Reading Metrics
Description
When Chace's classmate Ivan begins mocking him for his facial deformity and racist comments about his mother's Iranian boyfriend, the harassment escalates beyond name-calling to online attacks. Fed up with years of bullying, Chace decides to fight back with threats of his own, only to find that his retaliation lands him in serious trouble at school. Now suspended and forced to explain himself to his mother, Chace must face the consequences of his choices while dealing with the painful reality that defending himself made him look like the aggressor. This realistic young adult story explores themes of bullying, family loyalty, and the difficult decisions teenagers face when pushed to their limit.
Quick Summary
If you've ever felt like standing up to a bully but didn't know how, this book will hit hard. Chase has been tormented by Ivan for years not just for the scar on his face that makes him look different, but also because his mom started dating an Iranian man and he's finally had enough. When Chase decides to get back at Ivan online, the retaliation spirals in ways he never expected, leading to suspension and some seriously tough choices about who he wants to be. It's a quick read at around 13,000 words, but it doesn't shy away from the messy reality of how painful bullying can be for everyone involved, including the bully. The language is rough and there's some Vulgarity that might surprise you, but it feels authentic to how these things actually play out in schools. If "Wonder" spoke to you, this is a grittier, more direct version of those themes it's for readers who want fiction that doesn't wrap everything up neatly but still leaves you thinking about what you would do in Chase's shoes. Parents should know the book contains racial slurs and strong language throughout, so it's definitely best for older teens, but for the right reader, it's the kind of story that sparks real conversations about standing up for yourself and the consequences that follow.