Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice, 2009

Will Reid is a gawky kid who wears fake turtlenecks, is obsessed by his ant farm project, and is lousy at gym. In other words, he's the perfect target for Shane, the Grade 9 bully. Katie has been Will's friend in elementary school, but defending him in the high school environment comes at an unforeseen cost - she dreads the rumours that link them in a boyfriend/girlfriend way she's never considered. Devan has been part of Shane's bullyboy team until now, when he comes to realize that it's not so smart to mindlessly back up each nasty attack of Shane's. Together the three young teens are struggling to find their way out of one of the classic dilemmas of life: how not to be a bystander to bullying, how to stand up for your friends, and how to deal with consuming rage.

Young readers will find lots to think about as they turn the pages of this crisp and compelling story by newcomer Caroline Pignat. Each character takes a turn at telling the story -- through the spare blank verse of Will, wrapped up in the world of his single-parent father and his own eccentric preoccupations; through the clear-eyed accounts of Katie, wrestling with her own private demons; and in the sensitive narrative of the slowly awakening Devan, who comes to notice Katie as a spunky, attractive individual whom he'd like to know better but fears thinks he's a goof.

Click here to see a photo of the book signing at Leishman’s,
Or here for a downloadable Teacher’s Guide for Egghead (1.59 mb).

Note that Kids Help Phone's has included Egghead on their site as a book to help kids in their Get Information section under Bullying for Ages 13 and Up.

Reviews:
"Pignat explores the sensitive issue of bullying from three different perspectives, weaving the narratives together to give the reader a sense of plot without overdoing any particular scene. . . At the climax of the story, the bullying escalates to a life-threatening incident, and the impact affects all three of the protagonists. With a sensitive ending that does justice to the characters, the situation, and reality, the issues are supported by Pignat's clear prose and sensitive treatment of the perspectives of three very different characters."
Highly Recommended
-- CM Magazine

"Teens will empathize with the characters and see the personality types inherent within themselves or in their schools."
-- School Library Journal

". . . a sensitive examination of bullying and its psychological roots."
-- Booklist

"The novel is satisfying and provocative, leaving readers with much food for thought. Hopefully more titles are on the horizon from this gifted writer."
-- The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)

"Egghead is a sensitive portrayal of the dynamics behind bullying, peer pressure, and search for identity."
-- The Bureau County Republican

"The complicated boundaries of friendship are challenged and redefined in this story."
-- Today's Parent

"The events of this novel are as poignant as they are deplorable, and students will likely see themselves or someone they know in each of the captivating characters. The novel is a quick and easy read and the format lends itself nicely to a character study as well as illustrating different features of text. The use of poetry and short, perspective-driven chapters make this an enjoyable and highly teachable resource."
-- Professionally Speaking

Caroline Pignat graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Religious Studies. After working with children and youth for over fifteen years in roles such as teacher, seminar facilitator, mentor and coach, she began her writing career. Her fiction, non-fiction and poetry for children regularly appear in Highlights for Children, Guideposts for Kids, Living Faith for Kids, and Clubhouse Magazine.

Caroline's humour columns for adults are published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, The Vancouver Sun, and The Ottawa Citizen. She currently lives in Kanata, Ontario with her husband, Tony, and their children, Liam and Marion.

Click here to visit Caroline’s web page, where you can order a 40-page "Educator's Guide" for Egghead, among other interesting pages.

Check out the profile of Caroline Pignat in the September 2008 issue of CM Magazine.

0889953996
5.25 x 7.5, 128 pages, Trade Paper
Ages 12 +
Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Bullying