Off the Shelf 0607-8

Alt Ed
By Catherine Atkins
© 2003

An unlikely candidate for school expulsion, shy Susan Callaway is nonetheless assigned to an after school counseling group for troubled students. Self-conscious, shy and overweight, Susan has avoided any relationships with her peers, but this collection of personalities forces her to deal with her own issues of identity and interactions.

Susan’s troubles accelerated when her mother died and both her father and brother hide their grief in sports, but not each other. She is bullied and tormented by her peers and virtually ignored by her family. The group processing during group reveals a stronger and more confident Susan, as well as the trials and tribulations of other group members.

* 2006 Florida Teen Read book
My recommendation: 4 out of 5 stars

Submitted by M. Coleman, Media Specialist