There is a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom by Louis Sachar

“I’ll give you a dollar if you’ll be my friend”

He stretched his mouth so wide, it was hard to tell

whether it was a smile or a frown.

Last week, we mentioned this book in Jim Trelease's book in class. The title just somehow aroused my childlike curiosity to find out what's happening in the story. Luckily, I found it lay on top of a bookcase in our library. And I enjoyed it very much. It depicts a boy, Bradley Chalkers, as a problem child in school. It wasn't until a counselor appeared did he reveal his goodness and moreover was accepted by people's around him. It's an interesting story, yet meaningful too.

1

In The Back of The Classroom-- Last Seat, Last Row
Sat a Bradley Chalkers

“Call somebody if you don’t believe me!”
“Give me a dollar or I’ll spit on you.” “Shut up! Or I’ll give you four black eyes.”

If we looking back on our school days, it's not difficult to find a classmate like Bradley. No matter is it in elementary school or high school, there is always someone abandoned by teachers and excluded from the class. Children like Bradley are actually asking for help by behaving inadequately. They tend to demand by threatening so that they can defend themselves. The author depicts a problem child's behavior so well that I was surprised at so many hints I ignored before. Moreover, I realized the reason why they behaved like that.

“They call him a monster, and other people start calling him a monster, and everyone treats him like a monster, and then after a while, he starts believing it himself. He thinks he’s a monster too. So he acts like one But he still isn’t a monster.”--CARLA (Bradley's counselor)

2

HOMEWORK

"Question 1: What is three-fourths of two-thirds?"

After Bradley met the new counselor,Carla, he changed gradually. The first breakthrough he made was doing his homework! That was his first time to do his homework, and he started to asked for help reasonably when he had questions. I felt pity on Bradley when he replied Carla that the reason why he did not do homework is because he did not know what page they were. He was abandoned by teachers, and excluded by classmates. How could he know what page they were? How could he work hard if no one cares him? But in my experience,given I knew as what my teachers did that those problem children needed help, we somehow failed to help them indeed. Now I am pretty sure that no matter how bad a student is, teachers should never abandon him or her. At least that's what a teacher can do.

3

Reading Helps Change One's Mind

A BOOK: My Parents Didn't Steal an Elephant
by Uriah C. Lasso
(Carla's favorite, and so as Bradley's)

This is an interesting finding that reading can help change one's mind! When everyone discouraged his efforts and ignored his goodness, reading saved him from harm! He kept talking to himself, and tried to immerse in the story that Carla lent him. Surprisingly, his parents and teachers changed their mind on him when they saw Bradley was "reading!" How powerful it is! People became to praise him and liked him, and found his goodness. I guessed Bradley proved his changing (becoming good) by reading which is what he never did before and never be expected to do.

This story has a happy ending, but since I've recommend someone to read it, I don't want to leak out too many details:) If I happen to have chances to meet my teachers in my school days before, I would definitely recommend them to read this book too!