There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar

Sachar, L. (1987). There's a boy in the girl's bathroom. New York: Yearling Books.  

Plot

Fifth grader Bradley Chalkers is the class clown, bully, friendless and antisocial. He finds solace and friendship with cracked and chipped pottery animals who motivate him to be brave and hides his sadness in their broken pieces. The new kid in school tries and befriends Bradley but backs off when he realizes he is too hard to like. Feeling like even more of a failure and acting out even more than ever, Bradley's life is turned upside down when the school counselor arrives. She truly cares about him and works with Bradley in helping him to gain his confidence and respect for himself and others.

Review

Author Sachar creates middle school angst in such a dramatic and realistic way that readers will cringe at his setbacks and applaud at his milestones. There is a Bradley in every school and rather than turn him away and label him, this book teachers kids to look deeper and to not give up on one another. This book was one of my favorite books when I was in junior high and I never hesitate to recommend it or booktalk it to tweens now. Although the cover has been updated, the content is still as important and dedicated to changing bad behavior that tween today can still relate.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

4th-8th grade/ Tween

Similar Books

Small Steps- Louis Sachar

How to Be a Perfect Person in Three Days- Stephen Manes

Frindle- Andrew Clements

Characters

Bradley Chalkers - Is the main antagonist in the beginning, but gradually becomes the main protagonist in the middle and end. He has "serious behavior issues," causing Ms. Ebbel (his teacher) to send him to Carla, the new school counselor.

Jeff Fishkin - Is the main protagonist in the beginning, then switches to the main antagonist in the beginning of the middle section, but quickly transfers back to the co-protagonist. Has a crush on Colleen, who likes him back. Bradley's best friend.

Colleen Verigold -She has a crush on Jeff. She has a birthday at the end of the story and invites all her friends, as well as Jeff and Bradley.

Carla Davis - the school counselor. Unlike the teachers at the school, she prefers to persuade students to do the right thing instead of outright telling them what to do.

Readers Annotation

Just when he thought that the world has given up on him, Bradley Chalkers has been given another chance by someone he least expected.