I would recommend adding Jake Burt's book, The Tornado, to a classroom or school library because of the interesting characters and the themes presented in the novel. It's a thoughtful look at bullying and the effects on the victims with an added bonus of a STEM tie in.

This is my favorite book by Jake Burt. It's a thoughtful look at bullying, and the impact on its targets, while is also has strong engineering (designing and building) content and will appeal to readers who see the world in a systemic way.

Middle School bullying, avoidance, personalities, and courage. This book captures the challenges and quirks of being in middle school. Great for fans of his previous book, Greetings From Witness Protection or for fans of Stargirl.

Confession time, I LOVE Jake Burt's writing. I fell in love with Greetings from Witness Protection back when it first was available on NetGalley, made an utter fool of myself that year at BEA, waiting to be first in line to meet the author, then walking down the length of the Javitt's Center in NYC, holding the book over my head and loudly proclaiming that this was the best book of the year and if you wanted to get a signed copy by the author, he was at table 4 right now.

I wasn't wrong. I started this year off with a re-read of Greetings and fell in love all over again. I teared up at the end, again and just held it close to my chest tightly, loving the book.

So I wanted my next full-sized book read of this year to be his newest The Tornado. I waited and waited to read it, because 1) I knew I was going to need my next fix of his writing and was putting it off until I couldn't anymore and 2) it's about bullying. I know his writing is realistic and believable and I was scared. I was bullied MERCILESSLY in middle school and I was worried this book would hit too close to home for me.

WHOOOO BOY did it take me back. From about page 3, I was shaking, my heart was racing and further into the book I was tearing up and one scene made me almost wet myself I was that scared for the MC Bell. So yeah, this book hit me in the feels like (wait for it) a TORNADO!! (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)

Cheesy jokes aside, this book was DEEP. Yes, it did get better, though I did get rage-y in places and wanted to drop kick the bully and his father, but it had ups and downs and the ENTIRE time it felt REAL. Like this is something that can, did and does still, happen throughout schools across America. It's a SUPER important read, right up there with Wonder in how it deals with bullying, specifically from the bullied child's POV.

This book, while amazing, wasn't Greetings, but it doesn't have to be. It stands strongly on it's own merits. Will I re-read this every year as I plan to do with Greetings? Probably not, my heart can't take the stress, but will I recommend it and suggest it to customers in my store and buy it in hard cover and paperback for myself and get it as gifts for my friends' kids? Darn Tootin!

5, be prepared for the feels this book brings, stars! Highly recommended! (Also highly recommended are his other books, he is SUCH an amazing talent it isn't even funny.)

My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

A young adult novel about friendships and handling bullies that was inspiring and every kid and adult can relate in some way or another. The advice given to Bell by his dad regarding how to handle a bully and when to know a bully has won is inspirational and spot on. The actions and mistakes made by the characters are human and led to growth in so many ways. I’ve finished the book and continue to think about these characters and the story line, which doesn’t always happen.
As a teacher, I was fist pumping the Creator Club, it’s excellent challenge, and the mention of a Fab Lab in the acknowledgments. Every kid should have access to these chances at creativity and fabrication, and I’ve gotten some ideas on how to improve my Fab Lab as well, so thank-you!

It's never particularly fun to read about bullying, but the message here was important. It was interesting to read about Bell's methods for avoiding Parker, and I especially enjoyed all of the creativity of the kids' projects. The friendship that slowly developed was the great part of this story.

This book is a wonderful novel that addresses the socio-emotional issues of middle grades while touching on STEM concepts that will be the perfect vehicle for a multi-disciplinary integrated curriculum. Great book for an "Everybody Read" at the middle school level.

I found this to be a highly engaging book that deals accurately with the issue of bullying that many students experience. The well-rounded cast of characters including the new girl, the son of the school principal, a deployed military parent, and others, touched on the many different circumstances that children may face. With so much going on with these characters, it is a fast-paced read that does not slow from start to finish. I will recommend that we add this to our reading curriculum and, at the very least, will absolutely be adding it to my classroom library and recommending the school library do the same.

I received a complimentary copy of Tornado from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel was a complete and wonderful surprise! I loved the fascinating depth of characters, which were mainly elementary students who had bully issues. It would seem that this book would be juvenile then, however, it was anything but that! Bell, the main character and his amusing friends align to attempt to save a new, uniquely dressed, and previously homeschooled victim, Daelynn, from a similar fate. Great book! I can't wait to read more from Jake Burt!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Tornado by Jake Burt is a GREAT story about bullying in Middle School. The story is not preachy or overwhelming with its message. The book was well written and I thought just the right length. There is nothing like the unexpected changing the status quo of a situation.

Bell Kirby has been tormented by Parker Hellickson ever since he accidentally broke his toe before a big soccer game. Parker is so good at bullying that he never gets caught and even when he does, his dad is the principal. Bell has put together a whole system about how to avoid Parker until the new girl Daelynn Gower moves into his school. Suddenly Bell does not need to hide anymore when Parker starts to focus on her. Meanwhile, Daelynn gets sadder and sadder and everything Bell does to help her seems to make it worse. Until it is time to stand up!

The Tornado is a good read by Jake Burt. The lesson, the characters and the plot line are ideal for an early Middle School reader. It is a book that I am going to recommend to students.

