There’s a Boy in the Girls Bathroom by Louis Sachar

Title: There’s a Boy in the Girls Bathroom
Author: Louis Sachar
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: YA Fiction
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: some bullying and a couple of fights
Premise: Fifth grader Bradley Chalkers is bright, imaginative, antisocial and friendless. Unlike the kids at school, who hate him, Bradley's collection of chipped and broken little pottery animals allows him to be brave, smart and vulnerable; he uses them to resolve the rejection of peers and adults. Jeff, a new boy at school, offers friendship but then withdraws his offer, because Bradley is hard to like. Enter Carla Davis, new school counselor, who is caring and funny, and who gradually helps restore Bradley's self-confidence. Feelings and emotions are strongly evoked in this touching and serious story of a disturbed child that is infused with humor and insight.

Opinions: Bradley is one of those characters that you start reading and you don't particularly like. But as the story grows, so does Bradley. And you begin to see the real Bradley Chalkers and for me, at least, began to really like him. This book deals with fears and acceptance and being willing to try something new, like being your true self.

I have loved this book since I first read it in (probably) 4th grade. I have read it many times since and have had to replace it several times due to the destruction of too many readings. It is a wonderful book and every time I read it I have to stop at the letter at the end because I'm crying so hard. Yup. Every time.