An ALA Notable Book for Children



One minute Alex is enjoying a laugh with his friends in fifth grade. The next he’s fearing for his life. The huge new kid, Brick Johnson, is not a guy to mess with, and now Alex has to do something … Quick!



Alex’s fear begins to take over his life until he sees a different side of Brick, one that suggests he may not be so bad after all. In the end, Alex not only “survives” Brick Johnson, he also learns a valuable lesson about respect, friendship, and seeing a person for who they really are.



Author Laurie Myers captures Alex’s growing fear and Brick’s mysterious nature. “Readers will be attracted by the humor of this story and will receive an important and painless message about the nature of respect and friendship.”—School Library Journal