Jackson, Curtis (50 Cent) Playground, 314 pgs. Razorbill
(Penguin), 2011. $17.99. Language - PG-13 (208 swears, 0 "F"), Mature
Content - PG-13 (Some teenage drinking, some implied adult sex); Violence - PG.
In the aftermath of a nearly expulsion-worthy incident with another student,
Butterball begins meeting with a therapist. Over the next few months he begins
to analyze his life and understand why the incident happened. He also starts to
see his parents in a new light.
I had no intention of enjoying this book, but in the end I
very much did. Butterball's transformation from bully to burgeoning artist is
organic and incomplete, which makes the book seem all the more real. It would
work as a class book, but it would have to be taught very well. Based solely on
the sheer number of swear words, it would work best in high grades, even though
the protagonist is 13.
HIGH SCHOOL - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: BLM
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