There's A Boy In The Girl's Bathroom

There's A Boy In The Girl's Bathroom is a realistic fiction novel by Louis Sachar, who is well-known for writing other youth fiction novels, such as Holes and Sideway Stories From Wayside School.  I grabbed this book while shopping with my kids at 2nd and Charles because it was a novel I remember reading and enjoying in late elementary school and reading several times, but I could not remember anything about it now.  It is an "older" read, published back in 1987 and I was taken back to my childhood quickly with character's names like Judy, Betty, Colleen, Melinda, Karen, and Jeff.  It is a bit of a faster read; it only has 195 pages.  The chapters are also extremely short (most chapters only 2-5 pages), so the action moves quickly and pages turn fast.

Bradley Chalkers is the kid that sits in the last seat in the last row. In the last seat in the last row he doesn't have to talk to anyone, distract anyone, or even do his school work. He is doing 5th grade for the second time now and everyone knows his name and face.  He's not allowed to check out library books anymore after destroying so many books, he's not allowed to use the hall pass after skipping class so often, and he's the last kid's name a teacher wants to see on her class list.  Bradley has life pretty figured out: don't put effort into anything and you won't get hurt. Don't do homework and there's no chance of missing a problem.  Don't do the book projects and there's no chance of getting a bad grade and looking silly in front of your classmates.  Don't try to answer the questions on the test and you'll never fail. Don't make friends with anyone and there's no chance they will disappoint you or hurt your feelings. He's been doing school this way for so long, he doesn't know any other way. He has earned his reputation with the teachers and students at the school and has no intention of changing that.  But now there is a new counselor at the school named Miss Davis. She believes Bradley is smart and kind and capable.  Bradley thinks she is crazy and thinks the sooner she realizes he isn't worth her time and effort, the better off she will be. But Miss Davis isn't willing to give up on Bradley so quickly...

There's A Boy In The Girl's Bathroom is a great read for late elementary grades up to 6th grade.  Both guys and girls will enjoy this novel and Bradley's character. There is a kid like Bradley in every grade of every school.  I think this is a great novel to help kids understand that there is more to the "bad kid" than what is on the surface.  This novel is also a great example of showing the importance of the counselor at school and the impact he/she can make on students.  In a world where we tend to hear a lot of complaints and loud voices when something is going wrong, this novel is also a great reminder that we also need to celebrate when things are going right and when changes happen for the better, they should be recognized.  As a teacher, this was a great reminder to me of the impact one adult or one friend can make on the life another.  And a great reminder that it is never too late for a second chance.