Jake Drake 1 – Bully Buster

Jake Drake 1 - Bully Buster by Andrew Clements is a school story for 8 year olds about a boy who's had quite enough of being picked on.

Jake feels as though bullies have been finding him for years. One child takes his snacks. Another wrecks the things he makes, while someone else always seems ready with a shove.

Now he's looking back at the year things began to change. His class had been going well and his best friend Willie was there too. Then a new boy called Link Baxter arrived.

Jake tells you all this himself. He has plenty of thoughts about school and the grown-ups who run it. If they're so clever, why haven't they sorted out the bullying?

That question gives you a good feel for his voice. He's fed up, but he can still be funny about the things he notices. The story begins with his classmate Pete investigating whether their teacher always wears the same trousers (Pete takes his research very seriously).

If your reader enjoys hearing a child's version of the school day, Jake has a lot to say. You get the little details that can matter enormously when you're the one sitting in the classroom. Having your friend in the same class makes a big difference.

The unpleasant moments are small enough to feel familiar. A snack gets ruined or a swing gets taken. From Jake's side, you can feel how tiring it is when it happens again and again while the adult is looking somewhere else.

It's worth knowing that the bullying is the main subject. This includes intimidation, damaged belongings and physical pushing. A child who has been through something similar may find those scenes upsetting, even with Jake's jokes around them.

For a reader who wants to follow someone trying to make sense of being picked on, Jake's thoughts may be what keeps them interested. His explanations are his own opinions as a character. This is a story to get involved in, rather than a set of instructions for handling a bully.

For more school-day observations with a cheeky narrator, Tom Gates Best Book Day Ever (so far) is in the library. His costume plans come with family teasing and a classmate who really gets on his nerves.