How sweet is revenge?
There is no shortage of books about bullying and teaching bullies a lesson; where this book is different is that it recognises that revenge is not necessarily the answer, that there is a fine line between that and becoming a bully yourself.

The books I've previously read (listened to) by Dawn Kopman Whidden were crime novels, so this is an interesting diversion from that, an excellent children's book with a powerful moral. Aimed at age 8 and up.
The central character, Harold is a bit insecure and has to wear thick glasses, without which he is almost blind. He has recently lost his Dad, a navy SEAL, and he and his mother have to leave the forces accommodation and move back to her home town. It's a lot for a young boy to handle and he is very nervous about starting at a new school.
Happily, he makes some great friends at his new school and he settles in well, but there is a small group of bullies who start to notice him. You will have to read the book to find out what happens, or find a youngster to read it to and share the pleasure.

I was listening to the audiobook, and enjoyed the narrator, Damien Alameda, who made an excellent job of all the voices. I also had the opportunity to see the cute illustrations at the start of the chapters in the printed copy, which would be great if this were being read out loud.

This is a book that should find its way onto the shelves of school libraries and be shared by teachers with their classes. It would certainly make for some interesting discussion. ( )