A major focus of educators at present is tackilng the problem (and yes, it's a big one) of bullying and harassment at school level. My own high school experience was peppered with numerous efforts by teachers, and external support groups, to maintain an environment of acceptance. Quite often these efforts had little effect, and life for many remained a daily struggle. Jessica Green, intrepid schoolteacher by day, has chosen this theme for her latest book Theodork. She lays bare this climate, in a heartfelt and sympathetic way. Our hero Theodore Erasmus Daniels zoned away from his primary school buddies, finds himself in the new, daunting highschool setting. His intitial optimism is quickly crushed with a few choice jibes about his name, and a misunderstanding with another student. The abuse continues, no matter what Theo does. Green’s tone, voiced through Theo, is self-deprecating, and this humour shines through, making a grim topic highly amusing and readable. As a reader you really feel for Theo, as the scenarios here are highly plausible. This is a superb book all round, a great story and very well told. Kudos to Jessica Green for tackling this subject.

Julia Jackson is a former ‘four-eyes’ and a bookseller at Readings in Carlton

Tags: jessica green