Dexter the Tough

A sympathetic teacher and her writing assignment help fourth-grader Dexter deal with being the new kid in school after he punches a kid on the first day. Rather sentimental. Addendum-- I thought it was pretty realistic in the way Haddix handled the strong emotions of a ten-year-old boy. I'd recommend it.
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Dexter is a new student at a school. He starts the school year by acting tough by getting in fights, arguing with teachers, and not doing his school work. Dexter is acting this way because of difficult things in his life at home. Through the help from a teacher Dexter learns to share his emotions through his writing. This is an excellent story that shows students who sometimes are hard to deal with that there are ways to express themselves.

This book is a great, quick read to understand why some students bully other students. It would be easy for students to understand and it will also help me work with students who are considered "a bully."

Strengths: Great detail describing how the main character felt and the thoughts he was having throughout the story.

Weaknesses: The author could have done a better job describing his old home setting and his new setting.

It's a great story about learning to be yourself and what you could mean to others. It is an interesting example of how what you remember isn't always the way things happened.

He's mean, he's tough, he's in fourth grade, and he has a writing assignment. He's new to the school, and his first day is the worst ever, and then he beat up a kid. Will he be able to make friends? Will his parents ever come back?

dexter's dad has cancer, and dexter has to move with his gramma. the first day of school wasnt a great day, so he beat up a kid. the teacher makes the class write stories like proffessional authors, so they write it over and over and over. dexter writes about beating up a kid. the teacher pushes and pushes for info, she even asks the kid dexter beat up. after a long write and re-write prosess, dexter tells his teacher wats doing on. and hi dad started an investigational med and he feels well, so dexter and move back with his parents

dexter is having hard times.His dad is sick and he moved.My favorite part is when they meet at the park.