Bully.com
Studious, quiet seventh-grader Jun Li doesn’t usually attract attention at school. That unexpectedly changes when he is accused of cyberbullying Kimmie, a popular and intimidating classmate, and he is given a week to either exonerate himself or face expulsion. As word spreads, Jun himself becomes the victim of bullying. Determined to find the real perpetrator and aided by best friend Chris—who doesn’t hesitate to use her words or imposing height to defend him—Jun turns into a detective. However, clues are scarce, mustering the confidence to deal with others face-to-face isn’t easy, and time’s a-ticking. But over the course of the novel, Jun gains insight into a bully’s motivations and discovers the lengths some will go to protect themselves and others. Jun is a well-written, engaging protagonist, and although side characters and events seem more representational than developed at times, readers will enjoy his lively, supportive friendship with Chris and find elements to empathize with and relate to throughout. The conclusion suggests further school-based detecting adventures to come. Grades 5-8. --Shelle Rosenfeld