The Tornado by Jake Burt is an amazing story! Bell is a typical child who wants to make it through each day without being the target of Parker, the school bully. And to make the story even more interesting, Parker’s dad is the school principal! Things change for Bell when a new girl arrives and shakes things up! Daelynn becomes the new focus of Parker’s attention. What should Bell do? Read to find out! Readers will love this tale – very relatable and engaging story. This is a perfect addition to the MG shelf!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#The Tornado #Net Galley

Bell Kirby is a very typical middle school boy. He is smart, interested in building systems, not very athletic. He comes from a very supportive. He is doing okay in life, that is now that his “system” for avoiding Parker Hillickson is working! Parker is the school bully and even worse, his father is the school’s principal.

That is until the new girl, Daelyn, comes to class – like a tornado! ! ! And Parker has a new object for his mean pranks. Problem for Bell, should he ignore what is happening and just be thankful that he doesn’t have to put up with Parker or should he stand up for Daelyn and put himself back in Parker’s path?

I very much enjoyed reading this book. I would like to see more books from Jake Burt. The characters were easily relatable. The theme was unfortunately all too realistic. And the outcome, although not foreseeable, was delightful! And hey, a few days suspension was worth it. Not to mention that the lesson learned, was a lesson that everyone reading this book could use in their life.

Fantastic middle grade novel by Jake Burt (Greetings from Witness Protection!) that celebrates the power of creativity and friendship. Bell Kirby is a creative genius at Village Green Elementary School, he is also the victim of a deplorable bully, Parker Hellickson. The problem is Parker's father is the principal and can't believe his boy could ever be so evil. Things seem to get a little better for Bell when a new student, Daelynn Gower moves to Village Green. Her unique style quickly draws the attention of Parker who shifts his target of bullying toward her. Bell is faced with a classic dilemma, does he stay quiet, uninvolved, and safe or does he help Daelynn? As he grapples with this problem he realizes he's not the only one who has been victimized by Parker and a creative solution to the situation begins to take shape. Jake Burt is an incredible writer who gives readers compelling characters and plot that pull you in and make it hard to stop reading. I read this in one afternoon and loved it. Releases Oct. 1, but I would preorder this one, you'll want it for a read aloud that will invite powerful discussions about kindness and friendships. Don't forget to read the author's notes in the back, you'll appreciate Jake even more.

Again, Jake Burt has proven himself a master of characterization. His characters act and sound like kids you meet in real life and not a grown-ups idea of what a modern kid sounds like. This is also a lovely story that touches the heart.

Bell Kirby is an expert at surviving school. His nemesis, Parker Hellickson, not only holds a grudge for a past trangression, but is the principal's son, so has systematically tortured Bell for years without consequence. Bell knows how to avoid Parker, so when a new girl, Daelynn, arrives and throws off his system, he is worried that Parker will start to give him a hard time again. Bell tries to avoid Daelynn, but he is also intrigued by her fearlessness at expressing her true self. Bell, in addition to being bullied by Parker, has many interests that put him in the "geek/nerd"category, and is very conscious of this, as is his supportive mother who has had to face off with the principal about Parker's behavior. When Mr. Randolph launches a Creator Contest that involves recreating one of daVinci's designs using only technology that would have been available during his time, Bell and his friends Timmy and Tam end up with a tank. With the help of his mother, who has welding equipment and a lot of engineering know how, and with encouragement by text from his father who is stationed in Germany, Bell's projects goes pretty well. Parker, however, is still a inescapable force in his life. While Daelynn becomes his new target, and Bell actually gets involved in Parker's float for a parade, it's still a very uneasy truce, and one which Bell is not able to feel good about.

Strengths: I loved the message that "if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem". Bell does not wish Daelynn ill, but he is so desperate to escape Parker's notice that he's willing to let her be the target instead. The fact that he is able to hang out with Parker was interesting as well, and his mother's reluctance was great! The engineering/STEM focus of the Creator Club was very fun as well, and the description of Cincinnati chili took me back to living in that city.
Weaknesses: Purely personal: my father was a principal, and I can't imagine any principal (like Barnett's Principal Barkin from The Terrible Two) letting a child get away with bullying. If anything, a principal's child is less likely to get away with things, but that doesn't make for a good story. Also, I am very wary of books that encourage middle grade readers to be themselves. Daelynn should be able to have colored hair and expressive clothes, but the reality is that other children are not always nice to people who are different. This should not be, but it is.
What I really think: I loved Burt's Right Hook of Devin Velma and Greetings From Witness Protection, but this one struck me as a bit more elementary school oriented, so I am debating.

Jake Burt's books for middle readers are all delightful. Tornado is no exception. The kids are real - the adults are real and present in the story and the plots themselves are believable. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Jake Burt’s latest should be a staple in middle school classrooms for exploring courage, friendship, and bullying. While there are some who think bullying is an overdone plot device in children’s literature, The Tornado has a unique take and expertly explores standing up for yourself while presenting an engaging and entertaining story. Highly recommended.