Review of A Bloody Book
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Karen Susara
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- Latest Review: A Bloody Book by Chris Bowen
Review of A Bloody Book
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Bloody Book" by Chris Bowen.]
A Bloody Book by Chris Bowen is a riveting book that is a call to action for all educators. It is also a reminder for all teachers to reflect on students they may have given up on. Maxx is a reflection of those students. Fortunately, he encountered Mr. Foxx, an unconventional teacher who was determined to change the trajectory of his life and other students like him.
Maxx is an adolescent that lives in poverty with an abusive, drug and alcohol addicted father, an abused mother and a giggly soft spoken two year old sister. His father is lost deep in addiction and finds himself repelled by any expression of joy and happiness. This causes Maxx to suppress these emotions as he tries to keep his mind occupied. Unfortunately, being disruptive in class is the avenue he chooses. This leads him to be assigned to what he calls Reading Hell. This classroom is a “store away” for students that teachers have given up on. These teachers do not take into account that many of them are dealing with domestic violence, drug addiction and homelessness outside of school. Fortunately for these students, Mr. Foxx is assigned to their classroom. He empathizes with the students and uses that connection to challenge them to write an essay that identifies the point where they stopped caring. Following that, the author takes you on a gut wrenching journey of Maxx’s life and exposes some shocking decisions he felt he needed to make for his sister, himself, and at one point, his mother.
I found this short thriller very engaging from beginning to end. Each chapter was a puzzle piece that further revealed Maxx’s life. I liked that the book also showed that teachers are sometimes broken people. This is reflected in Ms. Spencer. In a moment of defeat, she pours her heart out and talks about her own struggles. It is in this moment the students connect with her. In a way, she was the adult version of who they could turn out to be.
The only negative aspect of this book is the number of spelling errors. It could have used another round of proof-reading. There are a few curse words, but none that would deter from the plot.
I would rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars. This rating is for the unapologetic honesty on the harsh reality of the educational system.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to be an educator or is currently an educator. Critically think about the kind of impact you currently have or may have had on students. More importantly, what changes need to be made to be as impactful as Mr. Foxx's character.
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A Bloody Book
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
A Bloody Book by Chris Bowen is a riveting book that is a call to action for all educators. It is also a reminder for all teachers to reflect on students they may have given up on. Maxx is a reflection of those students. Fortunately, he encountered Mr. Foxx, an unconventional teacher who was determined to change the trajectory of his life and other students like him.
Maxx is an adolescent that lives in poverty with an abusive, drug and alcohol addicted father, an abused mother and a giggly soft spoken two year old sister. His father is lost deep in addiction and finds himself repelled by any expression of joy and happiness. This causes Maxx to suppress these emotions as he tries to keep his mind occupied. Unfortunately, being disruptive in class is the avenue he chooses. This leads him to be assigned to what he calls Reading Hell. This classroom is a “store away” for students that teachers have given up on. These teachers do not take into account that many of them are dealing with domestic violence, drug addiction and homelessness outside of school. Fortunately for these students, Mr. Foxx is assigned to their classroom. He empathizes with the students and uses that connection to challenge them to write an essay that identifies the point where they stopped caring. Following that, the author takes you on a gut wrenching journey of Maxx’s life and exposes some shocking decisions he felt he needed to make for his sister, himself, and at one point, his mother.
I found this short thriller very engaging from beginning to end. Each chapter was a puzzle piece that further revealed Maxx’s life. I liked that the book also showed that teachers are sometimes broken people. This is reflected in Ms. Spencer. In a moment of defeat, she pours her heart out and talks about her own struggles. It is in this moment the students connect with her. In a way, she was the adult version of who they could turn out to be.
The only negative aspect of this book is the number of spelling errors. It could have used another round of proof-reading. There are a few curse words, but none that would deter from the plot.
I would rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars. This rating is for the unapologetic honesty on the harsh reality of the educational system.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to be an educator or is currently an educator. Critically think about the kind of impact you currently have or may have had on students. More importantly, what changes need to be made to be as impactful as Mr. Foxx's character.
******
A Bloody Book
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: A Bloody Book by Chris Bowen
