The Greenlee Project Review

THE GREENLEE PROJECT

by Amanda M. Thrasher

Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary / Cyber-bullying

Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

Date of Publication: October 31, 2015

Number of Pages: 206

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Social media, cruel jokes, and bitter betrayal – watch your teens!

Greenlee Lynn Granger is about to find out how easily social media can be used as a malicious tool: a normal teen one day and ruined the next. Who knew a boy’s affections would turn her life into such a nightmare? Becoming a designated ‘project,’ a joke in front of the whole school, turns Greenlee’s life upside down. Relationships with her family and friends strained, she is forced to make mature decisions. Greenlee knows her choices will determine the future of her abusers.

An emotional glimpse into the reality of cyber-bullying, The Greenlee Project showcases the all-too-common anonymous and cruel betrayals of others through social media, of such magnitude that it devastates a young teen, her friends, family, and the community. Cyber-bullying affects not just the victims, but everyone around them. After being the target of cyber-bullying, what Greenlee does next is shocking.

Praise for The Greenlee Project

“The Greenlee Project is a touching and chilling cautionary tale that every teen should read. Amanda Thrasher gives us interesting and compelling characters, a well-crafted plot, and a breathless pace. Her teens are so real that you will feel you know them personally. Teens will find The Greenlee Project a compelling read and a helpful guide, while adults will see the challenges today’s teens face. This is a grand and important story.” — David A. Bedford, Ph.D. Instructor of Spanish at TCU

“The Greenlee Project is a captivating fictional story addressing critical real-life issues that tweens and teens face today. Bullying and cyber-bullying are part of our society today that has had tragic consequences for many. Amanda Thrasher, is a talented author, who has delivered a story that is both compelling and also thought-provoking. You can feel the emotions of each of the characters as the story unfolds along this journey. It will leave you with the desire to change the world around you and to talk to others about the increasing severity of bullying and cyber-bullying. With the discussion questions included, this is an excellent choice for book-clubs and middle school language arts classes. Such a critical and important story.” – Lisa Robinson – NSC

“The Greenlee Project is a wonderful book about a terrible subject. It’s hard to read this book without feeling sad, then angry, then empathetic, then proud.” – Sherry Leigh Rummel

“I was blown away by The Greenlee Project. You hear so much about bullying and things that teenagers deal with online these days. It’s been a few week since I finished the book, and I’m still thinking about how real the characters are. You feel like you could meet any of them at any high school any where. This book is great for any age group, but teens and their parents should definitely read The Greenlee Project.” – E. Nieman

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This subject is a bit close to heart since I experienced my own form of cyber-bullying in high school. I’ll try to keep it short!

The Greenlee Project brings to light a very important issue that is often ignored. While it centers on cyber-bullying, the face-to-face bullying is very present in this as well. What’s interesting about this book is that you feel empathy for all of them. They are all making mistakes and taking their own personal frustration outward unto other people as a way to make themselves feel empowered. It’s a self-destructive and spiraling effect that involves everyone in this book.

I didn’t want to feel hate for any of the characters because I remember how tough high school was at times. Still, it was frustrating to read about Clay actions and non-actions in stopping the bullying of Greenlee. It made no sense to randomly choose to target her, especially after one glance. Laurel, a popular girl in the school, is also dealing with a very dangerous and important issue herself. Yet, she still puts down her friend Kelsey and expects her to ignore the issue. It really brings to light how trying to fit in can make you act in irrational and cruel ways. Even if you’re considered popular.

This book does show some positive aspects as well. While there are cliques that have friction between each other, there is also a very well-exampled mix of group dynamics and how friendship varies between them. Even someone that might feel jealously towards their friend will ultimately want what’s best for them and will do what’s necessary to make sure they’re alright. Or a friend that stands by another, even when jokes and backlash are coming down on them and they might be caught in the crosshairs. Thrasher did a great job of balancing between the positives and negatives of growing up.

Since the book doesn’t have a timeline or character line breaks, it can get a bit confusing as the writing changes between perspectives. I tended to consider this book set some years back since the slang used was more around 5 years ago. It was actually pretty easy to consider it exactly the time I was in high school since I remember texting or saying ‘true dat’ quite a bit and chatting on forums.

This might seem pessimistic but there is always going to be bullying. It’s just something that can happen randomly and intentionally. It’s the reaction to it that truly matters. Standing by someone being bullied and stopping the issue can change their day. It can change their life. So is standing up for yourself. I wish this book had been recommended reading in middle school or high school as opposed to the others. It can and will make a difference to someone that has been bullied before or may be bullied one day. The first step to making people better is being aware of what we need to change. The ending was great and I was really proud of Greenlee. This book is a great choice for teens and parents.

Multiple Award Winning Author Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England, moved to Texas and resides there still. Author of several children’s books including picture books, middle-grade chapter books, YA and even a reader’s theater titled “What If . . . A Story of Shattered Lives.” She conducts workshops, writes a blog and contributes to an online magazine. She’s a multiple Gold recipient of the Mom’s Choice Awards for The Greenlee Project, YA and General Fiction, and for Spider Web Scramble, a Mischief book. As Chief Executive Officer of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, she assists authors with their work and shares her writing process and what she has learned as a publisher with people of all ages.

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