This book showed some aspects of how bullying is evident in schools and how often times bullies go unnoticed. The good part is the boy who was bullied prevails in becoming a great speller and an awesome yo-yo boy. ( )

I gave this story two stars largely because I felt that the bully situation was generally left unattended and unresolved. Certainly, things turned out better for the main character, but I wanted something done with the bully aside from him turning out not to be talented with yo-yos. That doesn't do it for me. I don't see how that solves that problem by the end. For whatever reason, Richard Newton is still bullying without reprimand and that's just not enough, even if the main character does get a gold plated yo-yo for a lot of hard work and practice. ( )

The unnamed narrator starts 3rd grade being picked on Richard Newton, a bully. Ramon, World Yo-Yo Champion, shows up at recess,demonstrating yo-yo tricks found in the free books he hands out, and encouraging kids to buy yo-yos by promising a fancy yo-yo and certificate to anyone who can do all the tricks. As the narrator works hard to learn the tricks and spelling, he becomes less afraid of Richard Newton, who is totally inept as a yo-yo-er, and of Mrs. Mousetrap. I suppose the moral is that working hard and becoming competent solves your problems. But what about bullies who become even more aggressive when they feel the world knows about their ineptness? I found the story less than satisfying. And what about the promised prize that ends up being rather disappointing; this doesn't happen---I guess I heard too many Gene Shepherd stories when I was young. The illustrations were a little too busy for my taste; perhaps they capture the chaos of third grade. ( )