October 7, 2013
Bullying, pride, love, peer pressure, and shame all come together for Julian âTwerpâ Twerski in sixth grade. Ordered to keep a journal as an act of contrition for bullying, Twerski comes to record and eventually reflect on the ways in which he acts toward the people around him. Everette Plen does a fantastic job as the first-person Twerski. His voice is young and energetic, with a slightly nasal quality. This sounds perfect for the young tween protagonist. Furthermore, Plen does character voices well, creating authentic and consistent voices that are quickly recognizable for the rest of the cast. The narratorâs pacing and inflection capture the changes and developments in Twerski. Ages 9â12. A Random House hardcover.
March 25, 2013
Adult author Goldblatt (Africa Speaks) makes his children’s book debut with a coming-of-age novel set in 1969, a mix of awkward adolescent stumbling, pockets of sweetness, and oft-used tropes. Sixth-grader Julian Twerski has returned from a school suspension and accepted a deal to write a journal for his English class about what he did. As Julian avoids talking about the actual act of bullying that got him in trouble, he recounts the events of the semester in journal entries. These adventures follow the formula for the genre, ranging from uncomfortable first kisses and dates to extracurricular shenanigans (often accompanied by injuries of varied severity); an early sequence about the death of a bird is among the novel’s best and most moving segments. The crucial moment of bullying, although appalling, doesn’t quite live up to its buildup, and the familiar “bully forced to keep a journal” concept is somewhat clichéd. Occasional cultural reference aside, the historical setting doesn’t contribute a great deal to the story, but Julian’s anecdotes are entertaining and Goldblatt’s characters well-written. Ages 9–12. Agent: Scott Gould, RLR Associates.