Loser discussion

While this book had me worrying that Donald's youthful outlook would be crushed, I was continually amazed by his parents support. Sure this is fiction, and magical realism fiction at that but still, the parents here seemed too good to be true.

Yet, I've heard that the worst bullying tends to start in middle school just when kids are starting to pull away from parents and define themselves independently.

No. Yes, parenting obviously has influence, but in the end it's really completely up to each individual human being to not be an ass. Only an asshole can change their self, no one else. Yes, parenting can help, and yes being around the right people can help. But only if the person is willing to allow themselves to take in the right influence and reject the rotten.

And no, his parents aren't unrealistic. They're just good parents.