Bouchard books reviewed

By Gill Stamler
RR Library

This month’s review is devoted to one writer - John Bouchard. I thought it would be appropriate as he was here last week for a book-signing of his new book “Mr. Martin Gets Even”. It is so nice to see another local boy doing so well in his chosen profession, teaching, and also as a published author.
His three books are “Tunnel Hill”, “A Taste of Soda” and “Mr. Martin Gets Even”, each one are about early teenage years. John is a Grade Five teacher so he knows about what he is writing! His own life experiences have really given him an insight into teen life.
“A Taste of Soda” centers on Ricky Marsh, a seventh grader, who is the least popular boy in school! He becomes friends with the most popular girl in school and his troubles go from bad to even worse. Ricky does his best to stay friends with Sara but circumstances at home get worse by the day. Read on!!
“Tunnel Hill” is really a sequel to “A Taste of Soda” again we meet Ricky Marsh. This time he leaves Minnesota for a small town in Ohio to live with his father, a man he did not know. Follow his adventures in his quest to find the answers to a story of missing treasure and why his father was in jail. Join Ricky and Pookie in solving the mystery of Tunnel Hill.
“Mr. Martin Gets Even” is so relevant to what is happening in many schools today - the problem of bullying. Read how one fifth grade teacher has to handle a class torn apart by bullying and the on-going effect it could have on these teens for the rest of their lives. Mr. Martin also has to deal with the bullying problems in his own childhood, so his attempts at eradicating the abuse are made even more difficult. I think this book is a “must-read” for parents and young teens and I commend John for writing about such an important and cruel issue that is happening in just about every school today.
Well done, John! I am looking forward to reading you next book!!