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tomaind's review against another edition
4.0
A haunting and heartbreaking YA story about high school bullying. Hyde has become one of my favorite authors and her YA Fiction books are really good too. I think the author did an accurate portrayal of the fear and anguish bullied students feel. Although it has been 40 years, this story brought back how I felt in Junior High. In no way was I bullied to the extent the characters in this book, but any form of bullying is unacceptable and can leave a lasting effect on the victims. I remember the fear of running into certain people in the halls, gym class, the embarrassment of being tripped in the halls and faking sick to stay home and avoid situations at school. This ended up being an emotional read for me and made me think back on that time in my life. I wish I would have told my parents or a friend about my situation, but I think the early 80's were a different time and I feel that it was just thought of as something that kids had to deal with. Fortunately, it never got to the point where I wanted to commit violence against classmates. This is definitely a book that should be required reading for classrooms.
mrs_a_is_a_book_nerd's review against another edition
3.0
Another title in the emerging "school violence" genre... I liked Will and Ernie; they were real, funny, endearing. Witness illustrates the slow, painful process to the desperation caused by the berating of bullies, family dysfunction, and the disintegration of hope; it also shows the courage to do what's right, even when doing so means the possibility of losing everything that makes you feel safe.
jbojkov's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting story of bullying from the victim's viewpoint. I thought perhaps this book might take a really bad turn, but it actually works out ok. The author does a good job of keeping the tension high and keeping the reader guessing.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
2.0
I was surprised when this book came in for me- I usually avoid ya books about school violence and bullying- they just make me sad and they're always so predictable. But I guess I read a review of this and thought it sounded promising.
And it wasn't too bad- it was not as predictable as I thought, and the part that I thought the whole book was about was really only the last couple of chapters. It was mainly about being an outsider, being ridiculed, being in high school, and not knowing how to handle the things that accompany that. It was sad- how could it not be? But the ending was good.
And it wasn't too bad- it was not as predictable as I thought, and the part that I thought the whole book was about was really only the last couple of chapters. It was mainly about being an outsider, being ridiculed, being in high school, and not knowing how to handle the things that accompany that. It was sad- how could it not be? But the ending was good.
angleonwriting's review against another edition
Very well written. But I had a problem with them fishing for trout over Christmas. I thought trout season ended November 16th. The boys didn't seem to have trouble fishing in such cold weather.
bookishdoll's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books that hits you with how real it is. Not my favorite, but incredible.
rashmi's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
1.0
Boring. Disappointing. The writing was nothing interesting and neither were the characters or story. Also, the font changing was annoying (the size changed from paragraph one of a chapter then through the chapter, but there were unintentional sections where it changed from the normal font to courier - poor editing).
katiegrrrl's review against another edition
4.0
Ernie is overweight, which makes him a target for bullies. His best friend Will has a tough home life and a quirky personality, which also makes him a target for the bullies. Ernie stands by Will through some very tough times but how will he choose to stand by Will when he seems bent on revenge.
Ernie has a very authentic voice, he struggles with his weight. he struggles with his relationship with his mom and how she enables his overheating. He is lucky to have an Uncle to turn to, who listens without judgement and wants only the best for him. He wants to stand by Will, to support him through the loss of his brother, the lack of interest that either of his parents show him, when watches Will get knocked down time and time again by the school bullies. He has to make hard choices when Will first threatens to hurt himself and then those boys who have tormented him.
Ernie has a very authentic voice, he struggles with his weight. he struggles with his relationship with his mom and how she enables his overheating. He is lucky to have an Uncle to turn to, who listens without judgement and wants only the best for him. He wants to stand by Will, to support him through the loss of his brother, the lack of interest that either of his parents show him, when watches Will get knocked down time and time again by the school bullies. He has to make hard choices when Will first threatens to hurt himself and then those boys who have tormented him.