Egghead: A Novel [Paperback]

Caroline Pignat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2007

Red Maple Book Award - Fiction Honour Book 2009

Snow Willow Award Nominee 2009

CLA Young Adult Canadian Book Award shortlist, 2009

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice, 2009

Will Reid is a gawky kid who wears fake turtlenecks, is obsessed by his ant farm project, and is lousy at gym. In other words, he's the perfect target for Shane, the Grade 9 bully. Katie has been Will's friend in elementary school, but defending him in the high school environment comes at an unforeseen cost - she dreads the rumours that link them in a boyfriend/girlfriend way she's never considered. Devan has been part of Shane's bullyboy team until now, when he comes to realize that it's not so smart to mindlessly back up each nasty attack of Shane's. Together the three young teens are struggling to find their way out of one of the classic dilemmas of life: how not to be a bystander to bullying, how to stand up for your friends, and how to deal with consuming rage.

Young readers will find lots to think about as they turn the pages of this crisp and compelling story by newcomer Caroline Pignat. Each character takes a turn at telling the story -- through the spare blank verse of Will, wrapped up in the world of his single-parent father and his own eccentric preoccupations; through the clear-eyed accounts of Katie, wrestling with her own private demons; and in the sensitive narrative of the slowly awakening Devan, who comes to notice Katie as a spunky, attractive individual whom he'd like to know better but fears thinks he's a goof.

Note that Kids Help Phone's has included Egghead on their site as a book to help kids in their Get Information section under Bullying for Ages 13 and Up.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7–10—Ninth-grader Will Reid, obsessed with ants and the science fair, wears a turtleneck dickie under his shirts. His only friend is Katie, a girl he has known since elementary school. Awkward and strange, he is the school bully's primary target. Shane has two lackeys—Brad, who is equally as sinister, and Devan, who goes along with the crowd even though he knows deep inside that it is wrong. The book is filled with stories of tormenting Will, from smashing his prized ant farm, to locking him out of the locker room naked. Told from the perspectives of Will, Devan, and Katie, the book delves into the psychology of the characters from a realistic standpoint. Devan battles with both his crush on Katie and his need to disengage himself from Shane's aggressiveness, and Katie wants to protect Will but also to maintain her relationships with her other classmates. When one particular prank goes haywire, Will ends up in a coma. However, the book ends on a positive note, and the short chapters and high-paced drama are sure to engage even the most reluctant readers. Unfortunately, the story tends to generalize the reasoning behind Shane's behavior (he is abused by his father). There are also subplots, such as the deaths of most of the characters' parents, which draw away from the focus of the story. Still, teens will empathize with the characters and see the personality types inherent within themselves or in their schools.—Marie C. Hansen, New York Public Library
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Review

"Pignat explores the sensitive issue of bullying from three different perspectives, weaving the narratives together to give the reader a sense of plot without overdoing any particular scene. . . At the climax of the story, the bullying escalates to a life-threatening incident, and the impact affects all three of the protagonists. With a sensitive ending that does justice to the characters, the situation, and reality, the issues are supported by Pignat's clear prose and sensitive treatment of the perspectives of three very different characters."
Highly Recommended
-- CM Magazine

"Teens will empathize with the characters and see the personality types inherent within themselves or in their schools."
-- School Library Journal

". . . a sensitive examination of bullying and its psychological roots."
-- Booklist

"The novel is satisfying and provocative, leaving readers with much food for thought. Hopefully more titles are on the horizon from this gifted writer."
-- The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)

"Egghead is a sensitive portrayal of the dynamics behind bullying, peer pressure, and search for identity."
-- The Bureau County Republican

"The complicated boundaries of friendship are challenged and redefined in this story."
-- Today's Parent

"The events of this novel are as poignant as they are deplorable, and students will likely see themselves or someone they know in each of the captivating characters. The novel is a quick and easy read and the format lends itself nicely to a character study as well as illustrating different features of text. The use of poetry and short, perspective-driven chapters make this an enjoyable and highly teachable resource."
-- Professionally Speaking

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 173 pages
• Publisher: Red Deer Press; 1 edition (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0889953996
• ISBN-13: 978-0889953994
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read for not only teens but adults as well, July 20, 2009

By 

Brandy Riggs - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Egghead: A Novel (Paperback)

I read this book and immediately gave it to my daughter to read. The story really hit home with the friends of the bully and the bullied as this goes on constantly within the schools. Our schools say they have a "No Bully" policy, however, it is lacking in helping the students understand how bullying can affect not only the two involved but their peers around them as well. Heart felt book that should be a mandatory read for Middle schools and High schools around the country. I highly encourage you to purchase this book for child or school.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible/Predictable, August 22, 2011

By 

Lilly St.Cyr (Natick, MA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Egghead: A Novel (Paperback)

My son is an avid reader. He reads about 10 books a month. He has called this book "the worst book he has ever read". The only reason he continued reading was because it was assigned by school. One bully goes from bully to bystander to helping out for no apparent reason. He just sees the light. It lacks any depth or plot at all. It was a not too subtle, finger wagging don't be a bully, moralistic, preachy tale that bores.