Eric Walters

I remember Eric Walters visiting my elementary school, waaaay back in the day (well, it feels like a long time to me). We All Fall Down was a big book at the time, and I ended up doing a book report for it. Another classmate also did the book report and had the entire class make fun of me because I did a better job (and got a better mark). I stopped reading Eric Walters books after that because I was tortured for enjoying his books.

Well, here I am. Adult me! I found Branded at a local book store and it was on clearance, so I grabbed it. I figured, why not give Eric Walters another chance? It wasn't his fault my bullies were giant jerk faces! I remember his tiger books fondly...

This book? I don't feel too fondly about, and not because it isn't good. This is a great book to get kids talking about political issues. This book dives deeply into moral responsibility and how we take care of the world. We buy clothes that kids make, and they don't make a true living off of. It's forced labour and isn't fair. What happens when the school our heroes go to buy their new uniforms from a sweat shop? Well, the kids take charge!

I didn't like this book because of how it ended on a cliffhanger. I wanted to see how it would turn out, but obviously the book's goal was not to show us that. It's to start a conversation. I can easily see this book being used in the education system to bring up tough topics, and I like that.

Overall, this is a great middle grade book to start talking about those tough, social justice issues.

Two out of five stars.… (more)