Posted by John David Anderson Published by Walden Pond Press on May 2nd 2017
Pages: 384
Goodreads
From John David Anderson, author of the acclaimed Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, comes a humorous, poignant, and original contemporary story about bullying, broken friendships, and the failures of communication between kids.
In middle school, words aren’t just words. They can be weapons. They can be gifts. The right words can win you friends or make you enemies. They can come back to haunt you. Sometimes they can change things forever.
When cell phones are banned at Branton Middle School, Frost and his friends Deedee, Wolf, and Bench come up with a new way to communicate: leaving sticky notes for each other all around the school. It catches on, and soon all the kids in school are leaving notes—though for every kind and friendly one, there is a cutting and cruel one as well.
In the middle of this, a new girl named Rose arrives at school and sits at Frost’s lunch table. Rose is not like anyone else at Branton Middle School, and it’s clear that the close circle of friends Frost has made for himself won’t easily hold another. As the sticky-note war escalates, and the pressure to choose sides mounts, Frost soon realizes that after this year, nothing will ever be the same.
Anderson never fails to impress me. I was never a nerd when I was in school, until maybe high school. I didn’t really understand labels, but I love how it’s coined in this book – finding your “tribe” – the people you meld with. So what is this book about? I’m so choked up from the ending that it’s hard to think about the beginning. It’s about bullying, standing your ground, and being yourself no matter what.
Rose crashes into a group of 4 boys and Frost (our main character) knows that nothing will ever be the same again. Rose is the epitome of being yourself no matter what. She doesn’t change her personality, she’s open to learning new things and she stands up for those she cares about. Rose is a tall, square shouldered girl who is new to Frost’s school. He was new as well at one point and although he understands what she is going through, he’s reluctant to be her friend – because he likes to blend in – not stand out.
I feel like there’s a moment in this book that sums up the way Frost thinks. His ELA teacher asks him a question, whether he would be the hero of a tragedy or a comedy and Frost responds that he’d probably be a part of the chorus. This moment struck a chord with me, because Frost is not the hero of our story – he’s our narrator. Rose is truly the hero, as she literally save these boys from certain disaster and also completes an impossible task.
I really loved this book and how it relates to kids growing up today. They are so attached to social media and technology that they get this idea that they can say what they want – whether because of anonymity or because the actual person isn’t right in front of them. Granted, a few of these kids that said terrible things in this book would likely say it to your face.
Verdict:
I simply loved this book, from all the interesting and diverse characters to how it shows how you can stand up for others and yourself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John David Anderson is the author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Sidekicked, Minion, and The Dungeoneers. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wife, two kids, and perpetually whiny cat in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org
One winner will win a finished copy of Posted.
Courtesy of Walden Pond Press.
US only.
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Kristen
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It think it’s true about social media and the idea that kids think they can say what they want. I think it can be true of adults, too! This book sounds like it has a great message.
Wow….to the name Frost for a character and wow that Frost feels that he’s part of the chorus. So many kids can relate to this! I need this book for my middle school library shelf.
Loved Ms. Bixby’s Last Day and can’t wait to read Posted!
I agree with Anne…Ms. Bixby’s Last Day was awesome! Another school related book that I’ve loved sharing with my students is Fish in a Tree!
I like the Fish In the Tree. Very good book.
The Diary of Anne Frank
I like the Librarian series ~ my eldest son and I like to talk about them (he is middle grade) so I can find common ground with him.