If you're
looking for a book for an 8- to 12-year-old, you'll like TOO BIG by Judy
Dearborn Nill. It's the story of Shelby Bradshaw (AKA "BIGshaw")
who's large for her age and a target of bullies. Shelby has been offered a
chance to skip fifth grade; but when she makes friends with an older girl, she must
make difficult choices.
Topics of
bullying, peer pressure, self-esteem, and friendship are addressed in this thoughtful and
true-to-life story.
FYI: I've featured another of Ms. Nill's books for younger children (SAMUEL AND
SOPHIA, A Tale of Two Teddies) on my blog HERE.
First Paragraph(s):
Shelby Bradshaw threw herself into an empty bus seat. "I hate fifth grade," she muttered with a fierce swipe at her curly bangs.
This had been the worst first day of school in her life. The ride home promised to be just as bad. Already sweat pooled under her legs, and her jeans stuck to the hot plastic bench. Shelby's glasses slipped to the end of her nose. Pushing them back, she twisted sideways to open a window. It felt like a hundred degrees in the bus.
Teaser (from page 72 of my paperback copy):
Shelby glowered at them all. These boys had needled her about her weight, her height, her glasses, and her smarts every day for longer than she cared to remember.
Genre: Children's Book / Growing Up (Ages 8-12)
Book Length: 160 Pages
Amazon Link: Too Big
Other Books by This Author: Amazon Author Page
Synopsis (from Amazon):
Shelby Bradshaw seizes an opportunity to skip fifth grade for all the wrong reasons. She expects to escape the teasing she suffered all last year for being the biggest girl in her class. But her problems follow her, growing even more difficult when she tries to act older than she is.
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First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you're reading or thinking about reading soon.
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I really like the premise here - because I know having been a primary school teacher that unusually tall children can be bullied for their height just as easily as the small child. It sounds like this book shows there are no quick fixes for bullying - which I like because there aren't. Thank you for sharing this one. My TT this week is seasonally chilly... https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/teaser-tuesday-20th-december-2016/
ReplyDeleteI might check this one out since I teach 5th and 6th graders in Sunday School--it may be something they would enjoy reading. Thanks for sharing. Here's my teaser since can't get the comment link up to work for me: http://ourstack.blogspot.com/2016/12/teaser-tuesdays_20.html
ReplyDeleteI generally like middle grade books and this sounds good ... and important.
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I seem to always enjoy books about bullying. I have two this week: Coffin Road by Peter May and The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacy Lee. Both are from my review stack. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like a good one, with important themes, and based on the excerpts, I already empathize and want to befriend the girl.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...and here are “SHE CAN KILL”
I will buy it bec. I have a grandchild who is very tall for her age. So was I, and I felt like a goober. Childhood can be so cruel, but maybe this will help. Thanks, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really important book. Bullying just never seems to go away and so many children suffer the effects of it all their lives. Thanks for sharing it with us. Here's a link to my intro/teaser for today from a book way at the other end of the spectrum: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-1oY
ReplyDeleteI feel for her, but I don't really want to read about her. Or rather, I'm not into stories about bullying.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aliceaudrey.com/?p=12260
This sounds like a worthwhile read. I remember a girl in 5th/6th grade who was often picked on because she was big for her age. She looked to be a young high school student, really. Kids can be so cruel.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book for ALL children! Last year my entire school district read Wonder. Perhaps something like this should be next.
ReplyDeletehttps://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-wish-upon-a-bear/
Skipping a grade is tough enough without being otherwise different! I was pushed up a grade in elementary and once I changed school districts later on it became increasingly difficult to deal with being "the baby." This is one I might pick up just to see how the author tackles it!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book dealing with not only the issue of bullying but size - thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteNot my age group I'm afraid though it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a thoughtful book - it might be something my little brother is interested in reading.
ReplyDeleteI'll be reading more books like this as my granddaughters get a bit bigger. Nice pick
ReplyDeleteThat's a good topic for a book for that age group. Kids can be so mean to each other. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDelete