The Tornado – Jake Burt

Jake Burt“s The Tornado is „One of the best stories about bullying for middle grades. Highly recommended.“ —School Library Journal, starred reviewBell Kirby is an expert at systems, whether heÂ’s designing the worldÂ’s most elaborate habitat for his pet chinchilla, re-creating Leonardo da VinciÂ’s greatest inventions in his garage, or avoiding Parker Hellickson, the most diabolical bully Village Green Elementary has ever seen.Since third grade, Parker has tormented Bell, whoÂ’s spent two long years devising a finely tuned system that keeps him out of ParkerÂ’s way. Sure, it means that Bell canÂ’t get a drink when he wants to, canÂ’t play with his best friend on the playground, and canÂ’t tell his parents about his day, but at least heÂ’s safe.Until Daelynn Gower touches down in his classroom like a tornado.BellÂ’s not sure why the new girl, with her rainbow hair, wild clothes, and strange habits, is drawn to him, but he knows one thing–she means trouble. ItÂ’s bad enough that she disrupts BellÂ’s secret system, but when Daelynn becomes the bullyÂ’s new target, Bell is forced to make an impossible decision: Finally stand up to Parker. . . Or join him.