Reviews

Gr 5-8-Eighth-grader Bart Rangely and his mother have been hiding the fact that his father left her for a younger woman. Then, on the morning of September 11th, Bart's fever prevents his mother from going to her office in the North Tower, where his dad also works. When he dies, Bart is nearly consumed by the grief that now accompanies his anger. Hailed as a "Miracle Boy" for keeping his mom home that morning, he is offered a scholarship to Bailywell Preparatory Academy, aka Bullyville. The snobby students live up to their reputation, terrorizing Bart with actions that include forcing him into a locker. Not wanting to worry his mother, he pretends that all is well until an incident with his main tormentor, Tyro Bergen, results in his taking a key to the finish of Tyro's Cadillac SUV. His punishment is to volunteer at a hospital. Bart gets close to Nola, a very sick patient, and is devastated when she dies. Here the story, which has been suspenseful and engaging, begins to fall apart. It is difficult to believe that Bart doesn't learn that Nola is Tyro's sister until after her death and to accept this coincidence. While the boys' relationship shifts, that shift is handled summarily; the story wraps up quickly. The simple dialogue that conveys Bart's emotions and experiences will appeal to reluctant readers, and the book will generate some great discussions. While the ending is weak and most of the characters are one-dimensional caricatures, Prose's skewering of elite prep-school society while probing the serious issues of the aftermath of 9/11 and of bullying is riveting.-Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.