¶ … Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

Bradley Chalkers is at odds with the world. He is the oldest boy in the fifth grade, but nobody likes him. He has no friends, and covers up for his social insecurities by lying constantly, getting into trouble at school, slacking off, and bullying other kids. Bradley has essentially built up a defensive wall around himself, solidified by anger, resentment, fear, and low self-esteem. Bradley's classmates respond through snickers and taunts, and teachers respond with exasperation. His collection of broken toys represents his fractured relationship with the outside world.

Enter Carla Davis, a new school counselor who shares some of Bradley's eccentricity and who thereby becomes the only person who can pierce through Bradley's self-imposed social isolation. Carla's sense of humor and her colorful personality are catalysts for Bradley's transformation from a troublemaker to a popular kid. However, just as Bradley comes out of his shell and develops genuine friendships with his peers, Carla's job is on the line, threatened by disapproving parents.

Louis Sachar's book, entitled There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom is a painful, heart-wrenching story that will delight readers of all ages. Most young and preteen readers will be able to relate to the social interactions that Sachar captures in the book. Adolescents and older readers will also appreciate the character sketches and realistic portrayal of Bradley's hostility toward the world, and the world's corresponding response. Bradley's being "rescued" by a counselor might be a tad cliche but nevertheless shows that unconventional approaches are often the best ones, especially when it comes to reaching troubled young people. Bradley's friendship with Jeff Fishkin is a true triumph for a previously socially awkward ten-year-old. There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom is a delightful read that few would find difficult to relate to: all of us have known a Bradley or even been one.