Remember that kid that would always get bullied at school? Well what would you do if you were at your school dance and all of a sudden, that kid came in, locked all the doors, and started to shoot people. Would you think twice before bulling another kid? In Give a Boy a Gun that's exactly what happen. Two teens, Gary and Brendan were being messed with/bullied in high school. Therefore, they decide to go to the school dance and kill everyone who hurt them.
In Give a Boy a Gun the two main characters Brendan Lawlor and Gary Searle. The they both attend Middletown High School.The two become best friends and watch out for each other because they get bullied. The football players at Middletown are call Brendan and Gary names and are always messing with them. As the years go by, they get more and more angry, and start to use drugs. They then decide to go to their school dance and cause havoc. They both write letters to their parents saying why they did what they did and what they went through at Middletown. In a part of Gary's suicide note he said, " I could have just gone and offed myself quietly but that would have been an even bigger waste. If I go this way, taking out the people who made my life miserable with me, then maybe it will send a message" (31). Gary is tired of being bullied. Therefore, he is ready to die but not by himself. He is going to kill those that hurt him. To send a message to those kids that are thinking of bulling other kids. To show them what could happen if they don't stop. Later in the story it shows Brendan's suicide note and why he did what he did. It says to the people of Middletown, " You made my friggin' life miserable. How? By the way you raised your kids to all want to be the same and hate anyone who dares to be a little different" (152). Brendan is stating why the kids and parents make him sick. That if they raised their kids not to hate/dislike kids who were different things could have ended a different way at the Middletown High School dance. He then says in the letter " And you teachers. I thought you taught us that America is supposed to be about freedom. Kids are supposed to be able to be different without the status quo police smashing us over the head and ridiculing us" (153). Brendan is telling the teachers you guys lied to us. This world is not free, you can't do what you want without someone telling you you're wrong or that is stupid. That being different is okay but in reality, if you're different you get made fun of. That is why I did what I did is what he is telling them.
Give a Boy a Gun is a good book to read if you want to know about what happens when kids who are bullied can't put up with it and more and what goes through their minds Todd Strasser did a excellent job writing this book. He did a good job showing what went through Gary and Brendan's head before they went to the school dance and during the school dance and they were shooting around. His message was strong that, Being a bully is not good and you should not do it. You do not know what that person will/can do if you push him/her too far. That teachers and parents should watch out for their kids and teacher them bulling is not okay and it is okay to be different. That just because the person dresses and or acts different does not give you the right to tease them about it. This would be a good book to read in the 6th grade and up when kids are deciding who and what they are in life. When I could get them it is not okay and the consequences. Once again Todd Strasser did a good job and I would recommend this book to everyone.
In Give a Boy a Gun the two main characters Brendan Lawlor and Gary Searle. The they both attend Middletown High School.The two become best friends and watch out for each other because they get bullied. The football players at Middletown are call Brendan and Gary names and are always messing with them. As the years go by, they get more and more angry, and start to use drugs. They then decide to go to their school dance and cause havoc. They both write letters to their parents saying why they did what they did and what they went through at Middletown. In a part of Gary's suicide note he said, " I could have just gone and offed myself quietly but that would have been an even bigger waste. If I go this way, taking out the people who made my life miserable with me, then maybe it will send a message" (31). Gary is tired of being bullied. Therefore, he is ready to die but not by himself. He is going to kill those that hurt him. To send a message to those kids that are thinking of bulling other kids. To show them what could happen if they don't stop. Later in the story it shows Brendan's suicide note and why he did what he did. It says to the people of Middletown, " You made my friggin' life miserable. How? By the way you raised your kids to all want to be the same and hate anyone who dares to be a little different" (152). Brendan is stating why the kids and parents make him sick. That if they raised their kids not to hate/dislike kids who were different things could have ended a different way at the Middletown High School dance. He then says in the letter " And you teachers. I thought you taught us that America is supposed to be about freedom. Kids are supposed to be able to be different without the status quo police smashing us over the head and ridiculing us" (153). Brendan is telling the teachers you guys lied to us. This world is not free, you can't do what you want without someone telling you you're wrong or that is stupid. That being different is okay but in reality, if you're different you get made fun of. That is why I did what I did is what he is telling them.
Give a Boy a Gun is a good book to read if you want to know about what happens when kids who are bullied can't put up with it and more and what goes through their minds Todd Strasser did a excellent job writing this book. He did a good job showing what went through Gary and Brendan's head before they went to the school dance and during the school dance and they were shooting around. His message was strong that, Being a bully is not good and you should not do it. You do not know what that person will/can do if you push him/her too far. That teachers and parents should watch out for their kids and teacher them bulling is not okay and it is okay to be different. That just because the person dresses and or acts different does not give you the right to tease them about it. This would be a good book to read in the 6th grade and up when kids are deciding who and what they are in life. When I could get them it is not okay and the consequences. Once again Todd Strasser did a good job and I would recommend this book to everyone.