4 stars

This is one of those terrifying books that is eye-opening in the most horrifying ways because it happens all the time. Even though this book was written in the 1970s, it is still sadly very relevant today. Bullying has changed a lot since the book was written, but it is still very widespread.

The bullying in this book is very overt and often physical, which is not as applicable today, but the message is the same. Bullying is bullying and it should not happen. Blume did a good job portraying the way that girls bully. When people think of bullying, they often picture a boy physically picking on the smaller boys, but girls are both victims and perpetrators of bullying too.

I love how the book was set up with Jill experiencing various forms of bullying toward herself and others. I thought Blume did a good job making the book come full circle.

A quick read that is often difficult to get through due to the serious nature of the topic, but it is definitely worth the read. A good lesson to young readers about bullying and it’s effects on other