Ishmael Leseur (aka Fishwhale Le Sewer) wishes he knew how to defeat the school bully, Barry, who constantly mocks his name. So, when a dorky new kid, James, joins the class and confounds Barry with sarcasm and wit, Ishmael wishes he could do the same. Nonetheless, when James starts a debate team, Ishmael is reluctant to sign up. Then he notices a cute girl on a rival team and starts to wonder-public speaking can't be that bad, can it?
Summary Ishmael Leseur rues the day his parents gave him his name; since starting secondary school, he’s been mercilessly teased about it by his chief tormentor Barry Bagsley. All seems lost until James Scobie, an apparent future victim of Bagsley’s, moves to town and stands up for his own rights. With Bagsley in his place, Ishmael hesitantly steps out of the shadows to help Scobie start a debating team, which leads to Ishmael meeting the girl of his dreams in the most humiliating scenario imaginable. Then Scobie’s cancer, previously in remission, appears to return, and Ishmael and his new friends must go to the finals—and learn to speak up—on their own.
Topics Writing. Story-telling. Humor. Coping. Names. Bullies. Empathy. Helping others. Family. Feeling inferior. School. Friendship. Stress. Anxiety. Fear. Recognition. Debating. Research. Libraries. Developing social skills. Learning to speak up. Strengths. Mistakes. Overcoming obstacles. Achievements. Humiliation. Illness. Crushes. <i>Moby Dick</i>. Revenge. Doing the right thing. Weaknesses. Self-assertion. Generosity. Personal growth.
SRC Level 5.600000
SRC Points 15.000000
Lexile 820L
Trim Size 5 1/2" x 8 1/4"
Language English
JLG Release Date Dec 2007
Minimum grade 6
Maximum grade 8
Reading level Middle
Format Print
Advanced Readers Plus (Grades 6-8)
Advanced Readers Plus
Advanced Readers Plus (Grades 6-8)
For Grades 6-8
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