Suitabook

Trouble with Girls (The Kids from Monkey Mountain)

Ted Staunton

Reading: You could read together and pause to talk about how Jeff's worries affect him, then notice how the comic fits into his life. The ending and the teasing's resolution remain unclear.
Themes: Teasing at school: A group nicknamed the EGGs chooses Jeff as a target for teasing. The outline establishes the conflict, but not how the story judges the group's behaviour or what happens to it.
Friendship and fitting in: Jeff's friend Nick is often unavailable, and Janice also worries about fitting in. The outline suggests that a new friendship may develop, but does not establish its course or significance.
School pressure and creative expression: Jeff worries about keeping up at school and draws a comic with Nick, described as an outlet for his worries. The comic is presented as meaningful to Jeff, but its effects and the course of his school worries are unknown.
Worth knowing: Teasing is a clear part of Jeff's experience, alongside concern about keeping up at school. The extent or severity of either is not clear.