There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom (1988)

4th grade and up about bullying and changing.

Old Children's Book. Liked it as a kid, but haven't read it in years. ( )

Another mean main character... and after reading just the first chapter and laughing my ass off... I might be in love. =) ( )

A great book for children, and one that has a message for adults that read it as well.

The main character starts out as a wholly unlikeable little boy, but as the story progresses (and dips into his head), we find ourselves first empathizing with him, and then rooting for him. We see him make bad decisions but instead of damning him for them, we understand where they came from and how we might have done the same thing in the same circumstance.

More than anything else, this book brings home how difficult it can be when everyone expects you to be the bad guy, at a time when all you want to do is to fit in and live up to the expectations that are put on you.

Recommendation: For any kids who don't quite feel included... and for the ones who do, who may be treating their own classmates this way. ( )

I was surprised by how excellent this book is. It's the story of how Bradley transforms from the bad boy that everyone hates to a regular kid who's accepted by others. The school councilor accepts him for who he is, and lets him tell his tales until he's ready to tell the truth. Bradley slowly begins to understand that he can change how he acts and others will change how they respond. I found it surprisingly good and inspiring. ( )