Bystander by James Preller

Preller, James Bystander, 223 pgs. Feiwel and Friends, 2009. Language - PG (7 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - G; Eric, his little brother, and his mom are moving to Long Island. Eric meets Griffin and his group before school starts, so when it does start he hangs out with them. As life goes on, Eric discovers that David is the butt of jokes for Griffin. Griffin and his group pick on David all the time, but Eric doesn't participate in it. Then why does he feel so bad? Eric is a good example of "new bee pressure." When you move someplace new it's hard to fit in, so you go where you're first accepted. I like that Eric has the courage to stand up to his friends and change them when they won't stop doing what he knows is wrong. ES, MS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CH