<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific book!
Review: Because it speaks to the issue of bullying in a very different way, this is a compelling and entertaining story about life. When the book begins, we learn the story of a very bright but painfully shy young boy whose name is Sydney Schuster. Sidney is constantly taunted during his high school years, and even physically beaten by some of the other students. Not knowing how to handle this situation, he usually ran to a teacher to complain instead of standing up for himself. Of course, this behavior made him an easy target. Sidney was never able to change this situation, and suffered a great deal throughout his high school years. Sidney grew up and became more successful than he would have ever dreamed. Since his own children became bullies during their school years, Sidney often wondered what actually caused a bully/victim relationship. One day Sidney was approached by John Murphy, one of his previous tormentors in high school. John had become a priest, and needed money to save his Catholic school. Sidney decided to make a deal with Father John about a different kind of school. It would be a boarding school for ten inner-city kids, chosen at random, who would act as guinea pigs in an experiment relating to the bully/victim cycle. These were tough kids; but, if they could manage to remain in the school for one year and get along with each other, they would win five million dollars � half a million per student. There were a few simple rules, however, and if even one rule got broken, no one would get a cent! ***** I cannot say enough good things about this book. It should be required reading in our schools. The students in this experiment soon learn how hard it is to actually get along with each other and not resort to bullying. Winning the money was their dream, and - after a rough start - they finally settled on some rules of their own to accomplish this. The rules they drew up together, The Twelve Commandments of Proper Conduct, are listed near the end of The Prize. I only wish they were poster size! *****
Rating:
Summary: The Prize
Review: I believe that "The Prize" was a wonderful, rich story. It was fast-paced enough that I couldn't stop reading it. The plot was great, and it also might've helped that the author was my sister's best friend's grandmother.
Rating:
Summary: The Prize
Review: I believe that "The Prize" was a wonderful, rich story. It was fast-paced enough that I couldn't stop reading it. The plot was great, and it also might've helped that the author was my sister's best friend's grandmother.
Rating:
Summary: The Prize: A Critical Analysis of Our Society
Review: The Prize is a seductive page-turner that takes a deep look in to virtue and decision making. Honestly describes the complexity of relationships and the hardship that occurs when one is being bullied. The Prize realistically looks at the need for positive change and activism in our society. Five Stars for The Prize!
Rating:
Summary: Reviewed for Denise's Pieces Book Reviews
Review: The Prize is a very thought provoking story. It begins with the introduction of two high school students. Syd is a bright, sensitive guy. John is the football jock, as well as a bully. What transpires between the bully and the victim leads to violence and many years of soul searching for Syd. The story then fast-forwards to forty-five years later. There is a meeting between John and Syd. Their memories of what happened and why are vastly different. Syd still sees himself as the victim and John feels that Syd was a wimp that would have not been picked on if only he would have stuck up for himself. Joh challenged Syd with an entirely different way to evaluate his life. Could there actually be some truth to the idea that Syd played a part in his own victimization? Could it be a fact that bullies and victims are co-conspirators in the tragic cycle of violence? I found that to be an interesting concept. Together, they come up with a plan to study the issues regarding the bully/victim syndrome. In a private school setting, ten students take part in a year long study to see if some will naturally become the aggressive ones, and others to be the passive. Will they be able to work out situations without adult guidance? This is a very creative story that will leave readers with more knowledge of human behavior and many things to ponder. I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were so well defined that it almost read like a non-fiction. I highly recommend this book for teachers, parents, and counselors. However, I think it should be a required read for adolescents. It could help them grasp the basic tools needed to co-exist in this society. With school violence at an all-time high in this country, we need to look at books like this, which provide fresh insight to old problems.
Rating:
Summary: Reviewed for Denise's Pieces Book Reviews
Review: The Prize is a very thought provoking story. It begins with the introduction of two high school students. Syd is a bright, sensitive guy. John is the football jock, as well as a bully. What transpires between the bully and the victim leads to violence and many years of soul searching for Syd. The story then fast-forwards to forty-five years later. There is a meeting between John and Syd. Their memories of what happened and why are vastly different. Syd still sees himself as the victim and John feels that Syd was a wimp that would have not been picked on if only he would have stuck up for himself. Joh challenged Syd with an entirely different way to evaluate his life. Could there actually be some truth to the idea that Syd played a part in his own victimization? Could it be a fact that bullies and victims are co-conspirators in the tragic cycle of violence? I found that to be an interesting concept. Together, they come up with a plan to study the issues regarding the bully/victim syndrome. In a private school setting, ten students take part in a year long study to see if some will naturally become the aggressive ones, and others to be the passive. Will they be able to work out situations without adult guidance? This is a very creative story that will leave readers with more knowledge of human behavior and many things to ponder. I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were so well defined that it almost read like a non-fiction. I highly recommend this book for teachers, parents, and counselors. However, I think it should be a required read for adolescents. It could help them grasp the basic tools needed to co-exist in this society. With school violence at an all-time high in this country, we need to look at books like this, which provide fresh insight to old problems.
Rating:
Summary: The Prize: A Critical Analysis of Our Society
Review: This book does what many today don't; it makes you think. I found it similar to Holes. Even though it is targeted to teens, as an adult, I found it very enjoyable. It is a "quick and easy" read due the compelling story line and characters, and it stays on track. I work part time at my son's elementary school in the lunchroom. I have found that I react differently, (and I hope more positively, and proactively), since reading this book. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A refreshing look self-interest and cooperation
Review: This book is a real gift to every teen who struggles with peer relationships. For the rest of us, it is the perfect antidote to the dreary message of The Lord of the Flies. The Prize demonstrates that self-interest is not a human trait to be rejected or restrained. Rather, it is the essence of what makes cooperation work. Kudos to LaCourt for the creative way she
shares a profound insight into human nature.
<< 1 >>
| 
