Kara G. reviewed So Not Okay: An Honest Look at Bullying from the Bystander (Mean Girl Makeover, Bk 1) on + 82 more book reviews
My Comments
This is my first time reading Nancy Rue, but it wont be my last! The story started kind of slow in getting my attention, but once it got going I was HOOKED. I truly love that this book is from the perspective of Victoria, Tori Taylor. Shes what I would consider the bystander in this book, but her heart is absolutely amazing and wow, is she smart?!
Its 6th grade and the rules have been the same since elementary school, stay out of The Packs way and you wont be bothered.
The pack consists of leader Kylie, the leader and nicknamed The Alpha Wolf (which I thought was utterly clever and even fitting to her character)
And her friends: Riannon, Izzy, Heidi, and Shelby.
Tori and her best friends, Ophelia Phee and Winnie work have lots of classes together, work together, and support one another through everything. That all changes when the new girl arrives. Gingers presence changes the ENTIRE dynamics of the school when everyone knows to stay away from The Pack. She tries to befriend them with disastrous results.
Tori notices whats going on and it sickens her. Then one day theyre all in class together and Tori stands up for the new girl, which has very unexpected results. Tori invites Ginger into their group for a class project and the more they research the project, the more trouble brews against them.
All I can really say about this book is..WOW. I simply loved how Tori reacted and how she felt compelled to take a stand even though the odds were against her the whole time.
What I loved about this book: Lydia, Toris dads assistant, sitting with the girls while working on their project and the conversations they have together (those were the best scenes!)
How the girls become the Tribelet and work together to defend Ginger
Toris grandmother and the precious relationship they share
How Tori wages war on bullying, NOT the bullies
The way justice comes about
The biggest problem I had about this book (other than the insane unfairness of the bullying) was the mistreatment of Ophelia against Tori. Phee becomes a total brat and continues to give Tori ultimatums. I understood her fear and it was obvious she suffered from her decision, but being neutral and pretending there isnt a problem DOES NOT make it go away.
Some of the tactics The Pack uses in the story took my breath away in disbelief. Guys are also bullies, but girls are just so CRUEL!! The lengths they went to in order to discourage and gang up on Tori and her friends was completely uncalled for. And none of the teachers noticing? I never experienced anything like that in middle school, but seeing their situation had me cheering harder for Tori. Kylie doesnt realize shes mean?! Goodness, that had my eyes go wide.
Toris courage and determination is also unbelievable in a good way. Wow, that girl had my attention all the way as she continues to help her friends do the right thing. I was so proud of her and amazed by her strength. Every method she applies turned out to be Biblical, but there was no preaching in the story at all. There is one scene in church with Tori and her family, but it had me laughing.
This story is UTTERLY touching and it offers such wonderful advice to tweens on how to handle peer pressure, fitting in, doing the right thing, and responding the right way to unfairness in school. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered for these girls and just LOOOOVED how it ended!! I highly recommend this book and this series for kids aged preteen to high school. It gives hope and shows that youre not alone when facing a bully, no matter what age you are.
I want to thank the author and Thomas Nelson for sending me a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is my first time reading Nancy Rue, but it wont be my last! The story started kind of slow in getting my attention, but once it got going I was HOOKED. I truly love that this book is from the perspective of Victoria, Tori Taylor. Shes what I would consider the bystander in this book, but her heart is absolutely amazing and wow, is she smart?!
Its 6th grade and the rules have been the same since elementary school, stay out of The Packs way and you wont be bothered.
The pack consists of leader Kylie, the leader and nicknamed The Alpha Wolf (which I thought was utterly clever and even fitting to her character)
And her friends: Riannon, Izzy, Heidi, and Shelby.
Tori and her best friends, Ophelia Phee and Winnie work have lots of classes together, work together, and support one another through everything. That all changes when the new girl arrives. Gingers presence changes the ENTIRE dynamics of the school when everyone knows to stay away from The Pack. She tries to befriend them with disastrous results.
Tori notices whats going on and it sickens her. Then one day theyre all in class together and Tori stands up for the new girl, which has very unexpected results. Tori invites Ginger into their group for a class project and the more they research the project, the more trouble brews against them.
All I can really say about this book is..WOW. I simply loved how Tori reacted and how she felt compelled to take a stand even though the odds were against her the whole time.
What I loved about this book: Lydia, Toris dads assistant, sitting with the girls while working on their project and the conversations they have together (those were the best scenes!)
How the girls become the Tribelet and work together to defend Ginger
Toris grandmother and the precious relationship they share
How Tori wages war on bullying, NOT the bullies
The way justice comes about
The biggest problem I had about this book (other than the insane unfairness of the bullying) was the mistreatment of Ophelia against Tori. Phee becomes a total brat and continues to give Tori ultimatums. I understood her fear and it was obvious she suffered from her decision, but being neutral and pretending there isnt a problem DOES NOT make it go away.
Some of the tactics The Pack uses in the story took my breath away in disbelief. Guys are also bullies, but girls are just so CRUEL!! The lengths they went to in order to discourage and gang up on Tori and her friends was completely uncalled for. And none of the teachers noticing? I never experienced anything like that in middle school, but seeing their situation had me cheering harder for Tori. Kylie doesnt realize shes mean?! Goodness, that had my eyes go wide.
Toris courage and determination is also unbelievable in a good way. Wow, that girl had my attention all the way as she continues to help her friends do the right thing. I was so proud of her and amazed by her strength. Every method she applies turned out to be Biblical, but there was no preaching in the story at all. There is one scene in church with Tori and her family, but it had me laughing.
This story is UTTERLY touching and it offers such wonderful advice to tweens on how to handle peer pressure, fitting in, doing the right thing, and responding the right way to unfairness in school. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered for these girls and just LOOOOVED how it ended!! I highly recommend this book and this series for kids aged preteen to high school. It gives hope and shows that youre not alone when facing a bully, no matter what age you are.
I want to thank the author and Thomas Nelson for sending me a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
