Chris DoSouto: Spencer Middle School Librarian
Recently, four librarians from the GVPL had a ‘Booksmack’ in our library. The librarians each delivered wild, speed reviews of their favourite books. Then they turned the mics over to the students to review a book of their choice.
Many of my students have very good taste when it comes to books, and one of our Grade 7s had just finished reading ‘Forgive Me, Mr. Hunter’. She chose to ‘smack’ about it saying: “This is the very best book I’ve read this year. The novel gripped me from the very beginning. Axel, a very likeable and realistic character, faces hardship throughout the novel. It gets so exciting when Axel and his friends start a fund-raising campaign and that leads to lots of interesting events. The ending couldn’t have been any better … but I won’t spoil for you as I want everyone to read this fantastic book. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
I’m getting amazing feedback from other students on a regular basis.
Andy Robertson: Counsellor, Victoria, British Columbia
I found this novel compelling, especially viewed from a pre-teen or teen perspective. It covers real life issues in a compassionate and thoughtful way and Axel comes across as very real. He is bright and introspective but certainly has his blind spots, just like us all. I would recommend this to any young person looking for a very good read.
Kelsey Patterson ·
Manager/ Dog Trainer at K9HQ Doggy Daycare Plus
This book really was hard to put down. There was great action with interesting characters, and the story just keeps you roped in. Axel, the main character is so likeable and you just feel so bad for him when he makes his big mistake trying to do a favour for Mr. Hunter. I loved the way the story unfolds when he's a teenager trying to get forgiveness. Some pretty crazy events. Just a lot of fun to read.
Book Review by Daniel Taft (High School Counsellor)
Forgive Me, Mr. Hunter
The middle school teacher’s goldmine!! This is an exceptionally engaging story about Axel Poomer, a grade 8 boy, who is new to his middle school and in his sixth foster home. The story revolves around the various struggles that are faced by typical middle school students woven around a major fund raising campaign in which Axel and his friends lose a tremendous amount of money. The plot is driven by Axel’s need to right a great wrong for which he blames himself completely.
This story revolves around themes of trust, guilt, bullying, friendship, family, loyalty, escape, mental health and figuring out how to do what is “right”. The surface story is mirrored by the Axel’s internal struggles regarding self-worth and acceptance.
Axel and his friends are very likeable characters struggling with many issues that are easy to identify with. This is a story of healing and learning the value of self and others. It is also a story set in the midst of teenage adventure and fun.
This is a story I would highly recommend for use in the middle school classroom. It is an exceptionally engaging story and is full of issues that are relevant to middle school students.
Cathy Gustafson Victoria, B.C.
In short, I thought this novel was wonderful. I felt that it captured the way young people think and act. It’s clear that T.N. Cullen has spent a lot of time around his target audience age group. I felt the manner in which they speak to each other and to adults was very realistic. I found the story engaging and could see where adolescents and teenagers would enjoy the book and get a lot out of reading it.
The parts that resonated with me were the struggles Axel had between trying to do good for others to honour Mr. Hunter, and the impulsive actions based on emotions that teenagers are prone to. It captures a young person's stage where they are still governed by their emotions and loyalty to their friends but are starting to see that people are not black and white. At one point in the novel I was wishing I could learn more about some other characters but then Cullen did reveal more about Eric and Flick which gave more depth to each character. I also enjoyed the descriptions of places in Victoria. It was great to have a mental picture while reading.
I would definitely recommend this book for middle school and high school readers. I found it a very easy read and was engaged in the story very quickly. Axel is a very likable character and it was easy to sympathize with him.
Recently, four librarians from the GVPL had a ‘Booksmack’ in our library. The librarians each delivered wild, speed reviews of their favourite books. Then they turned the mics over to the students to review a book of their choice.
Many of my students have very good taste when it comes to books, and one of our Grade 7s had just finished reading ‘Forgive Me, Mr. Hunter’. She chose to ‘smack’ about it saying: “This is the very best book I’ve read this year. The novel gripped me from the very beginning. Axel, a very likeable and realistic character, faces hardship throughout the novel. It gets so exciting when Axel and his friends start a fund-raising campaign and that leads to lots of interesting events. The ending couldn’t have been any better … but I won’t spoil for you as I want everyone to read this fantastic book. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
I’m getting amazing feedback from other students on a regular basis.
Andy Robertson: Counsellor, Victoria, British Columbia
I found this novel compelling, especially viewed from a pre-teen or teen perspective. It covers real life issues in a compassionate and thoughtful way and Axel comes across as very real. He is bright and introspective but certainly has his blind spots, just like us all. I would recommend this to any young person looking for a very good read.
Kelsey Patterson ·
Manager/ Dog Trainer at K9HQ Doggy Daycare Plus
This book really was hard to put down. There was great action with interesting characters, and the story just keeps you roped in. Axel, the main character is so likeable and you just feel so bad for him when he makes his big mistake trying to do a favour for Mr. Hunter. I loved the way the story unfolds when he's a teenager trying to get forgiveness. Some pretty crazy events. Just a lot of fun to read.
Book Review by Daniel Taft (High School Counsellor)
Forgive Me, Mr. Hunter
The middle school teacher’s goldmine!! This is an exceptionally engaging story about Axel Poomer, a grade 8 boy, who is new to his middle school and in his sixth foster home. The story revolves around the various struggles that are faced by typical middle school students woven around a major fund raising campaign in which Axel and his friends lose a tremendous amount of money. The plot is driven by Axel’s need to right a great wrong for which he blames himself completely.
This story revolves around themes of trust, guilt, bullying, friendship, family, loyalty, escape, mental health and figuring out how to do what is “right”. The surface story is mirrored by the Axel’s internal struggles regarding self-worth and acceptance.
Axel and his friends are very likeable characters struggling with many issues that are easy to identify with. This is a story of healing and learning the value of self and others. It is also a story set in the midst of teenage adventure and fun.
This is a story I would highly recommend for use in the middle school classroom. It is an exceptionally engaging story and is full of issues that are relevant to middle school students.
Cathy Gustafson Victoria, B.C.
In short, I thought this novel was wonderful. I felt that it captured the way young people think and act. It’s clear that T.N. Cullen has spent a lot of time around his target audience age group. I felt the manner in which they speak to each other and to adults was very realistic. I found the story engaging and could see where adolescents and teenagers would enjoy the book and get a lot out of reading it.
The parts that resonated with me were the struggles Axel had between trying to do good for others to honour Mr. Hunter, and the impulsive actions based on emotions that teenagers are prone to. It captures a young person's stage where they are still governed by their emotions and loyalty to their friends but are starting to see that people are not black and white. At one point in the novel I was wishing I could learn more about some other characters but then Cullen did reveal more about Eric and Flick which gave more depth to each character. I also enjoyed the descriptions of places in Victoria. It was great to have a mental picture while reading.
I would definitely recommend this book for middle school and high school readers. I found it a very easy read and was engaged in the story very quickly. Axel is a very likable character and it was easy to sympathize with him.
