Don’t call me Ishmael! is a book written by Michael Gerard Bauer about a boy who had just moved to high school and doesn’t have any friends in his class. On the first day of high school Ishmael was picked on a boy named Barry Bagsley, the school bully for Grade 8. By the end of Grade 8 Ishmael was better known as Le Sewer. When Grade 8 finished, Ishmael was relieved to have no more school because he wouldn’t get picked on any more. The next year continues with his daily bullying and he struggles with school. The story is set in a suburban middle class area.

Ishmael hates his name. He has a mum, dad and also a 13 year old sister. Ishmael is a shy 14 year old boy. Ishmael hates his parents because they chose his name out of a book. He despises the book that his parents often talk about. The novel deals in depth with him trying to fit in with other people. This book is long and it makes you think about bullying and how it affects people. This book is suited for boys and girls because it makes them think about what they can do to other people through bullying.

By Tyler, Year 9

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Don’t call me Ishmael is a terrific book, which outlines the life of a young boy called Ishmael who gets bullied about having the name “Ishmael Leseur”. This book is funny and contains a lot of issues, which relate to teenagers. This novel takes place at a school called St. Daniels and goes through the year explaining what happens and how a boy called Barry Bagsley bullies Ishmael. This book did not interest me because it doesn’t relate to me but I would recommend this book to teenagers who are struggling in their lives now because of issues like bullying.

Lochie, year 9

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Don’t call me Ishmael! The story is about a boy named Ishmael Lesur who just recently moved to a new high school, St Daniel’s College, where he hasn’t made any friends. Ishmael Lesur is a 14 year old boy who hates his name so much he gave it a syndrome – the Ishmael Lesur Syndrome – talking about how much he hates his name that his parents gave him. Barry Bagsley is the schoolyard bully who bullies Ishmael mostly because of his name, which also makes Ishmael hate it even more. Ishmael’s mother and father Carol and Ron both like talking about their son to other people, which Ishmael also hates.

The story is about bullying and a lot of real life issues in real life situations which relate to young teenagers around the same age as Ishmael. I liked this book because it is funny and rather interesting. I would recommend this book to young teenagers who are dealing with the same issues in life as Ishmael.

Brad, Year 9