Module 7 There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

Summary: Bradley is somewhat of a bully and is constantly telling lies.  Because of this behavior, he has a hard time fitting in.  Things begin to change for Bradley after he meets the new school counsellor, Carla. 

Sachar, L. (1987). There's a boy in the girls' bathroom. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

My Impresssions: I really enjoyed reading Bradley's transformation from bullying smaller children in order to make himself feel better into a maturing more responsible child.  Louis Sachar, once again, does not disappoint.  I think this is a great book for boys 3rd-6th.

Professional Review:
"An unlikely protagonist, Bradley Chalkers is a friendless, lying, insecure bully who is the oldest boy in his fifth-grade class. In this humorous novel that tells of Bradley's learning to like himself and to make friends, Sachar ably captures both middle-grade angst and joy. Bradley's triumph comes through the friendship of a new boy at school and the help of the new school counselor. Readers, like the astute counselor, can see the strengths that Bradley has, and will cheer at his minor victories and cringe at his setbacks along the way. The story is unusual, witty, and satisfying, if not always believable: a few incidents just do not work...et Bradley's need for acceptance even as he holds back from classmates who might mock or hurt him is genuine, and his eventual success will gratify readers." — David Gale

[Review of There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom]. (1987, April 1). School Library Journal.  Retrieved from www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Library Use: This book would be great for a book talk where students can discuss the story elements, compare and contrast Bradley's character from the beginning of the story to the end, cause and effect, etc...