking about political issues. This book dives deeply into moral responsibility and how we take care of the world. We buy clothes that kids make, and they don't make a true living off of. It's forced labour and isn't fair. What happens when the school our heroes go to buy their new uniforms from a sweat shop? Well, the kids take charge!
I didn't like this book because of how it ended on a cliffhanger. I wanted to see how it would turn out, but obviously the book's goal was not to show us that. It's to start a conversation. I can easily see this book being used in the education system to bring up tough topics, and I like that.
Overall, this is a great middle grade book to start talking about those tough, social justice issues.
Two out of five stars.
August 25, 2018
This book was okay. I liked the heart of the story, but I wasn't captivated by the book. I'm glad it was a short read. I liked how the characters decided to stand up against the uniforms -- but not because of the uniform themselves, but because of the factory that made them.
March 18, 2014
Interesting premise. Just a couple of weeks into the new school year, the principal has announced that all children must wear uniforms. Nonconformity will result in suspension. Ian has mixed feelings about it--one one hand, the uniforms aren't awful and supposedly they will be less expensive than regular clothes but he isn't sure about the mandatory part. At the same time the principal is Ian's teacher for a social justice class and the students are learning about sweat shops and unfairly paid workers. When Ian finds out that the uniforms are made by a company infamous for its sweatshops and poorly paid workers, he makes his decision.
I like the story line. The writing felt a bit stiff at first but I got used to it fairly quickly. There were a couple of story line items I especially liked--one, that in the end we find out that the principal didn't have a choice in the imposition of the uniforms; and two, that the principal also supports social justice activitism and accepts its consequences.
5th grade and up.
I like the story line. The writing felt a bit stiff at first but I got used to it fairly quickly. There were a couple of story line items I especially liked--one, that in the end we find out that the principal didn't have a choice in the imposition of the uniforms; and two, that the principal also supports social justice activitism and accepts its consequences.
5th grade and up.
August 28, 2018
The beginning of the book was okay, but then it very quickly became boring. The only parts of the story I enjoyed were Oswald's lines. The reason behind the protest at the end, for Ian, was a good one, but the way the book ended left too much unresolved for my liking. I know that's typical of these books, but it just felt unfinished.
July 31, 2014
I liked this book (and for the record, I like ALL Eric Walters books). This one was a continuation of another book (and I forgot the name of that book) but the previous book was about the same characters who decided to do a flash mob in their school to get back their dances. I think it MAY have been called "Flash" or something along those lines, but it was written by Eric Walters.
Anyway, back to this book. In this book, the students are being forced to wear school uniforms and Julia is speaking out against this. Ian doesn't know what to do and tries to figure it out, getting help from Oswald and the principal along the way.
It was a good book, but I think it was written very simply. However, it sent a good message and I liked it overall. I don't think it's up to a teenager's reading level - it's more around ... maybe even grade 6. It's a really fast read, though and I liked it.
Anyway, back to this book. In this book, the students are being forced to wear school uniforms and Julia is speaking out against this. Ian doesn't know what to do and tries to figure it out, getting help from Oswald and the principal along the way.
It was a good book, but I think it was written very simply. However, it sent a good message and I liked it overall. I don't think it's up to a teenager's reading level - it's more around ... maybe even grade 6. It's a really fast read, though and I liked it.
April 22, 2011
I think that all the students hate the uniforms and unwilling to wear them, especially the uniforms are ugly. I wore school uniforms when I was in elementary school in China, and I hate them of course. There are two types of them, one of them is for summer, and one is for winter. I hate both because I felt mad hot when I wore the summer uniform, and I felt extremely cold when I wore the winter one. However, so lucky that my school was not the same as other schools, most of the other schools require to wear it for the whole week, and my school required to wear uniforms on Monday only.
