Book Reviews
The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm
Reading level: Grades 5–8
Russell, Elliot, and Catalina are three seventh-graders who, in the highly structured hierarchy of middle school, are rock bottom. Catalina has recently moved to the United States from the Philippines. She is a classic ugly duckling on the verge of swandom, thus posing an uncomfortable threat to the beauty queens of her class. Elliot is small, smart, and has the most ill-fated last name a middle schooler could imagine: Gekewicz. And Russell, the narrator of The Revealers, is a bit mystified about why he is suddenly "out," after doing just fine throughout grade school:
"It was like everyone else took a secret summer course in how to act, what to say, and what groups to be in, and I never found out about it."
These three, on the receiving end of a spectrum of bullying from their classmates, turn to each other in desperation. They embark on a course of action to understand why some people choose to take advantage of others—and to come up with a way to stop the bullying once and for all. Or at least long enough to get them safely out of Parkland Middle School. With many diversions by dinosaur-obsessed Elliot and some reluctance by a very shy Catalina, the trio of new friends takes a scientific approach to their collective problem. Their first effort is to confront their antagonists directly. This doesn't go over so well (some physical violence ensues).
Eventually, like many great scientists before them, they stumble on a unique, creative solution that makes the entire student body and the school administration stand up and take notice. Using the school's internal LAN (local area network), Russell, Elliot, and Catalina begin broadcasting stories—first their own, then others’ as they pour in—through schoolwide email. The school seems stunned into silence. Gradually, though, whispered conversations grow into more interesting dialogue, including a remarkable classroom discussion about Anne Frank that includes a parallel subconversation about isolation, communication, and whether or not the Internet could have saved Anne Frank's life. The effect of this courageous experiment ripples out into the community, with dramatic results.
For the students at Parkland, reading the true but mostly anonymous stories about everyday bullying incidents has a profound effect. Whether it's long-lasting or not is left to the reader to decide, but this witty, poignant, and excruciatingly honest novel will leave readers with no shortage of material to digest and discuss.
Social and Emotional Lessons in The Revealers
Taking steps toward a more respectful school environment can be daunting. Russell, Elliot, and Catalina may be terrifically brave, or perhaps they just reached a point where the risk of stepping up and doing something about their problem was less than the threat of continuing intimidation by their tormenters. Either way, teachers and students alike will be inspired by these fictional heroes. Some discussion questions:
- What do Russell and his friends discover in their scientific exploration of bullying? How can they use this information? Will they succeed?
- Why do you think it was harder for kids to victimize others after reading the stories on the school's network?
- Why did Russell's main tormentor, Richie, begin to have some grudging respect for Russell? Why did he agree to be videotaped for the science fair project on bullying? Why did he hope Russell and his friends succeeded in keeping the online broadcast going?
- What would happen in your school if true stories of bullying were posted online?
Emilie Coulter
Book Reviewer
Committee for Children
