Reviews

Poison Ivy by Amy Goldman Koss

line_so_fine's review

4.0

Ivy (or "Poison Ivy" as she is called by her classmates) has been bullied at school for as long as anyone can remember. This year, her teacher, Ms. Gold, decides to stage a mock trial to showcase the legal system. The crime? Bullying. The defendant? A very unwilling Ivy. The palintiff? The lead bullies. The story is told through multiple characters' perspectives, and the result is a book just begging to be discussed. The ineffectual concern of adults and the power of social leverage are particularly striking.

library_brandy's review

3.0

Since she was 9 and moved to this town, Ivy has been bullied by her classmates. Ann, Sophie, and Benita have been calling her "Poison Ivy" for so long, she doesn't even think of herself as just plain Ivy anymore. Now things have come to a head, and their Government teacher kicks off a mock civil trial, bringing the Evil Three up on charges. Students are chosen as lawyers, judges, jury, and other positions, the trial commences. If the Evil Three are found liable for the harassment, they'll need to apologize in writing and leave Ivy alone. But their liability hinges on Ivy's lawyer's ability to prove what everyone knows.

This is really more about the trial--and mistrial--and the quest for justice than it is the bullying, but it's still a worthwhile conversation-starter. I'll be including it in my short list of Potential Titles for 8th Grade Summer Reading.

[Warning: there are THREE bad words in the book, and I'll confess they're gratuitous--a kid called "pin-dick," plus one "ass" and one "dick." Not an issue to me, but the middle school administration might feel differently.]

pforpedrox23's review

3.0

Interesting book but weak as hell ending. It attempted to be original, I suppose, but it ended WEAK.