May 25, 2018
This was my first Orca title. I decided to read it to get a better idea of what these Hi-Lo stories are like. This one about Ian, Oswald and Julia and how they take a stand when their school introduces uniforms tackles fake news and social justice issues. The ending was perfect as it will leave the reader pondering the issue and wondering what might happen next.
February 16, 2020
J’ai lu le livre à ma classe de 6/7eme (immersion). C’est assez facile à comprendre pour les jeunes avec le vocabulaire au propre niveau. J’ai utilisé un documentaire de Fifth Estate pour avoir d’information supplémentaire pour eux. La traduction a été assez bien fait. Je l’utiliserai encore dans ma classe.
October 28, 2025
This book is about whether or not wearing school uniforms is a good or a bad idea. For someone who wore a school uniform until the age of 15, there were some interesting points made.
However, I have read many books written by this author which are mostly 5 stars for me so this one was a little disappointing.
However, I have read many books written by this author which are mostly 5 stars for me so this one was a little disappointing.
April 16, 2018
trash can book
October 7, 2020
Really good book, I read with school. Would read it again. Leaves you on a cliff hanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2021
The book has four main characters but it specks about a character more than the other and the idea of that if you don't come in a uniforme you get suspended is unreal if the book is nonfiction book.
September 9, 2021
Short but sweetm a very basic story, but great meaning
October 23, 2023
terrible ending, was worse in french
February 20, 2017
Good read, but I wanted to know more at the end. But perhaps that wasn't the point. Maybe it was more about reflection.
June 3, 2010
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Ian and his friends have just received some shocking news from the principal, Mr. Roberts. At the weekly assembly, Mr. Roberts announces that starting in two weeks everyone in the school will be required to wear a school uniform.
Shirts, ties, dress pants, skirts, all with a school crest will be the required attire. Some students simply take it in stride and carry on, but Ian watches as other students openly object. The punishment for not wearing the proper uniform is suspension.
At first, Ian has mixed feelings. Uniforms are not the worst thing in the world. He can even understand the argument Mr. Roberts presents in favor of the change. However, Ian's feelings change when it is discovered that the company providing the uniforms uses sweatshop labor to create the clothes.
In addition to being principal, Mr. Roberts teaches a class in social justice and has recently revealed the horrors of sweatshops. Ian doesn't understand how he can know about the abusive working conditions in these places and still encourage the requirement of these particular school uniforms.
Author Eric Walters uses BRANDED to raise awareness of a terrible social issue. Sweatshops are the subject of news broadcasts and articles, but until the products of these companies touch us directly, we tend to turn a blind eye. Teens will be interested in watching Ian as he struggles to make sense of opposing views on the subject and how adults often preach one thing and then practice another.
Ian and his friends have just received some shocking news from the principal, Mr. Roberts. At the weekly assembly, Mr. Roberts announces that starting in two weeks everyone in the school will be required to wear a school uniform.
Shirts, ties, dress pants, skirts, all with a school crest will be the required attire. Some students simply take it in stride and carry on, but Ian watches as other students openly object. The punishment for not wearing the proper uniform is suspension.
At first, Ian has mixed feelings. Uniforms are not the worst thing in the world. He can even understand the argument Mr. Roberts presents in favor of the change. However, Ian's feelings change when it is discovered that the company providing the uniforms uses sweatshop labor to create the clothes.
In addition to being principal, Mr. Roberts teaches a class in social justice and has recently revealed the horrors of sweatshops. Ian doesn't understand how he can know about the abusive working conditions in these places and still encourage the requirement of these particular school uniforms.
Author Eric Walters uses BRANDED to raise awareness of a terrible social issue. Sweatshops are the subject of news broadcasts and articles, but until the products of these companies touch us directly, we tend to turn a blind eye. Teens will be interested in watching Ian as he struggles to make sense of opposing views on the subject and how adults often preach one thing and then practice another.
August 28, 2010
Ian considers himself a socially active teen. He once staged a flash mob to protest the no MP3 player rule at the school. But now his school is going has been chosen to be the pilot for school uniforms. A lot of the student body is upset by this decision, including Ian's friend Julia, the student council president, but Ian doesn't really see what there is to be so upset about.
That is until he finds out more about how the uniforms are made. Now Ian is faced with a big decision; does he just go along with the plan or does he rally the troupes and risk suspension or worse.
Author Eric Walters has produced a solid novel that looks at the issues of uniforms, protests and sweatshop labour. Given that this is part of the Orca Current series, it is also a novel that is written at a Grade 4 reading level, while remaining appealing to a middle school audience.
That is until he finds out more about how the uniforms are made. Now Ian is faced with a big decision; does he just go along with the plan or does he rally the troupes and risk suspension or worse.
Author Eric Walters has produced a solid novel that looks at the issues of uniforms, protests and sweatshop labour. Given that this is part of the Orca Current series, it is also a novel that is written at a Grade 4 reading level, while remaining appealing to a middle school audience.
October 31, 2010
I'm always conflicted by the Orca books .... high interest/low level readers are in such desperate need, especially with the changing demographics of my library (hello, ELL and ESL learners!) ... but at the same time, these books always seem like such a cheap read.
The plots are thin, the wording vaguely condescending ... but the topics are usually interesting to the students and they are able to finish them independently, leading to a sense of accomplishment. Still, the students complain about the lack of depth, and there aren't any sequels to lead students who may like these books into the next level.
The story was a good one, but like other Walter's books from this publisher I couldn't get over the sense of being "talked down to", and I know that's something my students will pick up on in a nanosecond. Sorry, Eric, just not my cup of tea.
The plots are thin, the wording vaguely condescending ... but the topics are usually interesting to the students and they are able to finish them independently, leading to a sense of accomplishment. Still, the students complain about the lack of depth, and there aren't any sequels to lead students who may like these books into the next level.
The story was a good one, but like other Walter's books from this publisher I couldn't get over the sense of being "talked down to", and I know that's something my students will pick up on in a nanosecond. Sorry, Eric, just not my cup of tea.
June 17, 2013
Eh, it was okay. Not really my cup o' tea, and I can't even remember why I wanted to read it. I finished it in, I don't know, an hour? Some time a couple of years ago. I remember it being quite boring, in a weird way that made me keep reading, and I got confused a couple times, but I'm going to chalk that up to being in grade five or six.
November 23, 2010
This is a Silver Birch 2011 nominated title, and is in the Orca Currents set of books: high interest, low reading level. I read this so I can keep up with what my young library customers are reading--and they love Eric Walters!
July 13, 2013
This is a little continuation of Shattered right? Ian? That's why I picked up the book. it's alright, nothing special but it does try to raise child labour issue. A quick read, I think I'd recommend this book to social justice clubs or social justice classes actually.
March 13, 2016
I read the french edition for school, and it was terrible. I wouldn't recommend it because although the plot was interesting, it was so boring!! Maybe it was just the translation, but I never connected with the characters or was drawn in by this so called 'social injustice'.
June 8, 2016
Quick read. Great guide book for teens on why activism is important and how to do it. As a teacher I enjoyed reading how the teacher on this story fostered critical thinking about the media. Eric Walters knows how to write authentic dialogue that teens can believe.
March 26, 2011
Loved the book but the ending was weak
April 3, 2011
I thought this was a really good book because I thought that it was a good idea of Eric Walters inncorperate child labour and how they are going against it.
March 8, 2013
This book was a sliver birch book so I had to read it. I didn't like the storyline and it was a very confusing.
December 26, 2013
I think this book can really give teens a new perspective!
February 6, 2016
A quick read with a modern topic - social justice which ties in high school and international issues. Good for an introduction to the topic and also simple plot. Booktalk for Gr 6/7s.
March 31, 2020
No, I didn't finish - it wasn't exciting and very rigid.
September 17, 2012
UMW - Social Action
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews