I enjoyed this book and think it will be great for my students who struggle with making good decisions. Bryan finds out quickly that fitting in with the crowd or just 1 person comes with decisions. Does he stay friends with Mike because his parents want him to or does he walk away because of what he does and experiences.

I can see see appeal of this book due to voice and plot. Definitely hits upon important issues and the consequences of your actions.

Representation is good, don't get me wrong! But this seemed too short to really hit home. The pacing was weird because it WAS so short; friendships grew and disintegrated over a chapter or two, not giving us enough time to get much of a sense of them. Yes, white-girl middle-America Me did NOT understand a lot of the slang and it felt really fake and try-hard. Wtf is "S.tuck o.n St.upid"??? The dad was a piece of shit and I can't get why the level-headed mom stayed with him. So many problems could've been averted if the dad wasn't around to make it seem like being a "tough guy" is a good thing. Seriously, he keeps getting sent to jail (and walked out on his first family?!) and yet is still Bryan's role model? I KNOWWWWW that really happens but I don't know WHYYYYYY and this book didn't clarify anything for me.

A quick middle grade read about families, feelings, bravery, friendships, figuring out who we are and who we want to be, and getting along with others. Nothing felt heavy-handed or didactic, but this book could be a springboard for some great discussions. Recommended for all readers of middle grade fiction.

More middle grade books like this, please!

Use your head. Make good choices. Have friends that lift you up instead of bring you down. I definitely recommend this book for middle school age children.

Enjoyed the youthful voice. This book captures how a boy is trying to figure out friendships and family while the world exposes harsh realities. I think the superhero metaphors get better throughout the book

Yes! A story about boy friendships, where things go wrong without becoming life-alteringly disastrous, and the kid gets to move on after. The parents aren't perfect and the kids aren't perfect. I love that Bryan DOES want to train surf, even though he doesn't want to jump the stalls. And hurray for Big Will!

Quality quotes:

Spoiler

This line really punched me in the gut: "I hate feeling like Pa can get." What a way to talk about anger!

And this description of prison: "Imagine that your school has a lot more stupid rules and you have to follow every one. Oh, and you sleep at your school. And when you sleep, teachers wake you up, and they make up more stupid rules you have to follow. You're not fully awake, don't really understand the rules, but you have to follow them."

It's so important to discuss toxicity in male friendships!!!

Really enjoyed this one. The perspective was unique- there are not many books for MG readers with a black, complicated, but very real, boy at the center. I like that this book isn't centered around sports, too.