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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Golden Delicious, December 2, 2009
This review is from: Bad Apple (Hardcover)
Bad Apple was fairly predictable in it's plot in almost all areas with the exception of the most important one -- the did she or didn't she reveal. The back and forth of each step down the path to that ultimate revelation was well done. I personally didn't know if the affair happened, at what level and who initiated it until the very bitter end and I appreciated that fact. I liked that we got to see small glimpses of the truth but didn't know that it was. It made that part of the story more intriguing and enjoyable. The different characters were equally interesting. Most particularly I had a strong reaction to the young bully Ruby created in Chelsea Patrick. Scorned after the dissolution of her former friendship with Tola she takes to tormenting her in the hallways,on her blog and just about anywhere she could possibly find. This young woman was spiteful, bitter and it seemed to me one step away from escalating into some form of violence. She also played a significant role in Tola's circumstances (which I will not spoil) with Mr. Mymer that furthered the progression of the story quite significantly. On the other hand, I found the art as therapy angle to be a bit too convenient and sweet, particularly at the end of the book when the grand reveal and resolution was made public. The older woman who took Tola under her wing was a small part of the story but one that ended up glossing over. She was a means to an end but it was an end that was just kind of there. Further, the budding romance between Tola and Seven was cute and added a much needed respite from the drama and dysfunction. Again, this was a small part of the larger whole but one that I appreciated. I also found the quirky neurotic sister who constantly sassed everyone to be fun as well, she brought a slight humor to the events. All in all Bad Apple was a quick and entertaining read one that is safe for laterr aged pre-teen and teen aged readers interested in stories about high-school dynamics and navigating different types of relationships.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mean Girls, Cyberbullying, and Transformative Art in High School, November 20, 2009
This review is from: Bad Apple (Hardcover)
Tola Riley is not your typical teenager. She is enamored of fairy tales, loves art, and dyes her hair green. She's also somewhat smitten with her art teacher, Mr. Mymer, less a crush than an infatuation with an adult who takes her seriously and honors her ambitions. Ruby lays out the drama that ensues when Tola and her teacher are "caught" meeting at an art museum. Was it really a chance meeting? Through Tola's viewpoint and comments by others involved, including her sister, her enemy Chelsea Patrick, her potential new boyfriend Seven (yes, really, Seven) and others, we're let in on a world where it's hard to know who to believe. Tola is likable not necessarily because you'd want to be her BFF, but because she follows her passions and, for the most part, doesn't care what the rest of the school thinks. She's also dealing with her grandfather being in the hospital and her mom suspicious of her every move, not to mention a blog all about how awful she is. In an age when cyberbullying clearly has deadly, real-life consequences, the most fascinating character here is actually Chelsea, a Mean Girl if ever there was one, who I was totally rooting for getting some comeuppance. Perhaps she does; I read to the end and feel Ruby leaves this open-ended, though she paints Chelsea as a perfect portrait of morals gone awry. Like her previous YA novels, we have a main character who is judged for something she may or may not have done, that may or may not be fair. Sometimes we're meant to be on Tola's side, sometimes we're not, but throughout, she is a strong presence, proud, vibrant, artistic and memorable. Ruby raises questions about who should get a say when it comes to accusations of impropriety. Tola's way of dealing with all of it is through art, which opens a new world for her and allows her to have her say in a sideways, open-to-interpretation comeback that is very fitting to her character. This is an unusual, modern and provocative YA novel that offers a different take the theme of the student-teacher relationship, as well as the power of gossip to travel fast and furious.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting twist of a 'fairy tale', November 5, 2009
This review is from: Bad Apple (Hardcover)
To start off, Tola is accused of having an affair with her art teacher, Mr. Mymer. Except, that isn't the truth. Yet, no one believes her; her entire school goes ballistic over this "rumor" and Mr. Mymer ends up getting suspended from teaching and Tola cant do anything outside of school, her mother makes sure of that. Tola is the average "weirdo" at her high school; she has a nose ring, green hair, and dresses with a unique sense of style. She is an "art freak." She creates paintings of what she sees in her dreams, but also from what she reads in her Grimm fairy tale book. Her family life isnt the best; her older sister Madge isnt in college because she is apparently taking a 'gap' year, but Tola later finds out that something is going on in her life as well. Her mom and dad got divorced a few years back, and her father married a woman Tola and Madge cant stand, the "evil stepmom." And her mother loves nontalking talking, they talk about things but not about the stuff that really matters. Everyone seems to be very distant from Tola, and it is quite sad. But Tola has her best friend, June, who is keeping her sane through this whole "affair problem." And there is Seven (yup, thats his name), Tola has always been intrigued by him and what percolates between them in this book is cute. Although I do wish there was more of a relationship between them, but what is said in the book with them both is fun to read. We see the struggle Tola faces with her fellow students, mainly a girl named Chelsea Patrick. Chelsea was Tola's best friend up until a few years ago, and Tola knows that she is behind all this mess, but she wont admit that to anyone. Chelsea is a true biotch, at times you just want to go into the book and smack her in the face. And then there are others who say crude remarks to Tola about the alleged affair, and a little more than halfway through the book Tola has a pretty funny encounter with one of them. They are in the gym at her school and it involves the school jock, and a paddleball paddle...its a pretty awesome scene where Tola finally lashes back, and stops being the victim. Laura Ruby "paints" all these amazing pictures while you read the book. Sure, Tola may be the artistic person in the book, but Ruby is behind it all. While reading this book you can picture everything that is going on, that is why it is such a good book. You can imagine everything taking place right in front of you, and who doesnt love that about a book? Bad Apple definitely does that for you. I really enjoyed reading this book, and at times I found myself laughing out loud. And at other times, I wished I could be there for Tola, to support her in the difficult situations she has to deal with. It is a great story of a girl finally able to find her voice and speak up for herself. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about characters finding themselves, and to those who loves a happy 'fairy tale' ending. -Arielle
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