Me & Mr J by Rachel McIntyre

Electric Monkey, 2015. ISBN 9781405273442
(Age: 15+) Recommended This book is confronting on many levels.  Lara is fifteen, still in high school, and is the subject of vicious and persistent bullying. The bullying is humiliating and public. Lara tells her story through her diary and the reader is privy to the impact of the sustained and demoralising bullying.
At first the appearance of the new, and startlingly good looking, English teacher seems a reprieve for Lara. She begins to recognise some of her positive attributes and very real potential. Then the reader sees their relationship move on to become a romantic relationship.
Here, as a reader, there is great concern for the welfare of Lara and the disaster that looks to be looming for her. Rachel McIntyre takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotion as she unveils Lara's story, and though it ends abruptly she pulls all the elements together with skill.
This well written book will spark conversation and dissent when the issues of bullying and teacher/student relationships are discussed following the reading.
Linda Guthrie