There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom book review

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
by Louis Sachar

I strongly recommand this book to everyone in all ages. This is a book which teach you about friendship, trust, and how big difference you can make if you have the courage to try. Although I was very annoyed by the first few chapters, but the story turned out so interesting, and become one of the greatest story I have read!


Bradley Chalkers, a boy who tells lies, pick up girls, and never do right things. He has no friends, nobody to talk to, except the animals in his bedroom. He and the new student Jeff Fishkin were friends, but since he got a black eye from Melinda and Jeff found his own friends, they were no more friends. He thought his life would continue on scribbling, lying, and trusting no one, but it completely changed after he met the Carla, a counselor who believed him and never judge or restrict him.


He could draw monsters, break things in Carla's room, because the rule is "No rule". He could speak freely in Carla's room, because she would never repeat anything anyone tells her. After he got a black eye, he went to see Carla. She told him: "When you tell a lie, the only person you're lying to is yourself. You're afraid of yourself, afraid that even if you try, you'll still fail. " before Bradley stopped her. At the end, she suggested that he could make a list of topics before the next meeting. This is a very important turning point to Bradley. First time, he begin to concentrate on something. He listened closely in Mrs. Ebbel class, at recess, even when he is at home, in order to collect some new topics.


From potatoes to gold stars, "what's it like inside a girl's bathroom? " to outerspace, are all included in Bradley's list. They talked about monsters in outerspace, and Carla said something which changed Bradley's life."I don't think there is even one monster. Everyone has good inside them. People be called monster turned to real monster because they think they are, so they act like one. The first step for them to stop being a monster is to realize themself aren't monsters. "


To stop being a monster, Bradley had determined to be good. He ate the oatmeal that he usually hate, and he appreciated his sister's picking about wearing wrong socks. He paid attention in Mrs. Ebble's class. But everyone still thought he is a monster, a trouble maker. He went to find Carla during he is escaping from Jeff's gang who wanted to beat him up. Carla conviced him do do his first homework. At first Bradley had difficulties on doing arithmetic, but after he stepped out and ask his mother, his sister and his father both came and taught him patiently until he understand. He read a book "My Parents Didn't steal an Elephant" and wrote a goodbook report. He greeted his classmates. He said hello and held his hand out to Jeff when he was going to be beatened up. He played basketball with Jeff and his friends. He recieved his first gold star. He began to be the person to enlighten Carla, so she can share what happened instead of listening to him. He was even invited to Colleen's Birthday party!!

When everything turned out to be great, unfortunately Carla is leaving. Bradley is very fustrated, he wanted to be bad again so Carla wouldn't leave. But eventually, Bradley opened his mind after he read Carla's letter. He had a lot of fun in Colleen's party. At the end, he wrote a letter to Carla with a gift from heart like what Carla gave him, his favorite animal Ronnie.

It teaches us many thing in an interesting way from the interact between Carla and Bradley, also the change of relation between he and his family, teachers, and classmates. And Carla played a very important role in Bradley's change. She never tried to teach you something, only teaches you how to think. She doesn't believe in accidents, because there is always a reason behind, so it isn't a excuse either. She believes everything you say, and always thanks for your sharing. She doesn't use rule to restrict students, respect them to act freely. She wouldn't criticize or judge you from outside, because she believes that everyone has good inside. She gives you her favorite book as a gift, because a gift must from heart, so she wanted to share her best thing with you. You don't have to like her, eventhough she likes you.

Carla had inspired me a lot, and taught me to see things in different point of view. I used to think people doing bad things or breaking the rules are very immature and nasty, but now, I will think if there is a reason behind them that turned them into that sort of people; and how could I help and behave when I face them. Maybe not a long criticizing speech, just talk with them patiently like friends, try to understand their feelings.

It is a very educational, warm, and fascinating book, and it presented the story very well without using difficiult language or hard phrases. I couldn't stop reading since I get to the back! Wish that everyone in all age can read this book, and enjoy the great experience with Bradley and Carla.

"I enjoyed your visit very much. Thank you for sharing so much." -Carla & Bradley

P.s: you can find out why is the book called "There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom" when you read it.