Bruiser~ Neal Shusterman

You know we’re still quarantined because Riley’s hair is ALL over the place! Just kidding… we actually cut her hair ourselves at home. We’ve all just given up 😂. But, on the bright side, snapping this picture did give me a reason to wear real pants! 

I’m so grateful for novels during this uncomfortable time in our world. They’re the closest I can get to escaping my 700-square-foot apartment these days, and this novel, in particular, quickly drew me into the life of protagonist, Brewster Rawlins. 

Everyone at school calls Brewster, “Bruiser,” because of the mysterious scrapes, bruises, and black eyes he often wears. However, Brewster’s quiet and easygoing nature doesn't match his rough and tough exterior. He’d always been shy and antisocial, but everything changes when he begins to date his classmate, Bronte. 

Bronte and her twin brother,  Tennyson, get to know Brewster in a way no one else ever has, and soon Brewster realizes why he’s always kept others at a distance. His quiet, and often cold exterior had a purpose. It protected him, and letting Bronte and Tennyson into his life puts Brewster in greater danger than he ever thought possible. 

Bruiser, told from four different alternating perspectives (Brewster’s, Bronte’s, Tennyson’s, and Cody’s (Brewster’s little brother)), is a page turner that will force readers to question everything they’ve ever believed about pain, friendship, and happiness. This novel grapples with some big life questions that make this a perfect choice for high-level readers and book clubs. 

Maturity: 2/4

This novel addresses divorce, alcoholism, and family violence. There is one scene, in particular, that describes Brewster’s uncle hitting Cody while intoxicated. While most of the novel is entirely appropriate for all middle school students, I would be cautious in recommending this novel to students under the age of 13.. 

Pages: 317

Lexile: 820L

This novel is often a difficult read for students because the plotline switches every chapter. Especially in the beginning, students may benefit from frequent check-ins for comprehension. Notes jotted down in a notebook might help, too!

Lexile is a score that helps educators and parents match students with an appropriate text. A Lexile score is a measure of both a child’s reading ability and a text difficulty. However, Lexile does not take into account the content of a novel. So, pairing readers with a text is a complex process, and knowledge of a novel’s themes and plot is necessary to make a high-quality recommendation.

If you are curious about the grade-level equivalent to Lexile scores, check out the conversion chart here!

Hang in there, everyone! 

♥ Kara & Riley