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the digital ARC of The Tornado by Jake Burt in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own. I enjoyed this book. Bell Kirby is a middle school student that loves to design things. One of his daily tasks is referencing a complicated map of the whereabouts of bully Parker Hellickson and how to avoid him. The story was very believable. Bullying is not uncommon in schools. Another issue brought out in the book is how our fear of situations can keep us from doing the right thing. It's important for students to understand they should not stand by and watch someone being bullied. I think this would be a great book for any middle school student to read and think about.

This was a great book that I can see kids like my son really liking. Bell is a really smart kid who is terrorized by the class bully who also just happens to be the principal's son, so you can imaging he never actually gets in trouble. Bell has developed systems for getting through his day and not encountering Parker. The a new girl, Daelynn, shows up and Bell is supposed to help her but how can he show her around and not use his round about ways? The Bell puts Daelynn on Parker's radar and how can he ever help her without exposing himself too. I will highly recommend this book to middle grades kids!

Another great story from Jake Burt! I enjoyed this slightly different take on a bullying story - what happens when the bully moves on to a new target? What responsibility does the old target have to the new one? Is it enough to bask in his freedom? Or should he stand up for her the way it would have been nice to have someone stick up for him?

The characters in this are delightful and unique - I loved Bell's passion for systems and engineering and all the ways that was evidenced throughout the book. This would be fantastic for a read aloud or for a book group - this is a meaty story with lots to discuss.

Fans of Burt's previous books should not miss this one. And readers new to this author should be sure to check out his whole collection - Greetings from Witness Protection is my favorite.

This book is definitely written by an author who knows what the dynamics of middle school look like. It's so true and real to life. The reader falls in love with the characters and can feel the pull between what's right and wrong. No one wants to be the target of a bully but what can you do when the bully's dad is your school principal?

Bell has a wonderful avoidance system set up and it's completely working..... until now. I wanted so badly for Bell to have this system work forever but sometimes things get turned upside down for a reason.

As a teacher, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend it for the wonderful #stopbullying lesson.

After only a couple chapters was discouraged because it seemed too stereotyping of the characters and situations. But I continued to read and though it may me mad that parents weren't stepping in more to stop the bullying, that it was left up to the four friends who figured it out made it worth it. Bell is being constantly bullied by the principal's son, Parker and his two pals. Bell has elaborate ways to get around the school to avoid him. While he is able to cope when the new girl, Daelynn, becomes tormented, Bell and his two friends make a pack that know one should be left alone. It seems to be working until the end when the bully wrecks their float. The 3 boys didn't mean to wreck the Parker's float but because of it they are brought into the principal's office. While they are suspended for two days the parents have had enough and it end's up with Parker and his friends with a week suspension. Growth of friendship makes it a good book to read for tweens.

The book was not easy to read because of the school bully does to others, especially Bell. Bells systems to avoid him doesn't always work and when his friend is not the target does he abandon them or keep with it. It was disturbing to find the reactions of the adults especially the principal. This was a love hate read. i couldn't put it down and yet didn't want to read it at the same time. The clarification by the author at the end of the origin of the story made it even more powerful of a read. I recommend young and old read this and discuss with those they love.

Bell has spent the last few years avoiding the school bully, Parker, but in order to cope, Bell has developed an elaborate system which revolves around his and Parker's schedules along with maps of the school so Bell can avoid crossing paths with Parker. For the most part, it helps, but with the arrival of Daelynn in the class, Parker redirects his sadism towards her. The plot moves forward at a fast pace while painting the atmosphere of an elementary school, and the interests of a fifth grader. You loved some characters, and you despised some. Each of the students' voices has a distinct tone which gives them individuality. The teachers seem oblivious, but they were afraid, too. You soon realize the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and since bullies prey on the loner, there is safety in numbers, whether it be parents or students. Highly recommended!!

Bell is an engineer. He has devised intricate plans and schedules in order to survive his school days and avoid the class bully. That all gets interrupted when Daelynn arrives. Her arrival days in motion a series of events that lead Bell into deciding if he's going to muster the courage to stand up against the bullying or shrink back and let the new girl be the new target. A wonderful lesson in courage, bravery and learning how to create a sort system so you don't have to stand alone.

I had just finished reading "Greetings from Witness Protection" and knew I had to read another book from Jake Burt. The Tornado is an engaging book for middle grades students. It is about Bell and the systems he creates to avoid the class bully. When a new student moves in, he has to change the way he deals with the bully. It was highly engaging and readers of all ages will enjoy it, but middle grades students will especially identify with the themes. I highly recommend it!

First, off, bullying is literally one of the worst things that anyone can do, be a part of, etc. Bullying is the lowest of the low and makes me sick to just think about it and those who partake. With that being said, I liked Burt's novel The Tornado, but I felt it was a little predictable and a bit on the overexcited, fake teaching side of things. The one teacher who was so cool and with it was a college professor who was just chilling with elementary kids? The principal was sort of a jerk (well, really a jerk) and that is unfortunate because from my experience (20 years of teaching) most principals give the kid the benefit regardless of their relationship.

Bell was an enjoyable character/protagonist and as a reader you really wanted him to come out on top. His characteristics were endearing, but there was part of me that just wanted him to shake loose, and he does, sort of. Timmy is the real winner. A funny sidekick who is sarcastic and obviously more situationally aware than some of the other characters. Daelynn added the antithesis that Bell needed to be the full-blown character that he becomes.

So, there were some tropes to deal with, but the anti-bullying message is sound and well pointed out... I just wish that some of the tropes of YA and real-life could have been avoided, but such is the way of the kids novel.