Wow. I can't believe how much this book bothered me. I never have liked Avi much; I guess our styles clash. But I had heard about this title for yearsWow. I can't believe how much this book bothered me. I never have liked Avi much; I guess our styles clash. But I had heard about this title for years, so today I picked it up and starting reading. I don't yet know if I'm glad I did, or wish I hadn't.
The problem is that this scenario is more realistic than I would like to believe. In fact, an author's note at the beginning reveals that similar situations have taken place all over the country. And that is just... disturbing. So many characters only looked at the events from one point of view, squashing the "truth" into the mold they preferred. Reaction without intelligent thought. So frustrating....
The major reason I disliked this book is that the main character, Philip, is an entirely self-centered, whiny, and unlikeable smart-alec who feels entitled and thinks he's funny when he's not. I don't understand why anyone who actually spoke to Philip himself would believe his version of the "truth". And that's the trouble--not enough people in authority actually speak to Philip. They don't read his body language or hear his snarky comments. They don't hear how his answers to questions change depending on the answer he thinks will keep him "in the clear". Was he humming, or was he singing? He can't even keep that straight.
Then those that do speak with him don't bother to speak to Miss Narwin about her motivation for sending Philip out of the room. They listen to what comes out of Philip's mouth and take that for the whole story. There are two characters who question the version of events they're being fed, though, a reporter and a radio caller: there must be more to this story, they think. If only the other adults would have been struck with such common sense.
It is never stated anywhere in the book that Philip has sung along with Star Spangled Banner before. He does it in Miss Narwin's class solely as an attempt to get moved out of her classes. He baits Miss Narwin from Day 1, and the other students know it. Philip has no sense of "patriotism"--our first encounter with him shows him reading during the Anthem, and on the last page he admits he doesn't even know the words to the Anthem. And yet he is hailed as a martyr for his patriotism by people ignorant of the facts. Made me wish there'd been a security camera rolling in the classroom, so the real truth could be revealed to everyone who felt so free to spew hatred to the teacher.
I can see how this book could make for some mighty lively classroom discussions. Honestly, I really hated it. It gets 1 star on the "How Much Did I Like It?" scale. But it is compelling, so it gets 4 stars on the "Interesting" scale. (If Avi has gotten me this riled up I must have taken it just the way he intended.) So, I'll slap 3 stars on it--and that's my version of "the truth". ...more
This book has made me angrier than any I've read in years.
Okay, first off --what is with the absolutely horrid neon orange color of the jacket back? WThis book has made me angrier than any I've read in years.
Okay, first off --what is with the absolutely horrid neon orange color of the jacket back? Who picked this? Must have been colorblind. Each time I reached for this book my eyes felt violated.
*SPOILER ALERT* If you haven't read it yet, stop reading now...
Second, well, let's just say it: the ending was even more offensive than the neon orange jacket back. The book was well-written, compelling (and yes, possibly completely undeserving of that one-star rating up above), and I understand what Grisham was trying to do, but I hate what he did. Hate. H-A-T-E.
Made me forget all the previously compelling stuff and just hate the book completely. To echo the comments of another goodreads member, Grisham should've stuck to writing an entertaining legal thriller rather than trying to make a statement. I got his message early on. As I read closer to the end, more and more I was looking forward to seeing Carl Trudeau get his. That's what usually happens in Grisham's legal thrillers, and that's one of the reasons I enjoy them.(Ugly of me, I know. But this is why I read--so I can wish bad things on characters I don't like instead of real people!) I was so utterly disappointed in Ron Fisk. I thought he was beginning to see how he'd been manipulated, and was going to turn the tables on all of them. Boy, was I wrong, and boy, was I disappointed. ...more
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