Inside My Head

by Jim Carrington

Inside My Head tells the story of three very different teenagers: Gary, a young man struggling to control his anger under great provocation and unable to communicate. David - increasingly uncomfortable with allowing bullying to go on around him, but too scared to do anything about it. Zoë – independent, freethinking and brave, she is new to the school and the only one who seems to see Gary through fresh eyes.

Also featured are rampaging tractors, shotguns and cheese puffs.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2010

Reviews

[Alja Katuin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redelijk boekje over pesten, het meelopen met de pester en opkomen voor de gepestte.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You've got to read this! It's an amazing novel which really does get inside the characters' heads. Just like David and Zoe we can see the injustice of Gary's situation, but we have to read on unable to do anything to help. It's this which creates enormous tension in the novel, and which pushes it on to what seems to be a dreadful, inevitable outcome. There's a twist in the tail/tale though... which gives us hope. This is a a wonderful first novel, which uses the language of teenagers, and speaks directly to teenagers. It takes its readers on a journey - in more than one way - to make them look inside their heads and think what they might do when faced with extreme bullying. DON'T MISS THIS BOOK!

[Liz Fichera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a small town outside of London, INSIDE MY HEAD is told from the POV of three students, Gary, Zoe, and David. Zoe is the new girl from London, David is the popular kid who's best friends with the ringleader at the school, and Gary is the kid who gets bullied incessently by David's best friend. It only takes place over a few days, but the story is a very believable portrayal of bullying and how a situation can change dramatically when someone steps forward (or doesn't) to do the right thing. The inner turmoil and interactions of all three three students was believable without sounding preachy. Their voices were at times funny and gut-wrenchingly sad. I loved this story. Highly recommend.

[Lucy Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, realistic book about bullying. Very gripping and compelling read, didn't take me long. Each chapter is a new point of veiw either David, Zoe or Gary. Inside my head lets you feel what other people feel and gives you an insight to who Gary feels through out the story. From the very first page, it sets the scene and is easy to get in to.

The story is about Gary who gets bullied but he can't cope with it and loses his temper a lot. Then Zoe comes into his life and he tries to ignore her as much as he can despite his feelings for her, her doesn't want her to get hurt too but still, she won't leave him alone. David, who is the friend of Knaggs, who bullies Gary all the time, feels sorry for Gary but doesn't want to do anything about it.

This book is a great read for everyone ad I definitely recommend it! :)

[Roza Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I randomly picked it up at the library for its gripping blurb and read it over the Christmas period. I instantly connected with the character Gary Wood, feeling that perhaps we were going through the same thing, The book was realistic and gripping and its not a book that will take forever to read. The chapters change POV between the characters Gary, David and Zoe. Despite being an easy book to read, it's such a powerful book, one that I believe should be presented in schools as a part of their 'No Bullying' campaigns. Their is one unsatisfying part to this book however, which is the ending, I would of liked an epilogue perhaps to round up the story, while it wasn't essential, it may have been nice to have.
I really recommend Inside my head!
MoggieFish

[Aamina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this couple of years ago I don't remember much of what it is about except it shows you the extreme measures a person goes through as they are bullied. As the title says 'Inside the Head' you really do feel like your experiencing everything through the characters. It was so haunting and vivid and gut wrenchingly sad, a bit like 'Thirteen Reasons Why' By Jay Asher. This is one of those books that everyone has to read. I should probably read this again but I'm too nervous.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that is definatley worth a read for anyone who is either in high school or has been there as it really shows you how things like bullying, family issues, friends, feelings, mental health and your own conscience can effect not only yourself but everyone around you. I think it is important to see these experiences from a variety of perspectives and this book does this really well.
However, the ending (at least in my opinion) leaves a lot of unanswered questions...

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had the story have been told by one person I think I would have enjoyed it more as not too much actually happens in the story and one of the narrators is entirely useless. The book itself could also have been reduce as there is a lot of pointless dialogue/description used to constantly remind you that the narrators are young teens.

[Rebecca Haslam · Rating 2 out of 5]

There isn't that much I can honestly say about this book other than that is has lacked the gripping power of many others I have read in recent weeks. The writing seems a tad sloppy in places and there are parts/chapters that could easily have been left out or edited to make the story flow better.

[Pegaunimoose · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Rocio · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really love this book it is probobly my fav book ive read but i want to know what happens with gary and zoe and i wished the kissed at the end but other wise i love the book totally recommend

[Golden Secondary School · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside My Head is a very compelling book, it brings the read in and takes them on an emotional ride. This story has four main characters named Zoe, David, Paul, and Gary. The main focus of the story is about the troubles Gary has to go through as he is picked on by Paul. Gary eventually meets a new friend whose name is Zoe and she and Gary have some wicked times together. Now, David is Paul's best friend and he is engaged in some of the things Paul does but eventually he has a special awakening which causes a major turn of events.

