Jackson, Curtis (50 Cent) Playground, 314 pgs. Razorbill (Penguin), 2011. $17.99. Language - PG-13 (208 swears, 0 "F"), Mature Content - PG-13 (Some teenage drinking, some implied adult sex); Violence - PG.
In the aftermath of a nearly expulsion-worthy incident with another student, Butterball begins meeting with a therapist. Over the next few months he begins to analyze his life and understand why the incident happened. He also starts to see his parents in a new light.
I had no intention of enjoying this book, but in the end I very much did. Butterball's transformation from bully to burgeoning artist is organic and incomplete, which makes the book seem all the more real. It would work as a class book, but it would have to be taught very well. Based solely on the sheer number of swear words, it would work best in high grades, even though the protagonist is 13.
HIGH SCHOOL - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: BLM
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