Reading in the Middle, Junior and Senior High Schools, Spring, 2010

I want to begin with again that this book is great. One issue that was brought up in a discussion was whether this book would be appropriate for boys. I had not even considered that while reading. I think that this book will definitely click better with girls, but I do not see why boys could not get into it. There are male characters in the book. I think that the book would give boys an insight into how females feel about weight issues and the pressures they feel in dating. It's the same that they feel. Froggy, Byron, and Dad are all male characters that can be learned from. Girls spend a lot of time reading books where the male is the main character and protagonist, I do not see why boys cannot do the same. Another area where I feel all students can benefit from is the issue over clicks in school; the social ladder they must endure. Boys and girls in high school really have to fight to stay popular sometimes. Ginny is really in a hard position because Byron was so popular and good looking, while she is overweight and must eat lunch in the bathroom. I think the book draws attention to the issue without beating over the reader's head. I really enjoyed this book and would love to use it in the classroom. I liked that the book explained some things to the reader that they may not know, for example: places or vocabulary words. I noticed that the book told exactly what they were so the reader does not have to look it up, because lets be honest, the student will not, and the author was teaching the students in a subtle manner. The reader did not feel like they were getting a vocabulary or geography lesson. I totally loved the book and I love the book club assignment too. I hope to use the book club in my classroom also.