Wow! I love Ernie. He is such an amazing kid. What a great head on his shoulders. And his Uncle...ahhh, could he be real? He seems to know just what to say (or not to say) to help Ernie make the right decision. The Uncle is definitely someone who keeps Ernie on track. I loved reading this book. I was saddened by the events that happened, but lifted up by the way Ernie responded. It is nice to read about someone who has compassion. I feel that people today are generally lacking in compassion and Ernie is a good example of someone who can "walk a mile" in another's moccasins, yet still back away and not become emotionally mired. I couldn't put this book down. I felt the tension building, knew where it was going, and I did not want to see it happen. But the author did a fantastic job of bringing everything around. Suspenseful and satisfying! Other than one part of the ending that's a little too pat, I found this to be an excellent story about bullying and its effects. The central characters are two teen boys, both loners other than their shared friendship. The viewpoint character has a problem with his weight...he overeats, and he knows it, but his mother is the same way and sees nothing wrong with his overweight, since she's just as heavy. His friend is in what seems like a better situation, at first, but things go horribly wrong, and the viewpoint character learns that his friend has serious problems.As things spiral downhill for both of them, the reader gets caught up in the serious nature of their difficulties, and there is a sense of impending doom, but the ending is far from the cliche that it could have been.
What do You think about Diary Of A Witness (2009)?
Realistic without being depressing; optimistic without being cheesy.
—steph
Deals with high school bullying. SCASL YABA nominee for 2011-2012.
—Shankar
