Kirkus Reviews
October 24, 2023
In this debut novel, a teenager victimized by school bullies stands up for himself and takes his fight to the supervising adults.
Henry Wilton had hoped that his sophomore year in high school (in an undisclosed American city) would be different, but the bullies that have tormented him for years continue to target him. He’s just one of several such victims, and the others, like him, have kept their heads down and not spoken up to those in charge. But Henry, who’s endured bullying since the fifth grade, has finally had enough. He voices his complaints to teachers and the principal, identifying a group of boys who’ve repeatedly insulted and assaulted him. Sadly, nothing changes; the administration feels that Henry should simply brush off the bullies’ behavior, and he can’t prove that anyone physically harmed him. With seemingly no one on his side, Henry plans to expose the situation publicly. It’s hardly surprising that he incites the wrath of both the bullies he accuses and the school’s apathetic leadership. Wade stirs up topical issues in this hard-hitting tale, such as how adults can be dismissive of bullying that isn’t physical and how athletes often receive more favorable treatment than other students. The portrayal of Henry is a sympathetic one; he’s highly anxious throughout every school day, and there seems to be nowhere he can turn for advice or support; also, the narrative largely comprises his discussions with increasingly frustrating adults. That said, Henry isn’t always the nicest guy in his pursuit of vengeance; he admirably steers clear of physically violent means, but he does berate people at times. He also claims that he’s fighting for all victims, but he seems to see others’ suffering as more evidence for his arguments, rather than something that emotionally concerns him.
An affecting story that shines a light on systematic bullying, despite its occasionally unlikable hero.
Matt McAvoy’s review
Jun 14, 2022
So, this book is technically flawed, ultimately unsatisfying and doesn’t really go in any direction near where you are hoping it will go – and you know what? I loved every minute of it! Tom’s book is great. With its tangible air of menace permeating throughout, simmering below the surface from very early on, it is safe to say that you spend much of it in nailbiting suspense, just wondering where bullied Henry is taking all of this. And the author knows this. Furthermore, he fosters and relishes in it, even dropping a big red herring of a clue about midway through. But in the end Tom is more intelligent than that; he doesn’t need populist sensationalism or shock value to tell his story. Sure, Henry is an angry boy, but he is also a boy with a brain, and a profound sense of right or wrong – so whatever lengths you are worried he is going to go to, you never need worry too much about the righteousness of his actions.
And there is something undeniably righteous about this book, and the story behind it. I don’t know if the author was a victim of the soul-destroying bullying that Henry is subjected to, but I suspect so. In this case, Henry’s tale becomes a fantasy of wishful thinking, when he is pushed too far and retaliates using every resource at his disposal – though most prominently, his brain and his will to fight. And retaliate he does, against the bullies, against the school, against the very system which enables and condones his bullying. His retaliation may not really be disproportionate, and it may be cathartic, but in many ways it is clearly unhealthy for his own state of mind. The teachers, his parents and even his friends know this, but Henry is single-minded in his fury, and he will browbeat anyone who gets in his way. His obsession becomes pathological, and it is difficult not to fear for the future of him or anybody who crosses him.
Wade has created something of an antihero in the making – maybe not now, but certainly later in life; you can’t help wondering what he will have become should you visit Henry at a later date. Whilst initially rooting for him, you might very quickly find yourself wanting to shut him up – we all knew a kid in class like Henry becomes: obstructive, arrogant and annoying. His campaign against the bullies becomes an infuriatingly haughty and imperious one, his manner equally so, though this is utterly forgivable simply because of the fact that the adults are equally infuriating and characteristically obtuse, complacent or simply inept – again, we all know of these types of professional: feigned ignorance for a quiet life, rather than doing good in their job, and creating victims of their dependants. The fact that literally every single adult in this book is like them perhaps labours the point a little, and Henry’s power over them, as well as his story arc, does perhaps become a touch far-fetched – but then again, why not? It’s Tom’s fantasy.
A great book, which technically improved could have earnt a well-deserved five stars and is highly recommended. The lack of chapters was a bit of a problem for me, and I don’t know why Tom opted to exclude them, but you certainly shouldn’t let that put you off – just make sure to use a bookmark.
Literary Titan
July 11, 2022
“From the very first pages of this thought-provoking young-adult novel author Tom Wade paints a vivid picture of a teenage boy cowed and made miserable by groups of bullies who have victimized him for years. From the first day of the school year, 15-year-old Henry struggles against a system that is determined to keep him down. He gathers the courage to stand up to his oppressors and find retribution, but at a high price to himself. In the end he must make the pivotal decision about his own future — take the ultimate peace that his friends chose or continue to fight.
Henry might be terrorized by bullies, but he has had enough. He begins to stand up to the kids who are violent and abusive as well as to the apathetic adults who are shockingly willing to turn a blind eye. These scenes are heart-wrenching but feel authentic. He is a smart kid, and he knows exactly how to push everyone’s buttons, and I enjoyed how sharp his character is. Gradually, readers see Henry change from one of the “meeks” to the biggest bully of them all. He provokes fights to prove his point and he browbeats his teachers into taking action. His character evolution is compelling and makes for an engaging read.
Throughout this enthralling coming-of-age tale is a simmering undercurrent of menace that will have readers on the edge of their seat. Has the system that failed him created a monster? And, if so, just how big a monster? On more than one occasion, Henry’s musings imply that he has been pushed too far and, just like his nervous teachers, readers wonder if he is going to produce the gun he knows is kept in his father’s desk. The dialogue is another real strength of this book and is used to great effect to both tell the story and build character.
Bully Boy by Tom Wade is an eye-opening read that explores contemporary issues in schools with a captivating main character. If you enjoy gripping teen fiction novels that have something important to say, then this is a book you must pick up.”
Amazon Customer Review
Unexpected
This is a great book to read! It follows a young man in high school who is bullied. Yeah, we all know about bully stories, but you don’t know this one. This is an entirely new take on what can be an overly stereotyped topic. As a reader, you will be completely surprised at how Henry goes about resolving his own bully issue and his attempts to rid bullying in every form, no matter the source. As I got deeper into the story, I literally could not put the book down, wanting to see just how far Henry was willing to go in his crusade, and what the fallout would be from his unorthodox approach. As for Henry himself you wonder where will he go from here after such an ordeal. Will he learn again to have patience and accepts flaws in others or is he destined to find the next battle royal?
03/10/2026
Mike T. – From Amazon
Great story and well written
The story line is all too familiar, many of us have experienced some sort of bullying in our younger days, especially at school. The book quickly elevates the reader into the main character. Henry has finally had enough and is ready to confront ALL of the bullies ! I found myself cheering him on as page after page reveals his plan and his dedication to ridding his school of the classic bully and some unexpected characters that don’t even realize themselves how much they are part of the problem.
A great read ! Hard to put down. I would love the author to conceive a shorter version, an easier read, of his story that could be available to grammar school age. Maybe it would help curb the more harmful high school days, especially with the elevated presence of social media and the direct effect it is having on young adults. Mike T.
03/10/2026
Amazon Customer
Very good.
This was a very good and enlightening book. Should be read by everyone, especially teachers and administrators. I loved the writing, and I am waiting anxiously for more by this author.