Novel Reflection: Don't call me Ishmael

I had just finished an awesome book named "Don't Call Me Ishmael"

The picture that you are seeing above this line is the cover of a book Don't call me Ishmael!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL GERARD BAURER

 

Michael Gerard Bauer (born 1955, in Brisbane) was an Australian English teacher but is now a full-time Children's and Young Adult author. Bauer lives in Brisbane Queensland. The Running Man, his first novel has been well received, winning the 2005 CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers; was listed as one of the top 10 books for young adults for 2004 in Magpies magazine; and was short-listed for the 2005 NSW Premier's Award, Victorian Premier's Award, and the 2006 South Australian Festival Awards for Literature.The Running Man also won the Courier Mail 2005 People's Choice Award for Younger Readers. In 2008 it won the German Catholic Youth Book Award for promoting Christian values in children’s literature. The presentation ceremony took place in Mainz, Germany in June 2008. Bauer has also written six other books, Don't Call Me Ishmael (2006),

BOOK REVIEW: 

Ishmael Lesuer is 14 years. He believes that he suffers from Ishmael Lesuer’s syndrome – a chronic condition for which there is no cure. Symptoms of Ishmael Lesuer’s syndrome include the inability to stick up for yourself and the uncanny ability to humiliate and embarrass yourself in front of your peers – even when you are trying really hard to remain calm, cool and collected. Ishmael spent Year 8 at St. Daniel’s Boys College trying to be invisible. It was the only way that he could stop Barry Bagsley and the other school bullies from picking on him. He plans to spend Year 9 the same way, but things don’t work out that way. Firstly, Miss Tarango, a new teacher, begins at the school.She’s enthusiastic, fun and best of all she identifies Barry Bagsley as the class bully right from day one. Secondly, a new student called James Scobie starts in Ishmael’s class. James is slightly odd and quirky – an obvious target for bullies and Ishmael is initially worried about allying himself with him. However it soon becomes apparent that James is more than a match for Barry Bagsley. He is intelligent, quick-witted and absolutely fearless. As his friend, Ishmael feels protected. James encourages Ishmael to join the debating team as a researcher. Ishmael makes new friends on the team. Gradually as his confidence increases he is able to face his fears and speak in front of an audience. Then the unthinkable happens. James suddenly has to travel overseas, leaving Ishmael and the other members of the debating team in the lurch. The team has to decide whether to compete in the debating finals or forfeit because they have lost their leader. Can the team pull it together without James, or will everything fall apart? More importantly, will Ishmael finally find the courage to stand up to his arch-nemesis Barry Bagsley or will he remain invisible? Let's check it out by borrowing this book from the library!!!