Book: ButterAuthor: Erin Jade Lange
Pages: 316
If a story about a kid who plans to kill himself by eating and do it all on the internet doesn't peak your interest, then there's something wrong with you (or maybe it's the other way around...) Regardless, Butter is a story that will suck you in until the very last page. In a way, as a reader I almost feel as though I was no better than Butter's bullies, wanting to know whether or not he was actually going to go through with his sinister plan. Not only is Butter an intriguing story, but it deals with some pretty tough topics. I felt as though Butter's peers didn't react in a very realistic manner. After thinking about it, I realize I may unfortunately be wrong. I have taught in a high school and let's face it, teenagers can be harsh. Add in the invisibility of the internet now-a-days and you've got a recipe for disaster.
Bullying on the internet has increased majorly the last few years and we've seen the consequences it can bring to the victims. People use their internet avatars as something to hide behind (Butter is responsible for doing this as well) and they turn into people they would never be in the real world. However, I hate to think any teenager would egg a kid on who might kill himself, whether or not they thought he was going to go through with it or not. Other than this slight unrealistic aspect of the plot, Lange deals with weight issues, self-image problems, depression, suicide, addiction, personal responsibility, and relationships in a very constructive way. You finish the book feeling as though you learned something and may be a better person because of it.
Questions:
Have you ever been bullied on the internet or bullied someone esle?
Have you found that the anonymity of the internet can be used in a negative way?
