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Alley Oops ISBN: 9780972922548
Decker, C.B. and Levy, Janice
Published by Flashlight Press, 2005
Brilliant story, brilliant illustrations and told from the bully's viewpoint. J.J. is in deep trouble with his dad. Patrick's father has been around to complain that J.J. has been calling Patrick names - Pig-Pen, Porky, The Big Oink - because of his weight. He's having nightmares and refuses to go to school. J.J. is unrepentant: 'When he walks the ground shakes'. So dad sits J.J. down for a chat and tells him about his own experiences of being a bully when he was a lad and how he found out later how hurt the boy had been. Dad says, 'We have two dogs inside us. One dog is bad. The other dog is good. The two of them fight all the time.' J.J. asks which dog wins. 'The one you feed the most,' dad replies. J.J. decides to confront Patrick with the fact that he has snitched on him, but the two soon find they have a lot in common. J.J. learns to respect Patrick because he is an expert arm wrestler, and cheeky, mouthy J.J. decides he will manage Hammer Hand Man and they will make lots of money. These two children are funny and real, and their conversation is completely believable. J.J. learns his lesson but on his own terms. Then he goes home and tells dad all about Patrick. An American book, it's available in the U.K. from Gazelle (email: sales@gazellebooks.co.uk, Tel: 0152468765).
Age: 6+
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