A school mystery about a child under social pressure, with a new friendship helping him investigate an accusation. Humour sits alongside bullying, prejudice, moral choices and family conversations about religion and values.
More about this book
Quinn Andrews-Lee feels anything but mighty, and faces a dismal school year. His little sister outshines him athletically and socially, he yearns for a service award his peers disdain, and charismatic bigot Matt Barker's goal in life is to torment Quinn and lure his friends to the dark side. When Quinn reports an act of vandalism, he is accused of injuring Matt. Neally Standwell, a free-spirited new kid in Quinn's class, helps Quinn deduce who hurt Matt, but Matt would probably die?and would definitely lie?before admitting the truth. Through events comical and poignant Quinn and Ne.
BullyingThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.FriendshipThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.FairnessThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.
Consider
Social conflictViolence and harmDiscrimination or prejudice
Personalised Fit
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Quinn is tormented by Matt and later accused of injuring him; Quinn and Neally investigate what happened.Provisional readingProvisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.Provisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.
Talk about: What choices help Quinn challenge unfairness without treating Matt in the same way?
Different values in family and community
Adults discuss religion with children, while families are described as representing values grounded in religious belief or social justice.Exploratory / explanatoryExploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.Exploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.
How the book presents it: The book appears to make space for disagreement about belief and responsibility rather than treating these topics as background alone. Whether every viewpoint receives equal weight is unclear.
Talk about: How does the story handle people who reach different ethical conclusions, and does it invite listening as well as disagreement?
Belonging and being seen
Quinn feels overshadowed by his sister, wants an award his peers disdain, and forms a significant friendship with Neally.Provisional readingProvisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.Provisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.
Talk about: Which forms of recognition seem meaningful to Quinn, and if those change, what helps him feel valued?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
It may suit a reader who enjoys school-based sleuthing alongside questions about standing up to wrongdoing without copying harmful behaviour. The story also opens space to discuss belonging, competing values and social responsibility.
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What Deserves Attention
Be ready for sustained peer conflict, an accusation involving an injury, a character described as a bigot, and references to child abuse. The treatment and intensity of these elements may vary across the story.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How does Quinn decide whom to trust when friendship, reputation and fairness pull in different directions? If the book discusses religion and social justice, what reasons does it offer for differing views?
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Reading Approach
Read alongside the child, pausing after major developments to separate what is known from what characters claim. Afterwards, discuss whether solving a problem changes how someone should treat an opponent.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Standing up without becoming the bully: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Different values in family and community: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Belonging and being seen: The ending and the precise development of Quinn’s self-understanding remain unclear.
Book information
Limited information
Relevant to: Standing up without becoming the bully; Belonging and being seen
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