This book is recommended for everyone but especially for those who like books that pull you right into the story.

Reviewed by Brydan.

[Ella Crezza · Rating 3 out of 5]

personally, although I did like this book and found it hard to put down, after a day and a half I had finished the 341 page book feeling rather disappointed as I didn't feel as though it was a hard enough read. I did though see positives in the book but even so, I don't feel that it quite pulled on my heartstrings enough as it could've especially towards the end as the author seemed to almost concentrate on too many characters so therefore you were unable to get a proper feel for each individual character as each time you thought the character was going to open up and reveal their true feelings the author sped onto the next character. However, I did though like the change that he shows in David throughout the book as I think that the change is a key part almost in the book as he slowly drifts away from his friend Knaggs (Paul Knaggs)this change I think, personally for me is one of the best parts in the book. I found overall the book satisfactory but also had too an abrupt of an ending as it almost finished as happy ever after and that was it, it is almost as if he was hoping to make a series of books then I would understand the ending as it may lead nicely into the next book, otherwise, for me, it's too abrupt.

[DubaiReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do?
This is a Young Adult novel that deals with issues of bullying and integration into a new school. Whilst I wouldn't exactly call it an adult cross-over novel, it was a good read with a relevant message for today's youngsters.

There are three main characters who all have a voice in the narrative. Zoe is the new girl, she's none too happy about joining a new school, but she's able to view the student interactions with the eyes of an outsider. David is a friend of Paul's, the class bully, and Paul's main target is Gary, who he has given the nick-name of cheese puff for his round head and red hair.
Zoe meets Gary in the local playground before she starts school. It turns out he's in her class, but she doesn't exactly form an instant friendship. It does mean, however, that she has some empathy for him when she sees him being targeted. David is also starting to think that the bullying has gone a bit too far, but are he or Zoe strong enough to stand up against Paul and potentially put themselves in Gary's place?

The book asks some pertinent questions about bullying. What would you do if you were in the same situation? Would you have the strength of character to speak out?
Definitely a good book for sparking important discussion.

[Natalie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inside My Head is a book about bullying.
it's simple and easy to read, but also oh so powerful. the tension is masterfully built inside the characters and plot over the 341 pages and it made for a very gripping read. Authors like Stephanie Meyer really need to take note of books like this because of their annoying tendency to ramble and add side stories which really don't mean much in the grand scheme of things. this book had just the right amount of down-time and exploration of character to make them seem real, but not soo much that all the tension and conflict is forgotten.
the ending is the only thing that I found a little unsatisfying, it just sort of ended, and with a story like this it took away some realism because some of the actions the characters did really seemed to lack consequence, and I feel that it might have benefited from a few more pages of epilogue just to tie the loose ends together.
Other than that the book was gripping and enjoyable and served as a nice thought provoking distraction.

[Alexey Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a grate book with Manny twists and turns and an very enjoyable read

it starts off in a the mind of a girl called zoe when her family decides to move to the country and as she misses her old life and friends she becomes more likable by her new pears until she befriends a boy called garry who is hated by the schools pules.
1 this is a book with a moral
2 it looked like i could relate
3 every thing as i could relate to garry and david
4 the ending was bad as i think it could have more
5 that not every body can take what you can
6 the style of the book written was weird
7 my grand mar play the pokes hear all the time
8 any body who needs a grate book

[Scarlett Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written with 3 points of view; Zoe's, Gary's and David. Though I found this effective, it did get confusing at points. The story touched on a boy who was bullied, which lead him to do stupid things and mess up more. Towards the end of the book Gary had basically become a psychopath; his intentions were awful, but I'm sure I would have ended up that way if I was Gary. I emphathised with all if the characters, but really felt for Gary. Good, gripping read.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay,even though i didn't enjoy it that much. i thought some of the ideas and characters were a little interesting but i found that the ending could of been better like it kind of cut off so adding maybe one or two pages would of helped to make it a better ending. Over all average book.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb, honest and gritty YA novel about bullying at secondary school told from the perspectives of three characters: Zoe, David and Gary. A well written novel with realistic characters that many readers can relate to.

[Priya · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was same old story of bullying....boring :(

[Sarah Leneghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book; didn't like the ending though!!!!

[Anastasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as interesting as I thought it would be.

[Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about bullying and its' impact, who it affects and how it gets inside your head.

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the plot, very exciting, and i finished it in 4 hours

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book in my opinion was a very good read.i would definitely recommend it.

[Greysmilexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book on the wrongs of bullying

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7