layawaydragon
Written on Dec 23, 2017
That was really clever. It makes the argument for keeping the school open and the consequences if they don’t in a powerful way. It’s an open ending that leaves you to wonder what happens next for these kids.
As with the other Sidestreets books, it’s short and straightforward making it easily recommendable to tweens and reluctant readers with the content and characters that even older teens can enjoy it.
However, it didn’t handle Arn’s jealousy, insecurity, and anger issues well (major red flags) or his sudden 180 on vandalizing the school. The sexual violation and creep aspect of Bilan’s assault isn’t mentioned, other than it happening. There’s also no social media mention, other than “don’t spread it around for fear of parents getting word”, but I think after the adults found out, it’d have been more meaningful to bring social media back into play.
"Injustice--and that is what we are facing here--is never small potatoes. It always has to be challenged. " --Bilan, Chapter 11.