Playground

Playground
50 Cent
314 pages
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: library
★★★★☆

You can read the Goodreads summary here.

Burton, aka Butterball, is thirteen years old and has just moved from New York City to a Long Island suburb with his mom after her split from his dad.  They've moved because she wants to start her life over and give Butterball a better chance, but Butterball is taking the adjustment pretty hard.  When he beats up a kid named Maurice on the playground, he finds himself in therapy where, despite his protest, he might actually learn a thing or two...

This is not 50 Cent's first book, but it was the first one I'd heard about and the plot sounded good enough that I decided I had to read it, if not just to see what 50 Cent might write about.  The first half of the book had me kind of on edge - I wasn't sure if I was liking it - but by the end of the book I found I'd really enjoy it.  Not too many people can make me feel sympathy for a bully, and yet I had some for Butterball.

An interesting plot point, which I don't want to ruin for you, is the reason Butterball decided to beat up Maurice.  When we first find out about the incident we don't know why, but as the book goes on we find out and it makes a little more sense, not that it ever makes sense to just beat someone up.

Moral of the story: Bullies bully because they have personal problems and if they can sort those out and set life goals, they can be better people.

I definitely think this is a book bully's can relate to and something that could possibly be a successful learning tool in schools, particularly in inner-cities.  I was curious about what kind of YA book 50 Cent would write and that's the only reason I picked up this book.  But I think you should pick up the book because it's a great story with a fantastic moral.